The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 279

Chapter 279: Elevator Confession
Dinner was finally over.

Stella felt like her soul had just survived a battlefield. Between her mother’s endless praise of Dylan, his dramatic recounting of the gangster incident, and her mother practically calling Dylan “future family,” Stella was seconds away from melting into the floor.

So the moment her mother stood up and chirped, “Shall we chat more in the living room?” Stella shot Dylan a subtle look, “Run. Now!”

Thankfully, he understood.

He offered Alicia a polite smile before saying, “I’m so sorry, Ma’am. I still have an online meeting tonight. I should head back.”

Bless him. He was quick. Smooth. Efficient.

But Stella was not so lucky.

“Stella, walk Dylan to his car,” Alicia said sweetly, already collecting dishes, ignoring her daughter’s protest.

“Mom, it’s fine—”

“No arguing.”

And that was it. Stella had no choice.

If Alicia had any idea Dylan lived in the same building, she would’ve fainted from joy… or worse, moved the wedding to next Sunday.

So Stella was silently grateful Dylan remained tight-lipped about his real address.

She led him out of the apartment as if escorting him to the parking area instead of… the elevator ten steps away.

The moment the door closed behind her, Stella exhaled long and deep, feeling her chest finally loosen.

“You seem stressed as you walk me to my car… ah—” Dylan paused, eyes flickering with amusement. “I mean, to the elevator.”

Stella stopped mid-walk and turned around.

He was standing in the middle of the hallway, hands in his pockets, looking at her with that gentle teasing expression that made her stomach misbehave.

She managed a weak smile before turning back around and continuing onward.

“Let’s go. I know you must be exhausted.”

Dylan moved beside her, his brow slightly furrowed. He pressed the VIP elevator button, then returned his gaze to her face.

“You’re mistaken, Stella. I’m not tired. But you look tired.” He said it softly, but the concern in his eyes made her entire face warm.

‘No, no, no…don’t blush. He’ll misunderstand.’ Stella tries to calm herself.

But Dylan noticed anyway. He looked at her, confused, thoughtful… then something in his expression shifted.

‘Wait… why is she blushing?’ he wondered. And then… Horrifyingly, she realized something. ‘No way. Does she… like me?’

Dylan’s mind scrambled so hard he had to look away, fixing his eyes on the elevator door.

Meanwhile, Stella was trying to keep herself from sinking into the floor.

“Working in the ER doesn’t give me a chance to rest. My whole body aches like I’ve run a marathon. I really need to rest—”

But her explanation halted on her lips when she saw Dylan’s expression change; Calm. Reserved. And behind it…disappointment.

Before she could ask what was wrong, he gave her a thin, cold smile. “Sorry. I won’t take up your time then.”

Her stomach tightened.

The elevator arrived with a soft chime, the doors sliding open.

Dylan stepped inside.

“No. Don’t say sorry. Dylan, hold on—” she gasped, grabbing the door before it closed.

He turned to her.

“You misunderstood,” she blurted, breathless. “I never said you were wasting my time. I didn’t feel that way at all.”

“Really?” His tone softened, but his eyes stayed on her, searching.

“Yes. I just… wanted to be honest about my—” She clamped her mouth shut.

Why was she explaining herself?

Why was she terrified he’d take her words the wrong way?

Why was she suddenly acting as if she needed him to understand?

She didn’t have answers! Just a swarm of whys crashing through her head.

Silence stretched between them.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

They simply stared, absorbing each other’s presence like two people caught in a quiet, accidental confession.

Then Dylan cleared his throat, breaking the tension.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Stella blinked. ‘What kind of question is that?!’

“No,” she answered quickly. Too quickly. She bit the inside of her lower lip in regret.

Another quiet moment passed.

Then he asked, “Can I call you?”

“Yes.”

Again, too fast. Too enthusiastic.

Stella can’t help but scold herself in her mind. ‘Great. Perfect. Amazing, Stella! How could you embarrass yourself!?’

Dylan’s lips twitched, his voice sounded gentler, “Alright. Now go inside.”

But her feet refused to move.

She just stared at him.

“I promise, I’ll call you later,” he promised, offering a smile that sent her heart flipping. “Goodnight, Stella.”

That smile snapped her out of her trance.

“O-okay. G-goodnight…” she whispered hurriedly, pulling her hand away from the elevator door just before it slid shut.

The moment it closed—

Stella froze.

Then—

“Oh no,” she breathed, placing both palms on her flaming cheeks. “No no no no… why did I answer so fast?!”

Her heartbeat was ridiculous. Loud. Wild. Almost apparent.

She turned and leaned her back against the wall, eyes wide as if someone had just confessed they saw her rob a bank.

Her legs felt like tofu. Her brain was mush. Her entire soul was shaking.

“What is wrong with me…” she whispered, covering her face.

She pushed herself away from the wall and started walking back to her apartment door.

Except she was so dazed that she bumped her shoulder into the decorative plant outside her neighborhood’s apartment.

The plant shook. Dirt spilled.

“Oh my god… Sorry…” Stella whispered to the plant, as if apologizing would magically fix it.

Still flustered, she fumbled with her door lock, instantly forgetting the door passwords.

“Heaven! Seriously, what just happened to me?”

She rubbed her forehead, trying to remember her door passwords.

Finally, after thinking for a few more minutes, she was able to open the door and slip inside.

But entering her house was a mistake.

Because her mother was still there, she immediately looked up from the couch. “Why is your face so red? Did something happen?”

Stella froze.

“E-exercise,” she answered randomly.

“At the elevator?”

“Yes.”

Alicia narrowed her eyes. Stella sprinted to her room.

“Goodnight, Mom!”

She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, heart still thundering.

Dylan’s smile flashed in her mind.

His question, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Her own ridiculous responses.

And the way he had said “Goodnight, Stella” like he meant much more than just goodbye.

Stella pressed a hand to her chest.

Her heart pounded again, and she whispered to herself, “You are in trouble, Stella!”