He Said It Was A Prank

Enzo and I stopped speaking entirely.

To be precise, I had stopped speaking to him entirely.

His last text before the silent treatment was this.

[Did you cancel the transfer?]

[That’s none of your concern.]

[You’ll cancel it. We’ve been together six years. You can’t leave me, Amelia. You must apologize to Lucrezia. Until you do that, I’m not saying another word to you.]

I blocked him and blacklisted him.

Three days before I was to leave for Bellarosa, one of Enzo’s associates came looking for me.

“Ms. Ross, Don Vitelli is hosting a victory celebration party tomorrow night. He insists that you attend.”

I could not get out of it. So I went.

When I walked into the banquet hall, I understood exactly why they had made me come.

Lucrezia was standing by the entrance in a strapless lace dress. She was beaming like a flower in full bloom.

When she saw me, she glided over all warm and sweet. “Amelia, there you are! Come in! I’m co-hosting this party with Don Vitelli.”

Her tone was as sweet as cream. “It’s my birthday today. So I begged Don Vitelli to move his victory party to tonight so we could do it together.”

I said nothing.

After all, even though nobody said it out loud, everyone knew by that point that Enzo and I were done.

So for her cheap little show, I could not even bother to feel a thing.

After greeting some friends I knew, I found a seat in the corner. I planned to wait it out until the party ended and then leave.

Enzo, however, came over.

He arrogantly stood before me. His voice was controlled but simmering with anger. “Amelia, why are you hiding here? Sit at the main table.”

I refused.

He took a deep breath and lowered his voice through clenched teeth. “You’ve had me blocked for eleven days. Are you still not over it? Do you have to embarrass me in an event like this?”

I remained silent.

His words drew the attention of those around us.

Some close friends jumped in to smooth things over, gently but insistently guiding me to the main table.

Enzo’s pride was bruised, but he chose to let it go.

I noticed an empty seat beside him.

A moment later, Lucrezia glided over and sat down with effortless composure.

“Amelia,” she said, her eyes curving as she beamed a smile. “Enzo and I were just talking about going hunting next week. He said he would teach me how to shoot. Will you come with us?”

My hand, which was holding a wine glass, stiffened.

I remembered not long ago, when Enzo had promised he would take me to Mount Alderpeak hunting grounds once the busy period was over. He said he would teach me how to use a sniper rifle.

He had said he had a little surprise for me.

At that time, his ears had gone red when he said it. His voice had carried that rare nervous edge.

But now my heartbeat was steady, and a wave of nausea churned in my stomach.

I recalled the video from that night at the bar, the image of them kissing.

“You should go without me. I’ve been busy lately. I can’t get away.”

I raised my glass. My gaze was emotionless.

Lucrezia’s eyes lit up instantly. A grin was spreading almost ear to ear.

Enzo’s expression, however, was as dark as storm clouds.

He suddenly grabbed my wrist under the table. His grip was so tight that it felt like my bones were being crushed.

After the party ended, he cornered me in the hallway outside the restroom.

“Amelia, what was that about?”

“Nothing.”

“How long are you going to keep this up? Didn’t you already cancel the transfer? Lucrezia said she was going to tell you. You just happened to find out first. She would’ve told you herself even if you hadn’t.”

Really? I did not believe that.

However, I did not want to argue about it again with Enzo.

“Oh, how nice of her.” My tone was so indifferent that it was as if I was talking to a stranger.

“Drop that attitude,” he growled. “I’m picking you up for Mount Alderpeak tomorrow morning at seven. You promised you’d go.”

Then, he turned and walked away.