Chapter 4 - Table Four and the Ex-Financier
Table four was situated dead-center in the grand ballroom, flanked by towering floral arrangements of white hydrangeas and surrounded by the upper echelon of Naperville’s suburban royalty.
As Sadi and Roman approached, the conversation at the table died down instantly.
Sitting right across from two empty chairs was Derek Vance.
Derek looked exactly as Sadi remembered him: perfectly coiffed sandy hair, a tailored charcoal suit that cost a month’s rent, and an air of smug, self-satisfied entitlement that radiated off him like cheap cologne. Beside him sat Chloe—Sadi’s younger sister and the glowing, blushing bride-to-be—and next to Chloe was a very petite, unnaturally tan woman in a skin-tight white cocktail dress who was aggressively chewing mint gum.
"Sadi!" Chloe gasped, her eyes widening as she took in her older sister’s emerald dress. Then, her gaze shifted to the towering, broad-shouldered man standing beside her. Chloe’s mouth formed a silent, round O. "Oh. Um. Hi."
Derek looked up, flashing his trademark, blindingly white investment-banker smile. But the smile stalled and died the moment his eyes landed on Roman Rossi.
Derek stood up, smoothing the lapels of his jacket, playing the part of the gracious, successful ex-boyfriend with practiced condescension.
"Sadi! Wow, long time no see," Derek said, his voice pitching up an octave for the benefit of the surrounding tables. "We were wondering if you were going to make it, or if you got stuck closing down the diner shift. And... oh, who is this?"
Derek extended a manicured hand toward Roman.
Roman didn't look at the hand. He slowly pulled out the velvet-lined chair for Sadi, seated her with effortless grace, and then took the seat beside her, resting his large, scarred forearms flat on the linen tablecloth. He finally lifted his cold, storm-cloud gray eyes to meet Derek’s frozen gaze.
"Roman," Roman said, his voice flat, devoid of any social warmth. He didn't offer his hand. He didn't blink. "Sadi’s boyfriend."
Derek’s hand hovered awkwardly in mid-air for a second before he slowly dropped it back to his side, a nervous flush creeping up his neck. The sheer physical density of Roman—the quiet, coiled menace hidden beneath his tailored navy suit—made Derek look like a Boy Scout standing next to a grizzly bear.
"Right. Roman. Nice to meet you," Derek stammered, clearing his throat as he sat back down. "I’m Derek. Sadi and I... well, we go way back. College days. Before Sadi decided to focus entirely on her... culinary career."
The dig was subtle enough for polite company, but sharp enough to draw blood. A reminder of Sadi’s humble job, her lack of corporate ambition, and the exact reason Derek had dumped her two years prior for a Pilates instructor.
Sadi felt a hot flush of humiliation prickle behind her ears. She opened her mouth to snap back, but Roman was already moving.
Without breaking eye contact with Derek, Roman picked up his crystal water glass, took a slow sip, and set it down with a sharp clink.
"A culinary career," Roman repeated, his voice dropping into a low, smooth purr that commanded the attention of everyone at table four. "Yes. Sadi has an extraordinary palate. She understands how to manage complex elements under intense pressure. Unlike some men, who seem entirely incapable of handling anything heavier than a spreadsheet."
Derek’s jaw tightened. "I happen to manage a portfolio worth upwards of forty million dollars, pal. I think I can handle pressure."
"Managing money is easy, Derek," Roman replied, his tone chillingly casual. "It’s just numbers on a screen. But keeping your composure when real life catches up to you? That requires actual spine. Something I imagine you’d know nothing about."
Chloe kicked Derek under the table, her face pale with panic. The petite blonde next to Derek—his new fiancée, Brittany—blinked rapidly, suddenly very interested in her bread plate.
Sadi stared at Roman, her heart hammering against her ribs. He wasn't just playing a boyfriend; he was systematically executing psychological warfare on her behalf, dismantling Derek’s fragile ego piece by piece without raising his voice once.
May you like
It was terrifying.
And it was the most intoxicating thing she had ever witnessed in her life.
