Chapter 5

Maddox could not believe his own eyes. What was he doing? He never went on dates. He never does dates. 

Closing his eyes, he pinched his nose and reminded himself that it was nothing but two people going out to eat and hang out. Two friends. That sounded even more foreign. Why was he even excited about meeting up with someone he fucked the night before? He even dressed up! Crazy. 

Maddox thought of Charlie and her charming smile that managed to keep him on chokehold. But last night, in his bed, she was an exquisite partner. He remembered the feel of her soft body against his and how responsive she had been to everything he did. If he had not thought with his head, he would have made her his. 

Moving back to New York came with one goal; to live a simple life. That involved making money, debauching himself every chance he gets, doing nothing illegal and raising that kid. 

Speaking of kid, Maddox eyed the girl raiding his fridge. Hailey made herself sandwich and uncorked the bottle of wine he repeatedly told her not to touch. He did not even have the energy to be mad at her. If he could at least be a sense of reasoning for him, maybe he could call the whole thing off with Charlie. Then he would spend the night with other people who did not pique his curiosity. 

"Oh my!" Hailey exclaimed once she looked at him and cackled. "Don't you look pretty?" 

"Don't." He closed his eyes and swallowed down his embarrassment. "I look like this every day." 

Maddox wore black slacks and a black dress shirt. He made sure to unbutton the first two buttons to show he didn't try too hard when he actually did. He groomed his hair and tied it up in a manbun. If he must say so himself, he looked good. 

"Are you planning on getting laid today or something?"

Hailey was only fifteen. Should he be having this conversation with her? 

"I'm going out with a friend."

Chowing down her food, she shook her head. "You don't have friends. You don't make friends. Where are you really going?"

"I am meeting up with someone. She offered to buy me dinner."

"She?! Dio Santo!" She squealed, growing amused. "So it's a date."

"Porca miseria." For God's sake. Maddox shook his hands as he explained. "Hailey, please don't do this. I'm not going on a date. And why are you here? I bought you a house for a reason."

"It's so lonely there. Carla doesn't get me like you do."

"You're just saying that because of the freedom you enjoy here."

"So, can I stay?"

"No. You better get back home before I get back."

"Fine. But you have to spend with me this weekend. You promised last week and cancelled last minute, Papa." 

"No problem, Hailey. And I told you not to call me Papa."

Giggling, she asked, "Would you rather Padrè?" 

"No, Hailey." His Italian accent slipped as he eyed the girl. 

"Alright, Signore Black." She took one long look at him and nodded. "You don't need to worry. You look good in anything."

"I'm not worried." He tugged at his shirt. "Don't stay playing on that Play Station, Hailey. I mean it. Dont stay too late. It's a school night."

"Yes, Papa. Now go before your date gets pissed and leaves."

Maddox does not bother arguing and takes the main exit to the elevator. He took in Hailey three years ago before he moved to New York and established his empire. Placing her under the care of Carla, an old nanny he hired on his move, was one of his best investment. Hailey did not seem like much now but she was his lifeline, the heir to all that he owned. He only wished she grew stronger with her fists like she was with her mouth. 

The elevator touched the ground floor. He stepped into the busy lobby, tugging on his gloves and checking if his bluetooth sat well placed in his ear. When he stepped outside of the building, the evening air blew against him along with the New York smell. The city was so crowded, it was a miracle anything got done. 

A sedan pulled up by the sidewalk. The driver's door opened and Charlie stepped out with that charming grin of hers. She rushed over to the passenger's side and opened the door.

"What are you waiting for? Come in!" 

For the first time in his life, Maddox Black let himself be swept up in a woman's chivalry. Heavens forbid he admit he liked that. He climbed in and quietly watched her close the door then rush to enter the vehicle at the driver's seat. 

"I'm sorry for being late," Charlie apologized as she sped down the road.

"Two minutes," he stated. 

"You didn't stand there long, did you? Work and traffic had me swamped. I even had to rent this baby."

"We could have taken one of my cars."

Her brows raised as she glanced at him. "What are you talking about? I asked you out so I should deal with everything."

"It's not a date," Maddox remimded her but mostly himself. He wondered what sort of trap he had set for himself by accepting this and melting into a puddle he barely recognised. He didn't dare look at her for fear he might get lost in her brown eyes and do something he shouldn't since they were 'friends' now. 

"It's not. We already established that this morning."

Yes, this morning. 

When he first woke, he had been glad she was not in bed with him only to find her dressed and about to leave. Her scent lingered on him even after she left and he had the mattress and bed sheets replaced. There was nothing else that could explain this magnetic pull he felt with her. Perhaps if he fucked her again, all the lust he felt for her would be spent up. 

"We are… right in front of my nightclub," Maddox noted dryly when the sedan pulled to a stop. 

The neon lights on the establishment name, Sin City, shone on his face as if taunting him. This was going to be a weird friendship outing. Was she really looking for a do-over at the place where they first met? This girl is hella weird. 

"Yeah but that's not our destination." She reached over and turned his head to the other side of the street. "That is."

"Oh." He blinked, reading the sign above the restaurant.

"They have great reviews. I promise, their food is good. We're going to have the best night."

He tried to mirror her expression, feeling dead inside. How would his employees feel if they saw him right across the street?