CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39 NERVOUS

"Whoa—who is this beauty?" he said, eyes widening as he stepped inside. "Wait... Isabella?!"

He blinked like he couldn’t believe it.

Isabella shyly turned toward him, still smoothing the fabric of her lavender gown. Her cheeks were already a soft pink, but now they practically glowed.

Jay didn’t even wait.

He walked straight up to her with a grin and said with all the flair in the world, "Little sister-in-law, you’re looking gorgeous!"

Before she could say a word, he gently grabbed her hands and gave her a quick spin, making the gown swirl around her like a dream. Isabella let out a surprised laugh, blushing even more.

"Jay—stop it, you’ll mess my hair!" she said, covering her face.

He laughed, dramatically holding his heart. "Okay, okay but just saying, if bro doesn’t react properly when he sees you, I’m personally going to throw a glass of water on him."

Lina rolled her eyes. "Enough showing off, Jay."

Jay winked. "Can’t help it, Mom. She looks like a fairy straight out of a dream."

Isabella giggled softly, still a little shy, but her heart felt light.

"Let’s get you down, Princess Bella," Jay said with a playful bow, offering his hand like a true gentleman.

Isabella blinked, smiling shyly as she placed her small hand in his. His hand was warm and steady, and she appreciated the gesture even if he was dramatic about everything. "Thank you, Sir Jay," she said in a mock serious tone, which only made him grin wider.

Lina chuckled softly at the two of them, her heels clicking lightly behind as they made their way downstairs. The sound of their steps and soft laughter echoed through the quiet halls of the mansion.

Just as they reached the bottom, the doorbell rang.

Aunt Clara, who was already near the entrance, quickly walked over and opened the door.

Outside stood one of Leonardo’s personal bodyguards, dressed sharply in a black suit, his expression calm but respectful.

"Ma’am," he said with a small bow, "Master Leonardo had to attend to an urgent matter. He asked me to inform you that he’ll meet Madam Isabella directly at the venue."

Clara turned to look at Lina, who raised a brow, then glanced toward Isabella.

Isabella blinked. "Oh..."

Jay leaned down to whisper, "Don’t worry. He’s always like this—cold entrance, dramatic reappearance. Classic Leo."

Isabella gave a small nod. She wasn’t upset... just nervous now. It would be her first time stepping into his world and she would be doing it alone.

Lina, ever calm, stepped forward. "Alright. We’ll proceed as planned."

Clara nodded and gestured for the car to be prepared.

Jay looked at Isabella and smiled. "Don’t worry, Princess. All eyes are going to be on you tonight anyway."

The evening air grew cooler as the car rolled through the quiet streets, Isabella sitting between Jay and Lina, her hands gently folded in her lap, trying to calm her racing heart.

But when they neared the venue and the car began to slow down, she looked up in confusion.

"Wait... aren’t you two coming in too?" she asked softly, glancing between them.

Lina gave her a reassuring smile, patting her hand. "Not this time, dear. This part is only for family heads and their partners. Leonardo will take you in."

Isabella’s smile faltered for a moment. "Oh..."

Jay leaned forward and gave her a wink. "You’ve got this. Just flash that innocent charm and don’t let the vampires bite."

She let out a nervous laugh.

The car came to a stop by the side entrance of the elegant, dimly lit venue. Almost immediately, another black car pulled up beside them.

"That’s him," Lina said gently. "Go ahead now, sweetheart."

Isabella took a soft breath and stepped out, the hem of her lavender gown brushing lightly against the pavement. The soft wind kissed her shoulders as she turned toward the other car.

The door opened.

And though the interior light glowed faintly, it wasn’t enough to let her see Leonardo clearly. His tall frame was there, seated calmly, waiting.

Her heart thumped a little faster.

She turned back and gave a small wave to Lina and Jay, who both waved with warm smiles before their car slowly pulled away.

Then, gathering her gown lightly, Isabella stepped into Leonardo’s car.

Isabella sat quietly in the passenger seat, the cool silence between them thick and heavy. She couldn’t see his face clearly because of dark, but she could feel him.

That dark gaze.

Like a predator watching in silence under moonlight.

It crawled across her skin—not in a cruel way, but intense... unreadable.

Her fingers twitched nervously as the car slowed to a stop outside the grand venue. She reached for the handle, wanting to step out quickly and calm her racing heart.

But before she could touch it, a large, cold hand gently caught her wrist.

"Let me," Leonardo said, his voice low and deep like velvet dipped in thunder.

She froze.

He stepped out from his side, the door clicking shut behind him, and rounded the car with precise, unhurried steps. The door opened beside her, and the light from the venue above spilled in—

And that’s when they both paused.

Isabella’s eyes widened.

Leonardo Moretti stood there, perfectly sculpted like a shadow carved from stone and midnight. His black suit fit him like second skin, sharp and luxurious, tailored to his tall, muscular frame. His hair was neatly styled, pushed back to reveal his strong features, jawline sharp, eyes even sharper.

He looked... lethal. Elegant. Powerful. Like a king arriving at war disguised as a ball.

But it wasn’t just her who was stunned.

The moment she stepped out, gently placing her hand in his, Leonardo’s breath caught.

She looked like...

Like something unreal.

Her lavender gown wrapped around her figure with gentle grace, and her face usually soft and bare was now glowing, her natural beauty enhanced by the lightest touch of makeup. Her eyes, big and glimmering, framed with soft lashes. Her lips were lightly tinted with red and a delicate blush touched her cheeks.

She looked at him nervous, unsure but still radiant.

And for a long second, Leonardo said nothing.

He just stared.

Standing beside him, she looked like the kind of woman who could make the whole room forget how to breathe.

"Let’s go in," Leonardo finally said, his voice low but steady, snapping both of them back to reality.

He stepped closer, his hand moving smoothly to rest against her waist–not forceful, but firm enough to make her heart jump.

"We have to pretend we’re a couple," he added under his breath, eyes not leaving hers.

Isabella blinked, then nodded softly in understanding.

She let him hold her.

His palm settled against the small of her back, fingers resting lightly as they began to walk toward the grand entrance. Every step made the fabric of her gown swish softly, and the warmth of his hand through the thin material made her a little more aware of him with each second.

As they neared the front doors, the security guards standing by straightened immediately.

"Good evening, Master Moretti," one said with a slight bow.

"Ma’am," another nodded respectfully toward Isabella.

She tried to smile politely, feeling all eyes on them as they passed through the open doors into a place that glittered with wealth, power... and danger.

The grand hall they entered was nothing short of majestic. Towering chandeliers sparkled above, casting soft golden light over the polished marble floors. The walls were lined with dark wood, velvet drapes, and golden detailing that screamed old money and deep power.

Elegant men in expensive suits and women in glamorous gowns gathered in quiet corners, sipping wine and exchanging careful smiles. Most of them were middle-aged man, their eyes sharp, their laughter light but calculated.

Isabella felt like a tiny bunny who had accidentally walked into a den of lions.

But then her eyes wandered to the far side of the hall.

Food.

A buffet was arranged like a dream–delicate pastries dusted with sugar, shiny desserts layered in glass, perfectly stacked sushi, creamy pastas, fruit tarts, everything. Her eyes sparkled.

She visibly leaned forward, lips parting slightly in awe.

Leonardo, standing beside her with a hand still resting lightly on her waist, noticed.

He didn’t say a word.

But a corner of his mouth twitched barely there. Amused.

Before he could speak, however, the crowd began to shift.

The room had noticed them.

And as if someone had pressed mute on the entire gathering, a hush fell.

All eyes turned to Leonardo.

People straightened. Smiles widened.

And then, one by one, they began to approach.

"Leonardo! It’s been too long—"

"Mr. Moretti, a pleasure as always—"

"Ah, and who’s this beautiful young woman beside you?"

Leonardo’s expression was composed, sharp, unreadable as always. He offered polite nods, shook hands, exchanged brief words but never once moved his hand from Isabella’s waist.

As for Isabella, she stood silently, unsure if she was supposed to say anything or just smile. So she smiled. A lot.

Nervously.

And as the crowd around him thickened, her smile started to fade.

One man after another, one lady after the next, they all came with business smiles and mafia charm. She didn’t know what they were talking about. She didn’t understand their half-coded compliments, their sly glances, their tense laughter.

No one really looked at her.

She felt like a pretty ornament.

And within ten minutes, Isabella was bored out of her mind.

Her eyes quietly drifted back toward the food table in the distance.

Just one tart. Or maybe two. That wouldn’t count as running away... right?