Getting The Queen’s Attention

Luca

I stood there for a moment, watching the man display his affection towards Diane on the podium—he hugged her, and even offered her a bouquet. My fingers curled tightly around the glass of champagne in my hand, almost cracking the glass as jealousy surged through my veins. I couldn't stand this. I couldn't bear watching another man be with her that way.

If only I wasn't stupid enough to let her go, then that would have been me on the podium with her, not another man.

Still seething, I turned around, heading back to where I’d left Diego, and I wasn't surprised to see him flirting with a slim lady, who I was certain was a model.

I ignored them both, respecting their privacy as I sipped on my drink quietly with thoughts of Diane clouding my mind. I watched her attentively as she gave her speech. I noticed the movement of her body, her hands, and the occasional smiles she threw at the audience.

I was mesmerized, and captivated even, by her growth and progress. Although I wasn't surprised, Diane had always been a goal-getter, but this was tremendous.

“How did it go?”

Diego’s cool voice sounded beside me, cutting me away from my thoughts, and I tilted my head in his direction briefly to see him shifting his attention between me and the woman on the podium.

I shrugged lightly. “Nothing. She was announced to the podium before I was given a chance,” I said dryly before bringing my glass to my lips.

Diego scoffed, shaking his head. “Right. And let me guess—you just stood there watching like some love-struck idiot.”

I shot him a glare, but he only chuckled, clearly amused by my torment.

“I warned you that she was out of your league, but you didn't listen to me. Besides, it looks like he’s at the top of her list already,” he said, nodding towards the man still lingering close to Diane, but away from the spotlight, as she addressed the crowd.

I didn't respond. I couldn't. What was I supposed to tell Diego? That we had been in love once upon a time and I had broken her heart? That I regretted my actions and wanted her back now?

No. Diane deserved more than what I had done to her. She deserved more than me.

Even though I was only paying attention to her voice and not what she was saying, my ears stood out when she called out Diego’s name with a warm smile on her face.

“Hold this for me, would you?” Diego said as he handed me his glass. “The Queen calleth,” he joked and I rolled my eyes at him.

The crowd erupted in applause as the spotlight landed on Diego, catching me in it. I took my eyes away from Diego, bringing it back to Diane and our eyes met for a second. My breath hitched instantly. But there was something in her gaze. Nostalgia? Or was it just my imagination twisting reality into what I wanted it to be?

Her gaze left mine almost immediately, her professional look back in place as she welcomed Diego on the stage with hugs and light kisses on his cheeks to show public appreciation for his generous donation to the charity.

And I felt it.

Suddenly, I wished I was the one Diane welcomed on stage like that. I wished it had been me who had donated, then maybe it would have felt her touch again.

My jaw clenched so hard that it hurt.

As I watched the warm display of appreciation and listened to Diego give a short speech, an idea popped up in my mind.

I didn’t hesitate. The moment the thought entered my mind, I was already reaching for my phone. I wasn’t just going to match Diego’s donation, I was going to outdo him.

If Diego got that kind of reception from Diane just because he donated, then I’d do the same, but bigger. I didn’t mind how much I was going to spend if it would bring me closer to Diane.

With a made-up mind, I hit the confirm button, and a huge amount left my account—an amount large enough to demand attention. And as expected, within seconds, Diane’s PA leaned in to whisper something in her ears.

I smirked with satisfaction as I saw the slight parting of her lips and the subtle flicker of surprise in her eyes.

She straightened, replacing the surprise in her eyes with her perfected professionalism, and lifted the microphone to her lips.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she began, her voice composed, professional, and unreadable. “We’ve just received another incredibly generous donation.”

The room quietened all attention on her, curious to know who this donor was.

Diane’s gaze found mine again, and this time, she didn’t break eye contact.

“Ladies and gentlemen, join me as I welcome you on stage,” she paused for a moment, giving the crowd a few seconds to anticipate before continuing in a calm voice, “Mr. Luca Belluci.”

Immediately, a murmur circulated in the crowd. I knew what they were thinking. Because they all knew who I was.

The Luca Belluci? The mysterious billionaire hotelier?

Followed by a resounding applause.

Without hesitation, I set my glass down, adjusted my jacket, and strode toward the stage confidently.

The spotlight found me, and the women ogled at me, but they were the least of my concerns.

When I reached Diane, she smiled at me, though it didn’t reach her eyes, and extended her hand, just like she had done with Diego.

With our eyes still locked on each other, I took her hand and instead pulled her in for a hug. I felt her stiffen immediately. For a moment, she didn’t move, then she reluctantly returned the embrace.

I closed my eyes, melting in her embrace as memories of my sweet Diane rushed in.

But it was too brief as she pulled away.

“Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Belluci,” she said in a perfectly polite voice.

With one final smile and wave to the crowd, she handed the microphone to her PA and walked off the stage without any closing remarks, or lingering glances.

I watched her walk off the stage with an air of royalty around her, but my eyes darkened when I looked down the stairs in the direction where she was descending.

The man, Marko, was standing at the bottom of the stairs, watching her and waiting for her with a smile on his lips.

I clenched my fists at my sides, my blood boiling with jealousy as she walked straight to him without a second thought.

The moment she reached him, he leaned in slightly, speaking to her in a low voice that only she could hear, and she laughed softly, shaking her head.

And something inside me snapped.

I walked off the stage, ignoring the stirs of admiration as I stormed back to where my best friend, Diego, stood.

Diego raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Well,” he said, amused. “That was something.”

I didn’t respond immediately, still trying to comprehend whether or not something was going on between Diane and Marko. After a while, I came up blank and decided to ask Diego.

“Diego,” I tilted my head in his direction. “Who is this Marko?” I asked in a cool voice, even though it contrasted with how I felt inside.

Diego exhaled, swirling the drink in his hand lazily. “I have no idea, but I can tell that he’s not an ordinary man because he’s practically oozing money.”

I pondered on what Diego had told me. I was certain that I had seen that face somewhere, but I couldn’t find where. With a final resolve, I squared my shoulders, determined to go straight to Diane and have a conversation with her.

“Luca, baby.”

A voice purred beside me, and an arm slipped around mine.

I froze in my steps, my irritation deepening as I turned to see a familiar face, most likely one of the women I’d been with, and whose name I couldn’t remember.

She was dressed to impress in a very short black low-cut dress that showed a great deal of cleavage.

“What are you doing here?” I inquired, the irritation evident in my voice.

She flashed her teeth in a cheeky smile. “I saw you on TV looking as handsome as always.” Then she pouted, tracing a long red nail down my sleeve. “You didn’t invite me,” she continued coyly, “but I have my ways.”

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Diego rolling his eyes at the intruder, expressing his obvious dislike for her as he walked away, leaving me alone in my predicament.

I barely held back my frustration as I pulled my arm out of the lady’s grasp. She had chosen a bad time to appear.

“How did you even get on here?” I asked flatly. “Isn’t this a VIP event?”

She laughed, tilting her head in a way that she thought was seductive, but it was disgusting. “Oh, please. You know me, Luca. A little charm, a few connections here and there…and voila.”

I barely heard her as my eyes were fixed on Diane and Marko.

They were standing close—too close—with Marko’s hand placed on the small of her back. Then he leaned in, whispering something into her ear, and she let out a soft and effortless laugh like he had said something that amused her.

And then, just for a second, I could’ve sworn that she glanced at me. It was quick and almost imperceptible, but I could’ve sworn that I had seen it.

There was a flicker of something in her eyes before she turned back to Marko. Was it curiosity or was it just my desperate mind playing tricks on me again, and making me see things that weren’t there?

It didn’t matter.

Because at that moment, a dark, petty side of me arose. I wanted to feel seen. I wanted her to see me. I was tired of being ignored.

So, I did something I knew would get under every woman’s skin—and maybe hers too.