The Price Of Being His

CHAPTER SIX

AMARA

SIX YEARS LATER

“You have to go,” Soya insisted yet again, trailing me as I moved around the café, pretending to be busy. I had been rearranging the same set of mugs for the past five minutes, hoping she’d get tired and drop the subject. But knowing Soya, I should have known better.

“I need to be here to evaluate customer reviews for the evening,” I said as I straightened the napkin holder. It was a lousy excuse, and we both knew it. But I’d rather spend my night counting sugar packets than go on a blind date my best friend set up without even asking me first.

Soya’s eyes narrowed as she stepped in front of me, effectively blocking my escape route. “That’s why you have staff, Amara,” she countered, folding her arms across her chest. “They’re more than capable of handling things for one night.”

I sighed, realizing I was running out of excuses. “I just… I don’t want to go, okay? I don’t even know this guy.”

A pleading look softened her features. “Ray is a good guy. I’ve known him for a while, and I think he likes you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “He likes the face of me, maybe. He doesn’t know anything about me.”

Soya frowned, frustration seeping into her tone. “Amara, don’t do this. You’ve been stuck in one place for too long.”

I looked away, busying myself with wiping an already spotless counter. “I’m not stuck. I’m just… comfortable where I am.”

“You’re hiding,” she shot back, her voice gentler now. “It’s been six years.You have to move on at some point.”

I untied the apron from my waist, folding it neatly before setting it on the counter. Crossing my arms, I fixed my gaze on Soya, my brows drawing together. “This has nothing to do with him. I’ve moved on from Alexander.”

Her eyes softened. “Then prove it by going on this date,” she challenged, her lashes fluttering in that annoyingly effective way she used to break my defenses.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips. “Fine,” I relented. “But meeting him doesn’t mean I’m starting anything serious.”

Her face lit up with a triumphant smile. “Noted.” She practically bounced with excitement before leaning in, her eyes sparkling. “So… do you have a dress?”

I rolled my eyes, pushing her away gently. “Get back to work, Soya.”

She laughed, lifting her hands in playful surrender. “Alright, alright. But you’re going to thank me for this someday!” Her laughter echoed as she walked away, leaving me wondering what exactly I had agreed to.

********************

Dressed in a simple black gown that hugged my figure without feeling too flashy, I walked into the restaurant, my eyes widening at the elegant chandeliers and soft, golden lights.

I hadn’t expected Ray to choose such an expensive place. It was the kind of restaurant where the waiters wore tailored suits, and the air smelled faintly of lavender and sophistication.

I hesitated for a moment, smoothing the fabric of my dress before tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. It felt strange to be here, stepping back into the dating world after all these years. Taking a deep breath, I approached one of the staff members standing near the entrance.

“Hi, I have a reservation under Ray,” I said, my voice more confident than I felt.

The woman’s face softened into a polite smile. “Of course, ma’am. Right this way.”

Wordlessly, I followed the hostess as she led me through the restaurant. We headed toward a secluded area that was clearly reserved for VIPs, judging by the lavish décor and the impressive display of expensive wines at the mini bar.

I spotted Ray immediately. He was already on his feet, waving with an enthusiasm that caught the attention of a few nearby diners. I forced a polite smile, doing my best to appear comfortable as I made my way toward him.

“Amara,” he greeted warmly, his eyes brightening as I approached. He pulled out my chair, waiting patiently for me to sit before taking his own seat across from me. “You look beautiful,” he said, his voice sincere and his smile soft. “I can call you Amara, right?”

“Yeah, sure,” I replied, trying to relax.

“Cool,” he said, his smile widening. He reached for the menu, a sleek leather-bound booklet with gold lettering. “Anything you’d recommend?” he asked as he scanned the pages.

I glanced down at the menu, my eyes widening slightly at the prices. It felt absurd to pay that much for a meal, no matter how beautifully it was plated. “I… um… I think I’ll let you recommend,” I said, hoping he didn’t notice the hesitation in my voice.

“You sure about that?” His eyebrows rose playfully, clearly amused by my deflection. When I nodded, he closed the menu with a snap and waved over the waitress, making an order for us.

“So, how did you hear about me?” I asked, deciding it was better to engage in conversation than to sit in awkward silence. Ray’s face brightened, clearly eager to share, but as he started talking, my attention wandered.

I let my gaze drift around the lavish room, taking in the elegant décor, the sparkling chandeliers, and the people.

Everything about this place screamed wealth and sophistication. I was just beginning to appreciate the stunning view from the floor-to-ceiling windows when my eyes locked onto a pair of familiar, darkened eyes glaring at me from across the room.

My heart stopped.

Xander.

He was seated at a table not far from ours, his posture relaxed but his expression anything but. His eyes were hard, almost furious, and they were fixed right on me.

What on earth was he doing here? In my city, no less?

My body went rigid, the blood draining from my face. I couldn’t look away, trapped by the intensity of his stare.

“Amara?” A warm touch on my hand jolted me back to the present. I blinked rapidly, realizing that Ray was looking at me with genuine concern. “Are you okay? I’ve been calling your name for a while now.”

I forced a smile, my heart still racing. “I… I’m fine. Sorry, I zoned out for a minute.” I tried to sound okay, but my voice came out weaker than I intended.

Despite my best efforts, my eyes drifted back to Xander. He was still watching, his jaw clenched tightly, his gaze now locked on my hand—the one Ray was touching. His eyes flicked up to meet mine, a dangerous glint in them.

My pulse quickened. Slowly, I pulled my hand away from Ray’s.

Ray’s face fell, realizing his mistake. He raised his hands in surrender, his expression genuinely apologetic. “I’m sorry, Amara. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I was just trying to get your attention. I didn’t mean to touch you without your consent.”

What a gentleman. Ray’s concern was genuine, his politeness refreshing, but there was no way this date was happening—not with Xander’s dark, menacing eyes burning holes through me from across the room.

I swallowed, forcing myself to think clearly. I needed to end this date without hurting Ray’s feelings, and I needed to do it fast. Clearing my throat, I put on my most apologetic expression. “I just realized… I completely forgot to give my friend my daughter’s diabetic medication. I need to get home as soon as possible.”

Using Ashley’s health condition as an excuse was low, but I was desperate. It was the only logical reason I could come up with that didn’t sound rude.

Ray’s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, but it wasn’t the kind of shock that came with judgment—more like curiosity. “You have a child?”

I nodded, already reaching for my purse, my body tensing as I felt Xander’s gaze still locked on me. “Yes, a five-year-old.”

Ray immediately stood. “Let me drive you home, then.”

I shook my head, forcing another polite smile. “I’ll call a taxi, but thanks for offering.”

“Alright. Take care, Amara.”

I nodded, my heart pounding as I turned and walked away, my steps brisk. I didn’t dare look back—not at Ray, and definitely not in Xander’s direction.

Please don’t follow me. Please just stay away.

I tried to reassure myself that Xander wouldn’t come after me. He was clearly furious, besides, what would be the point? It had been six years. Surely, he had moved on by now. For all I knew, he was married.

If he were married, he wouldn’t be chasing after me—it would make him a manwhore. A married man pursuing his ex? I scoffed under my breath. He wouldn’t stoop that low.

Would he?

I shook off the thought and stopped by the driveway, scanning the street for a taxi. Just as luck would have it, a yellow cab came into view.

“Are you seriously going to f*****g run away without a reasonable explanation like you did six years ago?”

Every muscle in my body went rigid, my heart plummeting to my stomach. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Xander.