Chapter 6 The sun dipped below the horizon , casting a warm glow over the Donato estate . Then , a yellow cab pulled up to the expensive mansion . Delilah , seated in the back , gazed out of the window , her eyes widening in surprise at the grandeur of the property . It was the first time she had ever seen a mansion so intimidating , so luxurious . Her aunt , Mary , sitting beside her , noticed the look on Delilah's face and smiled warmly . " It's quite a place , isn't it ? " she said , her voice gentle but encouraging . " Your grandfather's best friend , Elder Donato lives here . " Delilah nodded , not saying a word as they stepped out of the car and were escorted inside . The mansion was just as magnificent on the inside , with tall ceilings and marble floors gleaming under the soft lighting . They were led through the grand halls , their footsteps echoing , until they reached the dining hall where the Donato family's patriarch , the old man who was her grandfather's best friend , sat waiting . When they entered the room , the old man looked up from his seat at the head of the table , his face breaking into a smile . " Ah , Delilah , " he greeted , his voice warm . " I've heard so much about you . Please , sit . " 0.00 % 13.02 Chapter 6 11 2014 SuchiS Delilah greeted him respectfully , recalling how Mary had told her that this man was close to her grandfather , a friendship forged long ago . " Thank you for having us , " she said softly before taking her seat at the table . Mary followed suit , sitting beside her niece . The old man's expression softened even further , and with a glance toward the empty seat beside him , he spoke , " I apologize that my grandson , Marco , hasn't arrived yet . He's been busy with work , but he should be here soon . " Delilah exchanged a glance with Mary , the older woman sensing her niece's relief at Marco's absence . Mary knew how hard it had been to convince Delilah to come tonight- her niece had been reluctant , almost stubborn in her refusal to visit . After much persistence , Delilah had finally agreed , and now , the girl looked pleased that Marco wasn't around . They waited for some time , but as the minutes stretched into an hour , the grandfather's patience began to wear thin . His face tightened , though he hid his frustration well . With a tight smile , he finally said , " Why don't we begin ? Marco will join us soon . " Dinner was served , and the three of them ate in relative silence , though the old man did his best to engage Delilah in conversation . Mary , however , was growing increasingly uncomfortable with Marco's absence . 12.88 % 13.020 Chapter 6 2018 ( 2 She knew the kind of man Marco was - perhaps stubborn , just like Delilah -but surely , he would show up . After all , this was an important family occasion . As the dinner progressed , Delilah grew happier with every bite. Maybe Marco's absence meant that he wasn't interested in this arranged marriage either , she thought . The idea brought her a strange sense of comfort , even though she didn't want to admit it to herself . Just as they were finishing their meal , the doors to the dining hall creaked open . Marco entered , followed closely by Gino . He had come deliberately late , hoping his absence would force his bride to reconsider the marriage . But when he saw the scene in front of him - the old man seated at the head of the table , with Mary and Delilah eating quietly - he realized he had walked into something much more orchestrated than he had anticipated . The old man looked up sharply , his eyes locking onto Marco with a glare that could have frozen a lesser man in place . It was a silent command : Come sit with your bride . Marco hesitated , his disinterest clear . He had no intention of playing 27.02 % 13:02 Chapter 6 along , and as he turned to leave , something caught his eye . A flash of auburn hair , a familiar presence - her . VIDEVOUCHE He paused mid - step , his gaze narrowing as he tried to place where he had seen her before . From the side of the table , Delilah was too engrossed in finishing her meal to notice Marco at first . She had barely moved since he walked in . The dim lighting of the room and her and made it difficult for Marco to see her face clearly , but he knew there was something oddly familiar about her . The old man cleared his throat , breaking the silence . " Marco , you're here , " he said loudly , pretending as if he hadn't noticed Marco earlier , though it was clear he had been watching the entire time . Delilah and Mary both turned at the mention of Marco's name . Mary smiled politely , pleased to see the man who was supposed to marry her niece . He looked responsible , well - dressed , and exactly like the type of man who could take care of Delilah . But when Delilah's gaze landed on Marco , her entire body went rigid . Her heart raced in shock . She knew that face . " Wasn't that the client who had dared to remove her mask ? " 38 94 % 130353 Chapter 6 288 Mochenc Marco , meanwhile , was equally stunned . His eyes widened slightly as the pieces clicked together in his mind . " If it isn't the mysterious woman I've been searching for . " Afterwards , Marco quietly walked to the table , his steps steady , though inside his mind was racing . Delilah's heart sped up as he approached the table . A flood of questions filled her thoughts . " Would he reject me now , face to face ? " She thought . A smile tugged at the corners of her lips , imagining the sweet disappointment she would feign if he rejects her , eager to leave with her aunt and forget about this arranged marriage . But , to her surprise , instead of rejecting her , Marco sat down next to his grandfather . Delilah blinked , taken aback . Why is he sitting down ? Mary , on the other hand , was inwardly thanking her stars . She saw Marco's gesture as a sign he was slowly warming up to the idea of marrying Delilah , a good omen for the future . What neither Delilah nor Mary realized was that the sole reason Marco had sat down was because of one thing : he had never expected Delilah , his betrothed , to be the same mysterious dancer who had captivated him , igniting a spark that had refused to fade . $ 1 119 Chapter 6 As soon as Marco sat , he cast a smirk in Delilah's direction . She noticed it out of the corner of her eye but kept her focus on her meal , pretending not to see him . Marco leaned back slightly and turned to Mary , greeting her in Italian . " Come stai , Zia della moglie ? " ( " How are you , Aunt ? " ) Mary beamed , responding with warmth . " Sto bene , Marco . È bello . vederti . " ( " I'm well , Marco . It's good to see you . " ) Delilah paid no mind to the exchange . Her Italian had always been weak , despite her parents being Italian . She had grown up surrounded by English and rarely practiced the language of her heritage . The pleasantries went on , a light conversation , until Delilah heard Marco say something that caught her ear . " Tua nipote è molto bella , Zia . Proprio come te . " ( " Your niece is very gorgeous , Aunt . Just like you . " ) Mary chuckled softly , her laughter drawing Delilah's attention . Slowly , she replayed the words in her mind , trying to piece together their meaning . Then it hit her . " He just called me gorgeous ! " 170703 Chapter 6 Delilah's head snapped up , her eyes landing on Marco , who was now staring right at her . For a brief moment , their gazes locked before he casually turned his attention back to his plate , as if nothing had happened . Just then , the maid came by to serve Marco his food , but Delilah couldn't stop the heat rising in her cheeks . " No , " she thought firmly , " I can't be swayed by this . " She quickly reminded herself that she didn't want this marriage . It was never part of her plan . " I need to ruin this meeting , " Delilah muttered to herself , " so this whole thing falls apart before it even begins . " But as her thoughts whirled , the moment passed , and Delilah realized she had already finished her meal . Marco , on the other hand , had barely touched his meal . Just as she was considering how to get out of the situation , the grandfather , noticing the subtle exchange of glances between them , jumped in with a suggestion . " You two should talk , " he said cheerfully , his eyes gleaming with mischief . " Get to know each other better . " 74.94 % 13.03 Chapter 6 2860Voucher Delilah's mind raced . She needed an excuse , something , anything to delay this " getting to know each other " session . She gave her most innocent smile and said , " But Marco hasn't even started eating yet . He must be starving . " The old man waved off her concern with a smile . " Oh , I'm sure Marco isn ' t starving . " He turned to Marco , shooting him a discreet but sharp glare . " Or are you , Marco ? " Marco , catching the mute command , smirked again . " No , Nonno is right . and , smirked again . " No , Nonno is right . We should get to know each other better . " He pushed back his chair and stood , walking around the table toward Delilah's side . Delilah felt a rush of frustration . " He ruined my plan ! " She cursed inwardly . " What's his problem ? " Marco extended a hand toward her , motioning for her to move . Mary flashed a quiet , reassuring smile at Delilah , as if to say " You're safe . " But safety wasn't Delilah's concern . Whether or not she was safe didn't matter . If danger lurked , she would make sure it trembled in her presence . BQ 12 % 13.03 Chapter 6 With a sigh , Delilah gave a quick nod . " Alright , " she muttered , rising from her seat . 288 Veur She followed Marco out of the dining hall , her heart pounding but her mind calculating . Whatever Marco or his grandfather had planned , she would find a way to make sure this meeting didn't end in a wedding .