chapter four
1598 Words
Diana had spent the entire afternoon pretending that Adrian Blackwood was nothing more than a business problem.
It wasn't working.
Every time she tried to concentrate on the documents scattered across her desk, his face appeared in her thoughts.
His voice.
His eyes.
The way he had looked at her when he realized she didn't remember him.
She hated how unsettled the memory made her feel.
More than anything, she hated the fact that she was curious.
She wanted to know what kind of man he had become.
That was all.
At least, that was what she kept telling herself.
Her phone vibrated on the desk.
Diana glanced at the screen.
Unknown Number.
She almost ignored it.
Then another message appeared.
> *The clause we discussed wasn't concluded today.*
She frowned.
A second message followed.
> *I've reconsidered your proposal. I'm willing to conclude the agreement in your favor.*
Diana sat upright.
That was unexpected.
Then the final message arrived.
> *We should discuss it in person. Tonight.*
She stared at the screen.
There was something about the wording that made her suspicious.
In person.
Tonight.
She knew perfectly well that the contract didn't require another meeting.
She also knew that Adrian knew it.
Diana leaned back in her chair.
“This is not about the contract.”
She should have ignored him.
She should have replied that they could discuss everything during office hours.
Instead, she found herself typing.
> *Where?*
His response came almost immediately.
> *I'll send you the address.*
Diana stared at the message for several seconds.
Then she locked her phone.
“This is a bad idea.”
Yet a small part of her was already looking forward to it.
---
The restaurant was quiet and elegant.
Diana arrived a few minutes late, expecting Adrian to be waiting.
He was.
He stood when he saw her.
“You came.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You invited me.”
“I wasn't sure you'd accept.”
“I almost didn't.”
“But you did.”
Diana sat across from him.
“Don't look so pleased with yourself.”
“I wasn't aware I was.”
“You are.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Their waiter approached, and they ordered.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was simply unfamiliar.
Finally Adrian broke it.
“How was your day?”
“Busy.”
“Because of me?”
“Mostly because of you.”
He laughed softly.
“That sounds serious.”
“You caused a scene at my company.”
“You caused a scene at mine.”
“I was being patient.”
“Twenty-three minutes isn't patience?”
Diana stared at him.
“You counted?”
“I noticed.”
She shook her head.
“You're impossible.”
“So I've been told.”
Their food arrived, giving Diana an excuse to look away.
She noticed that Adrian seemed much less intimidating outside the office.
There was still something commanding about him, but there was also a calmness she hadn't expected.
They spoke about business first.
Then gradually, the conversation moved elsewhere.
They talked about their ambitions.
Their families.
The pressure that came with being expected to succeed.
Diana was surprised by how easily the conversation flowed.
At some point, she ordered another drink.
Adrian noticed.
“That's enough.”
She looked at him.
“Excuse me?”
“You've had enough.”
“I can decide that myself.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you telling me?”
“Because I remember what happened the last time.”
Diana froze.
For a second, the restaurant disappeared.
That night.
That memory.
She quickly looked down.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
Adrian studied her.
“Don't you?”
“No.”
She lifted her glass again.
His hand stopped her before she could take another sip.
Diana looked at his hand, then at him.
“Adrian.”
“You don't need another.”
She pulled the glass toward herself.
“I said I'm fine.”
“And I'm saying you don't have to prove it.”
Something about his words silenced her.
She slowly put the glass down.
Adrian released it.
“Thank you,” she muttered.
“For what?”
“For not making a big deal out of it.”
He nodded.
Then his expression became serious.
“Diana, do you remember me?”
Her heart stopped.
There it was.
The question she had been hoping he wouldn't ask.
She looked directly into his eyes.
“No.”
The lie came easily.
Too easily.
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
He simply watched her.
“You're sure?”
“Very.”
Another silence.
Then he leaned back.
“Interesting.”
Diana frowned.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She knew he didn't believe her.
She also knew she wasn't going to admit anything.
Not yet.
---
By the time they left the restaurant, Diana felt strangely lighter.
She had expected the evening to be awkward.
Instead, she had laughed more than she had anticipated.
That was dangerous.
Because she was beginning to like him.
Not the businessman.
Not the competitor.
Him.
And she wasn't sure she wanted that.
Outside, Adrian's car waited.
Diana looked around.
“My driver isn't here.”
“Where is he?”
She sighed.
“His wife went into labor.”
Adrian's eyebrows rose.
“Seriously?”
“Unfortunately.”
“And you drove here yourself?”
“No.”
She gave him a look.
“I didn't drive. I was brought here.”
“Then how were you planning to get home?”
“I hadn't thought that far.”
Adrian shook his head.
“I'll take you.”
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
She hesitated.
Then opened the passenger door.
“Fine.”
The drive was quieter than the dinner.
Diana watched the city lights pass outside the window.
Adrian didn't press her about the past again.
She appreciated that.
When they finally reached her residence, he stopped outside.
Diana unbuckled her seat belt.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
She opened the door.
Then stopped.
“Wait.”
Adrian looked at her.
She suddenly realized she didn't want the evening to end.
She searched for an excuse.
“My phone.”
He frowned.
“What about it?”
“I think I left it in the restaurant.”
She checked her bag.
It was there.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Brilliant, Diana.
Adrian looked amused.
“You have it.”
“I know.”
“Then what's the real reason you're still sitting here?”
She looked at him.
She couldn't answer.
Because the real reason was embarrassingly simple.
She wanted another few minutes.
“Come upstairs,” she said finally.
Adrian's expression changed.
“Why?”
“I need to show you something.”
“What?”
“The contract.”
He stared at her.
“At this hour?”
Diana sighed.
“Fine. I don't have a good excuse.”
That honesty seemed to surprise him.
After a moment, he nodded.
“Lead the way.”
---
Her room was quiet.
Diana placed her handbag on a table and turned around.
Adrian stood near the doorway.
For a moment, neither moved.
The atmosphere had changed.
There was no restaurant.
No business discussion.
No employees.
No contract between them.
Just two people standing in a quiet room with too many unanswered questions.
“You're staring,” Diana said.
“So are you.”
She quickly looked away.
“I was thinking.”
“About?”
“You.”
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Me?”
Diana's face warmed.
“I mean... about the contract.”
“Of course.”
She gave him an annoyed look.
“You're enjoying this.”
“A little.”
He stepped closer.
Diana remained where she was.
She suddenly became aware of how quiet the room was.
Adrian stopped a respectful distance away.
“You really don't remember?”
Diana swallowed.
“No.”
He looked at her for several seconds.
Then, quietly, he said:
“That's unfortunate.”
“Why?”
“Because I remember everything that matters.”
Diana's heart began beating faster.
She didn't know what to say.
Neither did he.
They simply stood there.
Looking at each other.
For one brief moment, Diana wondered whether telling the truth would make everything easier.
She wondered what would happen if she admitted that she remembered.
That she had recognized him.
That she had been curious about him since the moment he entered her office.
But before she could speak, Adrian took one small step closer.
Diana didn't move.
Their eyes met.
The distance between them seemed to disappear.
Then Adrian stopped.
So did Diana.
Neither crossed the final space between them.
The moment stretched.
One second.
Then another.
Diana could hear her own heartbeat.
Adrian looked at her as though waiting for a decision.
And suddenly, Diana realized that whatever happened next could change everything.
She took a small breath.
“Adrian…”
He didn't answer.
He simply looked at her.
And just before either of them could make the next move—
Diana's phone began ringing.
They both stepped back.
The moment was gone.
Diana stared at the screen.
An unknown number.
She looked at Adrian.
Then back at the phone.
Something told her that answering that call would change the course of the entire night.
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