Chapter 3: The Mask Behind the Smile
Romeo stood quietly behind Isabella as she sat in the backseat of her sleek black car. Lorenzo was in the driver's seat, humming casually like nothing in the world could bother him.
"Where to, princess?" Lorenzo asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
Isabella didn't even look up from her phone. "Don't call me that. And just drive."
Lorenzo smirked. "Yes, your highness."
Romeo leaned slightly against the car door, his eyes scanning outside. Every passing vehicle, every pedestrian, every movement—nothing escaped his attention.
"You're staring too much," Isabella said suddenly.
Romeo didn't move. "That's the job."
She finally looked up, her gaze landing on him. "You act like something's going to happen."
"It always does," he replied.
She studied him for a moment, like she was trying to read something deeper. But then she scoffed lightly and went back to her phone.
"Relax," she muttered. "No one's coming after me."
Romeo didn't respond.
But deep down…
He wasn't so sure.
---
The car pulled up in front of a luxurious building.
Romeo stepped out first, scanning the area before opening Isabella's door.
She stepped out gracefully, adjusting her outfit like she was walking into a runway show.
"Stay close," Romeo said quietly.
She rolled her eyes. "Don't start."
Inside, the place was alive—music, laughter, rich kids pretending they had no problems in the world.
"Isabella!" a voice called.
A tall, well-dressed guy approached, smiling like he owned the place.
Daniel.
He wrapped an arm around her waist. "You're late."
"I arrive when I want," she replied smoothly.
His eyes shifted to Romeo. "And who's this?"
"My new bodyguard," Isabella said dismissively.
Daniel laughed. "You? Need a bodyguard? That's cute."
Romeo said nothing.
But his eyes stayed on Daniel a second longer than necessary.
Something about him felt off.
---
As the night went on, Romeo stayed alert while Isabella moved around freely—talking, laughing, acting like the center of everything.
But Romeo noticed the small things.
The way some people watched her too closely.
The way a man near the bar kept glancing at her.
The way Daniel's smile didn't always reach his eyes.
Something's wrong.
---
Isabella stepped away from the crowd, heading toward a quieter hallway.
Romeo followed instantly.
She turned sharply. "Can you not follow me everywhere?"
"That's literally my job."
"I'm going to the restroom, not war."
Romeo didn't budge. "I'll wait outside."
She stared at him for a moment, clearly annoyed.
"…You're exhausting," she muttered before walking off.
---
As soon as she disappeared, Romeo's focus sharpened.
The man from the bar was moving.
Heading in the same direction.
Romeo pushed off the wall instantly.
"Hey!" he called out.
The man froze for a second—then bolted.
Romeo chased him down the hallway, grabbing his arm and slamming him against the wall.
"Who sent you?" Romeo demanded.
"I don't know what you're talking about—"
Romeo tightened his grip. "You've been watching her all night."
The man panicked. "I swear, I was just—"
A loud noise interrupted them.
A crash.
From Isabella's direction.
Romeo's eyes widened slightly.
He released the man without hesitation and ran.
---
He reached the hallway just as Isabella stumbled out, clearly shaken.
"What happened?" he asked quickly.
"There was someone in there," she said, her voice lower than usual. "I didn't see his face—he just ran when I screamed."
Romeo's jaw tightened.
He turned toward the hallway again.
Too late.
Whoever it was… was gone.
---
For a moment, Isabella said nothing.
Then she looked at Romeo.
Really looked at him this time.
"You were right," she admitted quietly.
Romeo didn't respond.
"I thought you were just being… paranoid," she continued. "But—"
"You're not safe," he said.
Silence fell between them.
For the first time since he met her…
Isabella didn't argue.
---
Back in the car, the energy was different.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Lorenzo glanced at them through the mirror. "Okay… what happened?"
"No one talks," Romeo said firmly.
Lorenzo raised his hands. "Alright, boss."
Isabella leaned her head against the window, staring outside.
Her usual confidence…
Was cracked.
Just a little.
---
Romeo sat there, watching everything.
Thinking.
Planning.
Someone had made a move.
That meant one thing.
This wasn't random.
He wasn't the only one after revenge.
And whatever was coming next…
Could be worse.