As the night wore on, I found myself lost in thought, replaying my conversation with Rico over and over in my head. I couldn't believe that he had apologized, that he had actually taken responsibility for his actions.
But as I stood there, sipping my champagne and trying to make sense of it all, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Emily, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Vivienne, I need to tell you something," Emily said, her voice low and conspiratorial.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?" I asked.
Emily glanced around the room, making sure no one was listening. "I did some digging on Rico," she said. "And let's just say that he's not what he seems."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Emily's words sent a wave of unease crashing over me. What did she mean? What had she discovered?
"Tell me more," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Emily leaned in close, her eyes locked on mine. "Rico's not just some rich guy who's trying to make amends," she said. "He's a billionaire, Vivienne. And he's got a reputation for being ruthless in business."
I felt a pang of surprise at Emily's words. I had no idea that Rico was a billionaire. And the fact that he was ruthless in business didn't exactly fill me with confidence.
"But that's not all," Emily said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I also found out that Rico's been looking for you, Vivienne. He's been searching for you for years."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Rico had been looking for me? Why? What did he want from me?
The atmosphere felt too hot all of a sudden and I felt a presence behind me. I turned to see Rico standing there, a smile on his face.
"Vivienne, I see you're having a good time," Rico said, his eyes locked on mine. "I'm glad."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Rico's words sent a wave of unease crashing over me. What did he really want from me?
As I stood there, frozen in uncertainty, Rico took my hand and pulled me close. "Let's dance," he said, his voice low and husky.
And before I knew it, I was in his arms, moving to the music as if in a trance. I couldn't think, couldn't reason. All I could do was feel.
And what I felt was a spark of attraction that I couldn't ignore. A spark that threatened to ignite a flame that would consume me whole.
As we danced, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Rico's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something from me.
But despite my reservations, I couldn't deny the chemistry between us. Rico's body was pressed against mine, and I could feel the heat emanating from him. It was like we were two magnets, drawn together by an irresistible force.
As the music reached its climax, Rico leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear. "I've missed you, Vivienne," he whispered. "I've missed you so much."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Rico's words sent a wave of emotions crashing over me. I didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond.
But before I could even think, Rico's lips were on mine, his kiss sending a spark of electricity through my body. I felt like I was melting into him, like I was becoming one with him.
As we kissed, I couldn't help but think about the past. About the way Rico had hurt me, about the way he had broken my heart. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that gave me pause, there was a look in his eyes which made me wonder if I could let this happen once more.
As we pulled away from each other, gasping for air, I saw Emily standing on the sidelines, a look of concern on her face. "Vivienne, are you okay?" she mouthed.
I nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. I didn't know what to think, didn't know what to feel.
But as I looked into Rico's eyes, I saw something there that made me wonder if maybe, just maybe, I was ready to take a chance on him again.
"Let's get out of here," Rico said, his voice low and husky. "Let's go somewhere we can talk."
I nodded, still feeling a little dazed. As we made our way out of the ballroom, I couldn't help but wonder what the night had in store for me.
As we stepped out into the cool night air, Rico took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. "I'm glad we met again, Vivienne," he said, his eyes locked on mine.
I smiled, still feeling a little uncertain. "Me too, Rico," I said. "Me too."
Rico told me about his life since high school. He had gone on to college, studied business, and then started his own company. He had worked hard, pouring all of his energy into building his business into the successful empire it was today.
I listened, fascinated, as Rico spoke about his accomplishments. He was passionate, driven, and confident. It was hard to believe that this was the same boy who had broken my heart all those years ago.
As we walked, the streets became increasingly familiar. I realized that Rico was leading me back to my apartment.
"How did you know where I lived?" I asked, feeling a little uneasy.
Rico smiled. "I have my ways," he said. "Besides, I wanted to make sure you got home safely."
I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And what makes you think I need your protection?" I asked.
Rico's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with intensity. "Because I care about you, Vivienne," he said. "I always have."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Rico's words sent a wave of emotions crashing over me. I didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond.
As we stood outside my apartment, Rico leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear. "I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7," he whispered. "We'll go out for dinner."
I nodded, still feeling a little dazed. As Rico turned to leave, I called out after him.
"Rico, wait!"
He turned back, a questioning look on his face.
"What's going on?" I asked. "Why are you really here?"
Rico's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with intensity. "I'm here because I want to make things right between us," he said. "I want to prove to you that I'm not the same person I was back then."
I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And what makes you think I'm interested in giving you a second chance?" I asked.
Rico smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Because Viv, I can see it in your eyes," he said. "I can see that the attraction still burns and I'd be the greatest looser to let you slip through my hands a second time.
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as Rico's words sent a wave of embarrassment crashing over me.
As Rico turned to leave, I called out after him again.
"Rico, wait!"
He turned back, a look of longing on his face.
"What's the real reason you're here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Rico's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with intensity. "I need your help viv," he said. "I need your help to fix a problem that's been plaguing me for years."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of problem?" I asked.
Rico's eyes seemed to cloud over, his expression turning serious. "Go out with me to dinner tomorrow night, I'll explain everything then ".
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Rico's words sent a wave of unease crashing over me. What kind of problem could I possibly help him with?
"Okay, I'll go". He couldn't hide the look of relief on his face even if he wanted.
"Till then" he concluded and walked out into the darkness of the night