Mr. Lorenzo

CHAPTER 5

“You’re holding my hand too tightly.”

Bella whispered the words without moving her lips.

Eric glanced down at their joined hands.

“Then stop looking like you’re attending your own funeral.”

Bella forced a smile.

“I’m about to meet one of the richest men in the country while pretending to be engaged to a man who barely tolerates me. What expression would you recommend?”

“One that doesn’t make me regret bringing you.”

She wanted to step on his foot.

Instead, she smiled sweetly.

“Of course, darling.”

Eric’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t overdo it.”

Before Bella could answer, Michael appeared beside them, adjusting his expensive wristwatch.

“Are we ready?”

Eric’s expression immediately changed.

“What are you doing here?”

Michael looked offended.

“Good evening to you too.”

“I didn’t invite you.”

“And yet, here I am.”

Bella tried not to laugh.

Michael had insisted on joining them after learning that Mr. Lorenzo would be hosting a private dinner at his residence. According to him, he had business to discuss with Lorenzo’s son.

Eric clearly wasn’t pleased.

“Remember,” Eric said, turning towards Bella. “Tonight, you are my fiancée. Don’t let anything confuse you.”

Michael placed a hand over his chest.

“Don’t worry. I’ll try not to steal her.”

Eric shot him a cold look.

“Try harder.”

Mr. Lorenzo’s mansion was even more impressive than Eric’s.

A row of expensive cars lined the driveway, while uniformed staff welcomed guests at the entrance.

Bella stepped out of the car and immediately smoothed her dress.

She wore a simple but elegant navy-blue gown Eric had selected for her. Her hair was styled neatly, and a pair of diamond earrings rested against her ears.

She felt beautiful.

And completely out of place.

Eric noticed her hesitation.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re gripping your purse like someone is about to steal it.”

Bella loosened her fingers.

“I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be. You’ve done well so far.”

She looked at him in surprise.

Was that a compliment?

Before she could respond, Michael approached them.

“Beautiful,” he said, looking directly at Bella.

Eric’s face hardened.

“Let’s go.”

Michael chuckled.

“Someone is in a hurry.”

Eric placed his hand against Bella’s lower back and guided her towards the entrance.

The touch sent an unexpected shiver through her.

She told herself it was nothing.

Mr. Lorenzo welcomed them personally.

He was a tall man in his late fifties, with silver hair, a firm handshake, and sharp eyes that seemed to miss nothing.

“Eric Holdings. Finally.”

“Lorenzo.”

They exchanged a handshake.

Mr. Lorenzo turned towards Bella.

“And this must be the woman I’ve heard so much about.”

Eric drew Bella closer.

“My fiancée, Bella Jordan.”

Bella extended her hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Mr. Lorenzo studied her for a moment before smiling.

“The pleasure is mine. Eric has been keeping you a secret.”

Bella glanced at Eric.

“He likes keeping things private.”

Eric looked at her.

Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.

“She knows me too well.”

Mr. Lorenzo laughed.

“Well, let’s see whether she knows you as well as she claims.”

Bella’s smile almost disappeared.

Dinner began pleasantly enough.

There were only a few guests, including Mr. Lorenzo’s wife and his son. Michael was seated across from Bella, while Eric sat beside her.

Mr. Lorenzo raised his glass.

“Before we discuss business, I want to congratulate the happy couple.”

Bella smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Eric, I never thought I’d see the day you settled down.”

Michael laughed.

“Neither did I.”

Eric ignored him.

Mr. Lorenzo turned towards Bella.

“Tell me, how did this man propose?”

Bella’s fingers tightened around her fork.

“Paris,” she answered.

“Paris?” Mrs. Lorenzo smiled. “How romantic!”

Eric calmly placed his hand over Bella’s.

“It was a private dinner. I wanted the moment to be special.”

Bella looked at him.

He continued without hesitation.

“She was surprised, although I think she suspected something.”

“Suspected nothing,” Bella corrected.

The table erupted in laughter.

Eric looked at her.

“Really?”

“You were terrible at hiding it.”

Michael leaned forward.

“I wish I had seen that.”

“You weren’t invited,” Eric replied.

“That’s never stopped me before.”

Bella lowered her head to hide her smile.

For a few minutes, the conversation moved away from their relationship.

Then Mr. Lorenzo asked the question Bella had been dreading.

“So, Bella, what made you fall in love with Eric?”

Her smile faltered.

She looked at Eric.

He gave her a small nod.

Bella took a breath.

“He’s not as cold as people think.”

Eric’s expression remained unreadable.

“He’s hardworking, and he takes responsibility for the people around him. He can be difficult, but…” She paused, searching for the right words. “He has a way of making you feel protected.”

For a brief moment, Eric forgot about the dinner.

He looked at Bella.

That answer hadn’t been part of their rehearsed story.

Mr. Lorenzo smiled.

“That’s a good answer.”

Michael watched them quietly.

His smile had disappeared.

After dinner, the guests moved into the sitting room.

Mr. Lorenzo invited Eric to discuss the construction project in his private office. Before leaving, Eric leaned towards Bella.

“Stay here. I’ll be back.”

She nodded.

Michael immediately took the empty seat beside her.

“You’re getting good at this.”

Bella sighed.

“Please don’t start.”

“I’m serious. I almost believed you.”

“Almost?”

“Well, I’ve known you long enough to recognise when you’re pretending.”

Bella turned towards him.

“Michael…”

He studied her face.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

She lowered her voice.

“I don’t have much of a choice.”

Michael’s expression changed.

“What does that mean?”

Before she could answer, Eric returned.

His eyes moved from Michael to Bella.

“Everything alright?”

“Perfect,” Michael answered.

Eric looked at Bella.

“Come with me. We’re leaving.”

Bella blinked.

“But you said—”

“I know what I said.”

Michael stood.

“Already? I thought you had business to discuss.”

“Something came up.”

Michael looked at Bella.

“I’ll call you.”

Eric’s jaw tightened.

“She’ll be busy.”

Bella frowned.

She had not agreed to any such thing.

Inside the car, silence filled the space between them.

Eric stared through the window while Bella sat beside him.

Finally, she spoke.

“Why did we leave so suddenly?”

“I had a reason.”

“What reason?”

Eric turned towards her.

“Do you and Michael have something going on?”

Bella stared at him.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“Michael is your friend.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

Bella folded her arms.

“Are you asking because you’re worried about our fake engagement?”

Eric’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t get clever with me, Bella.”

She looked away.

“Then don’t ask me questions you have no right to ask.”

Eric said nothing.

But his expression darkened.

His phone rang.

He answered immediately.

“Yes, Daniel.”

A pause.

Then his face changed.

“You’re sure?”

Bella watched him.

“What happened?” she asked when he ended the call.

Eric slipped his phone into his pocket.

“Someone has been asking questions about you.”

Her stomach dropped.

“Who?”

“That’s what Daniel is trying to find out.”

Bella turned towards the window.

She knew exactly who it could be.

And if they had started asking questions about her at HCC, it meant her secret was getting closer to the surface.

Her phone vibrated.

She looked down.

An unknown number.

I saw you tonight, Bella. Nice dress. Enjoy your rich man’s money while you can. Friday is coming.

Her fingers went cold.

Across from her, Eric noticed the sudden change in her expression.

“Who sent that?”

Bella locked her phone.

“No one.”

Eric leaned closer.

“Bella, show me the message.”

She swallowed.

For the first time that evening, she wasn’t pretending to be afraid.

She was afraid.