Chapter 4 His Promiscuous Nature

Sophia's POV

My eyes widened in disbelief. I spun to look at the man behind me.

But Luca was only smirking, as if anticipating my next move.

Gritting my teeth for the sake of my family's reputation, I chose to face the storm alone. I flung the door open.

I came face-to-face with Anna.

The woman opposite me looked smug, arms crossed. "Sophia, you truly are loose!"

Behind her were five or six reporters brandishing cameras. Lenses immediately focused on me, flashbulbs exploding in the night.

Anna pointed triumphantly at the fading red marks on my neck. "Look! Her hickeys aren't even gone, and she dares to bring another man to a hotel! Luca covered for her at the party, and she still has no shame!" she yelled to the reporters.

The reporters swarmed like sharks smelling blood, microphones practically hitting my face. "Miss Sophia, is Ms. Anna telling the truth? Did you bring a strange man here?"

"Were those love bites left by that man? Will your engagement to Mr. Luca be canceled because of this?"

"How will this affect the alliance between the Klein and Vittorio families?"

A barrage of sharp questions assaulted my mind.

The family alliance was tied to countless interests; I couldn't let Anna destroy it so easily.

I dug my nails into my palms, forcing myself to remain calm. I shoved aside the nearest reporter and looked coldly at Anna, who was enjoying the show.

"Are you done with your little stunt?"

"My stunt?" Anna scoffed, closing in. "You did it, but won't own up? The hotel security cameras recorded you bringing a strange man in. What more do you have to say? Do you think Luca will let you off if he finds out how promiscuous you are?"

Anna sneered and leaned closer, whispering so only I could hear. "You know Luca doesn't love you. If your scandal breaks, do you think you can keep your place?"

I pushed her away. "You will regret this."

Anna challenged, "Regret? Be my guest. Open the door and let us see what that man looks like."

The reporters' thirst for gossip flared. They instantly backed Anna up.

"Miss Sophia, please answer our questions."

Flashlights and judgmental stares hammered me.

I felt dizzy, nearly losing my balance.

Just then, a tall figure suddenly pushed through the crowd with intense pressure.

Anna's triumphant expression morphed into sheer terror.

Following her gaze, the reporters’ cameras focused on the man standing in the doorway, wearing only a bath towel. They all gasped, eyes wide with shock.

Luca stood half-dressed, his signature thorn tattoo stark under the cold light. His grey-blue eyes were filled with terrifying menace.

"It's noisy as hell," Luca’s gaze swept mercilessly over Anna and the reporters. "Do you all think you've lived too long?"

Standing behind Luca, the faint smell of tobacco and his cold, powerful presence surrounded me. My heart was a mess of complicated emotions.

His words were no empty threat. Knowing this, Anna’s face instantly drained of color. Her lips trembled, unable to form words.

I finally understood the meaning of Anna's earlier expression. She must have seen Luca’s back as we struggled, but she hadn't seen his face.

She never dreamed the 'strange man' would be Luca himself.

Oh, well. She brought this on herself.

The reporters froze, completely panicked. Their cameras were suspended, unsure whether to raise them or lower them, as they exchanged nervous glances.

Standing before them was the Vittorio heir, and he was with his lawfully engaged fiancée, in a hotel bathroom.

This wasn't a scandal; it was private marital business.

"Mr. L-Luca..." A braver reporter nervously swallowed, trying to explain. "Ms. Anna said that..."

"She did?" Luca sneered, pulling me protectively behind him. "My fiancée is not for you to question."

He then smiled sweetly at the first reporter who had aimed a flash at me. "Were you the first to take a shot?"

His powerful aura was overwhelming. The reporters backed away immediately, nearly dropping their cameras.

"Mr. L-Luca, we apologize—"

They realized Luca was determined to protect me, and pressing further would only bring disaster.

Terrified, the reporters quickly put down their cameras and apologized profusely.

"Leave the film. If a single image gets out, I guarantee you won't see tomorrow's sun over New York."

Luca tossed the casual threat. The reporters scrambled to delete every photo on their cameras.

They then scattered, fleeing as fast as they could, afraid that another second in the presence of the formidable heir would bring them ill fortune.

Anna was shaking, tears welling up. She looked at him pleadingly. "Luca, I didn't mean to. I was just so worried about you. I thought she..."

"Anna," Luca cut her off. "You shouldn't have come here."

Anna flinched. Though unwilling, she dared not defy Luca. She turned and ran toward the elevator, her back utterly defeated.

Silence returned to the night, leaving only Luca and me.

I looked at his broad back, opening my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come.

He suddenly turned, and without looking at me, walked in the direction Anna had gone.

"Luca?" I called out instinctively.

He paused, glancing back. "I'm giving Anna a ride back."

"You're driving her?" I was stunned. A strange bitterness suddenly welled up inside me.

He had just protected me from all the questioning, yet now he was leaving to escort the woman who had just slandered me.

His tone was flat. "Be safe on your way back."

With that, he walked away without a backward glance. I pulled back the curtain and saw him following Anna. They got into the same car.

The car window slowly rolled up, obscuring his profile and all my complex emotions.

The car drove off, quickly vanishing into the night.

I stood there, feeling ridiculous. I had actually held a flicker of unwarranted hope because of his defense.

He was, after all, the notoriously promiscuous Luca Vittorio. His protection was nothing more than safeguarding his family's reputation.

He simply didn't want his fiancée to be tainted by a public scandal.

I let out a long breath, crouching down and covering my face.

Sophia, what exactly are you hoping for?