The next morning, the De Luca mansion was anything but quiet.
Grandmother Lucia’s birthday was approaching, and the entire household had transformed into a whirlwind of preparation.
Servants hurried through the halls carrying flowers, ribbons, boxes, and decorations.
The dining room was being rearranged.
The garden was being inspected.
The kitchen was filled with the smell of freshly baked cakes and Italian pastries mixed with Indian sweets that Purvi had insisted should be included.
Isabella stood in the middle of the hallway holding a clipboard.
“Where are the flowers for the garden?”
“Coming, Miss Isabella.”
“And the gold ribbons?”
“Already delivered.”
“Good.”
Alessandro walked past carrying a large box.
“Where do you want this?”
“The ballroom.”
He looked at the box.
“What’s inside?”
“Your grandmother’s birthday decorations.”
Alessandro shook it slightly.
“Sounds dangerous.”
Isabella glared at him.
“Don’t shake it!”
He immediately stopped.
“Fine.”
Purvi came downstairs wearing a simple pastel sari, her hair tied loosely behind her.
She smiled as she watched everyone rushing around.
“Do you need help?”
Isabella immediately handed her a small basket of flowers.
“Yes.
Take these to the garden.”
Purvi nodded.
“Okay.”
She started walking away.
Then she noticed something.
Vincenzo wasn’t anywhere downstairs.
She looked toward the staircase.
“Where’s Vincenzo?”
Alessandro smirked.
“Locked himself in his study.”
Purvi raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“Business meeting.”
Isabella rolled her eyes.
“Investors.”
Purvi nodded.
“Oh.”
Alessandro leaned closer.
“And he specifically said nobody should disturb him.”
Purvi stopped.
She looked at him.
“Nobody?”
“Nobody.”
Isabella nodded.
“He practically threatened everyone before going upstairs.”
Purvi smiled.
“Really?”
“Very seriously.”
Alessandro pointed toward the staircase.
“If you value your life, don’t go up there.”
Purvi’s smile widened.
She looked toward the stairs.
Something mischievous appeared in her eyes.
Isabella immediately noticed.
“No.”
Purvi looked innocent.
“No what?”
“Whatever you’re thinking.”
“I’m not thinking anything.”
“You are.”
Purvi laughed.
“Why would I disturb him?”
Alessandro shook his head.
“That’s exactly what someone who is planning to disturb him would say.”
Purvi walked away with the flowers.
But instead of heading toward the garden…
She stopped.
She looked upstairs.
A small smile appeared.
She was absolutely going to disturb him.
Upstairs, behind the heavy wooden doors of Vincenzo’s private study, the atmosphere was completely different.
Vincenzo sat behind his large desk.
Three investors sat opposite him.
Documents were spread across the table.
His expression was cold and focused.
“The expansion will begin next quarter,” he said.
One of the investors nodded.
“We’re prepared to increase our investment.”
“Good.”
Another investor opened a folder.
“There is one concern regarding the shipping route.”
Vincenzo’s eyes narrowed.
“What concern?”
“The authorities have increased inspections.”
“We’ll handle it.”
The investor hesitated.
“Mr.
De Luca, this could affect—”
A knock sounded.
Everyone stopped.
Vincenzo’s expression darkened.
He had given one instruction before the meeting.
Do not disturb him.
He looked toward the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Purvi stepped inside.
She was holding a tray.
Everyone stared at her.
Vincenzo stared at her.
“Purvi.”
She smiled.
“Good morning.”
His expression hardened.
“What are you doing here?”
She walked toward the desk.
“I brought you tea.”
“I didn’t ask for tea.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
Purvi placed the cup in front of him.
“Because you haven’t had breakfast.”
One of the investors looked down, trying desperately not to smile.
Vincenzo noticed.
“Continue,” he told the investor.
The man nodded quickly.
Purvi remained standing there.
Vincenzo looked at her.
“Are you leaving?”
She blinked.
“Oh.”
She looked around.
“Should I?”
“Yes.”
Purvi nodded.
“Okay.”
She turned around.
Then stopped.
She looked back at him.
“Your tea will get cold.”
Vincenzo stared at her.
“I can see that.”
Purvi smiled.
“Okay.”
She walked out.
The door closed.
The investors remained silent.
Vincenzo picked up his pen.
“Continue.”
The investor cleared his throat.
“As I was saying…”
Three minutes later.
Knock.
Vincenzo’s eyes closed.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Purvi appeared again.
This time she was holding a small plate.
Vincenzo stared at her.
“What now?”
She placed the plate on the desk.
“Some cake.”
“I don’t want cake.”
“It’s Grandma’s birthday.”
“I’m aware.”
“You should eat.”
“Purvi.”
She smiled.
“Yes?”
“Leave.”
“Okay.”
She turned around.
Then glanced back.
“Don’t forget the tea.”
Vincenzo’s jaw tightened.
She left.
The investors exchanged another glance.
Vincenzo noticed.
“Something amusing?”
“No, sir.”
“Good.”
He returned to the documents.
Five minutes later.
Knock.
Vincenzo’s pen stopped moving.
The investors looked nervous.
He slowly lifted his eyes.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Purvi walked in holding a small bowl.
Vincenzo stared at her.
“Purvi.”
She smiled.
“Yes?”
“What is that?”
“Fruit.”
“I don’t want fruit.”
“You need to eat something healthy.”
“I’m in a meeting.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
Purvi shrugged.
“Because you’re stubborn.”
The investors went completely silent.
Vincenzo stared at her.
Purvi smiled sweetly.
“Eat.”
Then she walked out.
The door closed.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
One investor finally cleared his throat.
“Mr.
De Luca…”
Vincenzo looked at him.
“What?”
The investor hesitated.
“Your wife is…”
He stopped.
Vincenzo raised an eyebrow.
“Is what?”
“Very…
caring.”
Vincenzo’s expression immediately hardened.
“She’s irritating.”
The investor nodded quickly.
“Yes.”
Vincenzo looked at the fruit bowl.
Then at the tea.
Then at the cake.
He sighed.
Downstairs, Purvi returned to the garden.
Isabella looked at her.
“You did it.”
Purvi smiled.
“Did what?”
“You disturbed him.”
“Only a little.”
Alessandro walked over.
“How many times?”
Purvi thought about it.
“Three.”
Alessandro laughed.
“You’re brave.”
Purvi smiled.
“He’s not going to kill me.”
Isabella shook her head.
“You don’t know my brother.”
Purvi glanced toward the staircase.
A mischievous smile appeared.
“I think I know him a little.”
Upstairs, Vincenzo tried to continue his meeting.
But he kept glancing at the things sitting on his desk.
Tea.
Cake.
Fruit.
He rubbed his forehead.
Why had she brought all of this?
And why had he allowed her to walk into his meeting three times?
He could have ordered security to stop her.
He could have told the servants to handle it.
Instead, every time she appeared…
He had simply stared at her.
The investors continued discussing business.
Vincenzo listened.
Or tried to.
Then suddenly—
Knock.
Everyone froze.
Vincenzo slowly looked toward the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Purvi peeked inside.
Vincenzo stared.
“What?”
She smiled.
“I forgot something.”
“What?”
She pointed at the tea.
“You haven’t drunk it.”
Vincenzo’s eyes narrowed.
“Purvi.”
She laughed softly.
“Okay, okay.”
She closed the door.
Vincenzo leaned back in his chair.
He should have been furious.
He should have been annoyed.
He was annoyed.
Very annoyed.
So why was he fighting a smile?
He looked down at the cup of tea.
Then shook his head.
“This woman…”
One of the investors smiled.
Vincenzo’s eyes snapped toward him.
“Don’t.”
The investor immediately straightened.
“Yes, sir.”
Vincenzo returned his attention to the documents.
But the corner of his mouth betrayed him.
Just slightly.
And somewhere downstairs, Purvi was already smiling too.
Grandmother Lucia’s birthday preparations had barely begun.
And Purvi had already discovered exactly how to get under Vincenzo De Luca’s skin.