Eunice's heart raced as she approached him, a wide grin on her lips. She couldn't help but relish the way his face transformed when he saw her, a mix of surprise and perhaps something more. At least she still had some effect on him, and she wasn't showing the toll of age or childbirth. As she fell onto her plush, king-sized bed, she couldn't help but reflect on her carefully laid plans, how they were slowly falling into place.
Her trip to Italy had a dual purpose, though she hadn't told him. It was an attempt to rekindle what they once shared, to feel his touch on her skin once more, to regain her sense of womanhood that had been lost. Back in the day, he had been a young boy, eager to please, and she fondly remembered how he obeyed her every command.
"Was it because he was scared of me?" she wondered, contemplating the power she held over him. She allowed her mind to drift back to the past, to the memory of his tender young tongue nibbling on her tender parts. Now he was a grown man, alluring in his fierceness, and she couldn't deny the attraction she felt.
The next day passed uneventfully for Ray. Anxious like a child awaiting a vacation, he woke before the sun graced the sky. Although he had planned to be at the restaurant by 7 pm, his anticipation and restlessness forced him out earlier. He had booked every table in the place to ensure he'd see her again, but as he stood before her, she didn't even acknowledge his presence. Her focus was on her phone, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was communicating with Kelvin.
Suddenly, her eyes met his, and all his defenses crumbled. The sound of her phone hitting the floor jolted him back to reality, and he attempted to speak, though his voice betrayed his uncertainty.
"Mr. Snow!" she exclaimed, her surprise evident. "What a surprise," she added, her voice laced with intrigue.
Ray tried to compose himself and decided to offer an excuse. "I was in search of a perfect place to hold a business meeting, and my secretary mentioned this place." His heart screamed a different truth, but he couldn't bring himself to say it aloud. "Is that so?"
Anna's voice was small and rigid as she replied, "It's a pleasure to see you, Mr. Snow." The restaurant's silence seemed to magnify the awkward tension between them. "I found out that you got the position for the job, but you never showed up. Why, if I may ask?" he inquired, trying to appear casual. Her distant expression, however, hinted that she was preoccupied with something else.
"Miss Briggs?" he called again, growing increasingly concerned about her detachment.
"Please, just call me Anna, and what would you like to have?" she responded abruptly, leaving him in shock. The unanswered questions lingered in the air, and he wondered if she was contemplating revenge for their previous encounter. He cursed himself for allowing Secretary Kim to lead him into this ridiculous situation.