Chapter 49 Private Cinema

• Chapter 49: Velvet Darkness and Secret Heat
• The private cinema was a velvet-wrapped secret—hidden under the estate’s east wing, its entrance masked by a tapestry of night-blooming jasmine. A narrow staircase led down into soft darkness, lit only by a single row of recessed floor lights that twinkled like distant stars. Matteo guided Daisy by the hand, his fingers warm and insistent, as they descended into the hush of anticipation.
• Inside, the theatre was sumptuous. Plush crimson seats curved around a wide screen. The carpets were thick and black, muffling every footstep. Heavy drapes framed the projection room’s glass, and a discreet control panel glowed at the rear. Two crystal goblets rested on small tables beside Daisy’s chair, filled with chilled strawberry champagne.