Chapter 4.

The table's full of adults chatting away casually like they aren’t about to sell their children off.

The urge to slouch down on my chair was insane, but I could feel the intense stare of the tall figure opposite me. Quite uncomfortable if you ask me.

My life was definitely taking a dramatic turn and I do not think I'm ready for it. The plate of half eaten pasta in front of me had gone cold from my lack of appetite.

I look up to catch a glimpse of the guy I'm about to be married off to, only to see him looking straight at me. My breath seizes at once and I get drawn to those magnetic brown eyes.

Suddenly, the voices around us ceased and I could only see him. The same intensity I felt earlier wasn't just my intuition — now I can see it. I stared back at him, and this man didn't look away for a split second.

Alexander De Luca really is as handsome as the rumors say but he’s known to be ruthless and feared.

My heart drops to my stomach as thoughts of what life after being married to him would be like flashed through my mind.

Would it be like the life my mother had to endure with my father…?

No no no, please no. I start to shiver uncontrollably and horrible memories start flashing back. The look that man’s giving me isn’t helping much either.

“Excuse me please, I’d like to quickly use the restroom.” I think I stood up too suddenly. My legs buckled a bit and almost made me lose balance.

I quickly dash out of the room before anyone can sense my hyperventilation. But before leaving, I caught a glimpse of Alex and saw something like a worried look on his face.

“Yeah, that’s not possible. My mind was probably playing tricks on me again.” I said under my breath once I reached the restroom.

I look at my reflection in the mirror, taking deep, steady breaths to calm my racing heart. I left my pills at home, now I have to wing the night. I fixed my hair and wiped the tear drop at the corner of my eyes.

I was hardly paying attention walking out when I crashed into something hard, or rather, someone. 

Geez, I really am getting more clumsy these days. I need to start paying more attention to my surroundings.

“I am really sorry, I…’ 

My words get stuck in my throat once I look up and find my victim. Oh shit.

“Uhm… err… hello” what on earth am I even mumbling. 

“I didn’t see you there, I wasn't paying attention.” I hope he isn’t the kind to get petty about little incidents like this. I looked up again and found out that he’s awfully quiet and staring at me — Again! All this man does is stare. If we didn’t meet at the bookstore, I’d have thought he was mute.

Before I could think of ways to escape this awkward situation, he spoke.

“This is a public area, we can’t be seen together alone like this.” Before I could respond, he walked away.

How rude but convenient. 

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Alex’s POV

“Alex, please when we get there, try to be as polite as possible.” My mom said while holding my hand to emphasize her message. She knows I’m still pissed.

“Might be too hard for him to do tonight, don’t you think darling?”. The old man seated on the passenger’s seat snickered, trying to tease and get a reaction from me.

“But still.” My mother draws out “Give this a chance, will you.”

“I don’t think I have much of a choice anymore, do I?”

“Damn right you don’t. This meeting is just formalities and a chance for you to meet your fiancé before the wedding.” my dad adds again.

These people, I swear. They really have a way of getting under my skin when they want. They finally succeeded in having their way this time.

We reach our destination and pass a separate entrance to avoid public attention. 

We were halfway in when I remembered I left my phone in the car.

“Go on without me, I’ll meet up with you guys.” Both my parents gave a soft sigh, almost comical, but I was not in the mood today.

I grabbed my phone and headed back inside, but I didn’t expect to see who I saw and it was clearly the same for her.

No way the person I was set up to marry was her. God, she looks just as beautiful as she did that day, if not more.

Her outfit was pretty basic, nothing too much but it hugged her curvy body just right. Her dark hair was left down today and had a better view of just how long it was. Stopped right at the curve of her bottom back, where my hand would fit perfectly.

Her figure is amazing, no doubt about that, and that dress she wore was doing something to me. The material looked soft like her skin and the mixed cool colours made her complexion more radiant. I couldn’t take my eyes off her the entire night.

The colour of her eyes has to be the most captivating thing about her. So wide and bold, yet unsettled. Eyes like that, she’s either going to wreck me or save me.

She appeared so composed, yet disturbed. I wonder what’s going through her mind…

Shit shit shit. I’m in deep trouble. It’s been a very long time since I had a woman consume my thoughts this much. This was not the plan.

But the truth is that ever since that day, thoughts of her skin grazing mine, the smell of her perfume and how fiercely she looked at me when I took the book from her haunted my mind. I buried myself with work to get my mind off her… only to meet her again today.

What was her name again..?

Ah, yes. Hazel… beautiful name for a beautiful lady.

Hazel excused herself from the table looking dazed, and my suspicion was confirmed when she lost her balance while trying to stand!

What the hell was going on with her? 

It has been ten minutes since she left this room, and I was beginning to get worried. My feelings shocked me. I didn't even know this chick yet and I’m already deeply infatuated by just the thought of her.

I left the room without caring enough to inform anyone, just to see if she was alright.

As I was rounding the corner that leads to the female and male restrooms, someone bumped into me and that familiar scent filled my senses. Gosh, she smells so damn good!

She realised I was the one she bumped into and quickly moved away like my presence burned her. I felt a scowl immediately etched on my face at the thought of her being like that towards me, but I don’t blame her though, I haven’t been exactly ‘welcoming’.

Hazel mumbled something under her breath, which I think was an apology.

Remembering she was an Important public figure, I didn’t want someone to catch her here in a secluded area with me and in a restaurant. The whole point of getting a private room was not to get caught.

“This is a public area, we can’t be seen together alone like this.” I say in my usual curt tone and walk away.

Fuck! I just realized how bad I must've looked. She probably thinks I’m an asshole. Great, just great.

The night dragged on for a short while and we bid the Jones family goodnight, promising to seal the deal as soon as possible.

This might not be such a bad idea after all.