Cook for the Mafia Boss

Francesca's gaze swept the room, the well-dressed crowd a blur of muted voices and clinking glasses. Her body was here, but her mind was far away, burdened with a secret that gnawed at her and a future she wasn't sure she wanted. She absentmindedly traced the rim ofher wine glass, the chill of the crystal offering no comfort. "Francesca!" A voice broke through her reverie. She turned to see Nicole, a college friend, waving her over. "You look miles away," she said, eyeing her with concern. "Work again?" Francesca forced a smile, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"You know me too well. Just needed a moment." Nicole raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. The night droned on, full of shallow pleasantries and empty chatter, but none of it could hold her attention. Not until he walked in. Luca. He entered like a shadow among the bright lights, his tall, commanding frame drawing the room's energy toward him. His eyes scanned the crowd,dark, unreadable and then, inexplicably, locked on hers. Time appeared to expand, and momentarily, the atmosphere around her dwindled, giving the impression that she had found herself at the epicenter of a perilous and unavoidable event. She blinked, and when she looked again, his gaze hadn't wavered. Francesca's breath caught, and she turned away, trying to shake the sensation crawling up her spine. She didn't fall for these fleeting moments. Yet something about him, something pulled at her, relentless and magnetic. Dangerous. "Who's the guy?" Nicole asked, following her gaze. Francesca gave a careless shrug, her voice a hollow laugh. "I don't know. Not my type." But even as she spoke, she couldn't ignore the weight of Luca's presence at the edge of her vision, always there, watching. The longer she tried to pretend she didn't feel it, the more the tension grew. Then, he began walking toward her. Her pulse spiked as he drew closer, each step deliberate. The air thickened around him, his silence pressing against her chest like a command. She felt the space between them charged with something primal, an unspoken understanding, a power that sent a ripple of unease through her. "Francesca." His voice was low and smooth like velvet. He didn't elevate his voice beyond a whisper, yet it captivated her. She could feel the heat of his proximity, the invisible current that hummed between them. "Luca," she breathed, her words almost lost in the hum of the room. Her heart hammered, her body suddenly too aware of every small shift in the air. He smiled-barely-a curve of his lips that held none of the warmth of a true smile. It was a promise wrapped in danger. "We'll meet again soon," he murmured, his breath brushing her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "I promise." Her stomach flipped, the words sinking deep, settling into her bones. This wasn't a casual remark. It was something more. She couldn't tell what, but it terrified her. And then, just as swiftly as he had appeared, Luca was gone, vanishing back into the crowd. The feeling of his absence lingered, pressing on her chest and making the room feel alien and distant. For hours, Francesca couldn't shake the feeling of his presence. The party continued around her, a blur of conversation and polite smiles, but it was all a haze. Her thoughts circled back to him-his eyes, his words, the brush of his presence. His touch. She couldn't focus on anything else. Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. A message from her mother: How's the party? Is the Sunday dinner still scheduled? She stared at the screen, her fingers hesitating over the keys before she typed a quick reply: Fine. Nothing exciting. But that wasn't true. While nothing was thrilling, everything else was. Her thoughts drifted back to Luca, to that fleeting yet profound moment when their eyes met and her heartbeat lurched. It wasn't just physical-it was something else. Something untouchable. Dangerous. The low murmur of the conversation around her became muffled, like she was hearing it through water. She felt the pressure of Luca's gaze, even now, as though he were still watching her. His scent lingered in the air-a faint, almost imperceptible trace of his cologne, a ghost she couldn't escape. "What's going on with you?" Nicole's voice broke through the fog in Francesca's mind. She turned, forcing a smile, but it felt tight, strained. "Nothing. She lied, her face reddening in spite of herself. Her heart raced whenever she thought of him. Nicole raised an eyebrow but didn't pursue it. Instead, she glanced over Francesca's shoulder with a knowing smirk. "I think I know why you're distracted." Francesca followed her gaze, and her heart stuttered. Luca. He stood across the room, relaxed but watching her intently. Her pulse quickened, the moment stretched- too heavy, too intimate. She felt exposed. The rest of the evening stretched on like an eternity. Every tick of the clock echoed in her mind. When midnight came, Francesca knew it was time to leave. The chill of the night air hit her like a slap, but it didn't break the heat simmering beneath her skin. Luca's presence still clung to her, even as she stepped outside. The cool wind bit at her skin as she walked to her car, but it couldn't numb the flush that lingered, the fluttering in her chest. It wasn't just a fleeting encounter, it was something deeper, more profound. She recognized it, despite her lack of comprehension. She slid into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel too tightly, trying to steady herself. Luca's face flashed in her mind again, his words, a promise echoing in her ears. We'll meet again soon. The certainty of it shivered through her, more unsettling than the cold. This wasn't the last time their paths would cross. And when they did, it wouldn't be by chance. Pressing the gas pedal, Francesca found herself surrounded by blurring city lights. Her heart pounded, and her mind raced with questions she wasn't sure she wanted answers to. All she knew was this: Luca wasn't just another man in the crowd. He was something more dangerous. He exuded a captivating charm. And she was already in too deep.