Chapter 2 I'm Not Some Possession You Can Claim

Just then, Vincenzo reached their side, his hand possessively on Sofia's lower back

Sofia firmly shrugged off Vincenzo's hand and took a step back, her eyes locked on his.

"I'm not some possession you can claim, Mr. Morano," she said, her voice firm.

Isabella's eyes widened in surprise, then she turned to Vincenzo with a warning glance.

Vincenzo's expression didn't change, but his voice lowered to a smooth, dangerous tone:

"Sofia, you're making a mistake. Walking away from me isn't an option."

Sofia turned on her heel and swiftly walked out of the gala, her heart racing.

As she stepped into the cool night air, she heard footsteps behind her – heavy, purposeful footsteps.

She quickened her pace, glancing back to see Vincenzo following her, his eyes intense in the dim light.

He called out, "Sofia, wait!"

Sofia picked up her pace, almost running towards the parking lot, her heels clicking rapidly on the pavement.

Vincenzo's long strides closed the distance – he reached out and gently but firmly grasped her elbow, spinning her around.

In the dim light, his eyes burned with intensity.

"Bella, why are you running from me?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Sofia's eyes locked onto Vincenzo's, their faces inches apart.

The air was electric with tension as they stood there, the only sound the distant hum of city traffic.

Vincenzo's gaze dropped to her lips, his voice barely above a whisper:

"You're trembling, bella... Are you afraid of me?"

Sofia shook her head, her eyes never leaving Vincenzo's.

Her heart was racing, but not from fear – she felt drawn to him, despite the danger he represented.

Vincenzo's gaze seemed to burn hotter, his voice low and husky:

"Then what is it, bella... that has you so breathless?"

He leaned in closer, his lips a whisper away from hers.

Sofia's eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment, then she pulled back, her cheeks flushing.

"Vincenzo, I... I don't know what I'm doing," she stammered, taking a step away from him.

Vincenzo's intense gaze softened slightly, a hint of curiosity in his voice:

"What is it about me that's got you so conflicted, bella?"

Sofia quickly changed the subject, her voice lightening:

"My dress... it's ruined from the wine spill. I should go clean up."

Vincenzo's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he sensed she was avoiding the topic, but he nodded.

"Let me walk you to the restroom, bella. My... associates might be lingering."

Sofia's eyes locked onto Vincenzo's, her voice low and curious:

"Your 'associates'... What exactly do they do, Vincenzo?"

Vincenzo's expression turned guarded, but he leaned in closer, his voice taking on a hint of intrigue:

"They... manage our family's interests. In business, and other... arrangements."

He paused, studying her reaction.

Sofia nodded slightly, pretending to understand, and said:

"I think I'll be okay from here. Thanks for... everything, Vincenzo."

She turned to walk towards the restroom, but Vincenzo's voice stopped her:

"Bella, wait. Can I... see you again?"

Sofia paused, her hand on the restroom door, and turned back to Vincenzo.

Her eyes met his, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.

Then, she whispered:

"I don't know, Vincenzo... I'm not sure I'm ready for whatever this is between us."

Vincenzo took a step closer, his voice low and intense:

"Do you want me to convince you, bella?"

Sofia shook her head, her voice firm but laced with a hint of sadness:

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Vincenzo."

Vincenzo's eyes seemed to cloud over, his expression unreadable. He nodded once, then turned to leave.

As he disappeared into the crowd, Sofia felt a pang of unexpected loss.

Sofia slipped out of the gala, the cool night air enveloping her as she stepped into the quiet darkness.

She walked to her car, lost in thought, wondering what could have been if she'd taken a chance on Vincenzo.

As she reached for her door handle, a low voice spoke from the shadows:

"Bella, I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye properly."

Sofia turned to face Vincenzo, her voice steady:

"What do you want, Vincenzo?"

He stepped out of the shadows, his eyes gleaming in the dim light.

"I want to know why you ran from me, bella," he said, his voice low and husky.

Then, he reached out and gently brushed his fingers against her cheek.

Sofia took a subtle step back, creating distance between them, her eyes never leaving his.

"Vincenzo, I think we both know this... thing between us could be dangerous," she said softly.

Vincenzo's gaze intensified, his voice low and husky:

"Danger is my business, bella. But with you... it feels different."

He paused, taking a step closer again.

Sofia's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked softly:

"What do you mean... 'different', Vincenzo?"

Vincenzo's eyes locked onto hers, his voice barely above a whisper: