Chapter 11 - It's Just Dinner
1715 Words
Once she had arrived home, Alexa was surprised and immediately barraged by a string of questions, courtesy of her overly nosy neighbour and close friend Willow.
The two would often come over to one another’s places, catching up and sharing the odd gossip here and there.
After Alexa had finished explaining the entire situation to her friend over a few glasses of wine, the two were finding themselves to be rather tipsy as they sat about giggling like schoolgirls.
“That’s insane!” Willow remarked.
“I can’t believe you shared a ride home with Dante f*****g Romano! The guy’s a god, girl!”
Alexa laughed into her wine glass.
“Yeah right.”
Willow sat up, intent on getting her point across.
“Seriously. He’s like the most eligible bachelor and he’s also listed as one of the richest people alive right now. The man’s got bodyguards for his bloody bodyguards for f**k sakes!”
Alexa shook her head and frowned.
“That’s not true.”
“It is! I’m telling you, he’s practically untouchable.” Willow insisted.
“There’s even rumours going around that he’s in the Mafia, but I mean, they’re just rumours, right? Seriously girl, haven’t you been reading up on him?”
“No, of course not.” Alexa admitted adamantly.
“Why in the world would I care about some rich guy who already has everything he wants?”
She began playing with the rim of her wine glass, unknowingly running her finger along it as she stared off into the middle distance, deep in thought for a moment.
Willow narrowed her eyes and then smiled.
“Oh… my… god… You’re already smitten with him, aren’t you?”
Alexa’s posture suddenly straightened at the assumption and she immediately fired back.
“I am not! I would never!”
“Oh, come on, you’re clearly horny as hell. I mean, when was the last time you even got laid?”
Willow leaned back against the sofa, waiting for Alexa’s reply.
Letting out a long sigh, Alexa shook her head as she spoke.
“He’s gonna be my boss soon, Willow…” she pointed out.
“Or at least I’m considering it. I still haven’t made up my mind yet.”
This appeared to shock Willow as she dropped her jaw in an overexaggerated expression of disbelief. Disbelief at what she had just heard.
“Still considering it? Lex, are you totally f*****g insane? You’re taking that job!”
Alexa frowned as she met the hooded eyes of her intoxicated friend.
“You’d be mad to turn down such an amazing opportunity, seriously. I mean, it’s six f*****g figures Lex! And you’d be working directly underneath the guy…”
She suddenly paused and snickered.
“Get it, working underneath him?”
Rolling her eyes at the pathetic attempt at a joke, Alexa shook her head as she suddenly stood up and walked across towards the kitchen counter.
“It’s just a big decision to make, that’s all I’m saying. Working for someone so famously well-known, it’ll have its drawbacks, I’m sure. And he’s… well, he’s…”
Alexa turned to face Willow again.
“He’s a lot to handle Will.”
“How so?”
“I mean, I can’t help but turn to jelly whenever I’m anywhere near the guy. How the hell could I possibly work for Dante if he affects me like this? I love my job and I don’t want to lose it. Not over him, or any other man.”
Willow seemed to ponder this for a moment.
“So, how long do you have to make your decision then?” she asked.
“Dante said that the driver will be here by eight o’clock to collect me. He’s taking me out for dinner or something.”
“Ooh, where?”
Alexa shrugged her shoulders in response.
Willow grinned.
“Well then, what the hell are you waiting for woman?”
The clearly intoxicated red-head suddenly pulled herself up to stand and came across to grab Alexa by the arm.
“Let’s find you something to wear that’ll knock his socks off… and maybe also his pants a little later?”
“Willow…” Alexa’s voice was laced with warning.
“Ok, ok… just something sexy it is.” Willow giggled, pulling her friend along behind her.
“Come on gorgeous. I have just the thing in mind.”
-
Eight o’clock finally came and the prompt arrival of a black limousine just outside of Alexa’s apartment building along with it, as promised.
Willow had chosen Alexa a stunning gown which hugged her figure extremely well, showing off the most appealing parts of her body, while also hiding certain others from view.
The gown was made of red silk and had a long slit up the left side of it.
The front of the gown was a halter neck design, revealing perhaps more of her cleavage than Alexa may have liked.
She also wore a pair of dangling diamante earrings which glittered in the lighting as they moved from side to side.
Peering down through her apartment window at the shiny stretch car, Alexa couldn’t help but feel as the butterflies began to flutter within her stomach once again.
“Are they here yet?” Willow asked, seemingly having sobered up a little since their previous discussion hours earlier.
“There’s a freaking limo parked outside Will!” Alexa announced with surprise.
“Seriously?”
Willow squealed with excitement, taking both of Alexa’s hands in hers and looking her dead in the eye for her routine pep-talk.
“Alright, the key to this is confidence, Lex.” she began to explain.
“Remember, cool, calm and collected.”
She suddenly paused, opening her mouth wide and squealing again.
“I still can’t believe you’re going out to dinner with Dante f*****g Romano!” she admitted.
“Willow, focus! Please.” Alexa reminded her sternly.
“Right, right. Sorry. Ok, just remember to be confident. Confidence is key. And it’s just dinner.”
“It’s just dinner.” Alexa repeated with a nod.
“You’re the one in control here Lex. He may be the billionaire of the two of you, but you’re the one who makes the decision at the end of the night, right?”
Alexa nodded as she replied.
“Right. I’m the one in control.”
“Exactly. Now go down there and knock him dead, girl!”
Willow made sure to slap her friend playfully on the behind as Alexa nodded and picked up her matching red clutch purse.
With that, Alexa began making her way towards the apartment door, her red heels clicking against the tiled floor with each of her steps.
It was time for her to be in charge, to decide her own future.
She may decide to accept his job offer or refuse it. But the fact remained, the choice was hers and hers alone.
Billionaire or not, Dante was just a man...
And this was just dinner.
Right?
-
When she arrived downstairs, there was a youthful looking man standing at the open door of the limousine.
His hair was short and slicked back and he wore a crisp black tailored suit, stylish black glasses and no sign of a smile.
The guy looked solemn, as if he had been to a bloody funeral or something.
And Alexa thought she caught a glimpse of an earpiece nestled in his right ear as she came towards the limo.
“Alexa Myers?” he asked with a stern tone to his voice.
“Yes, I’m Alexa Myers.” she nodded her head hesitantly, “Who are you?”
“Please…” he gestured with a nod of his head for her to enter the limo.
“Mr. Romano does not like to be kept waiting, madam.”
“We couldn’t have that now, could we?” she teased with a playful smile.
Alexa stepped past him and bent down to slide in carefully onto the seat.
He closed the door behind her and made his way around the front of the car to get into the driver’s seat.
The interior of the limousine was surprisingly immaculate and spacious as Alexa peered around in silence.
She was alone. Not that it mattered.
What did she expect? Him to come and collect her in person?
They weren’t on a date or anything. This was strictly business. She needed to remind herself of that very important fact.
“Confidence. I’m in control.” Alexa repeated aloud, running her hand over the smooth silk of her cocktail gown.
She felt the limo pull away from the curb and leaned back against the white leather seat she was now seated on.
But try as she may, she couldn’t seem to escape her nerves.
Her slender fingers gripped firmly at her matching clutch as she rested it on top of her lap.
Her long blonde hair had been styled in wavy locks, curling around her shoulders and down the length of her back.
Normally in the office she always had her hair tied up in a bun. It was neat, practical and the style just made sense.
So, of course this style for her was different; a noticeable change, so to speak.
But Willow had insisted.
And of course, she had also chosen not to wear her trademark black rimmed glasses to their dinner this evening.
In truth, she didn’t really need them to see, not unless she was spending a lot of time either reading or writing on the computer.
It had sort of become a silly little habit of hers over the years, one she had just continued...
That is, until now.
Ever since the devilishly handsome Dante Romano had suggested she should give it up and go without them.
So that he could see her beautiful eyes.
Her greatest asset, he had called them… and this was the first time that a man had ever called her eyes an asset.
Usually, it was her breasts or her curved behind.
But there was something different about Dante, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
And like it or not, she would soon learn more about him than she had originally bargained for.
- Writer
