The First Move

The first light of dawn filtered through the large windows of Seraphina’s apartment, casting a soft glow over the room. Seraphina Hayes was already awake, her mind racing with the events of the previous day. The meeting with Dante Blackwood had gone better than she’d anticipated, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered from his intense gaze and the unexpected interruption.

As she prepared for the day, her phone buzzed with a text from Gabby.

Gabby: Morning! Can’t wait for dinner tonight. Mom and Dad are excited too!

Seraphina smiled, feeling a surge of warmth at the thought of her family. It was a comforting reminder of her normal life amidst the whirlwind of her professional world.

Dante’s Office

Dante Blackwood was already deep into his day’s work when Elena Martell entered his office, her expression one of concern.

“We’ve received a report,” Elena said, handing him a folder. “It’s about Ms. Hayes.”

Dante’s interest was immediately piqued. He took the folder and flipped through the contents. It was a detailed dossier on Seraphina—her background, family, and recent activities. He skimmed through the pages, his expression darkening.

“Keep an eye on her,” Dante instructed. “I want to know everything about her daily routine, her habits, her interactions. I need to understand her completely.”

Elena nodded, her expression impassive. “Understood. I’ll ensure we have all the information we need.”

Seraphina’s Day

The day passed in a blur of meetings and phone calls. Seraphina was focused on her work, but her thoughts frequently drifted back to Dante. The way he had looked at her, the intensity in his gaze—it was unsettling.

By the time evening arrived, she was looking forward to the dinner with her family. It was a much-needed break from the relentless pace of her professional life. She changed into a casual yet elegant outfit and headed out, her mind finally able to focus on something other than business.

Dinner with the Hayes Family

The Hayes family home was warm and inviting, filled with the comforting aroma of home-cooked food. Margaret Hayes greeted Seraphina with a hug as she entered.

“Sweetheart, you’re just in time,” Margaret said, her eyes sparkling with affection. “Dinner is almost ready.”

Robert Hayes was setting the table, his face lighting up when he saw Seraphina. “How was your day, hon?”

“It was busy, but productive,” Seraphina replied, taking a seat at the table. “I had a big meeting with Blackwood Enterprises.”

Gabby chimed in, her eyes bright with curiosity. “How did it go? Did he seem nice?”

Seraphina hesitated, searching for the right words. “He was professional, but there was something a bit unsettling about him.”

Margaret and Robert exchanged a concerned glance. “Well, as long as you’re careful,” Margaret said. “We trust you to handle yourself.”

The dinner was filled with laughter and warmth, a stark contrast to the cold, calculated world of business. For a few hours, Seraphina was able to relax and enjoy the company of her family, momentarily pushing aside her worries.

Dante’s Surveillance

Later that evening, Dante was alone in his office, reviewing the surveillance reports on Seraphina. The footage showed her leaving the office, arriving at her home, and enjoying dinner with her family.

Dante watched with a mix of fascination and possessiveness. He was meticulous, noting her interactions with her family and the small details of her daily life. He found himself drawn to her even more, captivated by her strength and vulnerability.

Vince Moretti, Dante’s right-hand man, entered the office with a concerned expression. “Boss, I just wanted to check in. Everything’s in place for tomorrow’s events. Are we moving forward with the plan?”

Dante’s gaze remained fixed on the screen. “Yes, but make sure to keep things discreet. We don’t want to alarm her or her family. I want to ensure everything goes smoothly.”

Vince nodded and left the room, leaving Dante alone with his thoughts. He knew that he was playing a dangerous game, but he was determined to win Seraphina’s trust—and ultimately, her heart.

Seraphina’s Restless Night

Back at her apartment, Seraphina was having trouble sleeping. The day’s events replayed in her mind, and the unsettling feeling from the meeting with Dante lingered. She tossed and turned, her thoughts racing.

As she finally drifted off to sleep, she had a dream. In it, Dante was standing in the shadows, watching her with those intense blue eyes. The dream was both alluring and frightening, a reflection of the complex emotions Dante stirred within her.

End of Episode 3

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