-- Luciano's POV
I stood frozen.
There, in front of my sister, was a *walking illusion*. A boy — no, a vision — *smiling*, dimples deepening, honey-brown hair slightly tousled, skin like porcelain with a faint blush. His lips... pink, full, and dangerously distracting. And his laugh — it was soft, musical. Almost sinful.
My heart did something strange.
I instinctively reached up and touched my chest. *What the hell was that?*
Snap out of it, Luciano.
I masked my face again — cold, calm, unreadable — and walked up to the counter, tapping Lucy on the shoulder.
She spun around, startled. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Luciano. I just got… carried away." Her eyes danced nervously.
I gave her a simple nod. No words.
Then he — the boy — spoke.
*"I'm so sorry, Sir Luciano,"* he said politely, his voice just as soft as his face. *"She didn't know which bouquet to choose, that's why it took time."*
His eyes met mine.
Big, doe-like eyes. Deep brown. Framed by thick lashes.
Something tightened in my chest.
I forced my voice out. "Then… you pick one for me."
He blinked, a bit surprised, but nodded politely.
I watched him disappear behind a row of florals.
I still didn't know his name, but it already burned into my memory — returned moments later with a bouquet so carefully arranged it looked like it belonged in a royal wedding.
*"I'd advise this one,"* he said, smiling. "The color compliments most skin tones, and the scent is calming."
But I barely heard the words.
I just stared.
Possessive eyes trailing every movement. He didn't even realize what he was doing to me.
Lucy noticed. Of course she did. Her eyes were flicking between us like she was watching a live soap opera.
Eliot finished wrapping the bouquet and gestured to the POS system. Lucy handled the payment, still watching me like a hawk.
As we turned to leave, she waved enthusiastically at him. "Bye, flower boy!"
I didn't speak.
I walked to the car, sat down, closed the door.
Lucy slid in beside me, grinning like a lunatic.
"What was that?" she asked dramatically. "You didn't say a word. You just stood there staring like he was dessert. Don't even lie to me, Luciano. I know you."
I ignored her.
My fingers tapped the window, but my heart… it wouldn't slow down.
*What is wrong with me?*
*Why is my chest tight?*
*Why the hell can't I stop thinking about him?*
---
I stepped into the territory, the usual silence announcing my presence. No one dared to speak unless I allowed it. Straight to my office.
Lucy trailed behind me, holding the bouquet like it was some royal gift. She walked in and dropped it gently on my desk, smirking.
*"Your bouquet for the princess,"* she teased, flipping her hair.
I gave her a sharp look, the type that warns *you're one word away from being thrown out the window*. She giggled anyway, unfazed — she always knew how far to push me.
Just then, *TK walked in*, his steps calculated as always. The second he entered, I noticed something strange.
*Lucy's mood shifted.*
She paused, her teasing eyes suddenly focused on TK. Not playful this time — sharp, curious… and something else. She looked at him like she was trying to read him… or undress him with her eyes.
*TK didn't flinch.* He kept his face blank, professional, but I saw it. The tension. A flicker. A moment.
I said nothing, just watched silently. Then I brushed it off. *Not my business.*
*"TK,"* I said, as Lucy left, still peeking back at him like a cat stalking something shiny.
*"Has she really left?"*
"Yes, sir. She's heading to the east wing."
"Good." I leaned back in my chair. "Do you know what my father's planning with this whole fiancée situation?"
"Not yet. But give me three days."
I nodded. I trusted TK more than anyone. He always delivered.
Then I paused.
His face flashed again in my mind — *that boy from the flower shop*. The soft dimples, that stupid innocent smile, the way his voice felt like silk against the chaos in my head.
*What the hell is this?*
*"There's a boy working at Velvet Petals,"* I said coldly. "Get me his name. His address. Everything. I want to know what he eats, who he talks to, and if he's human or something else."
"Understood," TK replied, not even blinking. He knew better than to ask questions.
He left.
I was alone again, but not really.
*His voice. His eyes. That smile.*
*"Damn it,"* I muttered, rubbing my temples. *"Why the hell is this messing with me?"*
My eyes fell on the bouquet. The same one *he* touched.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
*"Come in,"* I said sharply.
A guard stepped in. "Don Moretti requests your presence in the main hall."
I clenched my jaw. "Fine. You may go."
I stood slowly, picking up the bouquet like it had suddenly become cursed.
Before I left the office, I stopped for a moment… took a breath.
*"Get it together, Luciano,"* I whispered to myself.
But my heart — my dangerous, guarded heart — was already out there, tangled in dimples and velvet petals.
My expression remained unreadable — calm, cold, commanding — the moment I stepped into the main hall. The air shifted. My presence always did that.
My father stood there with a smug smile plastered on his face, beside him, a man who looked desperate to impress. And next to him… her.
The so-called *"fiancée."*
She wore an overly exposed red dress that screamed attention, her eyes scanning me like a hunter locking onto prey. She was sizing me up, from my polished shoes to the sharpness of my jawline.
Her father bowed slightly. *"It's an honor to meet you, Luciano."*
I didn't bow. I simply gave a small nod. That was enough.
Then my father finally said it:
*"Luciano, meet your fiancée… Little Mimi."*
She stepped closer, all smiles and perfume. Too much perfume.
*"Oh. My. God,"* she said, brushing a hand down her hip, *"You're way more handsome than the photo I was shown."*
I stared, cold and blank. Then muttered, *"Thank you."* Just that. Nothing more.
*"The bouquet?"* my father reminded.
I didn't say a word. I just snapped my fingers. A guard immediately walked up, holding the bouquet like it was some kind of royal jewel.
She took it with a giggle, throwing me a wink. I didn't return it.
Then my father added, *"Why don't you take her for a walk around the garden? Get to know each other."*
Again, I nodded once and turned without a word. If this was some power play, I wasn't interested.
She followed beside me quickly, clicking in heels that echoed too loud on the stone path. But my mind… it was far. On velvet petals and dimpled smiles.
We walked in silence. It was peaceful—until she ruined it.
She tapped my arm. Lightly.
I stopped. Turned slowly to her.
*"Can you keep your hands off me?"* I said, voice sharp enough to slice through steel.
She blinked, shocked, lips parting in disbelief.
Then she smiled, almost nervously. *"You're just stressed, I get it… it's okay."*
I didn't respond. I just turned and kept walking.
She followed, quieter now.
But in my head?
All I could think about…
Was that boy in the flower shop.
And the chaos he was already causing inside me.
---