Chapter 2

The next afternoon, Darius handed me a ticket to an art exhibition. He said, "It's a private collection showing. Take a little break."

I was about to take it when a sharp voice suddenly cut in.

"Where did you get that ticket?"

Gina appeared in the doorway out of nowhere. She walked straight over and snatched the ticket from his hand. "These tickets were impossible to get. I've been looking everywhere for one."

She did not even glance at me. Instead, she just smiled at Darius. "Valerio's been trying to find one too. If I give it to him, he'll definitely be grateful."

I saw Darius's expression darken for a split second before he masked it with a smile. "You've been pursuing him this long and still haven't caught his attention? Guess he really isn't into you."

Gina furiously stomped her high heel onto Darius's foot.

My eyes widened, and I instinctively started forward to check if he was hurt. However, he just laughed, hopping on one leg a couple of times.

"Alright, my bad for saying that. But this approach isn't going to work." He leaned closer to Gina, lowering his voice. "With men, the more they can't have something, the more they want it. Ignore him for a few days, and he'll come around."

"Really?" Gina's eyes lit up.

Darius did not answer. He simply took the ticket back from her and handed it to me.

He said, "You deliver it. Tell Valerio that Gina heard he was interested in this exhibition and got the ticket just for him."

I took the ticket, my fingers gripping it until they turned white. "Okay."

As I turned to leave and shut the door behind me, I heard Gina's voice ring out from inside, dripping with disdain.

"It's been ten years. Aren't you tired of this little game yet? What, are you actually planning to marry her?"

Darius spoke up, his tone teasing. "What's wrong? Are you jealous? Why don't you consider marrying me instead? I'll have her gone immediately."

The words hit me like a knife to the chest. My whole body went stiff as I leaned against the cold wall, tears finally spilling down my cheeks.

I was not even a backup. Instead, I was just a bargaining chip he used to flirt with someone else.

...

The car dropped me off in front of a tall office building, and a secretary led me to the office on the top floor.

When I saw the stern, ice-cold man sitting behind the desk, I took a deep breath and approached.

"Didn't I say not to interrupt me when I'm working?" Valerio looked up with a frown when he heard me approach.

However, the moment he saw me, his cold demeanor melted away. "What are you doing here? Is Mr. Rossi here with you?"

I shook my head and held out the ticket. "This is from Ms. Costa. She heard you were interested in this art exhibition and went out of her way to get you a ticket."

Valerio did not take it. His eyes stayed fixed on me. "You look like you've been crying. Who upset you?"

Hearing his words, I froze. Valerio always seemed to pick up on my moods faster than anyone else. He understood me even better than Darius did.

"No one." I thought of the task Darius had given me and pulled myself together, keeping my voice calm.

Valerio did not press further. He simply opened a drawer, took out a book, and set it on the desk.

"This is for you. I missed your birthday, so consider this a belated present."

My eyes immediately lit up. It was a signed collector's edition by my favorite author, a book I had wanted for three years.

I had mentioned it to Darius once at an auction, but he said Gina was not into books, so I should not be either. He even told me that I could find a digital version easily, that it was not anything special.

Eventually, someone else bought the signed copy at auction. I never expected to see it here with Valerio.

I quickly waved. "This is too expensive. I can't accept it."

"Then I'll just throw it away. I don't need it anyway." Valerio's face remained cold as he moved to toss it in the trash.

"Don't!" I rushed forward and grabbed the book, hugging it to my chest. "I want it."

I looked up just in time to catch a flash of amusement in Valerio's eyes, like a kid who had just pulled off a prank.

"You'll be at the exhibit too, right?" he asked suddenly.

Seeing the subtle gleam in his gaze, I was about to say no when Darius's words suddenly echoed in my ears. Remembering I still needed to find opportunities to get close to him, I nodded.

Valerio raised an eyebrow and took the ticket. "Since you want me to go, I'll be there."

As I saw the faint smile in his eyes, my heart started to race. Even after leaving the building, I could not calm myself.

What was wrong with me? This was Valerio Warren, Sirioli's underground king, and yet… He was so much gentler than I had ever imagined.