Candlelight and shadows

Chapter 3 shadows

Chapter 3 shadows

“That dress is too tight”.

“Are you trying to sleep with him on the first date, Adina?”, Lara's voice cut through the music playing on her phone.

No, I rolled my eyes. “No! why would you say that?”, I just want to look good, you know, make the young man's knees weak, and he won't want to stay away from me.

Lara smirked. “Yes girl you do that I mean your sexy ass will hold him down.

“Not just that”. I said with a wink. My intelligent brain too.

I looked stunning of course I did, my dress from the boutique that caused thousands of dollars, fits like it was made for me. The pearl necklace and bracelet my sugar daddy got for me added just the amount of class. My sleek ponytail with soft bangs screamed luxury, everything did.

And while Lara was scrolling on her phone, we heard a subtle knock on the apartment door.

She glanced up. “That must be him”, she said, already hurrying to open it.

A second later, she peeked into the living room with wide eyes. “Girl, I think you hit the jackpot with this one. He has a butler”.

“Really?”.

“Yes, girl. “A butler”.

I walked to the door, my heart fluttering like a teenager’s. A well dressed man in his forties stood there , posture straight,voice smooth.

“Good evening, Miss Adina”, he said “Mr Jeremy sent me”,while he handed me the bouquet of roses.

The scent of the flowers was fresh, delicate, the amazing scent of something refreshing that instantly boosted my mood and the kind that made my heart ache a little.

Outside, the street glowed under the city lights, and parked right there was a Rolls-Royce phantom. Jeremy himself stood beside it, holding the door open. Lara followed me down, like a proud mother sending her daughter to prom.

As I reached, Jeremy stretched forth his hands and I gave him mine. His eyes dazzling my heart racing and my cheeks hurt from all the smiling, and for a second I forgot how to breathe.

“You look amazing”, he said.

“Thank you”, I said, winking at him, “you look dashing yourself”.

When I slid into the car, the interior smelled like cedar wood and money, smooth leather, faint Cologne and quiet confidence. I sank into the seat, my pulse steady but my mind racing.

Something about him felt… deliberate.

The drive was silent but comforting. The city lights blurred past the tinted windows, as if the world outside had nothing to do with me anymore.

When we arrived, I almost gasped. Jeremy had reserved an entire restaurant, elegant, private and candlelit. The kind of place you see in romantic movies, where the sound of clinking glasses and faint jazz melted into something like a dream.

“You didn't have to do all this”, I said, trying to sound casual.

“You deserve it”, he said smiling.

I wasn't used to this. Don't get me wrong, I'd dated rich men before, but most of them thought money was a shortcut to affection. Club, yachts, hotel suites, all shallow luxury. But Jeremy was intentional. He didn't just spend money; he planned.

He leaned closer, his voice smooth. “You're beautiful Adina”. I just wanted to show you what you're worth”.

My chest flustered. I smiled back, knowing right then, I wanted to keep him.

We talked about everything and nothing, life, the city, dreams, and the things people crave but never say aloud. He told me he was a business man in his thirties, single, confident and restless. The perfect contradiction.

And as he spoke, I found myself not listening to his words , but to the way he looked at me, like I was already something that belonged to him.

When dessert came, I realized how late it had gotten. The candles were low, the room was almost empty, the city outside had gone quiet .

I placed my hand gently over his. “It's been a long night”, I said. “I'd rather finish this conversation another time”.

He smiled knowingly, but didn't protest,

Gentlemanly maybe too gentlemanly.

On the drive home, I caught myself staring at him in the reflection of the glass. He is calm. His quiet smile. The kind that promised something and hid something all at once.

For the first time in a long while, I didn't feel like a game. I felt a story was in progress.

Back at the apartment, I was still glowing.

“He's such a gentleman. Lara”, I said kicking off my heels.

“Wow, that's all you have to say about your date, Adina?” Lara teased. “Come on, spill the tea. Is his… long?”

“Oh my God, you dirty girl!” I laughed, tossing a pillow at her.

We laughed until our stomach hurt, and when the laughter faded, a strange stillness filled the room.

I brushed it off. I was too happy to notice the shadow creeping in.

That night, as I lay in bed, I replayed every moment the flowers, the car, the way, he said my name like I was something precious.

Everything felt perfect. Too perfect.

I didn't know then that perfection was just the setup and I was about to pay the price.

Because that night… was the beginning of everything I was about to lose.