Chapter 5

AMARA'S POV——

I had barely finished getting dressed when my phone suddenly started ringing. I looked at the screen while adjusting the strap of my black satin dress in the mirror. Adrian was video-calling me.

“You’re wearing black tonight,” He said over the phone. “That means I’m already in trouble.” I rolled my eyes with a smile. "Stop the flattering. Give me a few minutes, and I'll be ready."

A second after the call ended, I smiled softly as I stared at my reflection. "You look perfect, girl." The black satin dress clung to my body, stopping just above my knees. I had gold heels and gold earrings on, and carried a matching clutch. The look was effortless, elegant, and just bold enough to make people look twice when I walked past.

And for the first time in a long time, I actually felt beautiful without trying too hard. Maybe that was why I agreed to dinner in the first place, not because of Adrian, as I said, I didn't like him that much (chuckles). But after years of feeling abandoned, confused, and emotionally bruised by Julian, I wanted one night where I wasn’t thinking about pain.

Étoile restaurant sat atop one of Valmere’s tallest towers. It had soft golden lights that reflected against the glass walls overlooking the city. A violinist played quietly near the wine bar while waiters in black suits moved elegantly between tables. The moment I stepped out of the elevator, heads turned slightly, and Adrian noticed immediately. His eyes stayed on me for a few seconds too long before he finally exhaled.

“Wow,” he murmured as he walked toward me slowly, not lustfully, but he was just… stunned.

“You look breathtaking.” I laughed softly and suddenly became shy under the intensity of his stare.

“You’re exaggerating.”

“No,” Adrian replied immediately. “I actually think every man in this restaurant is jealous of me right now.”

That made me laugh properly, and strangely enough… it relaxed me. Adrian didn’t feel heavy the way Julian did. Julian always carried tension around him. But Adrian? Adrian felt warm. and dangerously charming.

My eyes moved over his ash-colored suit. “You clean up nicely, too.” He placed a hand dramatically against his chest. “That compliment just healed my childhood trauma.” I burst into laughter again.

“There’s no way you’re serious.”

“I’m very serious,” he said calmly as he guided me toward the VIP section near the glass windows.

The city glowed beneath us like diamonds scattered across black silk. “It’s beautiful here,” I admitted as Adrian pulled out my chair for me.

“You say that now,” he replied. “Wait until you taste the food.”

“You sound very proud for someone who didn’t cook it,” I said with a little smirk on my face

“I selected the chef myself,” I shook my head, smiling as I sat down. Dinner flowed naturally after that. There was no pressure or emotional games, and Adrian made every conversation we had feel effortless. He told me ridiculous stories about investors fighting over billion-dollar deals like children arguing over toys. He teased me every time I tried acting too serious, and somehow that made me feel more relaxed. I smiled throughout the conversation and in the process, thought to myself, "God, why was he this charming?"

“You know,” Adrian said at some point while sipping champagne, “you’re different at night.” I frowned slightly.

“How?”

“At the office, you walk around like you’re carrying invisible armor.” The statement caught me off guard.

“And tonight?” I asked with a flirty smile, looking straight into his eyes.

He looked at me and mimicked my flirtatiousness. “Tonight you look softer.” The way he said it made me pause. It wasn't the words. It was how closely he had been paying attention.

I looked away first. “That sounds dangerously close to psychoanalysis.”

“I’m an investor,” he replied smoothly. “Reading people is part of my job.”

“And what do you think you’ve read about me?”

Adrian smiled faintly. “I think someone hurt you deeply,” he said quietly. “And now you’re trying very hard not to let anyone do it again.” The air shifted slightly, and for a second, Julian flashed through my mind. His silence, his disappearance, the years I spent pretending I was okay. Adrian noticed the change in my expression immediately, and to my surprise, he didn’t push. Instead, he leaned back casually.

“Okay,” he said lightly. “New topic before you throw your wine at me.” A small laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.

“You’re annoyingly smooth,” I said, stirring my drink lightly before taking a small sip.

“I’ve heard worse,” Adrian replied with a relaxed smile

“I doubt that.” I set my glass down while raising one of my eyebrows.

“Oh, trust me,” Adrian said seriously, swirling his glass slowly before looking up at me. "An ex once called me emotionally expensive.” That made me choke on my drink laughing, quickly covering my mouth with my hand as I shook my head.

“Emotionally expensive?” I repeated, still laughing and coughing lightly.

“Easy.... yes,” he nodded proudly. “Very rare diagnosis.” By the time dessert arrived, I realized something dangerous. I was enjoying myself.

Later, Adrian walked me toward the private balcony outside the restaurant. The cool night wind brushed softly against my skin immediately. “It’s peaceful out here,” I whispered.

“It is,” Adrian replied. We both said nothing after enjoying the serene environment. Then I noticed him looking at me again, not casually this time; there was something deliberate in it. He stepped closer, slow and certain, and I felt my breath hitch as his hand lifted and brushed lightly against my arm.

“Adrian…”

“You’re beautiful, Amara.” He said my name softly and leaned in slowly, giving me enough time to stop him. And I did. I placed my hand lightly against his chest.

“Oh my God,” I laughed nervously and stepped back. “Don’t do that.” Adrian paused instantly, not offended or angry, just watching me with attention.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Too soon?” I nodded faintly.

“Yes.” A small smile appeared on his face.

“Fair enough.” And somehow… the fact that he respected it immediately made me feel even safer around him.

------------

A few floors below the restaurant, a black Maybach was parked across the street, hidden beneath the glow of the city lights. Inside the tinted car, Julian Vale watched everything. The moment Adrian leaned a little closer to Amara on the balcony, Julian's expression changed. His fingers curled slowly against the leather armrest.

Every instinct inside him screamed to walk into that restaurant and drag her away from Adrian. But he stayed still, watching, waiting, and burning with anger.

-------------

Adrian and I finally left the restaurant almost an hour later, and the streets outside were busy with luxury cars, driving in and out of the restaurant. The driver opened the car door for us as we walked toward the car. I adjusted my purse while Adrian walked beside me.

Then suddenly… His expression changed, not enough for me to notice anything suspicious. But enough for him to notice the black Maybach parked across the street. Enough for him to recognize who sat inside it. Without saying a word, Adrian’s arm slid slowly around my waist. My breath caught at the unexpected closeness.

But strangely enough… I didn’t move away. He gently pulled me closer against his side while helping me into the car like a protective gentleman.

--------------

Julian's eyes landed on Adrian's hand resting on her shoulder, and something inside him snapped. His face hardened as he stared at them. The way Adrian stood so close to Amara, and the way she seemed completely at ease beside him, made his chest burn.

Inside the car, I turned slightly toward Adrian. “You’re very affectionate suddenly,” I teased.

Adrian smiled calmly. “Maybe I just like having you close.” The answer felt smooth and natural. But as the car pulled away into the city lights, Adrian glanced once more toward the black Maybach behind them, and this time…He smiled knowingly.

----------

Across the city, Elena Whitemore sat inside her penthouse suite with her best friend, Mary Laurent. Mary was one of the few women involved in Ardent Holdings’ luxury investment circle. She is stylish, observant, and dangerously nosy, which was exactly why Elena kept her close.

Mary dropped her purse dramatically onto the couch. “Girl, you will not believe what I saw tonight.” Elena barely looked up from her wine glass. “Babes, please... If this is another married senator scandal, I genuinely don’t care.”

“It involves Julian,” Mary said almost immediately. That got Elena's attention instantly, and she sat up.

“What about Julian?” Mary sat down carefully.

“I had dinner at Étoile tonight with some investors.” She paused. “And Adrian Cross was there.”

Elena frowned slightly. “Okay?”

“He wasn’t alone.” Mary kept talking, and Elena's face slowly lost every trace of warmth.

“Who was with him?” Elena asked. Mary hesitated just enough to make it worse. “That new girl at Ardent Holdings.”

They were both silent. “Elena…” Mary continued carefully. “I saw Julian’s Maybach parked outside for almost an hour.” Elena's face changed little by little. She wasn't angry. Instead, she went quiet, her eyes stayed on Mary for a second.

“And he stayed there?” she asked quietly. Mary nodded.

“He watched them the entire time.” The silence afterwards felt very dangerous. Finally, Elena stood up and walked toward the mirror in the sitting room. Her reflection stared back at her—beautiful, powerful… and, for a brief second, something she refused to accept: replaceable. No, that thought was immediately shut down.

“Elena?” Mary called. But Elena was already thinking, already calculating because for the first time since dating Julian Vale… She felt threatened, and Elena Whitemore does not lose what is hers.

Meanwhile, inside the moving car, Adrian looked out at the window before finally speaking to himself.

“Game on, Julian.”