5. Blind Date

Esperanza entered the upscale restaurant, her dark hair pulled back elegantly in soft waves, while she wore a simple yet sophisticated black dress that fell to her knees.

Her eyes immediately found the man waiting by the window, as described by Valentina. Tall, confident, impeccably dressed while speaking quietly on his phone. Everything about him suggests quiet authority and strength.

For some reason, Esperanza found her cheeks heating up. At first, she thought it was because of the cosy atmosphere inside the restaurant, but later she realised it was due to the man who looked no less than a gentleman, dressed in a white shirt and blank trousers, while a black blazer rested beside him.

She had been working with her colleagues for more than three months, but never once had anybody caught her attention like he did. But still, she chose to be careful, not carefree.

It took him a while on the call, but as soon as his eyes landed on Esperanza, a small smile appeared on his lips, and he immediately walked towards her, disconnecting his call.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, I'm Diego Alejandro Rowland," He said, extending his hand to her.

‘A Rowland…?’ Esperanza thought.

His penetrating gaze seemed to see through her carefully constructed composure, making her slightly nervous and turning her cheeks warm. But she was determined not to appear weak, not anymore.

Esperanza confidently shook her hand with him but Diego instantly read the weak smile behind the forced confidence she was trying to gather.

When their hands brushed, they instantly felt an unfamiliar feeling settle in their chests.

"Shall we?" Diego asked.

Esperanza merely nodded her head and was instantly guided by Diego to the garden area of the restaurant.

Minutes passed, and they drank water to calm their nerves but none of them dared to break the ice.

"I have no idea about you but... I... I didn't sign up for this blind date. But I couldn't deny it either," Diego awkwardly chuckled.

"Was this your best friend's idea too?" Esperanza asked in a low voice, a nervous chuckle leaving her mouth.

"Kind of... It was my grandfather's idea," He answered.

"Oh."

"So... Is it your first blind date or...?"

Esperanza sharply inhaled, "First."

"Same..."

The waiter arrived to take their orders, leaving both of them surprised by the similar taste that they shared. It was like the ice breaker they needed to get along with the evening, nice and smooth.

From talking about the food they liked, their conversation shifted to where they work, taking Esperanza back to a guarded state.

"I… I work as a manager at Rowland Corporation," Esperanza firmly answered.

The sudden change in her soft voice left Diego in thought, but the mention of the company which was dearest to him lit up his mood, "Why didn't I see you there ever? I... I'm a Rowland. I work in the same company as you."

"But you are their heir of Rowland and I'm the manager. You don't work with every single manager on your own," Esperanza answered.

Every word coming out of her mouth felt normal, but her stiff shoulders and upright posture assured Diego of something he wasn't aware of. He wanted her to loosen up a bit without making her uncomfortable.

"Well, I spent five years managing the company's U.S. operations, and after giving one successful project after another, I have finally returned to take over the main headquarters. Though I'm not looking for marriage prospects at the moment, I still respect my grandfather's wishes," Diego calmly answered.

'Great... Another man who's running from marriage. But at least he is clear about it' Esperanza thought.

"When did you return?" Esperanza carefully asked.

As heir of Rowland Corporation, Diego was entitled to know the dark and juicy truth of the corporate world. And by now, everyone knows the dramatic story of the rich heiress and Carlos Mendoza falling apart.

"Three weeks back," Diego answered and took a sip from his wine glass.

A sense of relief washed over Esperanza, she'd had enough rough days of being judged, answering everyone's direct questions, and tormenting people's stares. She wanted none of it from Diego or anyone else she'd meet in her life from now on.

But whenever Diego mentioned her work, he noticed a subtle change in her voice, something guarded, as if she were carrying invisible scars.

"I have no idea what it is but you seem like someone who's been through difficult times," Diego observes gently.

His brown eyes bore into her grey ones, pure concern flowing in them, "But don't let past pain define you or break your spirit. You might not know it yet, but you are more than that."

The words were simple, something that Valentina has been saying to Esperanza since day one but hearing them from a man who could buy the world in a snap, melted the rock that had been sitting on Esperanza's heart.

For the first time in months, Esperanza's face lit up with a genuine, beautiful smile that made her grey eyes twinkle, "Thank you... That... That means more than you know."

In their whole time together, this was their very first moment Diego saw her smiling through her heart. It wasn't difficult for him to identify the strength beneath her vulnerability, something that a lot of people failed to carry. And this made him genuinely intrigued with Esperanza.

His instincts never proved him wrong and today, he understood that the woman sitting in front of him had clearly survived something that would have destroyed others, yet she was still there, still fighting.

He avoided talking about work with her and let the evening pass by with a little conversation about what they liked to do in their free time.

When Esperanza prepared to book a taxi, Diego offered to drop her off at her home since it was late.

"No, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be alright," Esperanza answered.

"I can see you will be but I'm not a jerk to leave someone as smart and beautiful as you on her own so late at night. Don't worry I'll be the same gentleman I was for the last two hours," Diego chuckled. "Also, what kind of boss would I be if I let my company's manager travel alone at night in a taxi?"

"Oh, so... You drop everyone off at home?" Esperanza asked.

For some reason, her tone sounded playful, something that she's never heard from herself in months.

Diego opened the car door for her with a small smile on his face, "Not everyone though. You are first. I've never been on a date with any of my employees."

Esperanza's experiences lingered in her head, forcing her to deny the sweetness coming her way but the warmth that captivated her heart after months told her to let her guard down for once.

She has already been through the worst. What's worse than that can happen to her?

While Esperanza took her time deciding, Diego knew this wasn't the last time he was meeting her. Something about Esperanza touched deep into him that he didn't want to forget, but explore.

"Sure. But only if you promise not to be a sweet serial killer," Esperanza chuckled and settled on the passenger seat.

"Sweets, I am... Serial killer, no Missy, I prefer to be a man who simply believes in offering people peace," Diego chuckled and drove away.