The Chase

The next morning, Isla tried to convince herself that her encounter with Luca Everhart was a fleeting moment, something easily forgotten. She had more important things to worry about—deadlines, meetings, and her usual routine. But deep down, a part of her knew it wasn’t that simple. The intensity of his gaze, the magnetism in his voice—it lingered in her mind like an echo.

As she stepped into her office, a wave of unease washed over her. She couldn’t explain it, but something felt different. Shrugging off the feeling, she dropped her bag onto her desk and powered up her computer. A fresh email pinged her inbox, and her stomach tightened when she saw the sender's name: **Luca Everhart**.

The subject line was simple: *Dinner Tonight?*

Isla’s fingers hovered over the keyboard. She wanted to ignore it, pretend it never arrived, but something compelled her to open the message. Inside was a brief but direct invitation:

*Isla,

I’ll have a car pick you up at 7 p.m. at your office. Looking forward to seeing you.

Luca.*

Her heart raced. Who did he think he was, assuming she would just drop everything for him? She considered replying with a firm “no,” but something held her back. Despite her better judgment, the idea of dinner with Luca intrigued her—his intensity drew her in, even if she knew she shouldn’t get involved.

She stared at the screen, biting her lip. After a few moments of hesitation, Isla closed her laptop, ignoring the email for now. She had work to focus on. But as the hours passed, she found herself distracted, her thoughts circling back to Luca and his undeniable pull.

---

At 6:45 p.m., Isla was still debating whether to show up. She knew what kind of man Luca was—controlling, possessive, used to getting his way. A part of her wanted to push back, to resist the magnetic force pulling her toward him. But another part of her, the part she wasn’t ready to admit, craved the thrill of being wanted so intensely.

When she stepped out of her office, a sleek black car was already parked outside. The driver got out and opened the door for her, waiting patiently. Isla’s breath hitched. This wasn’t just a dinner; it was Luca’s way of testing her, seeing if she would submit to his world.

Against her better judgment, she walked toward the car, feeling the weight of her decision with every step.

---

The restaurant Luca had chosen was nothing short of extravagant—intimate, dimly lit, and tucked away from the city’s bustling streets. As soon as she entered, the maître d' escorted her to a secluded table in the back, where Luca was already waiting. He stood as she approached, his eyes never leaving hers.

“You came,” he said, his voice smooth and satisfied.

Isla crossed her arms, feeling defensive under his gaze. “I almost didn’t.”

Luca smirked, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “But you did.”

They sat down, and the tension between them was palpable. Isla had never felt so unnerved by someone’s presence before, and yet, she couldn’t deny the electric pull between them.

“Why are you so interested in me?” Isla asked bluntly, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Luca leaned back in his chair, studying her like she was an unsolvable puzzle. “You’re different. You don’t care who I am, or what I can offer. I find that... refreshing.”

Isla raised an eyebrow. “You mean you’re used to people falling at your feet?”

A shadow crossed his face, but his expression quickly returned to its usual calm. “Something like that.”

She narrowed her eyes, refusing to let his charm blind her. “And what happens when you get bored, Luca? What do you do with people then?”

Luca’s jaw tightened, his fingers lightly drumming against the table. “I don’t get bored easily, Isla.”

The way he said her name made her shiver. There was a promise in his voice—one she wasn’t sure she wanted to explore. But something about Luca was intoxicating. She knew it was dangerous to be here, to play along with whatever game he was setting up, but curiosity kept her anchored to the table.

As the night wore on, Luca’s possessiveness became clearer. He asked about her life, her work, but every question was laced with an undercurrent of control. He wanted to know everything about her, and every answer seemed to draw him closer, as if she were his new obsession.

By the time dessert arrived, Isla felt a strange mix of excitement and dread. Luca’s attention was suffocating, yet alluring. She knew she should leave—walk away from this before it became something she couldn’t escape—but the look in Luca’s eyes made it clear that walking away wouldn’t be easy.

As the waiter cleared their plates, Luca leaned forward, his gaze burning into hers. “This isn’t just dinner, Isla. I’m not the kind of man who chases someone for fun.”

Her breath caught in her throat. There it was—the confession she had been waiting for, but also the one she feared. Luca wasn’t interested in casual flirtation. He wanted control. He wanted *her*.

Isla stood up, her heart pounding in her chest. “I’m not someone you can own, Luca,” she said, her voice trembling slightly, but firm.

Luca’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t move. “We’ll see about that.”

Isla turned and walked out of the restaurant, her mind spinning with the weight of his words. She told herself she wouldn’t let him get to her. She wouldn’t fall into his trap. But as she disappeared into the night, the lingering feeling of Luca’s gaze on her back made her doubt whether she could resist him for long.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***