Chapter 2 Sofia Ricci

The neon glow of the city pulsed outside the cracked window of Bella's rundown apartment, but the world inside was still. Bella-or rather, Sofia Ricci-stood before the mirror, staring at the unfamiliar reflection she had so carefully crafted. Her dark hair now cascaded in soft waves, her sharp features softened with subtle makeup, her fiery gaze masked by an air of polite charm.

Sofia Ricci was nobody. A newcomer. A name on a hastily forged ID, a backstory pieced together with enough plausibility to pass basic scrutiny. But beneath the new name, the new face, the new smile, she was still Bella-calculating, vengeful, and determined.

Her phone buzzed. A message from the club manager: "Be here by eight. Don't be late."

Bella checked the time. She had an hour. Taking a deep breath, she slipped into a sleek, fitted black dress-tasteful enough for the upscale environment but alluring enough to attract attention. A final glance at the mirror and she was ready. Sofia Ricci, the charming, mysterious hostess, was about to step into the lion's den.

The De Luca family's club was a palace of shimmering lights and whispered secrets. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over the plush red carpets, and a polished mahogany bar stretched across one side of the grand hall. Wealthy patrons laughed and exchanged deals over glasses of the finest liquor, but Bella's focus was on the shadows-the corners where secrets were traded, the private booths where power shifted hands.

Her first night was a test-smiles, soft laughter, polite conversation. But Bella's gaze was always sharp, cataloging faces, mapping connections. The bartenders were gossip hubs, the waiters invisible eyes and ears, and the private security... loyal enforcers who whispered about the "boss" with a mix of fear and respect.

And then she saw him-Marco De Luca.

The man who had once held her heart... before plunging a knife into it. He hadn't changed-tall, imposing, with silver streaks in his dark hair, his sharp suit tailored to perfection. His laugh was rich, his demeanor warm... a facade that masked the monster within.

Bella forced her breathing to steady. Anger surged beneath her skin, but she swallowed it, her practiced smile never faltering. She couldn't afford to be reckless. Not yet.

But Marco wasn't alone. Beside him stood another figure-tall, lean, with striking dark eyes and a confident smirk. Lorenzo.

The name echoed in Bella's mind. Lorenzo Moretti-Marco's right-hand man. She remembered him-distant, loyal, a man of shadows. But seeing him now, she felt a chill. He was no mere enforcer. His gaze scanned the room with the precision of a predator, and when he leaned in to whisper something to Marco, the older man nodded with the slightest hint of deference.

So... not just an enforcer. Marco's confidant. His most trusted ally.

But there was something else-something she hadn't noticed before. A darkness in Lorenzo's eyes, a guarded edge that spoke of secrets. Was he simply another pawn of Marco, or something more?

The night wore on, and Bella's role as Sofia became routine. She greeted guests, guided them to their tables, exchanged pleasantries. But she also listened-catching whispers of deals, tensions between rival families, and subtle shifts in the De Luca hierarchy.

Near midnight, as she handed a menu to a wealthy couple, she felt a presence at her back.

"You're new here, aren't you?"

That voice-smooth, warm, and yet edged with something dangerous. Bella turned, her smile unwavering, and found herself looking into the eyes of Lorenzo.

"Yes, sir. I started tonight." Her voice was calm, respectful-the perfect employee.

His gaze swept over her, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "What's your name?"

"Sofia. Sofia Ricci."

"Hmm. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

"Thank you, sir." She bowed her head slightly, feeling his eyes linger. But he stepped back, a subtle smile tugging at his lips.

"Welcome to the club, Sofia. I hope you find it... enlightening."

And then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd. Bella's heart raced. Had he seen through her? No. It was impossible. But she knew enough to recognize the look of a man who didn't just see... he observed.

As the night drew to a close, Bella slipped into the staff lounge, exhaustion finally settling in. But beneath the weariness was a simmering sense of victory.

She had seen Marco. She had crossed paths with Lorenzo. And she was in.

But this was just the beginning. The mask of Sofia Ricci was only her first weapon.

And she would wield it with deadly precision.