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Tale of Betrayal, Trust and Unpredicted Connections

Dante's pov

After waking from my brief yet restful two-hour power nap at the early hour of 5 a.m. I quickly headed to the bathroom and started brushing my teeth making sure to clean them thoroughly. Upon examining my reflection in the mirror, I noticed that my hair had grown slightly longer, although it had yet to reach my neck, signaling the need for a trim later in the day, a task I planned to execute with the utmost efficiency.

Having turned on the shower to the ideal temperature. As the warm water cascaded down my body, I felt my mind and body relaxing a bit from yesterday. After emerging from the shower, I wrapped a towel around my torso and walked over to my wardrobe to select today's ensemble - a crisp white shirt, artfully paired with a resplendent grey suit and matching pants - a sartorial choice that exuded sophistication and class.

I rummaged through my collection of fine timepieces, and my discerning eye settled on my Rolex, a masterpiece of horological engineering that exuded an air of refined elegance. After all, it was a prudent choice, given the unfortunate incident that had occurred during my altercation with Aiden's men, where my Patek Philippe had met its untimely demise.

With meticulous attention, I styled my hair in a presentable and neatly arranged manner. My trimmed beard was a deliberate choice, adding to the sophisticated yet practical appearance.

I walked into the dining room, where Margaret, despite being sixty, radiated an unexpected amount of energy. Her cheerful greeting of "Good morning, Mr. Fedorov!" was met with my usual stoic "Morning" in response as I settled down for breakfast.

"If you need anything, I'll be in the kitchen. Also, Ruth told me to let you know she wouldn't be able to make it today due to a family emergency," she informed me, to which I calmly nodded. "Okay, noted" I replied as she retreated into the kitchen.

As I finished my breakfast, I checked my watch, and it was already six, and I knew it was time to leave for work. Before heading out, I decided to take a quick look at my two buildings. Making my way to the garage, I chose the sleek McLaren for the day, which hadn't seen the light of day for a while.

I eased the McLaren out of the garage, patiently waiting for the gates to open. As I drove down the empty road toward my building, a familiar face suddenly caught my attention. It was her. But what was she doing here in the early morning? My curiosity piqued, and I pulled up beside her, causing her to jump slightly.

Lowering the car window with a hint of suspicion, I inquired, "Why are you here so early?" The streets were still quiet, and the sun had barely risen above the horizon. She seemed nervous as she walked towards me, avoiding my gaze.

"Nothing," she replied, attempting to dismiss the question, but I could sense that there was something more to it. Her eyes were darting around, and her hands were fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

"You wanted to see the apartment at six-fifteen in the morning," I observed, studying her appearance. Her hair flowed down freely, and she wore a vibrant yellow dress paired with a thin white jacket.

"Maybe, yes, and I usually leave for work right now anyway," she admitted with a smile, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. The subtle charm of her features was accentuated by the early morning.

She glanced at me, and for a moment, our eyes met. There was something unspoken in that exchange, a fleeting connection that left an unexpected warmth lingering in the air.

"Get in," I instructed, gesturing towards the open car door. She hesitated for a moment before I added, "Do you want me to open it for you, Miss Benett?" She rolled her eyes but complied, settling into the seat beside me. As I drove through the building gates and into the parking area, I could feel the tension in the air. I brought the car to a stop before instructing the valet to park for me, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her mind.

Owning two towering buildings, each with twenty-two floors, came with its share of perks and challenges. As we strode into the lobby, I led her through the process of resident card scanning and guest registration. Approaching the receptionist, I requested the key card for Apartment 2004. The receptionist handed me the key card, and Athena followed me towards the elevators.

As we turned the corner to the right, I suddenly felt a small bump on my back. When I turned around, I saw that she had accidentally bumped into me. "I'm sorry," she apologized, rubbing her nose as if it had hurt her. I looked at her, concerned, and asked, "Are you okay? Do you need some ice?" She shook her head, indicating that she was alright, but her gaze remained lowered.

Despite having urgent office work, I found myself caught up in this unexpected encounter. We entered the lift, and I pressed the button for the 20th floor, where most of the residents lived, except for the top floors.

We stood in silence, and then she broke it, asking, "Do you usually go this early?" I nodded in response. She then looked away, her gaze wandering to other things within the confines of the lift. I couldn't help but sense something different about her today, something deeper than a mere bump on the nose. Upon reaching the 20th floor, I held the door open for her and led her to apartment 2004. Ahead of us was a dual security system that required a keycard and a safety door. I used the keycard to open the entrance and let her step through.

She paused briefly, before fully entering the apartment. "It's absolutely wonderful and incredibly spacious. The windows are impressively big and offer a remarkable view. The color scheme of the apartment is quite pretty," she said, smiling at me.

"Glad to know," I replied, a subtle sense of satisfaction settling over me. I gestured for her to follow as I led her through the apartment. We walked through each room, and I couldn't help but notice how her eyes lit up with excitement and wonder.

After the tour, she spoke in a low tone, "I genuinely liked it." I simply nodded, and I sensed that she was growing accustomed to my affirmative gestures. There was a certain warmth in her expression, and I couldn't deny the subtle attraction building between us in the confines of the well-appointed apartment.

Out of the blue, I decided to broach a question. "I heard you had Leo's wallet," I said, and she nodded. "Should I give it to you?" she offered, and I simply nodded. As she gently handed me the wallet, our fingers briefly brushed, sending a small jolt of electricity that I tried to play off nonchalantly. I smoothly stowed the wallet in my pocket.

I found myself continuing the conversation. "You and him a thing?" I asked, her eyes widened in an innocent gesture of denial, and she shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "He was helping with some boxes by carrying them," she explained.

As I listened to her, I couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness. Subsequently, I elected to overlook her statements and pivot the conversation towards a different subject matter.

"It's seven; let's go now," I said, strutting past her. The journey remained silent until we reached the car. This time, I opened the door for her, She raised her brow, clearly surprised by my courteous act. "You take time to open the door," I commented, my expression unwavering.

With a composed demeanor, she responded, "I can walk, I can even call an Uber. You don't have to worry about me; you must be late."

Undeterred, I simply stated, "Get in the car, Miss Benett."

She complied without argument, and I made sure she was settled before closing the door. Taking my place in the driver's seat, I started the car, maintaining a serious atmosphere.

Once again, I found myself unexpectedly starting a conversation. With a calm and measured tone, I asked, "When does your cafe start?" Her face visibly showed surprise at my sudden engagement.

"It starts at eight, overlapping with the arrival of customers. However, if I go early and arrange everything meticulously, I tend to start a bit earlier. I know I'm not supposed to deviate from the schedule, but my excitement for what I do often prevails." Her words flowed rapidly, conveying contagious enthusiasm and prompting a rare, genuine laugh from me.

"You express your thoughts quite extensively," I remarked, maintaining my usual serious demeanor. It wasn't often that I allowed myself to laugh, but she seemed to have a way of breaking through the walls I put up.

"I know and it's nice that you talk. Leo says you're scary, given threats and occasional yelling. I was surprised because you barely speak." she continued.

When I see that guy, I'm going to give him an extra workload as a way to teach him a lesson. I then calmly responded, "Thank you for informing me about what my employees think of me."

She then delicately placed her hand on my arm, the subtle shake of her head indicating a clear "no." Her words followed, "Oh no, don't tell him I said that." Her touch prompted an uncharacteristic pause, and I found myself momentarily frozen, caught off guard by the unexpected contact.

In response to her realization, she swiftly retracted her hand, a palpable shift in the atmosphere. It was an unspoken acknowledgment that my typically reserved behavior had the potential to make others uneasy. A subtle yet crucial cue for me to adapt and change my approach.

As we were driving, every word she spoke felt like a burst of sunshine. Spending every day with her might lead me to not having to threaten my employees. Being around her calmed my scattered mind at a concerning level.

As the car hit a bump on the road, she bounced a little in her seat. I quickly reached out to steady her and our eyes locked. In that brief moment, I detected a glimmer in her gaze that made my heart skip a beat. Could it be possible? No, it was preposterous. As a logical and rational person, I don't believe in love. However, I could not help but exhibit a faint smile. Maybe this ride was going to be more intriguing than I thought.

"Fine, I won't say anything under one condition," I declared, injecting a hint of authority into my words. She let out a resigned sigh and said, "Come on now. We're too old to play these games." But I was resolute in my proposition.

I then said with a serious tone. "Go on a date with me." There was a brief moment of silence as she tried to process my request. Her reaction was a mix of surprise and perhaps a bit of nervous anticipation.

"What?" she asked, clearly confused. Seeking clarification, she asked again, "You want to go on a date?" Her puzzled expression demanded more insight, "Wait, you want to go on a date with me?"

"Yes, I do," I replied with unwavering certainty. "It's either yes or no, Miss. Benett."

After a brief moment of contemplation, she hesitated before saying, "Okay, I would like to. You seem like a nice guy anyway, and I would like to get to know you." I felt something different in my chest that I couldn't quite figure out. There was something about her that intrigued me, something I needed to explore further.

We arrived at her destination and parked on the side. As she turned to leave, she asked me, "When?" Her usual blush filled her face, which I found endearing.

"Today at 8 pm?" I suggested. "Tomorrow, I'll be departing for a business meeting with your brother, and the moving trucks will be dispatched by 12 today, so rest assured about the relocation." I relayed my message with a blend of casual assurance and professional precision.

In response to my information, she met my gaze and said "Thank you for handling so much. I'll be ready by eight," with a composed demeanor as she opened the door to leave.

Seizing the moment, I added a touch of formality, "Ensuring your safety is part of my responsibility."

In return, she responded with a radiant smile, walked towards the café entrance, and her departure was marked by a wave of goodbye.

With her departure, she gracefully vanished from my immediate sight, leaving me to resume my journey to the office on the other side. Remarkably, the clock revealed it was already 7:30, urging a hastened pace.

I found myself lost in thought, meticulously crafting a plan to safeguard the tech diamond that had consumed years of my life. The gravity of the situation became increasingly apparent with each passing moment, compelling me to delve even deeper into profound contemplation.

Enzo's betrayal, someone I had known since childhood, left me grappling with the unexpected turn of events. Despite my deep understanding of his character, the reality of his actions became a stark reality. Amidst the intricate threads of my thoughts, I recognized the significance of the tech diamond and the potential threat it posed in the wrong hands.

But the intricate design of the diamond served as a safeguard. Its capabilities required not only possession of the diamond but also my explicit permission for access. This intricate layer of security, coupled with the necessity of having both diamonds simultaneously, provided a barrier that only I could control.

As I arrived at the office building, I effortlessly parked my car and made my way inside, retrieving my access card as I approached the entrance. The familiar surroundings of my office enveloped me in a cocoon of professional assurance as I ascended to the top floor, where my office and the meeting room awaited.

My bodyguards stationed themselves outside my office, a silent testament to the security measures in place. As I entered the meeting room, I couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. The safety of the tech diamond rested on my ability to orchestrate a strategy that demanded the unwavering cooperation of every team member.

In the realm of desperation, even the staunchest enemies could forge uneasy alliances, introducing an element of unpredictability into the unfolding narrative. It was up to me to ensure that the tech diamond remained in safe hands, and that required all of my intellect and professional acumen.

As I entered the room, the team was already gathered and their conversations were coming to an end. I took charge of the situation and presented a detailed overview of the plan, commanding everyone's attention.

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