Brandon

I'm in deep shit.

Meeting her wasn't supposed to happen. Being curious wasn't on the list.

I should have stayed away, left the day she swooped in in the past—left her in the past where she belongs. But I couldn't.

She went out of her way to help someone she didn't know, piquing my interest. I should have taken it as a sign there's some good in humanity after all, but it sucked me in. Tempted me. Now it is all I can think about.

Did she know what she was doing? Does she know who I am?

I force my head still, resisting the urge to shake it. There was no sign of shock, no remembrance until I mentioned the encounter. To my disbelief, her intentions were true after all.

That niggling part within me wants to see if there's more, and it wants to study.

Unlike those I've encountered throughout my life, the strange woman, Tamina, has something about her; she comes from the land of simplicity; I come from the planes where the apex of humanity resides.

"Are you alright? You haven't said much since we arrived."

Coming round from my thoughts, I offer the best smile within my capabilities for now. "Sorry, you were saying?"

"Well, Michelangelo. . ."

Clearing my throat, I fade between the gentle chatter floating through the dimly lit room. The candlelight provides warmth, reminding me of the radiant smile Tamina offered the bookshop boy.

Scrutinising the smiles dotting the room, I know they hide secrets. Each gesture is filled with the hope of gaining something. One way or another, someone from each party will leave with a business deal or a promise of pleasure.

She wouldn't survive in an environment such as this.

I still recall how her cheeks flushed, an act of shyness, innocent. The faces glowing in the embers are void of colour other than the painted complexions. Not a single trace of doubt.

I don't think anyone in this entire restaurant even knows the word—

Footsteps break the chatter filling the interior. The waiter's slicked-back dark hair contrasts with his suit. The pristine sheets are humbled by his towering shadow in the flickering flame perched in the centre. I can tell he's been at work for a while; his hair isn't quite stuck in place, and the bow tie is off-kilter by a few degrees.

His blue eyes take us in, a nervous but kind smile gracing his features as he extends a bottle of Dom Pérignon Vintage. "More wine?"

When he shifts, the angles of his suit don't go with him; rather, they bunch or hang in a way that screams it's two sizes too big for him.

Knowing this is the boy's first time—if not his first week here at Cibo Rosso, I go as far as to offer a slight smile while shaking my head. I'm still nursing a full glass from when it was freshly poured from the bottle.

I'm curious if Tamina has ever tried wine, if she liked it on a casual night with dinner. If she secretly visits restaurants on a night out.

I find my mind straying to her again, trying to figure out the kind of woman she is. I don't take her for a businesswoman, but looks can be deceiving. She was dedicated, putting work before a date.

I want to solve this enigma.

I dig my fingertips into my temples, glancing at my phone.

I'm stuck in a bubble, and I need to know if there's a way out.

"Please, darling," Florentina purrs, tilting the glass by the stem.

I jolt back into my body, my mind centring. Her scarlet lips peel back from bright teeth.

From the time I've known her, she doesn't mean the gesture. When she does, it's small, and her eyes shine rather than darken like a cat toying with a mouse. If it's something she loves, she laughs.

"Make it a small one. I want this to be a night to remember."

I haven't seen that smile in a while.

Florentina twirls one of her thick locks around a finger, letting it spring free as her gaze slides to me. The smile I've known since the day we met graces her features. She's a walking seductress; the temptation lies on her body, her eyes hold the dare, and her lips are the sin to a man's undoing.

It puts the damp shirt and static hair floating through my mind to shame. The sweet and innocent don't come to our door, and we never go looking.

"I never thought we would be here today, like this. It feels as if everything is looking up," she murmurs, swirling the diluted gold liquid before sniffing lightly. "I know we didn't plan this side of things." She exhales lightly before waving off our waiter. "Maybe in the future it will feel normal? I know it's only been six months. . ."

And the six months were great. She had the same goal in life as me: be at the top, surpass all, and make an impact in our respective industries. That's how we met originally, and we didn't rush, but when the time was right, we seized the moment. Now, what we have doesn't feel like ours anymore.

"If it's something we're not ready for, I'm sure we can call it off and go back to how things were." She takes a casual sip as if this is an idle conversation, but I don't miss the subtle crease of her manicured brows. "I'll speak to my brother. I'm sure he will tire of this eventually."

Her brother hates my guts. I feel the same about this little ruse of his. Tiring of it? No. Lucius will never tire. The only thing I'll admire about the man is that he's ruthless. If I'm to get out of this, I have to be smarter.

Eyeing the finger where the ring will be placed, I turn back to the leftovers of my steak and seasoned potatoes. "I know, my love."

I want to say it will work out, that we can move on from this. But I don't think it will be possible. Not if this goes how I believe it could. If I know Lucius like I think I do.

I don't want to be wrong about her.

Tamina flashes across my mind, questions flaring, but I'm sucked back in when Florentina drops her focus to the plate in front of her. Long lashes shield the light from her chestnut irises, transforming them into a deeper shade. Her lips are swift over the fork, knowing the precise movement to keep the lipstick from smudging.

The cloth vibrates with life as my phone flashes. My heart slams against my ribcage, then returns to its typical rhythm.

A message.

Pulling the screen down, Arron's name greets me.

From Arron: Good evening, Sir. Would you like me to pick you up tomorrow, or have you decided to take the car?

I shouldn't hang onto every notification that comes through. Putting an end to this is the right thing to do. But I can't deny that if this between me and Florentina ends, it could be the best thing. That notion alone feels dangerous and addictive.

Although, a little over half of the company surrounding us are either glued to their devices, taking notes, or conversing with other if they're in a group bigger than three—no more than six. Each one emitting a shadow against the wall, the embers from the candles making the rough tone of the walls ominous.

I'm sure she won't be paying that much attention—

"Hey, you've been checking your phone a lot; are you sure everything is alright?" She takes my hand and gives it a small squeeze, using the side of her manicured nail to rub my knuckle. "Is it work?"

Shit. Behind that beauty, I forget there's a feline stalking, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Both smart and ruthless.

Peering down at my palm, my phone lies in it with the screen exposed. I didn't realise I had even picked it up. Yet the memory of why I brought it with me everywhere after my rendezvous to—what was that bookshop called? Something and Books.

Bricks? Backs? Banks?

I've been reluctant to let it leave my side in case the little puzzle presents herself to me.

Knowing Arron won't mind the lack of response until I'm home, I switch the device to 'Do Not Disturb' and flip it screen-down.

Releasing a pent-up sigh, I scratch the nape of my neck while the other occupies the stem of my glass. Using this time to take a swig of the wine, I allow the hushed voices in the background to centre myself in the world I know.

"Apologies, yes, new project," I breathe, shifting in my seat. Not a complete lie. "I'm waiting to hear back from one of the workers. They said they're looking into it tonight. . . I was hoping to get the heads-up or a dismissal." Making sure the volume is down for reassurance for the both of us, I provide a sincere smile, this time squeezing her hand. "You have my utmost attention, beautiful; tell me about your day."