Claire quickly got ready. After drying her hair she styled it into a messy bun leaving a few strands loose framing her face. She slipped on her dress and wore the accessories Colton had picked out. Sitting down in her vanity she started to do her makeup.
She covered her dark circles with concealer and applied just a bit of gold eyeshadow on. Then she added a small amount of light pink blush and highlighter on her cheeks before she curled her eyelashes and stroked them with the mascara bristle brush. She finished the look with a little gloss on her lips. It was a simple makeup look, just how she liked it.
When she put on her heels she stood infront of her bedroom mirror to look at herself. Satisfied with what she saw, she started heading out after grabbing a simple clutch bag to carry her things in. As she took the last steps of the staircase she found Ben and Colton waiting for her by the door. They were deep in conversation as she approached them.
"So? How do I look?" Claire interrupted them.
As they turned around both of them felt their eyes widen.
"Beautiful" They both said at the same time making Claire laugh.
"The people around me are too alike." Before they could answer her, they heard a car pull up in front of the house.
"That must be your date Cece." Colton smirked as he teased her. "The front gate called a few seconds ago and Ben instructed them to let him through."
"I'm actively ignoring you now." Claire said as she walked passed him heading towards the door that Ben was holding open for her. But just before she stepped out she turned around and looked at Colton. "Its beautiful. Thank you." She smiled to him as she thanked him for the dress.
"Only the best for my girls." He winked at her and watched her leave.
With the door closing behind her, Claire looked at the dark blue Aston Martin One-77 car parked at the end of the steps of the villa's entrance. As she made her way down, Aiden stepped out of the car and started to walk towards the end of the steps.
Aiden felt stupefied. This was the second time he laid eyes on her and again she managed to take his breath away. 'The angel is descending towards me.' was all he could think. Her dress gave him a perfect view of her body's figure. It's color made her smooth skin and fiery hair stand out even more. Each step she took made her leg slip through the slit in her dress making him take a sharp breath of air.
Aiden stretched out his hand for her to take without his eyes ever leaving her. "You look stunning." He told her as she accepted his hand to take the last steps down.
"Thank you." She answered while giving him a slight nod.
He opened her door and closed it after she settled down in the passengers seat. Quickly going around the car he got in. Claire was fastening her seat belt when she felt his eyes on her.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked him. Even though she knew all too well why he was eyeing her.
"Absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, Id say it's pure perfection." He told her as his eyes met with hers. He was referring to her face, but didn't bother to tell her that. Offering no explanation to his rather confusing response, he fastened his own seat belt before turning on the engine and driving away from the villa.
Claire didn't really understand what he meant, but decided to ignore it. "I expect this evening was planned taking my requests into consideration." She decided to change the subject.
"Yes ma'am." Aiden answered her without taking his eyes off the road.
A few minutes went by and Aiden pulled up the car in front of Soul, one of he cities most renowned restaurants. As he took off his seat belt he looked towards his passenger seat and noticed Claire's confused and somewhat angry expression.
"What made you think I would set foot in such a public place? I specifically asked for a discreet location where my identity wouldn't be at risk?" She furrowed her brows as she looked back at Aiden.
'Oh. I got to see a new expression. Progress.' He thought to himself.
"No, you simply asked for your identity to not be at risk for exposure. You mentioned nothing on what places we could and couldn't go." Saying that he got out of the car and went around to open her door. "Being a man of my word I already took care of everything. So do relax and enjoy our evening together." He assured her as he bent to get inside the car and unbuckled her seat belt for her.
Claire took a sharp breath when she saw him so close to her. Although it was for a brief moment, she could smell his rosewood cologne. She involuntarily blushed a bit when he offered her his hand to help her step out of the car. His gestures took her by surprise, but not as much as she surprised herself for how her body moved on it's own. In a daze she placed her hand in his and stepped out without breaking her gaze off of his face. Which was sporting a sincere smile.
She snapped out of it when she felt his hand spread wide on her exposed back while he started guiding her inside the restaurant. She felt tingles as her skin broke out in goosebumps from his touch.
'What the hell Claire!? You WILLINGLY let this dude put everything at risk just because of his damn scent and smile!? Get a grip!!' She yelled at herself internally as she was about to signal her guards to get her out of the situation. But before she could, she was shocked still.
The interior of the restaurant was amazing. There was a single violinist at the far end playing soft music, the windows were covered with beautifully detailed curtains, the marble floor glistened thanks to the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling that dimly lit up the... empty space?
'Where are the tables?' She thought as she looked around. After a few seconds of scanning the space she noticed there was a single table in the very middle of the restaurant surrounded by a few flowers. In the midst of her confusion Aiden spoke.
"You should learn to start trusting your new business partner. I do believe I said I don't enjoy sharing. So what made you think I would be willing to risk others overhearing the information your going to share with me tonight?" He told her as he smirked down at her.