Soon they arrived at their destination. Elara noticed they were headed into a relatively secluded private estate. They drove through the driveway lined with lovely ornamental trees, vibrant bougainvillas, and manicured hedges.
The driveway led to a spacious, oval-shaped area that contained about three more cars packed within it.
On alighting from the car, Elara was welcomed by a nicely dressed young lady with an amiable smile.
"Welcome, miss. Would you like my help?" she asked warmly, gesturing to the lunchbox Elara was carrying.
"No, thank you, I can handle this on my own," Elara replied amicably.
The lady smiled in response and, after nodding at the male who had brought in Elara, left swiftly.
'Wow, she's quick! Where's she going…?' Elara wondered curiously before brushing it off.
Mistaking Elara's dazed look for an anxious one, the suited-up middle-aged-looking man who had brought her said caringly, "Do not worry, miss, I will guide you till you meet Mr. Terrence."
Elara: I am not worried, though…
"Alright, thank you," Elara, although misunderstood, still responded with a nod.
Walking towards the gate beside the parking lot, Elara stepped aside as he watched her guide approach the gate.
The gate had a sleek modern design with clean lines and an elegant black color. She watched as the guide placed his fingerprint in the biometric access control mechanism causing the gates to open up automatically with a dull hum.
Although this wasn't her first time seeing such a gate, she still couldn't help but be impressed.
Stepping inside the gates, Elara was awed at the beauty which stood before her. Before her was a huge three-story modern villa with a glass and stone hybrid facade and sleek glass accents.
A meandering pathway with gentle turns flowed from the gate through the villa's surroundings. The middle path led directly to the villa's entrance while the turns led to various scenic views within the villa.
Scenic views such as:
Lush gardens with fragrant blooms and vibrant colors of beautiful flowers; a sparkling water fountain resonating gentle water sounds which made the surroundings calm along with the reflections of sunlight on the rippling waters, forming a picturesque view.
A wide pool with sparkling turquoise water and soft lapping sounds against its edges; the comfy-looking lounge chair surrounding it seemingly invites one to laze about while sunbathing under the brilliant sun.
However, the most eye-catching of all views to Elara was the private table tennis court surrounded by neatly trimmed grasses, a bunch of sunkissed rackets lounging around, and a bench seating.
Elara gulped; she knew Terrence was rich, not just rich but ultra-rich, ranking the third richest person in the world with a net worth of $180B, but she still couldn't help but be awed when faced with the display of his wealth.
Thinking of how casual she had been with someone of that caliber, she couldn't help but worry. Did she bite off more than she could chew?
While lost in thoughts they soon reached the villa's entrance. She stood patiently watching the male input his fingerprint, and on verification, the sliding glass double door opened automatically. Following the guide, she stepped into the villa.
Inside the villa was even more compelling. It had a spacious foyer with soaring ceilings, an elegant chandelier, and a sweeping staircase that led to the upstairs of the building.
They walked through the marble-tiled hallway leading past beautiful artistries and floor-to-ceiling windows, a luxurious living area holding a bunch of plush sofas, a fireplace, and stunning views.
Turning a corner, they entered a wide corridor lined with rich wood paneling and recessed lightning, which they walked through for a while before encountering another sliding glass double door.
The guide finally stopped, facing Elara. He said, "Sir Terence is here; I'll take my leave now."
Bowing respectfully to Elara he vanished before she could make a peep.
'How are they so quick?!'
Sighing uneasily as she prepared herself to make an entrance, she reached out to open the door only for it to open automatically as soon as she came close.
'So it's that kind of door huh?'
Slowly stepping into the room, Elara was shocked when she entered.
Soft lighting illuminated the spacious room, bringing the astonishing room arrangement to view! There were professional pool tables and poker tables, classic arcade machines, a gaming console and VR headsets, and a pile of other gaming items.
Within the room was also a wet bar with premium spirits, and combined with the filled-up snack bar and comfortable seating arrangement, Elara was bewitched!
Even to a nongamer like her, this place was practically heaven! So enthralling! So mesmerizing! Absolutely auto–
"Hello, are you sure you're not missing someone?" a baritone voice laced with amusement greeted Elara startling her out of her daze.
Turning around, she was surprised to see Terrence leisurely lying on a sofa.
He sprawled onto the plush sofa with his hands placed hazardously effortlessly flexing his beautiful arm muscles, laying carefreely on the sofa's headrest; his legs were spread wide apart further enunciating his casual posture.
He had on a short-sleeved fitted shirt that bared his well-defined abs and chest muscles for all to see. His pretty blonde hair sparkled within the lights, and along with his sexy gray eyes that fixed on her, staring at her playfully, Elara melted.
Even without any romantic or sexual attraction, Elara wasn't blind enough to not notice the insane amount of appeal the male was emitting.
The male in question seemed indifferent to his sexiness, and casually picking up the glass of wine that sat on the coffee table before him, he downed it in one move.
Elara gulped; how the fuck can a person's every single move be filled with a sexual appeal? Was he a succubus?!
Thankfully, she had always had a high level of self-control, able to maintain her external calmness no matter how crazy she was going in her mind.
She managed to suppress her panic in less than a second and, facing Terrence with a smile, said reservedly, "Hi."
Walking up to the male, she placed her box of cupcakes before him saying with a brilliant smile, "I brought something for you."
Glancing lightly at the lunchbox and the woman before him, Terrence's mood was complicated.
He had been extremely bored and in dire need of company and the first person that came to his mind was Elara.
He had been worried that she would reject his invite but she readily came without complaint and was even happy to accompany him.
Just to test her, he had purposely dressed ambiguously, but not only did she barely react, she casually brushed him off like it was nothing. Was she that good or was he losing his charm?
Being aroace didn't mean you couldn't appreciate a hot person when you saw them right? Or did it?
Staring at Elara's warm, dark eyes, he felt a bit unresigned. There was no way his charm had dullened; he was aware of how good-looking he was; it just meant that either Elara was that powerful or he wasn't trying enough. Either way, one way or another he'd make her recognize his beauty.
If Merlin could hear his thoughts he would have probably lost all decorum and cursed him out. After complaining about how most of his ex-friends ended up falling for him, he still had the gall to try and seduce the only one who was resistant to his charms!
Wasn't this madness?!
To that, Terrence would have probably defended himself: if she was to fall for him with a light seduction wouldn't that mean that even without doing anything, she'd still fall for him along the line? He was only trying to cut his losses as much as he could; if Elara couldn't resist him, then it was better to find out now and end their relationship rather than hurt each other in the long run.
Noticing Elara's confused gaze at him he realized that he had dazed off!
Snapping back to reality, his eyes trailed towards the box before him before facing Elara.
Smiling mischievously, he leaned towards Elara, who stumbled back wordlessly, shoving a face that good-looking without warning should be a crime!
"Is this a gift to entice me to take it easy on you?"
Elara watched as the male smiled at her with a toothy grin like a naughty child asking to be dealt with.
She smiled wickedly, lowering her voice she said in a chilling tone, "No. It's to console you when I completely demolish you to pieces."