Riyana didn't expect to see his name again.
Not today.
Not after everything that had happened.
She stood in her father's office, arms crossed, her expression unreadable as Dante Leone spoke.
"This meeting is important."
"I'm aware," she replied calmly.
Dante's gaze was sharp.
"Then act like it."
Riyana didn't respond.
Because she already knew what was coming.
She just didn't want to hear it.
Dante continued, his tone firm.
"You'll represent the Leone family."
Riyana nodded slightly.
"Fine."
"And you won't be alone."
That made her look up.
"What do you mean?"
A pause.
Then—
"The Moretti family will also be present."
Silence.
Heavy.
Annoying.
Unavoidable.
Riyana exhaled slowly.
"No."
Dante's eyes narrowed.
"This is not a request."
Her jaw tightened.
"I don't work with him."
"You will today."
Forced Together
The car ride was silent.
Painfully silent.
Riyana sat by the window, her gaze fixed outside.
And beside her—
Bosco Moretti.
Relaxed.
Composed.
As if this situation didn't affect him at all.
"Say something," she muttered.
Bosco didn't look at her.
"About what?"
"This."
He finally turned slightly.
"You seem uncomfortable."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Her eyes snapped toward him.
"Stop analyzing me."
Bosco's lips curved faintly.
"Then stop being predictable."
Riyana scoffed and looked away again.
"I don't have the energy for you today."
"Good."
A pause.
"Because I'm not going anywhere."
That irritated her more than it should have.
At the Meeting
The room was filled with powerful men.
Business leaders.
Mafia representatives.
Silence fell as both families entered.
Riyana walked in confidently.
Bosco right beside her.
Too close.
Too noticeable.
Whispers started immediately.
"They're together?"
"Since when?"
Riyana ignored it.
Took her seat.
Focused.
Professional.
The meeting began.
Discussions.
Negotiations.
Tension.
But the real tension—
Was between them.
At one point—
A man across the table smirked.
"Miss Leone, do you always work this closely with your… rivals?"
Riyana's expression didn't change.
Before she could answer—
Bosco spoke.
"Only when necessary."
His tone was calm.
Controlled.
But final.
The man nodded, slightly intimidated.
Riyana glanced at Bosco.
"Didn't need your help."
Bosco didn't look at her.
"I wasn't helping you."
"Then what was that?"
"Control."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I don't need controlling."
"Everyone does."
"Not me."
Bosco finally turned.
His gaze steady.
"We'll see."
The Breaking Point
After the meeting—
The tension hadn't reduced.
If anything—
It had increased.
They walked out together.
Still arguing.
Still clashing.
"You're insufferable," Riyana snapped.
Bosco raised an eyebrow.
"And yet you survived an entire meeting with me."
"Barely."
A pause.
"You enjoy this, don't you?"
Bosco's lips curved slightly.
"A little."
That annoyed her even more.
And then—
Everything changed.
The Past Returns
"Riyana."
That voice.
She froze.
Her entire body went still.
No.
Not again.
Slowly—
She turned.
And there he was.
Alex.
Standing just a few steps away.
Like nothing had ever happened.
Like he belonged there.
Riyana's expression hardened instantly.
"What are you doing here?"
Alex smiled casually.
"Can't I see you?"
"No."
Her answer was immediate.
Sharp.
Cold.
Alex chuckled lightly.
"You've changed."
"Yes."
A pause.
"For the better."
Bosco watched silently.
His expression unreadable.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Focused.
Dangerous.
Alex stepped closer.
Ignoring Bosco completely.
"I've been trying to reach you."
Riyana crossed her arms.
"I blocked you."
"I noticed."
"Good."
A pause.
"But you're still here."
Alex smirked.
"I don't give up that easily."
Riyana's patience thinned.
"I do."
"Come on, Riyana…"
His tone softened slightly.
"Don't be like that."
Her eyes turned cold.
"Like what?"
"Distant."
"I am distant."
A beat.
"From you."
Alex's smile faded slightly.
"That's not how it used to be."
Riyana let out a quiet laugh.
"No."
"It's not."
Bosco Steps In
That's when Bosco moved.
One step.
Just one.
But enough.
Enough to shift the entire energy.
He stood beside Riyana.
Close.
Intentional.
Possessive—without touching her.
Alex finally noticed him.
"And you are…?"
Bosco didn't rush his answer.
"Someone you don't need to worry about."
Alex smirked.
"That doesn't sound convincing."
Bosco's gaze darkened slightly.
"It wasn't meant to."
Silence.
Tension rising.
Riyana sighed.
"I don't have time for this."
She turned to leave—
But Alex grabbed her wrist.
That was his mistake.
In less than a second—
Bosco's hand closed around Alex's wrist.
Tight.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
"Let go."
His voice was low.
Cold.
Not loud.
But threatening enough.
Alex frowned.
"Relax, man—"
"I said…"
Bosco's grip tightened slightly.
"Let go."
For a moment—
They stared at each other.
Power vs arrogance.
Then Alex pulled his hand back.
Riyana immediately stepped away.
Her heart steady.
Her mind clear.
No fear.
Not anymore.
Alex scoffed.
"Overprotective much?"
Bosco didn't respond.
Because his silence—
Was more dangerous than words.
Alex looked at Riyana again.
"I just wanted to talk."
She shook her head.
"There's nothing left to say."
"Riyana—"
"No."
Her voice was firm.
Final.
"You don't get access to me anymore."
Silence.
And this time—
It stayed.
Alex studied her for a moment.
Then smirked slightly.
"We'll see."
Bosco's eyes darkened instantly.
But he didn't react.
Not yet.
Alex walked away.
Just like before.
But this time—
Riyana didn't break.
Didn't react.
Didn't care.
Aftermath
Silence settled between them.
Riyana exhaled slowly.
Then looked at Bosco.
"I didn't need your help."
Bosco raised an eyebrow.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
A pause.
"But you still stepped in."
Bosco's voice was calm.
"He touched you."
Her breath paused for a second.
Just a second.
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It does to me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unexpected.
Riyana looked at him carefully.
"Why?"
Bosco held her gaze.
"Because I don't like it."
That wasn't an explanation.
But it felt like one.
She looked away.
Regaining control.
"You're complicated."
Bosco's lips curved slightly.
"You noticed."
A pause.
Then she said—
"Stay out of my personal life."
Bosco's reply was immediate.
"No."
She looked at him sharply.
"You don't get to decide that."
"I already did."
Silence.
Tension.
Something unspoken.
Riyana turned and walked away.
Again.
But this time—
Her steps weren't as steady as before.
Bosco watched her go.
Marco's voice echoed in his mind.
"This is getting personal."
Yes.
It was.
Very.
Because this time—
It wasn't just interest.
It wasn't just curiosity.
It wasn't even just obsession anymore.
It was something else.
Something stronger.
Something dangerous.
And Bosco Moretti—
Wasn't going to step back anymore.