Chapter 2

Ever since becoming Matteo’s wife, I had to attend various banquets with him every few days.

I hated socializing the most.

That evening, there was another social event. I found it suffocating. So, I went to the estate’s wine cellar alone.

I thought again about what Matteo had once said as I spaced out.

Then, I remembered how Matteo’s expression grew gradually colder on our wedding day.

I comforted myself by thinking, ‘It’s fine. Sure, our marriage doesn’t have any love in it. But he looks just like the guy I’ve always had a crush on. I can still get by.’

How pathetic.

I took off my wedding ring and set it down casually. Then, I started browsing the various collections inside the wine cellar.

When I returned to my original spot, I discovered that the ring was gone.

Then, I heard footsteps coming from behind me.

“Looking for this?” a voice asked.

I turned and saw Matteo leaning against a wine rack. He was wearing an old leather jacket.

“Lina, are you drunk?” he asked.

He lifted my hand and returned the ring to me.

Still in a daze, I just smiled faintly at him.

He said resignedly, “Yep, you’re definitely drunk. You have such a terrible alcohol tolerance.”

He smiled roguishly at me. That was a first.

I instinctively threw myself into his arms. I heard his heart pounding strongly and steadily.

I was probably truly drunk. All I could think about was Nicola.

When I was a child, I was kidnapped by a rival family.

They put tape over my mouth and tied my hands behind my back. Then, they hurled me into a shipping container like a piece of freight.

The container was airtight and smelled of rust and fish.

My hands and feet began to go numb. I could not breathe.

Just when I thought I would die there, the sound of iron chains dragging on the floor came from the corner.

A thin, young boy walked out of the darkness. He was covered in sweat and dust.

He looked a few years older than me. There was a long scar on his arm.

He signaled for me to stay quiet. Then, he tore the tape off my mouth.

The shipping container no longer felt so stuffy.

Some light found its way in, and I could see his face.

He had a handsome smile. I asked him what his name was.

He tilted his head to look at me. Then, he grinned cockily. “Make it out of here alive. Then, I’ll tell you.”

Later, when I was rescued, he only gave me a lazy lift of his chin.

My family’s people took me away before I got to know his name.

From that day on, that cocky grinning face lingered at the back of my mind.

Then came the day of high school graduation. Elena said she would take me out to relax.

She brought me to an upscale private club.

The moment we pushed the door open, it was like we entered another world.

The air was thick with the smell of cigars, old leather, and cologne.

The crystal chandelier gave off a very dim light. Every male model wore a rose brooch on his chest.

Elena held my arm as she leaned close and whispered to me, “Lina, smile. Don’t make that face. It makes you look like you’ve never been anywhere nice before.”

I ignored her.

That was when I saw him.

There he was, singing. He wore a black rose brooch.

He had grown taller and more muscular. His shoulders were broader.

His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing the long scar on his arm.

When the manager came over to take our order, I said I wanted him.

The manager looked at me and laughed heartily.

“You? Honey, there are plenty of rich women after him. But Number 23 is off limits. Black Rose is a performer. He doesn’t do that kind of work.”

Elena laughed coldly.

“What does that even mean? That’s just code for wanting more money. Lina, this is the first time I’ve ever seen you want something this badly since you were a kid. It’ll be my treat. Mom and Dad won’t find out.”

Ultimately, I did not use her money.

I spent every last cent of my own savings to buy one hour with him.

He was drinking when I walked into the private room.

When he saw me come in, he looked me over lazily.

I thought he did not remember me.

He stared at me for a very long time.

He stared for so long that I finally gathered my courage to speak to him. Then, he narrowed his eyes and smiled. It was the same roguish smile he wore back in the shipping container.

“It’s you. So, your name is Lina. You’ve grown up. You’ve always seemed a little spaced out. Now that I’m looking at you up close, though, you’re pretty rebellious, aren’t you?”

I had so much I wanted to tell him. Yet, the words died in my throat.

He turned his face slightly toward me. When he noticed I was blushing from holding back my words, he sighed softly.

“Sweetheart, you don’t need to waste your money buying me out.”

Tears streamed down my face.

“Please wait for me. I’m going home right now to get the money to free you. Once you’re free, you can do whatever you want. You don’t have to sing here. You don’t have to deal with customers. Okay? Please.”

He sighed again, perhaps because I was crying so miserably.

“Alright, stop crying. I promise you. I’ll wait for you to take me home.”

I stopped crying and broke into a smile. I hugged him tightly.

“A deal is a deal. You can’t lie to me.”

He did not push me away. Instead, he patted my back.

“Alright,” he said.

Elena’s card did not go through. She did not have enough money in it. I could only ask her to lend me a little more.

In just two weeks, I saved up enough money and went back to the club

However, the club staff told me Number 23 had died.

Years had passed. Still, I could not forget him.

I never forgot that roguish smile and the way he made my heart pound.