Claimed By The Tycoon

~5~

She should have listened to Paula. Her brain was going to evaporate any second now, she’d been brainstorming for the past two hours but she couldn’t come to a conclusion- she didn’t know what to wear.

And her saving grace, Paula, had left the apartment a couple hours ago to see a friend, leaving her to her own demise.

Even if Paula was here, she would have to lie that she was going out to dinner with Liz, since today was their day off- and she didn’t particularly enjoy lying to Paula; it’s just that sometimes the circumstances forcefully demand it.

She had never been to a dinner date before - she hadn’t been on any date in her 23 years of living, and she never minded it… until now.

Now there was nothing in her arsenal she could use to prepare her for the battle ahead, she didn’t know what to expect.

She has rummaged through Paula’s closet for hours, and didn’t seem to find anything to her taste - by her taste she meant anything that didn’t expose 90% of her anatomy to the world.

Then her eyes caught a box sitted on the shelf, dust had settled on it, it seemed Paula had forgotten all about it.

Curiousity got the best of her and she opened it, and it was love at first sight.

It was an emerald halter neck dress that flowed to the floor, hugging her in all the right places. The back of the dress didnt expose much, which she liked- it was perfect.

She grabbed the lowest black heels she could find, grabbed a clutch and stepped out of the apartment, not before giving her brunette bone straight hair a quick brush.

While in the taxi, her nerves were starting to get the best of her. What was she thinking? Going to see this man she’d never even met, a man that Paula specifically warned her about, a man that boldly said he owned her.

Why did she accept his invitation? Should she just turn back?

That option went down the drain, they had already arrived. As she stepped out of the cab, she was greeted by a waiter “Goodevening miss aria, I’ll show you to your booth” he smiled as he held the door open for her.

“Thank you” Aria returned the smile briefly, as she stepped in, she was welcomed with the scent of jasmine and vanilla and musk all in one, golden chandeliers hung gracefully from the ceiling, her heels clicked on the porcelain tiles - it was elegant.

But she noticed that no one was there asides from the staff- was she too early?

As they approached the booth, she faltered in her steps as soon as she saw him.

The man she saw standing in the gallery, what was he doing here?

As Luca’s eyes met hers, he was in awe. The way she moved with so much elegance, his eyes could not leave her, but as he noticed the dress, his eyebrows creased.

This did not go unnoticed by Aria, was there something wrong with her dress?

Didnt she wear it properly?

Was it transparent? Oh lord, what if it was see through? But she checked -

“What would you like sir?” The waiter had put a halt to her internal breakdown, thankfully

“Princess, what would you like?” His voice was so smooth, it gave her goosebumps.

“I’ll just have water” Aria replied nervously, she still did not know what to make of this, she needed to observe first.

“I’ll have the same” He said without taking his hazel eyes off her, he had a habit of staring, and she wasn’t exactly complaining.

“Um.. I’d like to return this.” Aria said carefully as she handed him his black card

“You didnt obey my instructions.” Luca stated, his brow raised.

“You dont even know me, why would you give me your card to spend how I want? Do you normally do this? How are you not bankrupt already?” Aria could not understand this man, what was he thinking?

“I can’t go bankrupt princess, don’t worry about that.” He grinned.

“Even though, you shouldn’t be giving out your card to just anyone. People might abuse it you know?” Aria stated firmly, like she was giving him a lecture

He looked at her amused. What kind of girl would turn down a black card?

“Did you accept my invitation just to lecture me?”

“No, I only came here to return your card to you and… “ she paused, careful about her choice of words.

“And ? “

“To find out who you really are, for myself.”

“Oh? And have I exceeded your expectation?” He leaned closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief

“Not really, youve ticked the egoistic box, but most handsome man to walk the face of the earth? Not even close”

He laughed, it was so infectious, Aria found herself laughing too.

“Let’s go somewhere else” He didnt wait for her to respond, he took her by the hand and led her out of the restaurant

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t protest. She would never admit it, but she liked his company.

His driver opened the door to the Rolls Royce, slightly bowing his head.

“Um, where are we going?” Aria asked warily, in the end, he was still a stranger, no matter how welcoming he may seem.

“Wait and see.” He smirked, but Aria still wasn’t convinced.

“What makes you think I’d just get into your car? To an unknown location at that? And I’m the perfect target because I literally have no emergency contacts, you’d bury me and no one would notice” She huffed quickly

For the first time in his 30 years of existence, Luca was tongue tied. He did not know what to say, this girl surprised him at every turn.

“Youre just going to have to trust me princess” he held her hand softly, pulling her close to him till their faces were a centimeter apart.

For a moment there was silence, the only thing that could be heard was the muffled sound of engines driving by, and her heart beat pounding in her chest.

He leaned in. She stared.

Wait, What was happening?

In realization, her eyes widened and she distanced herself from him immediately.

“It’ll take more than dinner to make me trust you Mr Devereaux. Have a good night”

She said firmly and speed walked away- she would have ran if it weren’t for those heels.

He was in disbelief. She rejected him. No one rejected Luca.

He smiled; he was never the type to back down from a challenge. He wanted her, and he would have her.