Chapter 5 - The Unwilling QueenWhen Naomi woke up the next morning, she found two elderly Italian women in formal seamstress attire standing quietly at the foot of her bed, holding measuring tapes and sketchbooks.
Sitting on a velvet armchair near the window was Luca, dressed in a sharp three-piece navy suit, reading the morning financial papers.
Naomi sat up quickly, pulling the duvet over her shoulders. "Mr. Moretti? What is going on?"
Luca set his paper down and looked at her. "Good morning, Naomi. Did you sleep well?"
"I... yes, but why are there seamstresses in my room?"
"Because," Luca said casually, standing up and motioning for the women to begin their work, "you have a busy schedule today. First, you are taking my mother for a morning walk in the botanical gardens. Second, you are selecting a dress for the City Gala this Friday."
Naomi blinked, thoroughly confused. "The City Gala? Mr. Moretti, that’s an exclusive event for high society and political elites. I’m a caregiver."
"You were a caregiver," Luca corrected smoothly, stepping closer to her bed. "Now you are the woman who saved the Moretti matriarch. Do you honestly think I can let you walk around in a maid’s uniform after what happened yesterday?"
Naomi looked him dead in the eye. "I don't care about luxury, Mr. Moretti. I came here to do a job. I care about Isabella."
Luca’s dark eyes softened slightly at her fierce independence. Most women in his world spent their entire lives begging for a fraction of his attention and wealth. Yet Naomi treated his billions like a minor inconvenience.
"Isabella wants you there," Luca said quietly, striking the one chord he knew would work. "She refuses to attend the gala unless you are by her side."
Naomi paused. "Isabella is going?"
"It is her first public appearance since her stroke," Luca explained. "The city thinks she is weak. The other families think the Moretti empire is vulnerable because of my broken engagement with the Vance family. We need to show absolute strength. And my mother wants her true guardian with her."
Naomi let out a soft sigh, realizing she had been outmaneuvered. "Fine. But I am not wearing anything ridiculous."
Luca let out a rare, low chuckle that sent a strange flutter through Naomi’s chest. "Deal."
Over the next three days, the estate was transformed. The scandal surrounding Vivian Vance hit the front pages of every newspaper in the country. The Vance family fled the city in financial ruin, while the rumor mill went wild about the mysterious "hero maid" who had saved the Moretti family.
On Thursday afternoon, while Naomi was sitting at the piano with Isabella, teaching her a new low-note melody, Marco walked into the room carrying a large velvet-covered box.
"Miss Carter," Marco said respectfully, bowing his head. "A gift from the boss."
Naomi opened the box. Inside lay an breathtaking floor-length gown made of deep emerald silk—the exact color of Isabella’s favorite eyes. Resting atop the dress was a platinum necklace embedded with flawless green emeralds and diamonds.
Isabella pressed a low note on the piano. Yes.
May you like
The old woman smiled brightly, reaching out to pat Naomi’s hand, then pointed toward the doorway where Luca was standing, leaning against the frame.
"Emerald suits you, Naomi," Luca said, his dark eyes locked onto her with an intensity that made her breath hitch. "Wear it tomorrow night. It’s time to show this city who really holds the power."
Related Stories
