He was still puzzled by his reaction to this young woman before him. He had never acted so impulsively in his life. But upon gazing at her face, he knew he had to satisfy his curiosity.
"I'm Matteo, by the way, and you are?" He offered his hand, and she took it.
The momentary contact was enough to make her pull her hand quickly away from him. It was like electricity shot through her right hand and radiated to her entire body.
He believed he felt the same way, piquing his interest and kicking it a notch higher. He did not want to let her go, not just yet, but he could not stop her from pulling away.
"My friends call me Gav." She finally told him as she moved further in her seat to allow space for him to fit in beside her.
She was still unsure that making friends with this gorgeous stranger was a good idea. But it was for one night only. She kept reminding herself.
After tonight, she might not see this man ever again. He looked several years older than her. And he might just be looking for something to pass his time.
"It is nice to meet you, Gav," He said, amused at her name. But it was not what was keeping his interest in her. It had nothing to do with her name or her appearance. "Such a nice name."
Although she did look beautiful, he knew it was not what attracted him to her. He could feel the invisible connection that was binding their fate together.
He could not explain it. But he intended to learn more about it. There must be a relationship in their past that link their present. It was the only explanation for his familiarity with this girl.
"Matteo is also a nice name." She said, liking the way his name rolled on her tongue.
She felt like she was back in high school, having a crush on a boy as butterflies swirled around her stomach. She suddenly felt her cheeks burning upon realizing what her mind had just admitted.
She was attracted to this stranger but was that wise to feel that way with a man she only had met. He might be a serial killer, charming his way to her heart. On the other hand, he appeared very friendly.
As soon as they had settled comfortably on the chair, Matteo offered to treat her to a drink. She accepted another glass of what she was already drinking while he ordered another also for himself.
"Tell me. What do you do, Gav?" Matteo asked the girl sitting not far from her.
Earlier, He was ready to call it a night after having another drink by the bar. When he looked around, he did not see her anymore. But he still mildly sensed her. He concluded she could still be around somewhere.
But when he was about to leave, he saw her alone. He knew it was an opportunity he should capitalize on. He did not waste time approaching her.
Presently, up close, he smelled her scent and found it familiar. His interest increased as he observed her a little further. There was something about her that was making him curious to know more about her.
"I am just a student. But I will be graduating soon." She finally answered him, realizing that there was no harm if they exchanged a few pieces of information about one another. It was not as if those were top secrets.
But the more she looked at him, not directly, of course, the more she found him intriguing. He certainly was attractively handsome, and his body was. What could she say about his body besides that it was exceptional?
But there was something about him that was nagging at her. She just could not pinpoint it just yet. Maybe give her time, and she might know what it was.
"Oh! I guess you are still pretty young." He commented, suddenly realizing that his earlier assessment was correct. She was too young for him.
Physically, he would still pass as a twenty-five to thirty-year-old guy, at least depending on who was looking. But in truth, his age was way beyond those years. So, technically, Gav was way too young for him. But that was not the point.
It was not as if he was here to seduce this young woman. He was only gathering information about her to answer his growing curiosity.
"No, I'm not. I am old enough to vote and make decisions for myself." She suddenly blurted out, remembering what her parents told her a few weeks ago about growing up.
She did realize that it was time that she took responsibility for her life. She could not remain the princess in their house forever. After that day, she started changing her ways.
Tonight was the culmination of her new life. On her twenty-first birthday, she was setting a new leaf, creating new goals. She planned to be more responsible for herself and accountable for her actions.
Well, at least after she sobered up, she concluded. She would be more aware of her decisions and act maturely for her age. Be a model citizen that her parents would be proud of.
"Of course you are." He said, sounding condescending as he suddenly remembered his little sister. She suddenly reminded him of her.
Well, Autumn was not little anymore and not young. But for him, she would always be his baby sister. However, his sister used to act just like her, trying her best to depict herself as if she was all grown up.
But in her defense, she did have to grow up and mature quickly after the death of their parents. Having no mother figure to look up to anymore, she had taken the role for herself, becoming the lady of the house.
"Don't act as if you know me." She replied to his stupid remark. She suddenly felt like he was looking at his brother, Jax, mocking her.
She suddenly did not like him anymore. He was probably here just because of a dare by his friends. Why else would a seemingly perfect guy be talking to her?
She would not say she was ugly or disfigured, but she was not exceptionally beautiful like him. She believed she would never stand out in a crowd.