Nadia and the Heartless Billionaire

Chapter Two-The Devil’s Proposal

Stefan picked a restaurant that was not only pricey, but also an artistic endeavor. It was tucked away on the top level of an antique clock tower in the heart of the city and offered a broad perspective of the cityscape. The sort of place with a six-month waiting list but no advertising. Following the hostess, who strangely knew her name, Nadia entered, feeling the weight of every state.

Stefan was there already. He was, of course. As he felt life itself, he drank a rich red wine while seated in the house's finest chair.

"You’re early," she whispered, pulling into the seat across from him.

He stated without hesitation, "You're beautiful."

Nadia blinked. The compliment was more forceful than it needed to be. Her curls were pinned up, and she wore a basic black dress with a low back and earrings that she borrowed from her best friend. She didn't feel lovely. But she wondered at the way he gazed at her.

"So," she replied, leaning in and crossing her legs. "No business conversation," you stated. I'm going to hold you to that.

Stefan gave a nod. "No company. Only inquiries.

"Questions?"

"I'd like to know your identity". Unlike what you have in your portfolio.

Nadia chuckled. "You sound like a therapist."

"Maybe I am," he remarked, twirling his drinking glass. "Or maybe I’m just trying to understand why a woman like you would throw herself into a burning ship."

"The company Karen Textiles is not on fire". A stormy sea is what it is. However, it floats.

He grinned. "And you’re the captain?"

"I suppose so". There must be someone.

Stefan bent over. What if the ship was offered for sale? Keep everyone aboard.

Nadia paused her smile. "You said no business."

"I’m saying metaphors."

"Well, tell your metaphorical someone that I’m not selling."

They gave an order. Spoke. Laughed harder than she thought she would. Like gravity, Stefan had a way of drawing her in. Magnetic and dangerous. With threads tangled in her hair, she ran down the corridors as she told him about her early summers spent in the factory. He told her of lonely winters in stone mansions and boarding school.

After supper was finished, he gently brushed her back as he guided her to the car.

He remarked, "You surprise me, Nadia," as the driver unlocked the door.

"How so?"

"You’re real."

Her head was c****d. "And that’s rare?"

"More than you know."

He kissed her cheek before she could react, one that hovered a heartbeat for too long. She gasped. Then he took a few steps back, his eyes unreadable, his hands in his pockets.

"Goodnight, Nadia."

She told herself not to smile, nodded, and climbed into the car.

However, she did.

The kiss had remained on her skin like a secret despite being so sudden and brief. She didn't want to ponder the thoughts that were flying through her mind, which was a haze. For what reason did he do that? What was meant by it?

His lips had kissed her cheek, and her fingers touched it. Like a remembrance of something she couldn't understand, the feeling persisted, almost too vivid. She had been aware from the beginning that the millionaire was erratic, a powerful man who acted independently of others. However, this? Even though it was brief and seemed unimportant, this act of closeness was unexpected.

It was only a moment of frailty on his part. Nadia wanted to be reassured.

This may have been a means to keep her in line, alerting her of the authority he possessed.

But there was also something that didn’t feel like deception about the way his lips had lingered just briefly for her to notice. Her breath caught as she shook her head. No, she firmly told herself. I think you're over analyzing things.

But the flutter in her chest persisted no matter how many times she chanted that phrase.

In actuality, she had wished for the kiss to go a bit longer so she might experience the warmth of his touch once more. In an attempt to get rid of the sensation, she scowled and slumped back against the seat. This was a bargain. A deal. Not much more.

However, the pain inside of her persisted. As the car drove off, the city’s lighting flickering in the background, her heart throbbing in her chest. She exhaled a tremulous breath and shut her eyes. She has no plan of being involved in this. When everything about their arrangement shouted that it was nothing more than a risky game, she couldn't allow herself to fall in love with him.

She couldn't help but wonder why he had decided to call her that name while the words "Goodnight, Nadia" replayed in her head. Was it merely a slip? Or had he done it deliberately?

One thing was clear as her mind raced: the billionaire had succeeded in making her feel something she wasn't ready for. There was a part of her that hoped she could take back the moment and the turmoil it created. However, another part—a new, perilous part—wanted to welcome it, to investigate whatever it was that had ignited their relationship.

Tonight was just the beginning, she knew.