Chapter 242: SeDeville’s Terrace!

A few minutes later, the black G-Class rolled to a smooth stop outside SeDeville’s Terrace.

As one of San Fierro’s most prestigious patio restaurants, SeDeville’s Terrace was a favorite among the city’s elite. Its elegant indoor dining hall opened seamlessly onto a beautifully designed terrace overlooking a carefully landscaped garden. Warm amber lights illuminated the stone pathways, while soft music drifted through the evening air.

As night settled over the city, the restaurant seemed to come alive.

Executives negotiated multimillion-dollar contracts over glasses of expensive wine. Celebrities enjoyed private dinners tucked away in secluded corners, while wealthy socialites laughed beneath glowing lanterns as waiters moved gracefully between tables carrying exquisitely plated dishes.

Everything about the place exuded quiet luxury.

The moment Luca stepped out of the G-Class, several waiters exchanged knowing glances.

They had developed a good eye for distinguished guests over the years.

The luxury SUV alone was enough to attract attention, but the young man who stepped out was even more striking. His tailored suit, composed demeanor, and handsome features gave off the unmistakable air of someone accustomed to wealth and influence.

Then Amelia stepped out beside him.

Her graceful figure and elegant office attire only reinforced their assumptions.

Without hesitation, one of the senior waiters approached with a respectful smile.

"Good evening, sir. Good evening, madam. This way, please."

Rather than taking them toward the busier center of the restaurant, he personally led them to one of the terrace’s finest tables, tucked away in a quiet corner overlooking the illuminated gardens.

After pulling out their chairs, he placed a menu in front of each of them.

"Please take your time."

"Thank you."

Amelia accepted hers politely and began scanning the menu.

Her eyes moved down the page.

Then stopped.

’Still this expensive...’

Although she’d visited SeDeville’s Terrace several times before, those visits were usually reserved for special occasions, bonuses, or celebrations.

Her salary at the San Fierro News Agency was comfortable enough to afford a meal here once in a while.

That didn’t mean she was willing to spend money recklessly.

A single dinner could easily cost as much as several days of groceries.

Thankfully...

Luca had already made it clear that he was paying.

Otherwise, she probably would have suggested another restaurant before they even sat down.

Luca, meanwhile, barely spent half a minute looking through the menu.

"I’ll have the Wagyu Tenderloin."

He closed the menu.

"And a bottle of San Bendatto Sparkling Water."

The waiter nodded and turned toward Amelia.

"And for you, madam?"

She glanced at the menu one last time before setting it down.

"I’ll have the same."

"Excellent choice."

The waiter gave a polite bow.

"I’ll have everything prepared immediately."

Once he left, a comfortable silence settled between them.

The clinking of glasses, quiet conversations from nearby tables, and gentle music filled the space.

Amelia rested both hands around her water glass.

Then, after a moment of hesitation, she looked directly at Luca.

"So..."

She paused.

"How many other women are there?"

Her voice was surprisingly calm.

There was no anger.

No accusation.

Only quiet curiosity.

Luca scratched the back of his neck.

"...Besides you?"

He gave her an awkward smile.

"There are five."

Amelia froze.

Her eyes widened slightly before she slowly lowered her gaze toward the table.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

’Five...’

’That’s... definitely more than I expected.’

She remained silent for several seconds.

Then she looked back up.

"Luca..."

"Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

There was no bitterness in her voice.

She genuinely wanted to understand.

Luca opened his mouth.

Then stopped.

Thinking about it carefully, he realized he didn’t really have a convincing excuse.

After a moment, he smiled helplessly.

"I was worried about the timing."

"I honestly didn’t know how you’d react."

He gave a nervous chuckle.

"I guess I kept putting it off."

Amelia stared at him for a few seconds.

Then, unexpectedly, she laughed.

"If you thought you were hiding it well..."

She shook her head.

"That was one of the worst-kept secrets I’ve ever seen."

Luca raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Amelia smiled knowingly.

"Well..."

"Besides making me walk out of your villa wearing another woman’s clothes that day..."

She leaned back slightly.

"I’ve already met the blue-haired one."

Luca blinked.

’Naomi...’

’That must’ve been the day at the park.’

He couldn’t help rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I figured as much."

"And then there was that text."

Amelia folded her arms.

"You accidentally sent me a message meant for someone named Arabella."

She tilted her head.

"I’m assuming she’s another one of my sisters?"

Luca laughed awkwardly.

"...Yeah."

Amelia nodded with exaggerated seriousness.

"I’m adding that to your growing list of things you’re terrible at."

"What list?"

"The same one that includes amusement park games."

She grinned.

"You still haven’t lived that one down."

Luca laughed out loud.

"You seriously aren’t letting that go?"

"Never."

Her triumphant smile made him laugh again.

Watching her laugh so freely finally allowed Luca to relax.

The tension that had surrounded their conversation earlier was almost completely gone.

After a short pause, he leaned forward.

"So..."

"What was it you wanted to tell me?"

Amelia’s smile immediately weakened.

She lowered her gaze.

"...Luca."

Before she could say anything else, footsteps approached their table.

The waiter returned with two beautifully presented plates.

The rich aroma of premium Wagyu filled the air as he carefully placed the dishes before them.

"Your Wagyu Tenderloin."

He set the bottle of sparkling water between them.

"And your San Bendatto Sparkling Water."

"Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," Luca said.

The waiter nodded and walked away.

Luca turned his attention back to Amelia.

He didn’t say anything.

He simply waited.

Beneath the table, Amelia quietly tightened her fingers around the hem of her blouse.

She took a slow breath.

Then another.

Whatever she’d intended to say seemed to be fighting its way past her lips.

Finally, she released the fabric.

A bright smile appeared on her face.

"I got promoted."

"You’re looking at Editor-in-chief Amelia Grant"

She said proudly.

For a moment, Luca simply stared at her.

That was the last answer he’d expected.

Somehow...

He was almost certain there was something else she wanted to tell him.

Something she hadn’t yet found the courage to bring up.

But if Amelia wasn’t ready, he wouldn’t force her.

Instead, he smiled warmly.

"Really?"

"Congratulations."

There was no forced enthusiasm in his voice.

He was genuinely happy for her.

Whatever else remained unsaid, Amelia was still someone he cared deeply about.

Seeing his sincere reaction made her smile even wider.

"Thank you."

The two continued talking while enjoying their dinner.

Most of their conversation revolved around Amelia’s promotion, amusing stories from work, and the various things that had kept Luca busy over the past few days.

Whatever had been weighing on Amelia earlier...

She never brought it up again.

At least, not tonight.

...

By the time dinner ended, night had completely settled over San Fierro.

As promised, Luca insisted on driving Amelia home.

The G-Class eventually came to a stop outside a quiet residential building.

Amelia lived in a modest but comfortable townhouse with her roommate.

Fortunately, her roommate had gone out of town for the weekend and wouldn’t be back until Monday.

Tonight...

Amelia had the entire place to herself.

She stepped out of the vehicle and turned around with a smile.

"Good night."

Luca looked at her for a moment.

Then laughed.

"Why are you saying goodbye?"

He switched off the engine and opened the driver’s door.

"I’m coming inside."

Amelia’s cheeks instantly turned crimson.

She understood exactly what he meant.

The truth was...

A small part of her had been hoping he would say those words.

She just hadn’t known how to ask him.

In the end, she didn’t even bother pretending to protest.

It was two against one.

Her heart and Luca were on one side.

Her embarrassment was on the other.

From the very beginning...

She never stood a chance.

The two walked side by side toward the entrance.

Amelia unlocked the front door and stepped inside.

She reached back to close it.

Just then...

She felt someone move up behind her.

A familiar warmth pressed gently against her back.