Competing for a Title

Four - Best Meal Ever

We sat back in our booth happy and full. The food was everything he said it was going to be.

"you were right. That was too good," she told him with a big bright smile on her face.

"yeah see, maybe know you'll trust me," turning his body towards her more making their legs touch under the table.

"how do you even know about this little place"

"my dad brought me here when I was younger. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time and one of my best memories"

"but haven't you always been rich?", she asked confused by his statement.

"yeah, what makes you ask that?"

"well, it just seems that having all that money means that you all would have all kinds of meals cooked for you anytime you want."

he let out a chuckle," yeah but that's the problem. They make all kinds of food from all over the world. I've found that some of the best food is a simple home-cooked meal"

" How often do you eat here?"

"umm", he scratched his head, "twice now. I honestly don't get a chance to do this or anything else for myself. Staying a billionaire comes first for my family."

"even though I'm not rich I completely understand. I don't come from money so I've had to work for as long as I could remember to help provide for my family. Like I barely made it through high school and college was completely out of the question. I've finally gotten to the point where I can save some money and hopefully open my own restaurant soon. My family is really counting on me."

"Yeah, it definitely sounds like you got it. almost like you had to grow up before your time and - '

"Give up some dreams of your own," she said finishing his sentence. With that, she began blushing to make him bite his bottom lip and look out the window.

He looked back at her, "can I tell you a secret?"

She raised her eyebrows completely thrown by the question," well I'm already keeping a couple, arent I? What's one more going to hurt?"

"There's just something about you that apparently makes me lose a bit of control I guess," he said shrugging his shoulders and leaning back in the booth. "usually everyone I talk to is trying to either please or impress me. They do everything but bow down. Talking to you is different. it makes me feel human. Not to mention you are kind, confident, speak your mind, and extremely beautiful. And if I'm being honest I was hooked when first saw you."

"Thank you," she said wanting to melt away in the booth." Can I ask you something though?"

He laughed, "ugh I think you just did, but yeah shoot"

"where were you rushing off tonight when you almost killed me?

His face got dark and lost. "tomorrow is the competition for my bride begins. Once the sun comes up my life is no longer mine. I wanted to get away for the night and do me for one last night. I wanted a night of freedom. I was going to ride to Downtown Detroit and see the sights. I've always wanted to go. Do you believe in fate"

"I think I'm starting to more and more"

"It feels like I was meant to see you earlier and then spend tonight with you?"

"you know we have to go through with this right. Like after tonight well both be tied down. let's go downtown. If you ask me. I think we both deserve this?"

" You said we so do that mean you're coming with me," he asked with a little too must excitement in his voice. He takes ahold of her hands in his and she feels those tingles again.

"absolutely, lets' go"

He picked up the check and they both head out. They spend the night at different landmarks taking pictures, trying different things, and just being normal tourists. On the way home, they rode back through the city her holding him tight. she could feel him leaning into her more as if they belong together. She holds him tighter making the most of the moment because after tomorrow he'll be looking for a bride and she won't even matter.

When they pulled back up to the mansion he input his code and pulled back around to the entrance she had snuck out of. Alex got off the bike first. He helped her off the back and pulled her into a hug. This made her wonder what it would feel like to be in his arms every day. talking in his scent and feeling his touch.

"Thanks for coming with me tonight. this was the best night of my life other than almost running you over."

"It's cool, only because you've more than made it up with the good time you should me tonight. I wish we could do this again sometime"

"maybe there can be. if only...."

"Only what?"

"Well, you know the competition starts tomorrow right?"

Looking at him with disdain because she was hoping like hell he wasn't going to suggest the worst idea ever," uh yeah, there will be a ton of women coming to when you over to become your bride."

"Not exactly, I'm sure they all want to be a billionaire and famous," he said as though he was disgusted by the idea. " None of them know any real thing about me or give a f**k about what I want in life. I'm sure none of them are going to just simply be themselves."

She could tell that talking about it was really starting to upset him" Look, I'm sorry"

" the only way my family would allow me to go through with this is because of the media attention the family name would get and if my mother gets final say of the bride. But you know what, earlier you said that you were starting to believe in fate. so I will do the same."

He just stood there staring at her for a minute and then reached for her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it sending sparks through her entire body. He then turned and walked away. She wanted so badly for him to come back and take her to his room and feed her burning desire. He didn't look back. He just got on his bike and rode away. She stood there watching holding her heart as if he had taken a piece of it with him. She never felt like this before.

She went up to her room changed into some pajamas and peacefully drifted off to sleep.