Chapter 4: Unwanted Headlines
1043 Words
The meeting location chosen by Porter Corporation was one of the most luxurious restaurants in Spain.
The establishment was known for hosting celebrities, politicians, business tycoons, and members of influential families. Privacy was guaranteed, the service was impeccable, and the food was among the finest in Europe.
Tonight, however, none of those things would be the center of attention.
As soon as Mhagi stepped out of the car, heads turned.
She wore a black backless dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Elegant rather than flashy, it highlighted her confidence without appearing desperate for attention.
Beside her walked Fathima, dressed in a professional black suit.
The receptionist immediately recognized the famous actress.
"Good evening, Miss David."
Lilia offered a polite smile.
"Good evening."
The receptionist quickly led them toward one of the restaurant's private dining rooms.
Inside, Xavier Porter and Halix Torres were already waiting. The moment the door opened, Xavier looked up. For a second, he found himself speechless.
The woman in front of him looked completely different from the mysterious woman he had seen at the club.
Tonight she looked sophisticated refined and untouchable. A woman who belonged among the elite.
Halix stood first.
"Good evening, Miss David."
"Good evening."
Xavier rose from his seat and offered his hand.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you properly."
Lilia accepted the handshake.
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Porter."
Everyone took their seats.
For the first few minutes, the conversation remained professional.
Halix opened several documents and began explaining the endorsement proposal.
"Our company is launching a new summer collection."
Lilia nodded.
"I've reviewed the preliminary details."
Halix continued discussing marketing strategies, promotional appearances, advertising schedules and contract conditions.
To Xavier's surprise, Lilia handled every question with ease. She wasn't simply a pretty actress. She understood business. She understood branding. She understood negotiations.
Several times Xavier attempted to join the discussion. Yet somehow the conversation always returned to Halix and Lilia.
For nearly an hour, he felt almost invisible. Not because anyone excluded him. But because Lilia seemed completely unaffected by his presence.
Most people tried to impress him. Others feared him. Some openly sought his approval.
Lilia did none of those things.
She treated him exactly the same way she treated everyone else and strangely, that annoyed him.
Eventually Halix finished presenting the final details.
"So, Miss David, do you have any concerns regarding the contract?"
Lilia reviewed the documents one last time.
Then she smiled.
"None."
Halix visibly relaxed.
"Then we have an agreement."
"Looks like we do."
The contract was finalized shortly afterward. Dinner was served and for the first time that evening, the atmosphere became more relaxed.
Conversations shifted away from business. The group exchanged stories and discussed recent events in Spain.
Then suddenly both Halix and Fathima received phone calls. The timing was suspiciously perfect.
Halix glanced at his phone.
"I apologize."
Fathima looked at hers.
"I need to take this."
The two stood almost simultaneously.
"Please excuse us."
A few moments later they left the room, leaving Xavier and Lilia alone.
The silence lingered briefly.
Finally, Xavier spoke.
"Thank you for accepting our proposal."
Lilia looked up from her wine glass.
"You're welcome."
"We're hoping for a successful partnership."
She smiled politely.
"So am I."
Simple. Professional. Normal.
Exactly like the woman from the nightclub.
Xavier couldn't understand it. Most actresses knew who he was. Most people knew who he was.
Yet, Lilia continued treating him like an ordinary businessman.
It was refreshing and dangerous because it made him curious.
For several minutes they continued talking. Nothing too personal. Nothing inappropriate.
Just two professionals discussing future projects. Meanwhile, Lilia occasionally checked the time.
She knew Fathima's disappearance wasn't random.
If Fathima had been gone this long, there was only one explanation.
Don Nicollo had called and that meant her role for tonight was finished.
Exactly fifteen minutes later, she stood.
"I should be leaving."
Xavier looked surprised.
"So soon?"
"I have an early schedule tomorrow."
Fair enough.
She gathered her purse.
"Mr. Porter, thank you for the meal."
Xavier immediately stood.
"Allow me to walk you out."
Lilia simply nodded.
The two exited the private dining room together.
Neither of them noticed a photographer sitting across the street outside the restaurant.
The moment they appeared near the entrance—
Click.
A camera flashed. Then another and another.
The photographer grinned.
Tomorrow's headline had just fallen into his lap.
The next morning, Spain practically exploded. Every entertainment website. Every gossip page. Every social media platform.
The same photograph appeared everywhere.
A picture showing Xavier Porter and Lilia David leaving the restaurant together.
Accompanied by a bold headline:
SPAIN'S MOST ELIGIBLE CEO AND ITS BIGGEST ACTRESS: IS A NEW POWER COUPLE EMERGING?
A second article featured another headline:
LILIA DAVID SPOTTED IN PRIVATE DINNER WITH BUSINESS TYCOON XAVIER PORTER!
Inside her mansion, Mhagi nearly choked on her coffee. Then she laughed. A genuine laugh.
The kind she rarely showed anyone. Fathima sat across from her reading the same article.
"They work fast."
Mhagi shook her head.
"Too fast."
The headline was ridiculous.
One dinner meeting and suddenly they were a couple. The entertainment industry never changed.
Still laughing, she tossed the magazine onto the table.
"This is going to annoy him."
Meanwhile, across the city, Xavier stared at the newspaper in disbelief. His office had never felt so quiet.
Several executives stood frozen nearby. Nobody wanted to speak first. Nobody wanted to be blamed.
Xavier slowly lowered the newspaper.
His expression darkened.
"Take it down."
The room instantly moved into action.
"Sir?"
"Every article."
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"Every photo."
Nobody argued. Nobody questioned him. The executives immediately rushed out of the office.
The last thing Xavier needed was another public distraction. The company was still recovering from millions in losses.
The endorsement campaign had barely begun and now the media was creating unnecessary rumors.
As everyone hurried to contain the situation, Xavier glanced once more at the photograph.
For some reason, his eyes lingered on Lilia's smiling face.
Then he folded the newspaper and tossed it aside. Completely unaware that the woman in the picture had planned every step that had led them here.
And that he was walking deeper into her trap with every passing day.
- Writer
