one night, one desire

chapter six

Manoeuvring down the paved sidewalk and crossing the pedestrian crossing, Rebecca couldn’t help but notice the many side eyed glances she had been getting from the moment she exited the station. Looks from both men and women alike as their heads turned, drawn to her striking features and graceful bearing. Her blouse hugged her figure in all the right places, her pencil skirt showed just enough leg to catch the eye. But it wasn’t just her appearance that drew people’s attention.

There was something about Rebecca that exuded poise and elegance. Whether it was the subtle sway of her hips, the confident flip of her burnet hair, or the self-assured stride, she seemed to command attention without even trying. Her make up was flawless, her lips glossy that highlighted the curve of her smile.

Rebecca felt the stares, and she embraced them.

It reminded her of her college days when Rebecca had been the quintessential it girl. But it hadn't been like that in the beginning, because during her freshman year, Rebecca hadn’t been all that of a looker, but with the help of her friends who’d dug out her hidden potentials and gave her a much needed make over, Rebecca soon became the quintessential “it” girl. She’d had a swarm of admirers always orbiting around her as she breezed through her college years after that, and with her best friends by her side to boost her confidence, it was a breeze.

So, a few looks from strangers on the street was nothing compared to those days. Coming back to the present, Rebecca soon found herself just a few blocks away from the luxe estate building. And with even a few minutes to spare. But just out the corner of her eyes, she noticed a quaint coffee shop on the corner, its colorful chalkboard menu promising warm drinks and fresh pastries.

She couldn’t resist the temptation, and before long, she was pushing its doors open. Unfortunately, there was line to order, but thankfully it wasn’t a long line. As Rebecca stood in line, pondering her order, whether to get a latte or cappuccino, an expensive sleek, black BMW M850i pulled up to the curb outside the coffee shop.

The engine purred to a stop, and a moment later, the driver’s door swung open, revealing an elegant young man dressed in a perfectly-tailored suit.

He emerged from the car with confidence, it was as though time itself had slowed down, his stride smooth and effortless. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his jaw was clean-shaven, emphasizing his chiseled features. Behind those dark shades were black brooding eyes of which he’d pulled down had been hidden. They were pitch black, like tar, but there was also a magnetic pull when you made eye contact with him, trapping you in place as you try to search for the bottom in his eyes, but found none.

And the moment he stepped onto the side walk, a ripple of whispers spread through the crowd. Women turned to look, their eyes drawn to the chiseled jaw and his crisp suit that didn’t have single wrinkle to be found on it. The sun caught his expensive watch, glinting in the light as he walked. He was in a word, majestic.

His presence wasn’t to be ignored, and when he greeted a group of young women whom passed by him with a smile, they couldn’t help but giggle with delight.

“good morning ma’am, and welcome to uncle grandpa’s coffee shop, what will you be ordering this morning?” the Batista dressed in a rather colourful and silly apparel offered Rebecca a warm smile and a polite greeting, and she smiled back.

“one medium sized- “

Rebecca started, but she barely had time to give her order when the sound of the coffee shop door swinging open interrupted her thoughts and at the same time the silhouette of a rather tall man dressed in a business suit strode towards the counter, bypassing the line and headed straight for the front where she stand been.

The Batista, clearly recognising the serious business man offered him a bright smile, and an excited greeting, their tone filled with much respect as they saw the young man stride confidently to the front of the line, where Rebecca was still waiting to place her order. But she had been ignored completely by both the Batista and the man, his gaze never once glancing in her direction as he addressed the Batista instead.

“a triple shot espresso, extra sugar. Thanks”, said the man, his voice was smooth and authoritative, fitting of the image of a business man and the Batista nodded, moving quickly to prepare his order.

Rebecca, however, found herself experiencing what the common man called, déjà vu, because why did this man look so familiar?!

Her brows furrowed as she stared at him with a scrutinising gaze in her eyes as though he were a piece of meat placed before a butcher, trying to recall where she knew him from. Could he perhaps be the same man from the hotel? He had to be, right? After all he fit so well with the image of the stranger from her memories. But at the same time what if he wasn’t and she was mistaken.

Feeling exasperated by the ogling gaze of the woman next to him, the man let out an exhausted sigh as he turned his head just enough that he could look at her. With one brow propped up high above the other, he asked, “did you need something?”

His rude mannerism and tone were like a cold bucket of water thrown over her and her previously curious gaze turned to irritation. Maybe she was mistaken, the stranger from her memories was more poised and softer spoken than this scoundrel. She’d been patiently waiting for her turn, and here was this arrogant man, cutting in front of her as if she didn’t even exist!

“actually, yes. I believe I was next in line. And the last time I checked, manners still existed…” she said, her pretty face morphing into a scowl.

The man’s expression faltered slightly as he processed the woman’s words. For a split second, he was caught off-guard by her directness, but quickly regained his composure. His eyebrow lowered, and his smirk returned.

“My apologies,” he said, feigning a tone of sincerity. “I didn’t see you there.”

The woman rolled her eyes, not buying his sudden change in demeanor for a second. “Right,” she muttered sarcastically.

“I suppose you’ll want me to step aside then?” the man offered with a grin, knowing full well that it would only further irritate the woman.

The barista who had been brewing the expresso nearly dropped it at her words, and the small shop turned silent, because it seemed as though everyone in there knew exactly who the man was, everyone except for an annoyed Rebecca who just wanted to get herself a coffee.

The young man's playful smirk quickly vanished as he felt the shift in the atmosphere around them. His gaze darted around the shop, meeting the eyes of the stunned patrons, before finally resting back on Rebecca.

His voice dropped to a low growl, barely audible over the soft jazz music playing in the background. “clearly, you don't know who I am,"

Rebecca, unfazed by the sudden tension, shrugged nonchalantly. “Should I?”

The young man’s eyebrow shot up in surprise, his gaze falling fully on Rebecca now. But the dark look in his gaze made a shiver run down her back, she tried her best not to let it show. She wasn’t about to let some stranger walk over her, even if it was over something as simple as a cup of coffee.

“I’m sorry,” he said, but his tone was anything but apologetic. “I’m in a bit of a rush this morning.”

“well, so am I. and the line starts back there” she made a gesture to the growing line of customer’s behind her. But the man was unfazed, rather, that sly smirk played at the corner of his lips returned as he glanced over at the line, then back at her again.

His smile was truly a dangerous one as she felt her heart skip a beat, and the way his sharp eyes racked over her body in one glance sent a silver of excitement through her. A small bead of sweat formed on her forehead when he leaned forward.

“I’m afraid you don’t understand,” the man murmured softly, his hot breath against Rebecca’s ear. “You see, in this city, I don’t have to wait in line.”

Rebecca’s heartbeat quickened, her palms growing clammy as she struggled to maintain her composure. She wanted to move away from him, but something about his closeness made her frozen to the spot.

“...but, If you have time to stop for coffee, my guess is that you’re not in too much of a hurry.” He added, his voice was smooth, like silk wrapped in steel. Rebecca felt the heat of his gaze on her, her heart hammering in her chest. He was dangerously handsome, his face a symphony of hard angles and sculpted features. And those eyes…those eyes were like a laser, burning into her soul.

Gritting her teeth, Rebecca knew she was wasting whatever time she had left on this bully, and she couldn’t resist the urge to check her watch. And when she did, her eyes went wide, she only had about fifteen minutes or so left, before the interview began. She knew, just this once, she had to draw a line. Seeing her reaction to his words, the man had an almost satisfied grin on his lips which vexed Rebecca.

“this isn’t over…” she glared before turning and leaving him at the counter.

As the young man watched Rebecca stalk away, her head held high. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of amusement bubble up within him, and a mischievous glint in his eyes indicated on how he wanted to push her buttons a little bit more.

“won’t you tell me your name?” he called, his voice carrying through the chatter of the coffee shop.

Rebecca paused, halfway to the door, her back rigid. “Rebecca,” she said, her voice resounding with the slightest hint of a challenge.

“well, Rebecca, it was a…pleasure,” the man said, his voice low and seductive. Rebecca felt her feet turn cold, wondering if his words had a double meaning to it. Shaking her head, she pushed the door open and continued on her way to Luxe estate. Although she regretted not getting that coffee, damn entitled men, she cussed under her breath.

“your coffee, sir” the Batista presented the hot drink to the man and he pulled out a black card to pay.