Page 27 of Masked Mafia's Runaway Bride

My heart skipped a beat at his words. I looked at him, really looked at him. For a moment, it felt like we were kids again, back when life was simpler and before grief, ambition, and betrayal tore us apart.

“You still think I’m that girl?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

He smiled, a genuine one this time. “I know you are.”

Hearing him talk like this made my chest tighten. The Sergio I knew growing up was fearless, always ready to protect the people he cared about. But now, sitting here, he looked like a man who had carried too much for too long.

“You didn’t even say goodbye. Maybe saying goodbye to the girl you used to know,” I whispered.

He looked up sharply, regret flashing across his face. “I know. And I’m sorry for that. I should’ve told you, but I didn’t know how. You were my best friend, Mirella. I didn’t want to admit I was breaking.”

My throat tightened, and I forced myself to keep my composure. “You didn’t have to be perfect, Sergio. I would’ve understood. I would’ve been there for you, just like you have always been there for me. This time, I would be the one bringing you down the tree.”

He reached his hand across the table, brushing against mine again. “I know that now. But back then, I thought I was doing the right thing. And then life kept moving, and I figured you’d moved on.”

Moved on. If only he knew how far from the truth that was.

“I missed you,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “More than I realized until you came back, until I saw you a few nights ago.”

His fingers intertwined with mine, and the warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine. “I missed you too. Even when I tried to convince myself that I didn’t.”

The air between us grew heavy, charged with something unspoken. His thumb grazed my knuckles, a gentle yet deliberate motion that made my heart race.

“Sergio...”

He leaned forward, his gaze locked on mine. “You don’t know how many times I’ve thought about this moment—about us sitting here like nothing ever changed. Like we’re still those kids who had each other’s backs.”

I couldn’t breathe. The way he looked at me and the way his thumb gently stroked the back of my hand—it was too much and yet not enough. I wanted to pull away, to break the tension, but I couldn’t. I was drawn to him in a way that defied logic.

“Sergio…” My voice was barely audible.

He leaned in further, this time closing the distance between us. His gaze dropped to my lips, and I knew what was coming. My heart raced, and every rational thought vanished.

I felt my pulse quicken, the pull between us undeniable. “We’re not those kids anymore, Sergio.”

“No,” he said softly, his voice carrying a weight of longing. “But maybe we can still find a piece of what we lost.”

I didn’t pull my hand away. If anything, I gripped his tighter. The distance between us seemed to shrink, his face inches from mine. His breath was warm against my skin, his eyes searching mine for permission.

I didn’t stop him as he leaned closer. My heart pounded, every nerve in my body alive with anticipation. His lips were so close, just a breath away—

Just as our lips were about to meet, the sound of someone clearing their throat shattered the moment.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Ryan said, standing at the edge of the table with an awkward grin. “But the shipment’s here. Early.”

I jerked back, pulling my hand from Sergio’s as if I’d been caught doing something wrong. My cheeks burned, and I couldn’t meet Ryan’s eyes.

Sergio frowned, his jaw tightening. “What do you mean, early?”

“Got a call. They’re ahead of schedule. We need to move.”

I forced a neutral expression though my mind was racing. “I’ll meet you guys downstairs in a minute.”

Ryan nodded and turned to leave, already talking into his earpiece.

Sergio looked at me, his expression a mix of frustration and something deeper. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, pushing my chair back. “Just need a moment.”

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