Chapter 2: The Surprise CEO

Over the next few weeks, Marco couldn’t stop thinking about Amelia. Their brief exchange at the gala had left him wanting more. The problem was, he had no idea who she actually was. She wasn’t some actress or socialite looking to climb the ladder. There was something genuine about her, something real, and that made her stand out to Marco in ways no one else did.

So, as any self-respecting mafia boss would do, Marco used his resources to find out everything about her.

What he learned made him do a double-take.

Amelia Hart wasn’t just some regular woman at a gala. She was the CEO of Hart Technologies, one of the most successful tech companies in the country, a multi-billion-dollar empire that had more influence than most governments.

Marco had heard of Hart Technologies, of course. Who hadn’t? They were the future of tech, the innovators who had changed the game with their AI systems and cutting-edge software. But what really shocked him was the fact that Amelia had kept her identity as the CEO completely under wraps. No one knew she was the face behind the empire. She was a ghost in the business world—known only for her achievements, never for her face. And yet, here she was, sipping champagne at a charity gala, laughing like she didn’t have the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Marco had to admit, that piqued his interest even more.

So, he did what any mafia boss would do. He invited her to lunch.

“I have a feeling you’re a woman of substance,” he said, his usual charm evident as he met her for the second time. This time, they weren’t at some fancy event. He’d invited her to a small, private restaurant—something low-key and intimate.

Amelia, of course, was unbothered. “You’re very persistent. I’ll give you that.”

“I don’t take no for an answer,” he said, a little too seriously for her taste.

She smirked. “You’re a dangerous man, Marco. I wonder if you know how dangerous you really are.”

Marco chuckled, savoring the challenge she was presenting. “I know exactly how dangerous I am. The question is, do you know how dangerous you are?”

Amelia raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need to be dangerous. I’m perfectly fine being the silent CEO who calls all the shots behind the scenes.”

Marco leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a lower, more playful register. “And yet, here you are, having lunch with me. I think you secretly like the danger.”

Amelia rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her smile. “Well, maybe you’re right. Maybe I do.”

They spent the next few hours talking, and for the first time, Marco found himself laughing in a way he hadn’t in years. Amelia had a sharp wit and a sense of humor that made their conversations light and easy. She wasn’t trying to impress him or even challenge him the way most people did. She was just… herself. And Marco realized, in that moment, that he liked her for exactly who she was.

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