Craving Blackwell

The city of Manhattan never slept, but tonight Catherine wished it would. Neon lights danced on the restaurant windows where she worked, as she stared vaguely at each reflection a reminder of how far she was from the glamorous life she had once pictured for herself. she wove between the crowded tables, her black heels clicked softly against the polished marble. The sweet scent of truffle butter filled the air a constant reminder of where her class stands, the scent mingling with laughter’s from polished men in tailored suits and elegant women draped in silk gowns. Catherine smiled on instinct warm, but practiced, hiding her envious glare as she wiggled her way around. Her shift had dragged on forever, every step felt heavier than the last. This was the last place she wanted to be but rent doesn’t pay itself and is due in a week, her younger sister’s school fees looming like a shadow over her. She couldn’t afford to fail, not again. So here she was, wearing a crisp black uniform, balancing a tray of crystal glasses that probably cost more than her entire month’s rent, and tries her best not to trip over the polished marble floor. As she leaned over to set down a glass, her elbow brushed against the corner of a man’s chair. The tray she had held so cautiously slipped; it was as if the world slowed a rain of red wine splashed across the man’s pristine white shirt. “Oh God,” Catherine gasped, scrambling to steady the glasses. “I’m so, so sorry”. The man rose slowly, his chair sliding back with a soft scrape. He did not yell or complained he just watched her calmly. Instead, he looked at her with the kind of piercing calm that can make a person throat tighten. Her eyes shot up, and for a moment, it was as if she forgot how to breathe, the man standing before her was a tall, well over six feet with his tailored navy suit as though it had been stitched directly onto his muscular frame. His face was devastating striking, the kind of face sculptors would ruin by overworking, dark hair swept back with effortless precision. But it was his eyes that had a hold on her. Steel-gray, piercing, and observant, they didn’t just look at her it was like they assessed, as if he could see far deeper into a person’s soul than anyone could. The man plucked a napkin from the table and dabbed at his shirt, though the stain barely faded. Then, to her surprise, the corner of his mouth lifted not in anger but in amusement. “You’re trembling,” he said softly, his voice low, steady in a way that made her pulse jump “Do I really look that frightening?” he said with a light smile on his face. Her cheeks burnt red. “No, sir, I just, am really sorry this is all my fault, I’ll cover the cleaning. Please, let me” she was cut short by his raised hand, putting relaxed pause on her words. “Relax. accidents happen.” His gaze lingered on her face for one long, disarming moment. “What’s your name?” Catherine hesitated why is he asking for her name, men like him rarely asked people like her. “Catherine, sir” “Catherine,” he repeated, as though the word was a sweet in his mouth. His accent is a little European “I’m Adrian Blackwell, am pretty sure you must have heard that name.” The name sent a flicker of recognition through her, Adrian Blackwell She had overheard whispers from the kitchen staff earlier that evening about rumors that one of the city’s most elusive billionaire bachelor was going to be dining here. A man who hardly showed his face in public, let alone without an entourage decided to be here. “Again, Mr. Blackwell, I’m terribly sorry.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “If you’re trying to impress me through guilt, Catherine, it’s working.” Her lips parted, but words failed to escape as if stuck to her throat. Something in his eyes shifted as his gaze glanced up, his interest faint but undeniable. Then, just as quickly, he pulled back “Finish your shift Catherine, we’ll call it even for now” He returned to his table, leaving her stunned. Catherine made herself move, legs heavy as stone, each step felt like a workout she did not ask for, her tray clutched tightly to her chest as she slowly walked away. The rest of the night, she couldn’t shake the feeling he was still watching, even though he was now seated with someone it was like the havoc of a thunderous storm she hadn’t asked for but couldn’t resist. When she finally stepped into the cool night air after closing, the city was quieter but not completely silent. She hugged her jacket tighter as she strolled slowly, replaying the moment again and again, his voice, his smile, his eyes. Adrian Blackwell The man she had accidentally collided with was no ordinary man. He was like power clung to him like a second skin. She exhaled shakily “get a grip Catherine” she muttered to herself, as she quickened her pace. “he’s just a man, just a man Catherine get a grip of yourself, he’s out of your league, he’s a billionaire while am just a waitress” She tried to believe it, she really did But something about that moment, the way time had seemed to pause, her finding it hard to breath. It wasn’t just about his looks or his expensive lifestyle, it was the intensity he carried, the settling storm behind his calm. Men of his status did not notice women like her. And if they ever did, it never led to anything good just always end in a disaster. Catherine reached the small intersection near her street and stopped since the pedestrian light glowed red. She clasped her hands together and brushed them lightly against each other for warmth, but it wasn’t just the cold that was making her shiver. It was the desire in his eyes that had trailed her as she rushed away She had never experienced her before, no man had ever looked at her that way, it was like he saw something deep in her that she couldn’t even see herself And that terrified her. Because a tiny, reckless part of her… wanted to see him again and fall under his gaze She swallowed hard, stepping forward as soon as the pedestrian light changed, unaware that on the opposite corner, a sleek black car sat idle for a moment longer than necessary, the headlights dimmed before slowly driving away into the dark abyss Catherine stood at the entrance of her apartment but for some reasons she couldn’t explain, Catherine had the sinking feeling that this was not going to be the last time she would see him.