Chapter Two - A Narrow Escape

Anacá

I tried hard to get a grip on myself. I was sure Eros could hear my heart pounding in its cage, ready to explode. “What?” I swallowed and straightened my spine to face him with confidence. All I needed to do was apologize for my mistake and escape. But sitting opposite to him, with his hawk-like gaze pinned on me, taking in every move of mine, I lost my mind. 

My eyes swept over him. He looked even more handsome in the sun-kissed restaurant than he did at his office. High cheekbones, a perfectly chiseled face, and full lips that could tempt an angel to sin. The way he filled out his suit made me imagine what kind of perfect body he was hiding underneath. 

“We can go over to my place if you need privacy.” His voice was laced with amusement, and for a moment, I felt he was playing a game with me. It brought me to my senses, and I focused my eyes on his face instead. My eyes widened, realizing what he had just suggested. I had to correct him right now. 

“No, I’m not interested. I mean, I’m sorry for inconveniencing you, Eros. Surely you won’t take this seriously? Thank you for boosting my self-confidence in front of my ex. I truly appreciate it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be right now.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. I had to go to Josh’s house and update his parents about my failed task. 

He froze momentarily before leaning to grab my wrist, but I evaded him successfully. He looked unperturbed by my flash of defiance. “I’m sure it can wait. This little celebration is more important, right?”

What the hell! Didn’t he hear what I said? My message was loud and clear. It was just a misunderstanding.

He flashed a dazzling grin my way, robbing me of my sanity. It was the type of smile that sent butterflies to my stomach. I couldn’t believe my reaction to him. Here I was, counting the butterflies in my stomach when I should have been worried about my situation. 

The server arrived to take our order, and I calmed myself down. “Just water for me, please.” I was planning to run, anyway. 

Eros smiled at the server. “One mixed grill plate, one chicken souvlaki, and two glasses of the house champagne, please.” 

My eyes widened at the amount of food he ordered. Would he eat all that alone? The server left, and I gave him a clueless look. “Why did you order so much?” 

“Why not? You can’t celebrate our engagement with plain water.” He didn’t bother to hide the annoyance in his voice this time. 

“What’s there to celebrate? Our accidental engagement? Aren’t you reading too much into this?” I lost my patience, trying to make amends for my earlier behavior. Hadn’t I apologized? Why couldn’t he accept my apology and let go? I was done trying to be courteous to him. 

I was about to rise from my seat when he leaned over and grabbed my wrist in an iron-like grip. 

“We’re already engaged, Anacá. It might be accidental to you, but this is very much the actual thing for me. So, stop harping on the same thing and enjoy the meal.” 

Our drinks arrived, and Eros released my wrist. Absent-mindedly, I rubbed the place to erase his touch. The starters arrived, and he held the champagne to my lips.

“Here, take a sip.” I hesitated, but he insisted, and I took a sip of his drink. Did he expect me to offer him mine as well? I didn’t, my mind now conjuring up ways of escaping him. He still watched me like a hawk, and it became difficult to even breathe. 

His phone buzzed with an incoming call, and he took it out of his suit pocket. “D*mn!” He frowned at his phone while I watched him warily. He looked up into my eyes. “I need to take this call. I’ll be right back.” 

I watched him move away to take his call, and my heart skipped a beat. Should I slip out while he was busy on his phone call? The main course arrived, and I felt flustered at the sight of so much food. It would all go wasted if I left. But Eros was still on the phone with his back towards me, looking s*xy as hell. 

My inner mind prodded me to run. This was the perfect opportunity. Eros couldn’t possibly catch hold of me without my number or my address. 

But the ring! I would be broke if I didn’t get a job soon. I had spent almost all my savings on it. 

The server arrived to keep me company in Eros’ absence. “Miss, do you need more wine?” 

I shook my head, still in a dilemma. Time was running out. If I didn’t act now, I would end up marrying a stranger and invoking the wrath of my dad and Josh’s parents. My dad would never forgive me. What if he received a shock? What if he suffered another cardiac arrest? 

My decision was made. I looked up at the server. “Can I have the check, please?” I couldn’t be rude and leave without paying for the food I wasted. 

He hesitated. “I’ll be back in a moment, miss.” 

He returned with the bill, and my eyes widened at the amount. If everything had gone well, as per plan, Josh would have borne his share of the bill. Nevertheless, I paid the bill, depleting my bank account totally, and left a tip as well. After a last look at Eros and the ring I gave him flashing on his finger, I walked out of the restaurant. 

Once outside, I released the breath I was holding. Now it was time to go back to Josh’s office to get my car before Eros realized I had escaped. Booking a cab, I hurried as if the devil were after me. I just prayed I met no one now. 

After five minutes, I steered my car out of Josh’s office complex and drove home. It was only when I left Kifisias Avenue that I released a sigh of relief. I had successfully escaped my accidental fiancé!

However, the relief was momentary. I couldn’t erase his thoughts out of my mind at all. Had I let him down? Did he seriously consider me his fiancée? How could that be possible? If he was Josh’s boss, he definitely was way beyond my league. 

As I drove home, guilt washed over me. Eros could have insulted me when I proposed in front of his entire office. Yet he didn’t. Instead, he went through with the act only for me. I should have faced him, thanked him, and ended the act graciously instead of escaping. 

I stopped in my driveway, switched off the ignition, and sat in my car. With no money in my account, I had no idea how I would run until I found a job. Maybe I would ask Dad or Jess for a loan. No, not my dad. He would go crazy if he knew I bought a sapphire ring and gave it away to a stranger.

That left only Jess. I just hoped I got a job soon. I needed it so badly. My phone buzzed with an incoming call from Josh, and I groaned in agony. I had no wish to take his call, but what would I do if he gave me away to my dad? 

I walked inside the house and peered into my dad’s room. He wasn’t there. Didn’t he return from Josh’s house? Were they still waiting for an update on me? But what update would I give them? It would break their hearts. 

My phone again buzzed, and I groaned at the sight of Josh’s name flashing on the screen. Maybe this was important. Otherwise, Josh Hemmingway would never call me. I took the call gingerly. “What do you want, Josh? F*ck off.” I had reason to be mad at him. I was going through sh*t only because of him. 

If he was serious about Jordynn, he should have spoken to his parents instead of keeping everyone in the blue. 

He snickered at my reaction. “Where the hell are you?”

I scoffed at his question. Why was he asking me about my whereabouts when he didn’t care a sh*t? “Home. Why do you ask?”

“Who’s home? Yours or mine?” 

I rolled my eyes at the questioning session. “Why do you f*cking care?” 

“I care about my parents. If you’re at my house, don’t you dare open your mouth about me. Or I’ll tell everyone how you’ve embarrassed me today.” 

My heart constricted with fright. No, I didn’t want them to know. “Chill. I’m at my house. I’ve told no one so far.” 

“Good girl. Keep it that way.” 

He was about to disconnect the call, but I wasn’t done with him. “I can’t act like your fake fiancée anymore, Josh. You’ve betrayed me, insulted me, and we’re over. If not today, I’ll definitely inform Dad and your parents soon.” 

He groaned, as if dreading it. “No, don’t take a rash decision, Anacá. I’ll talk to you tonight.” 

A mad fury coursed through me, and I refused to give in. “There’s nothing to talk about when you find me unappealing, undesirable, and boring. If your life is all about s*x, why don’t you try explaining that to your parents? I’m done with you, Josh Hemmingway.” 

I disconnected the call when the doorbell rang. Who could it be now?