The CEO'S Forbidden Heiress

The Dinner Date

Nora had never felt nervous about her outfit before, but tonight was different. She stood in front of her enormous wardrobe, staring at the clothes scattered across her bed and floor. What was supposed to be a simple dinner had somehow turned into a fashion show.

“I don’t have anything to wear,” she complained. Her house help stood behind her, holding up another dress.

“What about this one, ma?” Nora glanced at it before shaking her head. “No, it is not well detailed.” The house help picked up another outfit. “Then this?” But she keeps rejecting all of them. Nora sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

“It’s just a causal dinner,” she reminded herself. But deep down, she knew that wasn't the real reason she was nervous, she wanted to make a good impression on Hilary.

Nora turned toward her house help. “I need to make my first impression remarkable.” Her house help smiled knowingly. “So you really want to impress him?”

Nora immediately looked away.

“That’s not what I said.”

“But that's exactly what you meant.”

Nora rolled her eyes. “Just help me find something.”

After several more minutes of searching, Nora finally found the perfect outfit a simple two-piece consisting of wide-legged white trousers and a fitted top. It was elegant without being too revealing, and the simplicity suited her perfectly.

She held it against herself and looked in the mirror.

“This will do.”

Once she was dressed, Nora picked up her phone and checked the screen again, she was expecting a message from him, but she did not get any. She frowned slightly, she wasn't sure why she kept checking her phone. Hilary had already given her the details of the restaurant, there was no reason for her to expect another message.

Still, she couldn't stop herself.

Maybe he's already there.

The thought made her heart beat a little faster.

She couldn't tell whether she was excited or nervous. All she knew was that she couldn't seem to sit still.

As evening approached, Nora completed her preparation, she applied only minimal makeup because she had never liked wearing too much. A little lip gloss, a touch of powder, and she was done. She stood before the mirror and examined herself, she adjusted her top slightly before finally nodding in satisfaction.

“Perfect.”

Nora grabbed her purse and headed toward the garage, she entered her car, and her driver started the engine. Within minutes, they were on their way to the restaurant Hilary had chosen.

Throughout the journey, Nora stared out of the window. She wondered what Hilary would be like in person. Would he be different from the man she had imagined? Would they have anything to talk about? And most importantly, would he like her? She quickly dismissed the last thought.

Why do I even care?

When the car finally stopped, Nora looked up at the beautiful building in front of her, she stepped out and slowly looked around. The restaurant was elegant, with warm lights illuminating the entrance and expensive cars parked outside.

“Wow,” she whispered.

Then she smiled.

“Hilary has good taste.”

As she turned to the left, something caught her attention. A black Rolls-Royce was parked near the entrance, several SUVs were lined up behind it. Nora looked at the number plate and the name “Hilary” was boldly written on it.

She raised an eyebrow. He's already here. Interesting. Nora straightened her clothes, glanced at her watch, and walked toward the entrance. As soon as she entered, she noticed something strange, there was no one inside, the restaurant was unusually quiet and she looked around in confusion.

“Excuse me?”

A guard immediately approached her.

“Are you Miss Nora?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Hilary is expecting you. Please follow me.”

The guard led her through the restaurant and into the VIP section before quietly closing the door behind her. Nora stopped for a moment, Hilary was already seated at the table.

He looked up and froze, for a few seconds, he simply stared at her.

Hilary had met countless women in his life, but he couldn't remember the last time a woman had caught his attention this quickly. What surprised him most was her simplicity. Nora wasn't wearing heavy makeup, she wasn't dressed provocatively, nor was she trying too hard to impress him. She simply looked elegant, natural and beautiful. There was something refreshing about her.

Hilary realized he had been staring for too long and quickly cleared his throat.

“Hi.”

Nora smiled politely. “Hi.”

She walked toward the table and sat opposite him. Hilary looked away for a moment, slightly embarrassed.

Nora noticed, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

“So,” she said, “have you been waiting long?”

“Not really.”

He paused.

“Although I was beginning to wonder if you were going to come.”

Nora raised an eyebrow playfully. “Were you?”

Hilary smiled. “Maybe.”

The tension between them suddenly felt lighter. A waiter entered the room and placed the menus on the table before leaving. Hilary picked up his menu, but his attention wasn't really on it, his eyes kept returning to Nora.

Nora noticed and looked up.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

“Then why do you keep staring at me?”

Hilary smiled.

“Because you look beautiful.”

Nora wasn't expecting the compliment. Her cheeks immediately turned pink, and she lowered her face shyly.

“Thank you.”

Hilary couldn't help but smile at her reaction, he had expected her to respond differently. Most women he knew would have accepted the compliment confidently, but Nora seemed genuinely shy.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked.

Nora shook her head.

“Nothing for me, thank you.”

“Nothing?”

“I don't really drink alcohol.”

Hilary nodded.

“Fair enough.”

He ordered something else for himself before turning his attention back to her. For a moment, they simply looked at each other.

Nora found herself studying his face.

He had a well-structured face, confident eyes, and perfectly shaped lips. There was something captivating about his appearance. She quickly looked away when she realized she had been staring.

But it was already too late.

Hilary had noticed.

A quiet smile appeared on his face.

“You were staring too,” he teased.

Nora's eyes widened.

“I wasn't.”

“You were.”

“I was not.”

Hilary chuckled.

“Alright. I'll believe you.”

Nora smiled despite herself.

The awkwardness between them was slowly disappearing.

Neither of them knew it yet, but this dinner was going to be more than just a simple meeting. For Hilary, something had already changed, he couldn't explain it, but he knew one thing.

Nora was different.

And he wanted to know more about her.

As he watched her smile across the table, one thought crossed his mind.

I'm going to keep this girl close.

She was exactly his kind of woman.