Amelia’s POV
As Kai’s words lingered, I watched him walk away, I knew I was treading dangerously close to the edge, and yet, i still did not want to lose to him. After a deep breath, I glanced at Carlos, who’d been observing the whole exchange with a mix of concern and curiosity.
“Come on, I’ll show you to your room,” he said, guiding me through the hotel’s luxurious lobby. The interior was breathtakingly extravagant—lavish furnishings, intricate designs, all around an air of elegance that clashed sharply with the dirty conferences that are being held inside.
When we arrived, I stepped into a room that was nothing short of magnificent. The view from the window showcased Mexico City’s glittering skyline, beautiful yet foreign. I felt a quiet unease settle over me. This world was worlds away from my past, and part of me wondered if I was entirely out of my depth.
“Is there anything else you need before the meeting?” Carlos asked, his tone gentle.
I shook my head, my thoughts racing. “No, I think I’m as ready as I can be.”
“If you have any trouble finding a black dress that meets Kai’s standards, let me know.” He winked, holding up Kai’s debit card with a mischievous glint.
“Oh, don’t worry,” I replied with a smirk. “I have the perfect dress that’ll make him proud.” I moved to the window, throwing open the curtains as sunlight spilled into the room. After Carlos left, I flopped down on the king-sized mattress, which was so soft that for a brief moment, I considered staying there and skipping the meeting entirely. But I pushed the thought aside, setting an alarm for 7:00 p.m., just in case.
*************
My alarm buzzed promptly at 7:00, but I found myself hitting the snooze button more than once, each time giving in to the comfort of a few more minutes. I finally woke with a start at 7:45, far later than intended. But I didn’t panic; I moved with a calm, deliberate pace, knowing that it would likely test Kai’s patience. Still, I was certain I needed to make an entrance.
Taking my time, I had a warm shower, letting the water run through my skin before slipping into a pink dress that was sure to catch him off guard. A touch of makeup, a small grin at my own reflection, and I was ready for whatever storm my choices might stir.
As I met my own gaze in the mirror, a smirk curved my lips. “Kai, I might have worn black if you hadn’t ordered me to. I’d choose anything over taking orders from you.”
The clock on the wall read 8:20—twenty minutes late. But I was unfazed. With one last look, I applied gloss to my red lips, grabbed a blue purse, and headed for the conference hall.
As I stepped into the grand meeting hall, my pink dress and yellow heels sparked a ripple through the crowd. A hush fell over the room as Kai’s gaze met mine, his expression was cold as usual, though I caught a flash of anger before he masked it with his usual cold and nonchalant façade. I was the only woman here, and I certainly didn’t blend in. Glances and whispers followed me, curiosity and judgment mixing with what felt like a hint of admiration.
As I sat down, the room felt alive with a quiet, tense energy, and I could feel every eye on me. The murmurs grew louder, almost filling the space, when suddenly Kai’s voice broke through, making everyone fall silent.
"One more word, and you lose your tongue," Kai ordered, his voice soft, almost casual, as if he were giving me a compliment. But the dead silence that fell over the room made it clear that he was anything but pleased.
"Amelia," he addressed me, his voice low, irritation clear—but there was something else in his tone I couldn't quite place. "You're late."
I smirked, unable to resist. "I kinda overslept. My apologies, sir," I replied, letting a hint of sarcasm slip through.
A man’s voice cut through the tension, his tone carrying a confidence that only came from authority. “Who invited this woman? And why is she dressed like that?”
The room seemed to shrink as the tension only got worse. Kai’s face remained unreadable as he answered, "I did. She’s the hacker I recently hired."
The man gave me a once-over, his gaze hardening, and then he turned to Kai again, addressing him with open disdain. “Did you tell her about the rules here?”
Before Kai could answer, I jumped in, unable to help myself. “Oh, he actually did. But, you know, I didn’t have a black dress, and I thought pink doesn’t look bad, does it?”
Kai’s gaze was fixed on me, his expression cold, unimpressed. The man’s fists clenched, and in that instant, my confidence wavered. I’d been so sure of myself, so certain that I knew where the boundaries were with Kai. Carlos had mentioned how valuable I was, how much I meant to Kai’s operations. And I’d assumed that even if I’d angered him, there were limits to what he’d do to me.
But this man—he was different. He carried a presence that even Kai didn’t challenge outright. The realization hit me like ice, and my heart raced. Who was he? And did he truly have the power to make Kai follow through with his threats?
“Kai, you know what to do,” he said, his tone cold, each word making my heart race faster.
Kai stayed silent, his eyes still on the papers in front of him, calm as ever, until he finally spoke. “I don’t know what to do. Remind me.”
A fist slammed down on the table as the man stood. “Get rid of her. You know the rules here!.”
Kai didn’t even look up as he replied, “Don Enzo Alessandro, kindly have your seat and keep your voice down. We’re in the middle of an important meeting.”
A chill settled over me as I watched the man’s face twist with anger. His voice grew louder, the fiery determination clear in his eyes. "Kai, I am your father and the former leader of this mafia. I handed power over to you, but you do not have the right to violate rules that have governed us for years. I can—and will—take it all back if you prove yourself incompetent. If I say get rid of her, you will get rid of her. Or you can step down, boy!"