Esmeralda stared at the big man with a smile that didn't reach her emerald green eyes. She didn't have any reason to feel elated on seeing him. He was just like every other human being there was on the planet.
"Can I help you with anything?"
She wasn't in a hurry to leave but his silence was not something she could tolerate for a certain amount of time.
"Mm?"
Dominique was slightly dazed while staring at her eyes. They were mesmerizing but dull and held too many secrets.
"You're standing outside by the toilet door when someone was inside. Or did you need to use the toilet?"
There was a playful hint in her words and a look of amusement flashed through her eyes for a nanosecond.
Dominique snapped out of his gaze when he heard her question. He could hear the playfulness in her voice. She was teasing him.
"You left without telling me your name?"
The man finally spoke with his deep baritone voice. His eyes never leaving her beautiful face for a second.
"Like I said before, if fate has it we will meet again and here we are."
They both stared at each other with unwavering gazes.
"Indeed, here we are."
"From my observation I guess you are Dominique Stone, the eldest Stone son of the family."
She commented and eyed his features. She had already confirmed it a while ago when she saw him standing by the door. The resemblance was just too striking that no one could miss the fact that he was a Stone.
"I see you've done your research miss... "
"Esmeralda."
"Esmeralda..."
He tested her name on his lips and felt they had a nice ring to it. She was captivating and alluring.
"I see you were invited to the party."
His voice became a little bit soft when he said those words.
"Your nephew invited me and it would be a shame if I had turned down the invitation. So here I am."
Dominique nodded his head at her. His mind drifted off to the scene he saw earlier. He was meaning to ask what relationship she had with Kyle Accardi. He knew that they were just friends from what he heard but for that man to attend a gathering because he was invited by someone other than the main host made him feel that there was something more to this than friendship. His heart squeezed at the possible outcome and he didn't know why.
"Are you, by any chance, the one who invited Kyle Accardi here?"
He knew the truth but he couldn't help but confirm it from her.
"Yes, he's a friend. Any problem?"
"No there's no problem."
He answered. He knew he could have his men investigate her background and that would give him a lot of necessary information about her but he didn't want to do that. He was enjoying this hide and seek game of fate. Maybe knowing her directly would be beneficial that having to dig up unnecessarily.
"If that's the case then, it was nice meeting you again Dominique."
Esmeralda turned around ready to leave but was stopped by a hand that grabbed her wrist. Her calm facade was a bit shaken by the contact. She glanced down at the hand that held her and then to his face. She wasn't angry nor surprised but her face was still expressionless making the man feel somehow.
"You're leaving? But why?"
His tone held a bit of desperation and reluctance but his cold features was still there.
"I have an appointment to meet up and I can't afford to waste time."
She answered with a straight face and released her hand from his grip. She placed it in her pocket and tilted her head.
"This is the same thing you did last time. Leaving without telling."
He felt like she was trying to get away from him and he didn't know why. He didn't mind spending a little bit of time with her but they were strangers after all and not close friends.
"At least we know each other's name and graduated from stranger's to first name basis. Goodbye Dominique."
This time he didn't stop her and just watch her leave. Her silhouette disappeared from his sight and he sighed. He looked down at the hand that held her and felt an unexplainable emotion inside.
Her skin felt warm and soft like marshmallows. When he held her wrist, he felt a spark and wondered what it was. Something was happening to him. Maybe he should talk to someone about this, but who was he going to talk to?
He let out a tiny smirk when he recalled that she was wearing the same thing as the first time they met. Sweatshirt and sweatpants. She wasn't like most women who would dress up extravagantly to impress. She had her own style of being simple. Maybe that's what attracted him to her?
Dominique shook his head and breathe in. He needed a drink to calm him down. He walked back to the garden and noticed that she was gone. That man was also not there and his nephew was with his brother.
After wishing his nephew and giving him his gift he noticed the curious glances his brothers were throwing his way.
"What?"
"Where did you go?"
Timothy asked. He sounded like a detective questioning his suspect.
"Inside the house."
Dominique replied with a cold gaze.
Timothy shivered but was still persistent to continue the interrogation.
"To do what?"
"And why should I tell you?"
Dominique's nonchalant attitude and lack of response irritated Timothy. Can you just answer me without making things difficult?! He was about say something but was interrupted by a feminine voice.
"Dominique."
"Hello mother."
Mrs Stone hugged her son tightly and let go. She gave him a warm motherly smile and hit his arm playfully.
"You don't visit your mother anymore."
"I was here last week."
Dominique uttered and rubbed the place she hit.
"That was last week. But I forgive you anyways."
He rolled his eyes at her. She was really something. His father also came shortly and they discussed about business as usual. He was busy listening to his father but his thoughts was on someone. He knew her green eyes would make him sleepless that night.