Rodrigo's POV
Damian walked towards my favorite corner of the restaurant where I was nestled in, sipping my whiskey.
"Hey, Rodrigo!" Damian called out as he sighted me. I looked up from my glass of whiskey and smiled. "Damian, my man!"
He chuckled as he shook my hands before sitting down. "Man, it's good to have you back in the country" I grinned. Damian smiled before asking the waitress for another glass.
"Hope you were a good boy in my absence, you didn't impregnate any girl now, did you? "' He teased.
"My new secretary has been hitting on me… "
"She doesn't know you are a bad man, you will fuck her orgasm out and abandon her afterward". We both burst out laughing.
"I am having dinner with some fine lady I met a few weeks back". Damian leaned in closer, much interested in the conversation.
"Who's the chick?"
"Her name is Maria, she's a drop dead gorgeous lady, fierce and feisty"
"Hmm, I love her already!" Damian commented, arching his brows. "What's the deal with her though?" He made a stern face. I shrugged indifferently.
"I'd send the driver to go pick her up when it is time. Do you mind tagging along for the dinner?"
"Why would you need a third party for a date?"
"It is not a date, it's a dinner and I can invite my friend to a dinner"
"Rodrigo… " He trailed off when he saw the stern look on my face.
"Alright, you win. If at any point it looks like I'm interrupting, I'd excuse myself." He warned, but I ignored him and sipped my whiskey.
***
Maria's POV
Anxiety sat on my chest, I was trying to crack a case puzzle but my mind constantly trailed off to my proposed dinner with Rodrigo. Why would a rich handsome guy like Rodrigo be interested in a poor boring girl like me?
I couldn't place my hand on anything, maybe it was just a formal invitation and nothing more. My thoughts were interrupted by Valentina's voice. She walked inside the room with her phone in her ear.
"Yes, love. I'd be a little late for the party. I've got to help Maria get ready for her date" Valentina responded to the person over the phone. It was obviously Miguel, her boyfriend.
Valentina was madly in love with that guy, I'm not one to talk about love because it looked like bondage and torment to me. Valentina's happiest days were Miguel's doing and her saddest days were his doings as well. I could never let someone be in charge of my emotions—I'd always say to myself.
She ended the call and smiled at me. "I don't mind going to the party late just to make sure you are all sexy and hot for your date, the aim is to compel Rodrigo to be unable to take his gaze off you." She spluttered and I nodded indifferently.
It was 5mins to 7 pm, Rodrigo texted me his driver would be picking me up by 7 pm. Valentina just finished my makeup. She browsed my wardrobe for a suitable dress for me.
"Maria, you aren't a guy. You should start getting killer dresses for your dates and stop using my clothes for your undercover. Now I can't even find a single feminine dress in your wardrobe suitable for a date" She murmured under her breath, loud enough for me to hear her—she wanted me to after all.
"Just borrow me one of your beautiful dresses, I'll get some for myself when next I visit the boutique"
"Oh, right! That's what you always say". She complained as she walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out some dresses.
After trying out 3 dresses, we eventually settled for one. The driver came in no time and we drove to the restaurant.
The driver walked me into the restaurant. It was actually a big hotel, not a restaurant as I had imagined. I was very conscious of every step I took trying to maintain the girly swag as I did during my undercover cases. Rodrigo sighted me from a distance, he was speaking to a lady I presumed to be a high-ranking person in the hotel because she was elegantly dressed.
I permitted the driver to go back and walked towards Rodrigo. His lips were agape, his eyes mooned over me as I got closer to him. I didn't think I would have such an effect on Rodrigo. Though, Valentina did a good job turning me into a drop-dead gorgeous queen. My sapphire blue gown clung to my body revealing my perfect curves, it was a sleeveless gown revealing my porcelain skin. The gown trailed into a free-flowing length from my thigh with a slit that started from my thigh. It was adorned with intricate lace which glimmered against the Chandelier lights in the hotel reception.
"Hello Mr Rodrigo" I greeted with a sweet smile. He reached out for my hand and bent to kiss it. His lips were so warm against my skin, I felt blood rush through my face.
"You look ravishing." He finally muttered, fixing his gaze on me like my face was heaven to him. I lowered my head in shyness. He led me to a VIP corner of the hotel's restaurant.
We had barely sat down for a good conversation before a tall man walked up to us, he wore a button-up shirt and plain trousers. The button-up revealed his chest and a gold necklace dangling on it with a cross pendant. His cheekbones gave him a strong jawline, his skin glinting against the light. He smelt rich as much as Rodrigo.
"Damian!" Rodrigo echoed, rejoicing as he got up and hugged him. I stared at the duo clueless.
"Maria, meet my friend Damian. His family owns this hotel and he is the CEO".
"Oh, wow. Nice to meet you, Damian." He took my hand and kissed it politely, now that I could see him closely. He looked familiar, I tried to think of where I had seen him before but the strong cologne held me bound to admiring him.
"The name is Damian Reyes" He smiled
"Yes, Reyes! That name rings a bell. "