Chapter 5 - The Reunion

POV: Regina

The Moretti Grand Hotel was exactly as I remembered it, but the ballroom was beyond my expectations.

It was breathtaking and ruthlessly elegant, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Boston waterfalls, and marble floors so polished that they reflected the chandeliers above like still water.

The floral arrangements were so tall, white, and architectural. They are probably worth more than my first restaurant lease.

Everything in this building had been designed to make the people feel the weight of Adrian Moretti’s name before he even walked into the room.

I knew that feeling too well.

“Table twelve still doesn’t have its champagne setup,” I told one of the hospitality staff while scanning the room carefully. “And the seafood station needs to be rotated before it starts looking dry.”

“Yes, Chef.”

The staff scattered quickly, the waiters moving silently between tables in black-and-white uniforms.

Everything looked elegant and perfect, which meant absolutely nothing could go wrong tonight. 

“Chef Price, the appetizer stations are ready for your final check.” My head coordinator, Lena, appeared at my elbow with a clipboard and the energy of someone running entirely on caffeine and professionalism.

“I’ll be there in two minutes,” I told her, adjusting the placement of a centerpiece on the nearest table, and already moving. “And tell Marcus to lower the heat on the bisque. It was sitting too hot during the rehearsal run and I don’t want it to break before the first guests are seated.”

“Yes, Chef.”

She disappeared and I kept moving, running my eyes across every station as I passed. 

I had made sure my team had been on site since six this morning and everything looked exactly as I’d planned it, which was the only acceptable outcome as far as I was concerned.

I had spent the last three weeks giving my all to this event—planning the menu, staffing, and logistics. 

And preparing myself mentally and emotionally for when I ran into him at this event.

A part of me had hoped he wouldn’t show up, but another part knew quite well that my delusion was near impossible. 

This was his hotel—and his event.

“Chef Price, the investors requested a menu adjustment for the VIP tables.”

One of the junior chefs rushed towards me nervously, interrupting my thoughts.

I was about to respond when a movement near the ballroom entrance caught my eye and everything inside me stopped. 

For one terrible second, the ballroom disappeared.

Adrian Moretti stood near the ballroom entrance, wearing a perfectly tailored suit, one hand tucked into his pocket while security remained several feet behind him.

He looked sharper and the softness that occasionally existed around him years ago had disappeared completely, leaving behind something more intimidating—untouchable.

His calculating amber eyes swept across the ballroom, until they found mine.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

The expression on Adrian’s face didn’t change immediately, but I watched the exact second recognition hit him.

Then disbelief.

Then something darker.

The room around us continued moving normally while we stood frozen across from each other like five years hadn’t passed at all.

I turned back to the junior chef, taking the clipboard from him and scanning it. “Lena will handle it.”

He nodded and turned away hurriedly, while I headed for the appetizer station.

Or anywhere away from the heat of his gaze.

“Marcus,” I said, my voice completely steady. “The bisque.”

“Already adjusted, Chef.”

“Good. And the presentation on the third tray needs to be reset, the garnish is uneven.”

I was reaching for the tray myself when—

“Regina.”

My hand froze above the silver tray.

I took one deep breath, then straightened and turned around to meet his eyes three feet from me.

Up close, he was worse.

Those eyes were unreadable and he was looking at me with an expression I couldn’t immediately decode, which had always been the most dangerous thing about him.

“Mr. Moretti,” I greeted calmly. “Welcome. I hope the setup meets the foundation expectations.”

His jaw tightened slightly at the formality.

“It exceeds them,” he said, his voice low and unhurried. “The room looks exceptional.”

“Thank you. My team has worked hard on it.”

“You’re personally overseeing the event.”

“I oversee all major partnerships.”

There was a pause and we just stood there, looking at each other. The tension between us felt so thick.

Until finally, he spoke.

“It’s good to see you, Regina,” he said quietly.

The way he said my name was exactly as I remembered, and I hated that I noticed.

“You as well,” I said, keeping the same professional tone. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on the kitchen before the first course.”

I held his gaze for a beat longer than turned towards the kitchen, trying so hard to still my beating heart.

“Mommy!”

The voice hit me from the left side of the ballroom and I turned instinctively. 

Bella was running toward me in the cream colored dress that Sienna had picked up for her, with her blonde curls bouncing wildly behind her.

Her amber eyes were bright and unconcerned with the elegance of the room she was running through at full speed.

She collided into my legs and wrapped both arms around them.

“I found you,” she announced.

“You were supposed to stay with Sienna, and not disturb mommy’s work,” I said, crouching down instinctively to her level.

“Auntie Sienna was talking to a man with a red tie and she forgot to watch me,” Bella explained reasonably. “So I came to find you instead.” She looked up at me with her wide eyes, completely satisfied with this logic.

I exhaled. “We’re going to have a conversation about this later.”

“Okay.” She smiled, unbothered, and then her eyes moved past my shoulder with so much curiosity.

I felt Adrian go completely still before I even turned around.

He was standing exactly where I’d left him, staring at Bella with an expression I’d never seen.

Bella stared back at him with the same focused gaze she gave everyone. 

“Hi,” she said simply.

Adrian said nothing as his eyes moved across her face slowly, then he looked up at my face in the same unhurried way.

And for the first time since I’d known Adrian Moretti…

I watched him lose control completely.