Chapter four

~Emilia 

Valerie hesitated, lips parting.

“Malik just posted a photo… with Charlotte. Captioned: ‘Meant to be.’”

Emilia’s fingers tightened around the glass.

The ice clinked.

The storm inside her was no longer quiet.

“You are a beautiful lady, Emilia,” Valerie said, breaking the silence that had hung between us like a heavy curtain. “Men will be lining up to marry you.”

I looked at her, blinking in surprise at her words. Valerie’s smile was playful, but there was something deeper behind her eyes that told me this wasn’t just a careless comment.

“But until then,” she continued, her tone turning more serious, “maybe you can make the most of your time and make Malik pay for what he did to you.”

My heartbeat increased at the suggestion. I shot her a questioning look, the excitement creeping into my voice.

“What do you mean?”

Valerie leaned back in her chair, glancing toward the other side of the bar. I followed her gaze and there, sitting at a table near the counter, was a handsome man with an intimidating look.

“Make him pay by getting with his super-hot uncle,” Valerie said, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she pointed toward him.

I felt my heart beat faster as I studied him more closely. The man wasn’t just handsome—he was absolutely captivating. He had a fierce look in his eyes, like someone who had seen and conquered the world.

His dark hair was neatly combed back, and the tailored suit fit his broad shoulders perfectly, making him look powerful. He gave off a strong feeling of wealth and importance.

“OMG, he looks yummy,” I mumbled under my breath, barely realizing the words had slipped out until Valerie’s eyes narrowed in amusement.

“I’ve been with Malik for so long—how come I never knew about him?” I asked no one in particular. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the billionaire. There was something magnetic about him, something that seemed to draw me in despite myself.

Valerie chuckled softly.

“Not everyone knows him,” she said, her voice low as though sharing a secret. “Apparently, he manages the Italian division of the business. Malik’s family is at his mercy.”

I raised an eyebrow. That made things clearer. Malik, with his pride and arrogant ways, always seemed important—but knowing about his powerful uncle made me see how small his world really was.

“Wow,” I whispered, my thoughts spinning. The idea of getting close to this powerful man, someone who could really make Malik regret what he did to me, made me feel thrilled.

“Maybe I’m in the mood to teach Malik a little lesson about what happens when you hurt a woman.”

I gulped down my drink, the warmth of the alcohol spreading through my chest.

I wanted revenge. I wanted to make Malik regret every moment he had taken me for granted.

With a deep breath, I stood up from the table.

The air around me felt thick, charged with anticipation.

My heart was beating so fast I thought maybe someone else might hear it.

As I approached him, I could feel the energy shift in the room.

His gaze was fixed on the glass of expensive wine in front of him, but I could tell—he was aware of my presence the moment I stepped in.

~Adrian

I wasn’t the type to entertain strangers—especially not flirty ones who thought charm was enough to break through the walls I’d carefully built.

I didn’t like people. Not really.

I didn’t like questions, small talk, or curiosity disguised as kindness.

And I certainly didn’t like being noticed.

Yet there was this girl—petite, pretty—sitting on a chair beside me.

She hadn’t said anything yet, but I could feel her eyes on me. Sneaky glances, lingering looks when she thought I wasn’t paying attention.

I saw it all. But I waved it off.

Not interested.

She could flirt all she wanted. I wasn’t interested anyway.

I took a slow sip of my drink, letting the familiar bitterness settle on my tongue, hoping she’d get bored and walk away. Disappear to wherever she came from.

Just then, the bartender cut in, announcing, “Who’s gonna take this drink? I only have one serving left.”

I didn’t even think. My hand shot out, snatching the last glass before she could. Fast. Deliberate.

Her fingers hung in the air for a moment, and I felt her eyes narrow.

“How gallant of you,” she hissed, sarcasm dripping from every word.

I didn’t even look her way.

“I’d like to pay for the gentleman’s drink,” she said, turning to the bartender.

What?

“No thanks,” I countered, raising the glass to my lips without so much as a glance. “I’m allergic to charity.”

I could feel her bristle beside me. She didn’t back off.

“I was starting to think I was talking to a robot there for a minute with the way you squeeze your face,” she said, amusement coating her voice. “I’ll try to get some emotions out of you by the end of the day.”

I turned my head slowly and stared at her like she’d just said something stupid. And maybe she had.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Her smile didn’t fade. If anything, it deepened.

“Trying to mend a broken heart, of course,” she giggled, voice light—as if she hadn’t just barged into someone else’s silence uninvited.

“Good thing I’m not a doctor,” I muttered. “Don’t think I can heal you.”

“That’s no way to talk to your lady, you know.”

I stared at her. Coldly. Carefully.

Who was this girl?

She was confident in a way that was too loud for me.

And she spoke like she’d already decided we had something between us.

We didn’t.

I stood abruptly.

“I think I’ve had enough of your pranking,” I said. “You can go back to wherever you came from.”

I didn’t wait for her reaction. I turned.

But her voice stopped me.

“I’m being serious with you. Can I at least have your name? Your phone number?”

I paused.

Why did I pause?

I didn’t want to answer.

But something about the quiet resolve in her voice—it wasn’t playful anymore.

It was sincere.

She

meant it.

But before I could decide…

She leaned in slightly, eyes locked on mine.

And then she asked—

“Have we met before?”