Valeria's POV
The morning sunlight filtered through my office window, casting long shadows across my desk. I sipped my coffee, mentally preparing for the day ahead. The remnants of my conversation with Adrua echoed in my mind. Our banter had ignited a spark of energy that was impossible to ignore. I glanced at the clock and felt a familiar flutter of nerves. Today was the day we'd have our first lunch meeting, and despite my best efforts to remain indifferent, I was oddly excited.
"Hey, Val," Sarah popped her head into my office. "Are you ready for your lunch date?"
"Date?" I repeated, arching an eyebrow. "This is a business meeting, Sarah."
"Sure, sure," she said, her tone dripping with disbelief. "But you know he likes you, right? You can't deny there's chemistry there."
I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress the blush creeping up my neck. "That's ridiculous. He's just being charming. It's his job."
"Charming or not, you should see how he looks at you," she teased, waggling her eyebrows. "I'd say it's more than just business."
"Not to me, it isn't," I shot back, trying to sound convincing. "It's all about strategy. He has great ideas, and I respect that."
Sarah shrugged, her grin unwavering. "Whatever you say, boss. Just don't forget to have a little fun."
"Fun?" I echoed, shaking my head. "Fun is overrated in the business world."
"Only if you make it that way," she replied, flashing me a wink before disappearing down the hallway.
I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the jitters. Maybe I was overthinking everything. Adrian was a competent businessman, and I needed to focus on our partnership. Besides, I had worked too hard to build my company to let a man distract me.
As noon approached, I found myself glancing at the clock far too often. Finally, I heard a knock on my office door, and my heart raced. Aiden stepped in, looking effortlessly polished in a gray suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. His hair was styled to perfection, and he wore that signature confident grin that could melt ice.
"Ready to eat?" he asked, leaning casually against the doorframe.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.
"Great. I found a fantastic little café nearby. They have the best pasta in the city," he said, his enthusiasm infectious.
"Just pasta? What are we, Italians?" I quipped, earning a laugh from him.
"We can be if you want," he shot back, winking. "I'll bring the wine, and you can bring the charisma."
"Charming and sarcastic, huh? Quite the combination," I remarked as I grabbed my bag.
As we made our way to the café, I felt a strange mix of anticipation and caution. The streets were bustling with people, and I couldn't help but notice how heads turned as adrian walked beside me. It was like being a part of a movie, and I was the reluctant star.
"So, tell me more about your company," He said as we settled into a cozy booth. "What drives your passion?"
I hesitated, taken aback by his earnestness. Most people only cared about numbers and profits, but Adrian seemed genuinely interested. "I started this company because I wanted to create something that made a difference. We focus on sustainable practices and aim to minimize our impact on the environment."
"Impressive," he said, leaning in. "You're not just a businesswoman; you're a force of nature."
"Flattery won't work on me," I warned, though I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
"Who said anything about flattery? I'm just stating the truth," he said, unfazed. "What's your end goal, then?"
"To leave a legacy," I replied, feeling the weight of my ambitions. "I want people to remember me not just for the company but for the impact I had."
Adrian's gaze softened, and I could see the admiration in his eyes. "That's a powerful motivation. You're not just building a business; you're building a movement."
I felt a strange warmth in my chest, a connection forming that I hadn't anticipated. "What about you? What drives you?"
"Honestly? I want to prove that I'm more than just a pretty face in a suit," he said, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his tone. "I want to show my family that I can be successful on my own terms."
"That's relatable," I admitted. "We all have something to prove."
As the conversation flowed, I found myself laughing more than I intended. Aiden had a knack for making me feel at ease, even as I tried to keep my guard up. But beneath the humour and sass, I sensed an undercurrent of tension—a chemistry that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"Okay, but I need to know," he said, leaning closer. "What's your biggest pet peeve?"
"People who chew with their mouths open," I replied without missing a beat. "It's disgusting."
Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. "So, I take it you've never been on a date with a slob?"
"Not since high school, and I don't plan to start now," I shot back, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, consider me forewarned," he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'll keep my mouth shut while eating if it means more dates with you."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes, though the flutter of embarrassment lingered in my chest. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. This is just business."
"Business," he repeated, his tone teasing. "Right. But if I'm being honest, I'd like to take you out on a real date sometime."
The boldness of his words caught me off guard, and I felt a rush of heat to my cheeks. "A real date?"
"Yeah, you know, dinner, maybe some dancing? Just two people getting to know each other outside of the office," he explained, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I hesitated, weighing my response. I didn't want to lead him on; I wasn't ready to let anyone in, especially not someone who had already infiltrated my thoughts. "Adrian, I'm not looking for anything serious. I'm focused on my work."
"I get that," he said, his tone shifting to something more earnest. "But we could keep it casual. Just two professionals enjoying each other's company. No strings attached."
I chewed on my lower lip, torn between the thrill of his offer and my desire to maintain my independence. "I'll think about it," I said finally, feeling a mix of excitement and caution.
"Fair enough. Just know that I'll be waiting," he said, his smile unwavering.
We continued our lunch, but the atmosphere had shifted. There was an unspoken tension in the air, a realization that our connection ran deeper than I had anticipated.
As we wrapped up and headed back to the office, I found myself stealing glances at Aiden. He was charming, intelligent, and annoyingly attractive. But as we walked side by side, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were venturing into uncharted waters—waters I wasn't sure I was ready to navigate.
Back in the office, Sarah shot me a knowing look as we entered. "So? How was lunch?"
"Business as usual," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but the blush creeping up my cheeks betrayed me.
"Uh-huh. Just business," she teased, raising an eyebrow.
I tried to brush it off, but I felt a sense of vulnerability creeping in. I had let Aiden in, even if just a little, and now the idea of him becoming more than just a business partner was both thrilling and terrifying.
As the day wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger. Adrian was a storm on the horizon, and I was caught in its path, unsure of where it would lead.