Chapter 31 Heartbeats in Chaos
 
 
 
 
 
 
The mafia boss listened to the two women talking, but his focus was elsewhere. His mind replayed countless scenarios, each one revolving around the possibility of Lorenzo pulling Rose into his dangerous orbit.
“You look tense. Did something happen after your call?” Herina asked, breaking the silence and drawing Antonio out of his thoughts. Startled, he quickly composed himself and answered in a neutral tone.
“No, nothing of importance.”
“You sure? You seem preoccupied,” Rose added, her concern evident in her tone.
“I’m fine,” Antonio replied with a faint smile, brushing off their worries.
Herina glanced at her watch. “It’s about time. Acia must have finished her shoot by now. Let’s head to my office to discuss the details.”
Antonio and Rose rose from their seats and followed Herina toward the studio office.
 
Acia, meanwhile, was still simmering with frustration. The morning’s shot had been a grueling exercise in restraint, from Herina’s constant interference to the crew’s occasional missteps. By the time she reached the office, her irritation had reached its peak.
Pushing the door open with unnecessary force, she spotted Antonio sitting elegantly on the sofa. Her heart skipped a beat, as it always did when she saw him. Taking bold steps, she claimed the empty seat beside him, her demeanor immediately softening in his presence.
Herina, observing the scene, walked over with a black folder in hand. She shook her head, her disapproval evident, before taking her own seat.
“Alright, now that we’re all here, let’s get down to business,” Herina began, taking control of the meeting. She sat across from Rose, whose quiet composure contrasted sharply with Acia’s restless energy. Antonio, meanwhile, remained indifferent to the woman sitting beside him, his demeanor making it clear where his affections lay.
“So I’m not walking the auction’s main diamond, after all?” Acia asked abruptly, her voice tinged with disappointment. She turned her pleading gaze toward Antonio, hoping he would reconsider.
“The decision has already been made,” Herina interjected before Antonio could respond. “Changing things now would disrupt everything.”
Acia’s expression darkened, though she forced a smile. It was evident she wasn’t pleased with Herina’s quick dismissal.
“But it’s just a simple swap,” Acia argued, glancing toward Rose with thinly veiled resentment. “It wouldn’t change much, would it?”
“It’s not happening,” Antonio said calmly but firmly, his tone leaving no room for debate. His resolve stung Acia, though she hid her emotions well.
“Fine,” she said curtly, sitting back with a huff. Her eyes flicked toward Rose, filled with barely concealed hostility.
Acia spent the remainder of the meeting silently stewing. Her gaze often drifted toward Antonio, each glance laden with unspoken longing and frustration. Despite her persistent efforts over the years, her dreams of capturing his heart and attention felt increasingly out of reach.
After the meeting, a designer arrived to take measurements for Rose’s gown. While the others focused on work, Acia’s bitterness only deepened. Every glance she made at Rose was heavy with envy. It was clear she saw the younger woman as an unworthy rival who had stolen her rightful place.
When the session concluded near midday, Antonio prepared to leave, but Acia wasn’t ready to let him go without a fight.
“It’s nearly lunchtime,” she said, stepping closer and lightly touching his arm. “Why don’t we grab something to eat together?”
“I’m not hungry,” Antonio replied bluntly, brushing her hand away. “I have other matters to attend to.”
“But I am,” Acia countered, her voice softening as she attempted to gain his sympathy. “This morning’s shoot drained me, and I have another one this evening...”
“No,” Antonio repeated, his tone firm as he turned away.
He approached Herina. “Does Rose need to start rehearsals today?”
“Not today,” Herina replied. “The group rehearsal is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Acia has her evening shoot, and some other participants are busy this afternoon.”
Antonio nodded. Turning to Rose, he said, “I have another engagement. Someone will come to take you home.”
“Alright,” Rose replied, her tone measured.
Antonio then addressed Herina again. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now.”
“That’s all,” Herina confirmed, watching Antonio exited the room with Rose beside him.
Once they were gone, Acia’s carefully composed mask slipped, and her frustration boiled over. Herina, noting the shift, returned to her desk with a resigned sigh.
“He’s not interested in you. Maybe it’s time to let go,” Herina said, her tone matter of fact.
“That’s none of your business,” Acia snapped, though her voice wavered with anger and denial.
“I’m just saying what’s obvious,” Herina continued, unbothered. “It’s clear he doesn’t feel the same way about you. Why waste your energy?”
Acia turned away, unwilling to acknowledge the truth in Herina’s words, but deep down, she knew her hopes were fading. Antonio’s heart belonged elsewhere, and no amount of persistence could change that.