AIDEN

ex

nversation with my father from the previous day kept replaying in my min

thoughts of my impending doom to the back of my mind. I had a meeting wi

feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. This could be my chance to prove to my

ches. I ordered a latte and waited nervously for my client to arrive. As I sipped my coffee, I couldn't

atures, piercing dark eyes and an air of authority that commanded attention. My breath caught in my throat as I realized

hances of running into him here? I prayed he wouldn't notice

re you Alexia

e, my heart racing as I slowly looked up to me

, feeling a mix of sh

a seat across from me. I noticed he was dressed in a crisp suit, his

s eyes scanning over my sketches with interest. "But I

also confusion. Why was he here? Did he know

we met before?" I

oday. However..." He paused for a moment, tilting his head to the side as if con

of our encounter flooded back to me. H

I could muster

why I am here today." He reached into his briefcase and pull

y's estate. We are in need of some renovations, and

appening. An actual client wanted to hire me based on my ta

on this project," I said, try

ing at the corners of his mouth. "I look fo

e said my name, with that slight accent, sent shivers down my spine. But

d, trying to keep my voice steady

, call me Aiden. We'll be working close

lost on me. Here I was, sitting across from the very man my father wanted

was playing a cr

y as I explained my ideas, offering thoughtful suggestions and insightful questions. It was a professional exchange, yet there was an undeniable undercurrent of something more, a palpable tension that l

asked, his dark eyes lockin

lied, trying to maintain eye contact

gracing his lips. "I'll have my assistant contact you with the details.

ly terrified and utterly captivated by this man at the same time? This entire situation wa

iness card on the table. "For your reference," he sai

oasted coffee clung to the air a

n Suarez, Head of

y dagger twisting in the pit of my stomach. As

ivated – mesmerized – by this man's intellect, his charm, the way his dark eyes seemed to penetrate right through me. I'd felt a pull,

raw, unadulterated passion. A night I had dismissed as a beautiful, if careless, detour. Now, that detour was a full-blo

tering hope. Could this be real? How could one man be both the intriguing strang

wrong. I couldn't go through with this farce, not on the basis of a lie. I shoved the business card in

the otherwise silent, opulent room. He looked startled, his

couldn't wait for a proper invitation?" he said, his ton

, no more time for niceties. The knot in my

n his face, "Ah, so you've finally come around? I t

, running a hand through

surprise crossing his usually imp

out, the words tumbling out be

he smugness instantly replaced with a baffled f

chose me, Father. Not because of your connections or money, but because of my talent," I decla

color drained from my father's face, replaced by a kind of b

y, as a client, and he... doesn't know about the marr

," I replied, a mixture of defi

fice. He looked like a man who had just been handed a live grenade. "This cannot be, there must be something amiss. He can'

lieve he does, Father. And that's not all. I spent last night with him, in his hotel roo

ned to form a perfect 'o', his face contorted with rage, and his hands clenched in

rely audible. "But I need to tell him the truth. I can

as still, silent, absorbing the impact of my confession. I had ex

t to change beyond recognition. I had walked into this situation blind, believing I was only in charge of my professional life, but it turned out fate had other plans. The first step, though, was facing the truth.