Chapter 9
829 Words
Chapter 9
HER POV
I had barely finished breakfast when Benedicta called.
“Where are you?”
“In my room.”
“Get dressed.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Because we're going out.”
“I have work.”
“You always have work.”
“That's because I actually have a company to run.”
She laughed. “And that's exactly why you need to leave your laptop for two hours.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I'll think about it.”
“No. You're coming.”
She hung up.
I stared at my phone.
That woman had absolutely no respect for my right to say no.
An hour later, I found myself walking beside her through the city.
“I still don't understand why we're here,” I said.
“Because you need fresh air.”
“I get fresh air.”
“Inside your hotel room?”
“I have windows.”
She burst out laughing.
I shook my head.
We were passing through the lobby of a business hotel when Benedicta suddenly stopped.
“Wait.”
“What?”
She looked toward the entrance.
“Isn't that—”
Before she finished, a man walked through the doors.
Tall.
Well dressed.
Confident.
He had dark hair, sharp features, broad shoulders and the kind of presence that naturally drew attention when he entered a room.
He looked around briefly.
Then his eyes landed on us.
More specifically, on me.
He paused.
For a second, his expression changed.
Recognition.
Mine didn't.
I had never seen him before.
At least, I didn't remember him.
He approached us with an easy smile.
“Excuse me.”
Benedicta looked at him.
“Yes?”
He smiled.
“I believe we've met before.”
I looked at him carefully.
“I don't think so.”
His smile didn't disappear.
“Maybe I'm mistaken.”
Benedicta glanced at me.
I shrugged.
The truth was, I had absolutely no memory of him.
There was something vaguely familiar about his face, but nothing strong enough for me to place him.
“I'm Daniel,” he said.
“Benedicta.”
She shook his hand.
Then he looked at me.
“And you?”
“Angela.”
His eyes stayed on mine for a moment.
“Nice to meet you, Angela.”
“You too.”
He looked between us.
“Are you ladies heading somewhere?”
“Just getting coffee,” Benedicta answered.
I gave her a look.
Why was she answering for both of us?
Daniel smiled.
“Mind if I join you?”
I was about to decline when Benedicta spoke.
“Not at all.”
I looked at her.
She smiled.
I knew exactly what she was doing.
She was trying to play matchmaker.
Daniel seemed to notice too.
“Only if Angela doesn't mind.”
I looked at him.
He was attractive. Very attractive, actually.
But that didn't mean anything.
A handsome face wasn't enough to make me interested in a man.
“I don't mind.”
We went into the café.
Daniel was easy to talk to.
He asked about our work, where we were from and what had brought us to the city.
When the conversation turned to business, I became more comfortable.
“So you own your own company?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Impressive.”
“Thank you.”
“What kind of company?”
I explained briefly.
He listened carefully.
Not interrupting.
Not trying to compete.
At least, not yet.
Benedicta seemed to like him immediately.
I could tell from the way she kept smiling.
After a while, Daniel looked at me.
“Would you allow me to take you to dinner?”
I blinked.
There it was.
I wasn't expecting it.
Benedicta looked at me.
I already knew what she wanted me to say.
I thought about it.
I wasn't looking for a relationship.
I wasn't even sure I wanted one.
But it was just dinner.
Nothing more.
“Okay.”
Benedicta smiled.
Daniel looked pleased.
“Tomorrow?”
“Seven.”
“Seven it is.”
We exchanged numbers.
When we left the café, Daniel said goodbye and walked toward his car.
I watched him for a moment.
Benedicta immediately turned to me.
“You should give him a chance.”
I sighed.
“You've already decided he's perfect.”
“He's handsome, polite and successful.”
“So?”
“So what's wrong with going on one date?”
“Nothing.”
“Exactly.”
I shook my head.
“One date, Benedicta.”
She grinned.
“One date.”
I started walking.
I wasn't excited.
I wasn't nervous.
And I certainly wasn't thinking about Daniel.
He was simply a man I had agreed to have dinner with.
Nothing more.
What I didn't know was that our meeting had been anything but accidental.
And Daniel had known exactly who I was long before he walked through those doors.
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