The Way He Looks At Me

Chapter One

Rahim shifted awkwardly and his eyes darted to the rearview mirror, “Hey, you okay back there, bud?”

Lincoln snorted and gave no response, his eyes still staring out of the window.

His mind was preoccupied with thousands of thoughts and he was clearly frustrated with them.

He was on his way to meet his soon-to-be fiance for the time before their engagement party tomorrow and he wasn't happy about it.

Not that he could do anything about it. He has always been living in the shadows of his father throughout his life.

Every footstep he takes, every word he speaks, every decision he makes was his father's and he was damn well tired of it!

Now he has set him up with this girl he has never met in his closeted life before all for some bullshit business purposes!

Imagine that!

Lincoln has wondered what his father's reaction would be like when he or everyone else found out about his true sexuality.

As the son of one of the richest business tycoons in California, it would surely be a devastating scandal… and Lincoln hated scandals with his life.

He hated the fact that his whole life was out for the whole public to see and judge, and most of all he detested that his life decisions were always influenced by his dad and his stupid ass company.

“We're here,” Rahim announced, pulling up to the curb of the restaurant. “There she is.” He nodded at the stunning blonde lady sitting elegantly inside the restaurant with her eyes glued to her phone. “Damn! She's fine!” Rahim ogled in utter admiration, “You're so lucky, bro!”

Lincoln couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Even though Rahim has been his best friend since he began working for his family four years ago, he still had absolutely no idea about Lincoln's sexuality.

No one knew.

Lincoln had to admit that the lady was indeed gorgeous but unfortunately, he was attracted to muscles, broad shoulders and abs.

“Here goes nothing,” Lincoln muttered under his breath and sighed, “Remember what I said?”

“That I should watch and if things get messy, I should come and get you out with the excuse that something urgent has come up.”

“That's right.” He sighed again, stepped out of the car and then walked towards the restaurant, each step heavier than the last. He reached and pushed in the glass door. “Hi. I'm sorry, you're Evie Burns, aren't you?”

The lady Lincoln believed to be Evie Burns looked up from her screen and met his gaze.

She had such pretty, bold, hypnotic eyes, a pointed jaw, and flawless, tanned skin. If Lincoln didn't know her, he would have mistaken her for a model or a movie star.

She was absolutely gorgeous!

Her lips curled up in an enthralling smile, “Hi! Yes! I am! Please, sit.”

Lincoln felt a twist in his stomach as he sat down. He turned towards the glass wall of his car.

“You're doing great!” Rahim mouthed and gave him the thumbs up.

“You're Lincoln Smith, right?” Evie asked, her voice as sweet as melody.

Lincoln cleared his throat, “Yes, I am. Nice to meet you.”

“Wow!”

“What?”

Evie chuckled nervously, tucking some strands of hair behind her lovely ears, “It's just… I didn't expect you to be this… so… you know…” She broke off in another nervous chuckle. “Come on, don't make me say it.”

“What?” Lincoln asked, confused.

“Fine! You're extremely handsome.” She complimented and glanced away, clearly embarrassed.

“Wow, thanks,” Lincoln said, finally regaining his confidence. “You too. You're breathtaking.”

It's not like this was the first time he was speaking with a girl. All through his life he had pretended to be a straight guy and flirted with girls in front of his friends just so they wouldn't suspect.

Evie blushed crimson and then smiled, “Thanks.”

“Shall we order?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Half an hour later, the two said their goodbyes and Lincoln escorted her to her car where her driver was waiting.

To his horror, Evie was surprisingly nice to talk to. He had expected her to be unenthusiastic and arrogant as the whole thing was arranged. But she had rambled on about herself, her family, her future, unimportant things, blah blah blah, yada yada yada.

Lincoln noticed the way she kept stealing furtive glances at his exposed arms, his biceps and chest. He prayed to God that she wasn't attracted to him.

“Wow, bro! You were awesome!” Rahim praised as Lincoln stepped into the car, “Did you see the way she kept staring at you? She was mad into you! Luke, she wanted you, bro!”

“Yeah, I kind of noticed that too.” Lincoln mumbled, “Can we please go home?”

“What? You don't like her?”

“Rahim, I said drive me home!” Lincoln snapped and Rahim flinched back.

“Yeah… sure,” He turned and ignited the car, then drove off.

About half an hour later, Rahim drove the vehicle into Smith Estate and pulled up in front of the magnificent building.

The ride had been a hell of an awkward one.

“Bro, did I say anything wrong?” Rahim asked.

“No, you didn't.” Lincoln stepped down, “I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier. I was just overwhelmed.”

“Cool bro. Cool.” Rahim replied.

Lincoln shut the door and went in.

“Oh my! How was she?! Is she as lovely as she was in the picture? Is she nice? Aw, my little boy is getting engaged!” Tessa Smith, Lincoln's mom squealed with excitement as she bombarded him with questions.

“Mom, Rahim will give you the deets when he comes in. I'm exhausted.”

“Sure son. You need strength for tomorrow. It sure is a big day for you.”

Lincoln resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He left his mom and strode up the stairs.

“So, how was she?”

“Jesus!” Lincoln exclaimed in fright, lurching backward, instantly clutching his chest, “How many times am I gonna warn you to stop doing that, you little brat?!”

Ana, Lincoln's little sister raised her lovely shoulders in a shrug. “Sorry, force of habit.”

“I'm not telling you anything! Go to Rahim!” He snapped at her and then walked into his room, making damn well sure to slam the door behind him.

He threw himself on the bed and faced up to the ceiling.

He was terrified… of everything, his father, his life, this whole wedding arrangement, but most especially, he was terrified that Evie might be falling for him already.

He didn't want that.

He is gay.

“Ugh! What am I gonna do?” He mumbled, rubbing his forehead. “Should I just run away? No, I can't do that, it's ridiculous. Then what am I gonna do? Will I be closeted for the rest of my life then? God, this is so frustrating!”

Frustrated with his thoughts, he decided to fall asleep but unfortunately, sleep decided to elude him.

He spent the next five hours trying to fall asleep without result.

“Alright, that does it!” He groaned, getting to his feet.

Right there and then, he had an impulsive urge to go to a bar, be merry and live just for the night.

He sneaked out through the backdoor with his motorcycle.

About thirty minutes later, he arrived at a bar, the loud beaming of the music, the dim light, the excited crowd, the atmosphere… it was all he needed at the moment.

He smirked and pushed through the crowd to the counter.

“Hey, everyone!” He yelled, instantly catching the attention of everyone in the room, “Guess what? Today is your lucky day! Order anything you want!” He pulled out a credit card, “It's all on me!”

The crowd erupted with cheers, applause and praises. Everyone rushed to the counter to get their drinks.

Lincoln nearly drank himself to oblivion.

Suddenly, as if sensing someone's intense gaze on him, he whipped his head towards the end of the bar and then quickly caught his breath.

Hypnotic blue orbs.