6

I greeted the other employees at the law firm where I was a partner. I went to my office and put some documents on the desk that I needed to review.

"Good morning," Lily greeted me.

She came in with a bouquet of red lilies in her hands. She put it on my desk and smiled at me.

"They're for you," she said with excitement in her voice.

I took out the small card that was among the lilies and read: "I will conquer you. Sincerely, H."

"Who is 'H'?" she asked.

I gave her a dirty look, and she quickly left my office. I set aside the card and started to work. My phone rang, and I answered it immediately.

"Do you like the flowers?" he asked.

I looked at the screen of my phone and frowned. How on earth did he have my number?

"Would you like to have lunch with me?" he asked.

I didn't know what to say. How could this guy stress me out so much?

"I'm busy. I ask you not to send me flowers and not to call me again," I said.

Hayden laughed.

"Are you nervous?" he asked.

I almost choked, but I took a deep breath and found my happy place.

"I don't want to waste my time, so go and bother someone else," I said.

"I'm very persistent with what I want. I'll pick you up at twelve-thirty; don't hide," he said and hung up.

I looked at my phone's screen. This couldn't be happening to me. I got up from my desk and went to find Lily; she could help me with this.

"Do you have a partner?" I asked her.

She shook her head. I smiled satisfied; I would introduce her to someone her age, so he would leave me alone.

"I'm going to introduce you to a friend, he's very handsome. We're going to have lunch with him," I said.

Lily looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"No, thanks," she said.

I searched my phone for a picture of Hayden and showed it to her. She slightly opened her mouth, then licked her lips and smiled.

"I'd love to go with you guys," she said.

"Get more beautiful," I told her.

She nodded eagerly. I turned around and went back to my office; I had already solved one of my problems, hopefully everything else would be as easy.

Lunchtime arrived. I grabbed my purse and went to find Lily; she was more than ready, already waiting for me.

"What's his name?" she asked.

"Hayden," I replied.

She raised an eyebrow and then smiled.

"Was he the one who sent you the flowers?" she asked.

I breathed irritably and nodded. I left my job, and Hayden was already waiting for us. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, jeans, sneakers, and a cap.

"He's quite modern," Lily mocked.

I took a deep breath and approached him.

"You look beautiful," he said.

I smiled at him awkwardly and then turned around to introduce him to Lily.

"Hayden, meet a friend, Lily. I think you'll get along; you're almost the same age," I said.

Hayden greeted Lily enthusiastically. Then he looked at me and smiled.

"Shall we?" I asked.

He nodded. I got into the back of his car, and Lily got into the passenger seat. I took out my phone and started checking some emails I had received.

"How was work?" he asked.

Silence filled the car. I looked up from my phone; Hayden was looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"Excellent," I replied.

He smiled widely.

"I had an excellent day too. I know I'll also win this season," he said.

I nodded and went back to my phone.

"What food do you like?" he asked.

Lily burst into laughter, and I looked at him again through the rearview mirror.

"What food do you hate?" I asked.

He thought for a moment.

"Indian food," he said.

"I like that," I said.

Lily started laughing hysterically; she turned to look at me.

"I'm sorry, but I think I'm being a bad third wheel," she said.

She said goodbye and got out of the car.

"Do you want Indian food then?" he asked with a huge smile.

I leaned back in my seat and took a deep breath.

"Take me wherever," I said.

He nodded and started the car. I resigned myself; today I was going to go with the flow. Anyway, it was just lunch; I didn't think this would lead to anything more.

We arrived at a very nice restaurant. When we entered, I realized he already had a reservation. One of the waiters approached us and led us to our table. Hayden pulled out my chair for me to sit.

"Do you like this place? I read that they serve really delicious food here," he told me.

I looked at him for a long moment and then smiled at him.

"I think it's lovely," I said.

He smiled satisfactorily at what I had said.

"How long have you been driving?" I asked.

I was going to keep the peace for the moment. I was hungry and wanted to enjoy the food.

"Since I was little, I always liked fast cars," he said with a smile.

Didn't he ever get tired of smiling?

"Aren't you afraid you might have an accident?" I asked.

He stopped smiling and shrugged.

"I think it's part of the job. I just hope I don't die," he said casually.

I nodded.

"I apologize for yesterday. I think I was a little too hot-headed," he said.

The waiter arrived with a bottle of wine and left it on the table. I poured myself a glass and drank it in one go.

"I like you. It's like my heart is telling me that you're the one, and I know it's crazy because we don't know each other, but I can't get you out of my mind. I just think about you and your skin," he confessed.

I froze. This was definitely Grace's dream. So why did I have to live it? Life was totally unfair.

"Maybe it's just because of the heat. You should find someone to hook up with," I advised him.

Hayden immediately shook his head.

"It's different. My dad has always told me that we know when we find our soulmate, and I know it's you," he said.

I laughed nervously. This guy was crazy, and so was his dad, and here I was dealing with both.

"You're young and naive; those kinds of thoughts are the biggest cause of divorce in the world, and I'm not complaining because I make money from that, but you should reconsider that idea. You can't go through life falling in love with people you don't know and who are older than you," I told him.

He nodded, but he looked happy. I sighed deeply with frustration.

"What if you let me conquer you?" he asked.

I poured myself more wine and drank it. This was definitely going to be more difficult than I had thought.

"No, I know what I want, and believe me, I don't want to be with a man fifteen years younger than me," I told him.

"It's fourteen," he corrected me.

I couldn't believe this. Was this some kind of sick joke?

"You should find someone your own age. You'll get bored with someone like me," I said.

Hayden shook his head. This man was so stubborn, for God's sake.

"Just give me a chance, give me a month to prove to you that I'm the man of your dreams," he pleaded.

I shook my head. I would never do something as stupid as that.

"Kat!" shouted the familiar voice of my sister.

I finished the rest of the wine in my glass and looked at my sister, who was with my ex-bastard. I looked at Hayden, who was looking at my sister and the cockroach with a smile.

"Play along," I asked Hayden.

He looked at me, frowned, but then nodded. I got up from the chair and waved at them; both approached the table and sat down without being invited.

"What a surprise," I said to them.

The cockroach looked at Hayden and then at me.

"Don't tell me you like them that young now," he said mockingly.

Hayden looked him in the eyes seriously and then smiled.

"It's better than being with an old man who can't give her what she really needs," he said.

Take that, bastard! I smiled a little.

"Are you guys dating?" my sister asked in surprise.

I nodded. My sister opened her mouth slightly and then smiled awkwardly.

"How old is he?" she asked, looking at him.

"Twenty-nine," I replied before Hayden could say anything.

My sister nodded.

"I bet he doesn't even work," joked my ex-bastard.

Hayden looked at me; he looked upset.

"Please, Felipe!" scolded my sister.

I looked at Hayden and smiled a little to calm him down. The waiter arrived with the menu, and we all ordered our food. Hayden looked at me from time to time; I kept drinking wine. This was so stressful.

Felipe and my sister started talking about their marriage cheerfully, as if I didn't exist. I kept drinking and smiling from time to time.

"Will you come to my wedding, right?" he asked Hayden.

He looked at me, and I slowly shook my head so he would say no.

"I'd love to," he replied with a smile.

Damn it! My sister turned to look at me, and I smiled.

"Mother will be delighted to know you're with someone," she said.

Felipe laughed.

"Even if it's a kid," he joked.

The waiter arrived with the bill; Hayden looked at the bill and took out a black card. The three of us stared at the card impressed; I would never in my life be able to get one of those. How much money did he have?

"What do you do?" my sister asked.

"I'm an F1 driver. In fact, I was the winner of this season," he said proudly.

Felipe turned to look at me; I smiled at him immediately.

"My little and beautiful champion," I said.

I was definitely going to end up in the flames of hell for what I was doing. Hayden looked at me; he had a strange gleam in his blue eyes. I drank more wine; little by little, I was burying myself deeper and deeper in my own lie.

He took a deep breath.