Matteo, Leonardo, and Alessandro, the powerful owners of De Angeli Enterprises, are in their early thirties and have built a fearsome reputation worldwide. Known for their ruthlessness and ambition, these men have amassed wealth and influence by tak...
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"When can you move in?" Matteo asked, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of anticipation. His eyes flickered with interest as they focused intently on Yulia. He leaned forward slightly, the weight of his gaze making her feel both grounded and jittery all at once. Yulia smiled softly, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her long white skirt, trying to find the right words.
She gave a small shrug, hoping to keep the moment light, but Matteo wasn't so easily swayed. His sharp, assessing eyes narrowed as if seeing right through her hesitation. "As soon as possible, I hope," he added with a tone that was both a suggestion and a gentle nudge.
Yulia's heart skipped a beat at his expectant look. The warmth in the room suddenly felt stifling. The sunlight streamed through the large office windows, casting soft golden hues that bathed the space in a gentle glow. Still, the intensity of the three men's attention made her feel like she was under a spotlight. She cleared her throat, taking a breath to steady herself.
"Yes, I—I have already packed everything," she stammered, her voice soft but clear. She caught herself fidgeting again, twisting her fingers together nervously in her lap. "I will call a car this afternoon to help me mo-move everything."
She was proud of herself for managing to explain it, despite the slight stutter that crept into her words. Her chest tightened with that familiar wave of nervousness, but she pushed through it, determined not to let them see her doubt.
Matteo, with his dark hair falling slightly over his forehead, tilted his head as he processed her words. He was silent for a moment, his mind visibly working through her response. "How much stuff you got?" he asked, his voice warm but tinged with curiosity. His tone made it clear he was weighing whether she was being entirely honest.
Yulia bit her lip, her brows knitting in thought. Her mind was already racing to calculate just how much she had. Not much, really—just enough to fit into five boxes and a single suitcase. But the moment her teeth caught her lip, she noticed Leonardo's stern expression out of the corner of her eye.
"Yulia," Leonardo's deep voice cut through the soft air like velvet, laced with a hint of warning. His accent was thick, each syllable commanding in a way that made her freeze. "Don't do that," he said firmly, referring to her biting her lip, and immediately, Yulia let go of the soft flesh, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.
Her heart thudded in her chest as she nodded, answering Matteo's original question with a quiet, "Not much, just five boxes and one suitcase."
Matteo's expression shifted as he thought it over, his thumb absently tapping the armrest of the chair. The rhythm of his fingers against the leather seemed to match the quickening pace of Yulia's heart. He appeared thoughtful for a moment before leaning forward. "I can help you," he offered smoothly, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I actually came with a car that should fit all of it just fine."
The thought of Matteo helping her move her things—of these men doing so much for her—made Yulia's stomach flip with a mixture of gratitude and unease. She shook her head quickly, her hands clasping tightly in her lap. "No, it's okay, thank you, Matteo," she said hurriedly, her voice slightly higher than usual. "You've already done enough for me."
