Chapter 2_ Meeting An Old Friend.

Kate exhaled after their departure.

‘So that was Lucas Romano? I didn't realize he was so handsome—- Such a shame about his personality, though. On the other hand, Ace seemed pretty nice. He's a looker too. If he wasn't involved with the mafia, I wouldn't mind talking to him more, but that would also mean seeing Mr. Unfriendly again.’

After her internal dialogue, she shakes her head and starts searching through the crowd again for her uncle.

“Now, where could he have gone?" She said and continued pushing through the crowd.

“Excuse me….. sorry.” She suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at the man she just pushed past.

"Matteo?” She called out, uncertainly.

The man turns to face her, and her heart leaps.

‘It really is him!’

"Kate?” The man called out, stunned.

"It's been so long! I haven't seen you since graduation.” He rubs the back of his neck, flashing a soft, sheepish smile.

"Sorry about that. I kept saying I’d get in touch, but I didn't want to bother you.”

Kate rolled her eyes, "Don't be ridiculous! You're never a bother.” Seeing his easy smile makes Kate feel like she's on familiar ground again. She feels warmer just from looking into his eyes.

‘He’s as handsome as ever—- I never thought I'd see him again.’ Kate thought happily.

“How have you been?" Kate asked.

“Doing alright, You?"

“Pretty good, I guess. I got a job at an office. It's not the most exciting thing in the world, but It gets the bill paid."

Matteo nodded, “That's what matters and that's why I'm here, actually."

“Huh? What do you mean?"

“Work transferred me to this district. I was hoping we would run into each other again.” His smile falters suddenly, and he furrows his brow.

"Although, this sort of dinner party isn't exactly where I expected it to happen. Last I knew, this wasn't your sort of thing.”

Kate shrugged at his words, "My uncle made me come to this party."

“Your uncle?"

“Yup! He, uh….has a connection here, I guess.” Kate shook her head and continued, “For some reason, he got it into his head that I should come tonight and meet Lucas Romano.”

“What?!" Matteo exclaimed, unbelievable.

“I know, I know." She looks around, and then lowers her voice to a whisper.

“I did meet him, and let's just say it could have gone better.”

Matteo threw his head and laughed, and she smiled at the comforting sound.

‘It almost feels as though no time has passed.’

“So are you still a big reader?”

"When can I find the time?" Matteo said with a sigh.

“Ah. Real life getting in the way?”

"Work, usually."

Kate sighs, crossing her arms.

“It’s always work, huh? Although—- I can't feel too negatively toward your job when it brings us together again.

He flashed a brilliant smile and put his arm around her neck.

“I’d say I feel the same.”

"What sort of job is it, anyway? It sounds—-”

"Hey, I think something's happening." Matteo nodded to the front.

And Kate noticed that all around them, people were starting to gather together and turned toward the front of the room.

=====

Lucas looks poised to give a speech at the podium, with Ace next to him. Something came to Kate's mind and she softly exclaimed.

“Oh, right." She moved closer to Matteo to speak in a whisper. “My uncle said Lucas is supposed to introduce his fiancee at this party.”

‘Speaking of which, where in the world is my uncle? I'm lucky that I ran into Matteo, I’d hate to be standing here by myself.

“Unbelievable! What sort of girl would want to get mixed up with a guy like him?" He said, disdainfully.

“Matteo!" Kate shushes him, hoping that no one's looking at them as she leads him to the corner of the room and away from the crowd.

“That's not the sort of thing you should say in the crowd." She chided but Matteo scowled instead.

“Anyone with a lick of sense would stay away from these mafia types."

“They're not all bad." Kate defended.

Matteo snorts, “Name one."

“My uncle is a good man and he's involved with them. Besides, I met a man earlier who was a perfect gentleman."

“That's just a front for the public. When there are no witnesses, that's when the claws come out."

Kate sighed as she had no comeback for his words but one thing she realized was that he had a deep-dislike for the Mafia.”

At the podium, facing the crowd. Lucas clears his throat and said, “Thank you all for coming tonight. I have a very special announcement to make. This is a momentous occasion in my life, and I only wish my father could be here to see it.”

‘That’s right, he inherited the business after his father's recent death.’

While Lucas waxes on about his father's legacy with more eloquence, the people standing closest to Kate and Matteo move away as If giving space for someone’s entry. Kate turned but it wasn't her uncle but two men in black suits who came to stand right in front of her.

“Ms. Kate?"

“Yes?"

“Please follow us." Kate furrowed her brows, confused.

"Hold on, what's going on here?” Matteo steps forward but she holds up her hand to stop him.

"It's alright. This probably has something to do with my uncle, I just hope he's alright." She said, with concern plastered on her face.

“Are you sure?" Matteo asked, skeptical.

“Yes, I’ll be fine."

“Alright, but If you need any help, just shout and I'll be there." Kate smiled and nodded at him.

“Thanks, I really appreciate it, Matteo. It was good seeing you again.”

Matteo smiles but it doesn't meet his eyes as he watches her. He glowers at the two men as they escort her through the crowd.

‘Let me guess. My uncle got tired of searching for me himself and sent a couple of mafia goons to find me. I wouldn't be surprised, He’s the type that wouldn't realize how creepy that might come across.’

Yet, to her surprise, They led her straight up to the front of the room that is closer to the podium.

“Umm–where—” The men left her without speaking a word to her and Kate looked around in bewilderment as she saw Lucas standing a few feet from her.

He glances her over with an irritated expression and nods at her but Kate just stares at him, perplexed.

‘Does he want me to join him?’

When she doesn't move, he walks toward her and takes her hand. His grip was gentler than she expected from their cold encounter so far.

“This way."

“What?! I'm not going anywhere. What's going on?" He sighs and lifts his gaze to hers.

“I see patience can't be counted among your traits."

Kate raised her brows, “Does that matter right now?"

“You will get your answers when the time is right. For now, all you have to do is follow along."

“Why should I?" She asked, stubbornly.

“You will cause a scene If this goes on much longer, Is that what you want?"

‘Causing a scene for a Mafia boss sounds like a ticket into the river.’ Kate shook her head reflexively.

“I guess not." With a sharp nod, he tightens his grip on her hand and tugs her after him as he leads her to the podium.

He turned back to the crowd, “Thank you for waiting, everyone." He then turns to Kate and looks into her hazel eyes.

Kate found herself captivated by his piercing gaze despite her confusion. He lifts her hand, and for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss it, just like Ace had done earlier.

Instead, He holds out a beautiful diamond ring and Kate gasped at the sight of it.

It looks fancy and beautiful than any ring she had ever seen.

‘It must be worth a fortune.’

‘No, that's not right. That shouldn't be what I should focus on, why is this jerk holding out a diamond ring to her?’

Lucas slid the ring in between her fingers and hold her close to himself as they faced the crowd together and said, “Meet my fiancee, Kate.”