Valeria's POV
The next few days passed in a blur. Work was relentless, my inbox overflowing with demands from clients and colleagues alike. I buried myself in tasks, the clatter of keyboards and the ringing of phones serving as my escape from thoughts of Adrian. I told myself that his words meant nothing, that his attention was merely a passing fancy. But deep down, I knew I was lying to myself.
As much as I tried to ignore it, the tension between us lingered like an uninvited guest. I found myself replaying our last conversation over and over in my head. He had been so confident, so sure of himself. And then there was that moment when he brushed my hair behind my ear—God, that felt like lightning coursing through my veins. It was infuriating, really.
Friday night rolled around, and my friends insisted I join them for dinner at one of the trendiest new restaurants in the city. I reluctantly agreed, thinking it would be a distraction, something to get my mind off the chaos of the past week. Little did I know how wrong I was.
The restaurant was buzzing with energy, laughter, and the aroma of delicious food. I was seated at a large table, surrounded by my friends who were eager to catch up. As we chatted over drinks, I felt my phone buzz on the table. I glanced at the screen, half-expecting it to be work-related, but my heart sank when I saw his name—Adrian.
Adrian: Still thinking about you. Are you free tonight?
I rolled my eyes, but the flutter in my stomach was undeniable. I typed a quick response, trying to suppress the swell of emotions that his message triggered.
Valeria: Not now. Out with friends.
I returned to the conversation at the table, attempting to immerse myself in the banter and laughter. But as the night wore on, I found my thoughts drifting back to him. He was like a pull, calling me to the depths of something I wasn't ready to face.
"Hey, Val! Earth to Valeria!" my friend Sophie's voice broke through my thoughts.
I blinked, focusing back on the table. "What?"
"We were talking about how you should totally give Adrian a chance," she said, a teasing glint in her eye. "He's cute, and I saw the way you reacted when you mentioned him earlier."
I scoffed, shaking my head. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not interested in him."
"Please," Sophie laughed, rolling her eyes. "You can't fool me. I saw you blush the other day when he texted you."
"Shut up!" I shot back, but I couldn't help the heat rising in my cheeks. I glanced around the table, grateful that the dim lighting concealed my embarrassment. "It's not like that."
"Sure it isn't," she said, smirking. "But if you keep denying it, you're going to explode. Just let yourself have some fun!"
I sighed, taking a sip of my drink to mask my growing frustration. Fun? That was the last thing on my mind. I had my career to focus on, goals to achieve, and emotional turmoil to avoid.
As the night continued, laughter and conversation flowed, but I felt a constant tug of distraction pulling at me. Each time my phone buzzed, my heart raced, but it was never Adrian. It was just work or other friends asking where I was. I glanced at the door, half-hoping to see him walk in, but each time, disappointment washed over me.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I excused myself to the restroom, needing a moment of solitude. I splashed water on my face, staring at my reflection in the mirror. "Get it together, Valeria," I muttered to myself.
As I exited the restroom, I heard laughter and clinking glasses coming from the bar area. My heart sank as I caught sight of a familiar figure—a tall man with dark hair and an easy smile. Adrian was at the bar, surrounded by a group of women, each one vying for his attention.
The way he smiled at them, his charm radiating like a beacon, made my stomach churn. I turned to slip back into the restroom, but my friend Sophie caught me just in time.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in on the scene.
"Avoiding," I mumbled, but she grabbed my arm and dragged me back toward the bar.
"Don't be ridiculous! You're going to talk to him," she insisted, her grip firm.
As we approached, Adrian glanced up, his expression shifting from lightheartedness to something more serious when he saw me. "Valeria!" he exclaimed, breaking away from the group of women who were clearly flirting with him. "You made it!"
I crossed my arms, trying to keep my expression neutral. "What are you doing here?"
"Just enjoying the evening," he said, his gaze sweeping over the women who were now watching us intently. "But now that you're here, it's much better."
I couldn't help the small flutter in my chest at his words. "I'm not here for you," I shot back, trying to keep my cool. "I'm with my friends."
"Ah, yes, the lovely ladies," he said, nodding toward Sophie, who was smirking knowingly. "Are they trying to convince you to give me a chance?"
I rolled my eyes, feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. "They don't know what they're talking about."
Aiden chuckled, a warm sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "If you say so. But you know, I'm not the enemy here. I just want to get to know you better."
"Why? So you can parade me around like one of those girls?" I gestured toward the women who were still watching us, their expressions a mix of curiosity and envy.
"Not at all," he replied, his expression turning serious. "I don't care about them. I care about you."
I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes made me hesitate. There was something raw and genuine there, something that made me question everything I thought I knew about him.
"Let's get out of here," Aiden suggested, a determined gleam in his eye. "Just you and me. No distractions."
"No distractions?" I repeated incredulously. "You think I'm going to just leave my friends behind?"
"They can come too if they want," he said with a shrug. "But I'd prefer it if it was just us. I want to talk to you."
There was something enticing about the idea of escaping into the night with him. A part of me wanted to say yes, to feel the thrill of adventure. But the other part screamed caution, reminding me that I was supposed to be focused on my career, my life—not falling into whatever web Adrian was spinning.
"Fine," I said, surprising even myself. "But just for a little while. I don't want to be a distraction."
"Then let's see where the night takes us," he said, flashing that signature grin of his that made my heart flutter against my will.
As we stepped outside into the cool night air, I felt the weight of anticipation settle in my chest. This was a bad idea. But then again, wasn't a little chaos what I needed?
The night was just beginning, and I had no idea what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: Adrian had found a way to breach the walls I had carefully constructed around myself, and I was more intrigued than I cared to admit.
Adrian POV
I couldn't help but grin as Valeria walked beside me, her energy infectious despite her initial resistance. I knew getting her alone wouldn't be easy, but once I had her, I wasn't about to let her slip away.
We strolled through the city, the lights twinkling like stars against the dark backdrop of the night. Valeria's sharp wit and sass never failed to amuse me, and I was determined to show her that there was more to me than just charm and good looks.
"Where are we going?" she asked, glancing up at me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"To my favorite spot," I replied, leading her toward a quieter part of town. "Trust me, you'll love it."
"I don't know if I should trust you," she said, her voice teasing but edged with caution. "You're full of surprises."
"That's the point," I said, smirking. "I'm all about surprises."
We reached a secluded rooftop bar that overlooked the city, the perfect blend of vibrancy and tranquility. The atmosphere was relaxed, with soft music playing in the background. I could see the tension in Valeria's shoulders begin to ease as we settled into a cozy corner, the city lights sparkling around us.
"See? Not so scary, right?" I said, pouring her a drink as we took a seat.
"I suppose it's nice," she admitted, her defenses softening just a little.
I raised my glass, a challenge in my eyes. "To unexpected nights and new beginnings."