The day had finally arrived. Zara had already prepared herself for the dinner with Lila's boyfriend, but she had no idea what to expect. As usual, she wasn't in the mood for formal attire, so she opted for something comfortable but still stylish—a basic tee paired with cargo pants, a simple yet functional outfit. It was perfect for a laid-back dinner, and it suited her mood exactly.
She stepped out of her penthouse, not bothering with a fancy car for the evening. The Bugatti La Voiture Noire was parked in her garage, and while she didn't usually opt for something so flashy, tonight she felt like indulging. She slid into the driver's seat, the engine roaring to life as she set off toward the restaurant.
The drive was smoother than she expected, but traffic was a little heavier than usual. To keep herself entertained, Zara cranked up the volume on her sound system, letting the thumping bass of "Carnival" by Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, Playboy Carti, and Rich the Kid fill the car. She could feel the rhythm pulse through her, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel in time with the beat. She wasn't in any rush—just enjoying the music and the slight chaos of the traffic around her.
Next up, she switched it to "FE!N" by Travis Scott, and the mood lifted even higher. The sounds were a perfect match for the late-afternoon drive, and Zara let herself zone out, focusing on the music more than anything else.
By the time she pulled up to the restaurant, a few minutes late, the song was fading out, and she was still humming the last lines. Zara parked her Bugatti, took a deep breath, and smirked at herself in the rearview mirror. Here we go, she thought, making sure she looked as effortlessly cool as always.
She walked into the restaurant, the sharp click of her boots on the floor resonating throughout the quiet lobby. Zara didn't mind being late—she knew she'd make an entrance, and nothing was more her style than strolling in like she owned the place. As she pushed through the door, she couldn't help but whistle the last tune she had been playing in the car. Her eyes scanned the room until she spotted Lila, waving at her excitedly from a table near the back.
Lila was already on her feet before Zara even reached the table. They shared a tight hug, and Zara felt herself smile despite the lingering tension in her mind.
"You're late," Lila teased, pulling Zara to the table. "I thought you'd be here earlier, but I guess traffic got the best of you?"
Zara shrugged, unbothered. "Yeah, it was a mess out there, but you know how it goes." She slid into the chair, not sparing a second to settle in before she looked around the table.
"This is my boyfriend, Ethan," Lila said with a proud smile, introducing Zara to the man sitting next to her. "Ethan, this is Zara, my best friend."
Ethan was easygoing, his charm immediately apparent. As Zara extended her hand to shake his, they hit it off instantly. The conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and jokes. Zara was enjoying herself more than she expected, already starting to warm up to Lila's boyfriend.
But just as she was beginning to relax, the door to the restaurant opened, and in walked him. Zara's eyes narrowed slightly as she saw who it was. Her stomach churned in an instant.
"Why does it have to be him?" Zara muttered under her breath.
She hadn't expected the universe to throw her a curveball tonight, but there he was, looking as confident and self-assured as always. The very man who had been at the charity ball, who had managed to push every button Zara had, was now standing at the entrance of the restaurant. She could feel her pulse quicken in irritation as she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.
Of course, she thought bitterly. This is exactly what I needed tonight