Chapter 11 Lingering Shadows

Back at the office, Antonio sat at his desk, piles of documents spread before him. Reports, schedules, and contracts for the upcoming auction were meticulously laid out, each detail carefully reviewed. Everything was progressing as planned, and he would not allow any mistakes. The auction had to be flawless. As the evening approached, Antonio was expected at the casino for his routine inspections. Yet he chose to return to the mansion first. It was unusual—he rarely returned home at this time of day. But tonight, something felt different. Antonio’s strides carried him purposefully across the mansion. He rarely set foot in this wing, but today his sharp eyes scanned for Rose. When he didn’t find her downstairs, he knew exactly where she would be. He ascended the staircase, pausing in front of her door. His hand lifted to knock, but he hesitated, questioning himself. “Sir,” a voice called softly. Martha stood a short distance away, visibly surprised to see her employer in this part of the house. “Is she in her room?” Antonio asked. “Yes, sir,” Martha replied. “Set the dining table for two tonight,” Antonio instructed, before turning his gaze back to the door. “I’ll call her myself.” “Yes, sir,” Martha said before hurrying off. Antonio decided not to knock. Instead, he turned the handle and stepped inside. His eyes swept the room, but there was no sign of Rose. He moved further in, stopping near the enormous bed, and then he heard it—a soft sound coming from the bathroom. The bathroom door creaked open slightly, and Rose peeked out. Her expression turned to shock when she saw him standing there. Instinctively, she began to retreat back inside, attempting to shut the door. “I’m not going to come in,” Antonio said, his voice calm but firm. “Come out. Do I really look that untrustworthy?” “I don’t trust anyone,” she replied defensively, peering through the narrow opening. “Not even me?” he whispered, his tone tinged with mock hurt. Reluctantly, Rose stepped out, keeping her gaze guarded as she stood across from him. Antonio’s sharp eyes remained fixed on her, taking in her hesitant posture. He had never expected to see her again after their first meeting, and yet here they were. “Is something wrong?” Rose asked, her voice wary. “Come have dinner with me. I’m hungry,” Antonio said simply. Rose frowned, clearly taken aback. “You’re inviting me?” “Yes,” he replied before turning and walking out of the room, leaving her no chance to refuse. Rose stared after him, unsure if it was a request or a command. Finally, she sighed and decided to follow. The dining room had been set for two, a stark contrast to the usual single place setting prepared for her. Antonio was already seated when she arrived, watching her as she approached. Rose sat down, feeling his gaze on her, though his face betrayed nothing. For a man who often exuded cold detachment, there was something softer about him tonight—something she couldn’t quite place. The soft hum of music echoed through the grand casino, its lavish atmosphere filled with activity. Players crowded around poker tables and slot machines, laughter and shouts of triumph filling the air. It was a hub of entertainment, money, and temptation. “Nikolai,” Rossi said, walking alongside Antonio, “the rumors about human trafficking seem to have quieted down for now. Whoever was behind it was lying low. But if we can find one woman they’ve smuggled in, we’ll uncover the mastermind.” Antonio nodded curtly, his sharp eyes scanning the casino floor as they walked. “Leave that for now. What about the Riva family? Have you uncovered anything?” Rossi’s expression turned grim. “Sir, I think we should discuss this somewhere more private.” Understanding, Antonio led the way to his private office within the casino. The room was quiet, devoid of the usual company. Today, no women had been allowed in to entertain him—a rare occurrence. “Riva is expanding their financial influence,” Rossi began once they were alone. “They’re smuggling illegal goods and drugs on a large scale. It’s clear they’re positioning themselves to challenge you.” Antonio listened carefully, his expression hardening. The Riva family had long been a thorn in his side, but they had always respected the limits of his authority. Now, their ambitions were threatening his empire. “Shall I take care of them?” Rossi asked, his voice low and dangerous. “No,” Antonio replied, rising from the sofa with a wineglass in hand. “I want to see what they do next. When the time comes, we’ll deal with them—but not yet.” A bitter smile tugged at his lips, his demeanor calm yet deadly. Rossi, emboldened by Antonio’s measured response, hesitated for a moment before asking, “Sir, when will you ask the woman at the mansion to leave?” Antonio froze for a split second, though his expression didn’t change. “What?” “The woman—Miss Rose,” Rossi clarified. “Will you ask her to move out soon? You’ve been… different since she arrived. And you don’t ask about Miss Vega as often as before.” At the mention of Rose, Antonio fell silent. Ask her to leave? The thought hadn’t occurred to him. He found himself wanting her to stay close—closer than he cared to admit. He finally replied, his tone unreadable, “She’s not used to this place yet.” Rossi watched his employer, choosing not to press further. Deep down, he sensed that Antonio’s attachment to Rose might be something more. Perhaps this was a good thing—a chance for Antonio to move forward. “What about Vega, sir?” Rossi asked cautiously. “It’s been three years. Have you… let her go?” Antonio swirled the empty wineglass in his hand, his gaze distant. “Do I still love her?” he murmured, half to himself. The question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Antonio exhaled slowly, leaning back into the sofa. “I don’t know,” he admitted softly. “Maybe I still do. Or maybe I don’t.” “Sir,” Rossi said carefully, “if you don’t love her anymore, it’s time to stop searching. Your heart isn’t with her anymore.” Antonio said nothing, his sharp eyes fixed on the glass in his hand. Deep down, he knew Rossi might be right. The ache he once felt for Vega had begun to fade, replaced by something new—something he wasn’t yet ready to name. But as much as he tried to deny it, thoughts of Rose lingered far longer than they should have. Rossi remained silent, knowing full well that his boss’s feelings for Vega were now nothing more than a bond to the past. The room fell into a deep quiet. Rossi, sensing that Antonio needed privacy, excused himself and left the office quietly. Antonio sank back into the sofa, setting his empty wineglass on the table. “If you don’t love her anymore, then stop searching. Your heart isn’t with her now.” Rossi’s words echoed in Antonio’s mind. What was this feeling? Even Antonio himself wasn’t sure.