Starley glanced at her parents, who were discussing business, and then her eyes moved to Nathan. Nathan also seemed focused, replying to messages on his phone. Starley took another sip of her drink.
Think, Starley, think. Starley told herself in her mind.
She would go home with her mom and dad, while Nathan would return to his penthouse alone. So, she just needed to find an excuse for her parents. Should she say she wanted to stay at Lia's place? But for what reason?
The party started, with the MC taking charge of the event. Then, Dorian Blackwell briefly spoke on stage, delivering some messages.
As the event progressed and dinner was served, Starley was still thinking about the excuse she could give her parents while eating dinner. Her mom probably wouldn't mind, but Starley's dad protected her. She needed a logical reason, one that her dad would accept.
Her dad and Nathan were discussing something about the company. It was their habit to talk about work at the dinner table. Victoria didn't mind, as she was a businesswoman and enjoyed listening to such conversations.
"Starley, are you okay?" Victoria suddenly asked, noticing her daughter was lost in thought. Starley turned to look at her mom.
"I'm fine, Mom," Starley replied.
"If something is bothering you, don't keep it to yourself, okay?" Victoria said.
But this wasn't something Starley could tell her mom. Starley smiled at her mother and returned to eating her food, not feeling hungry.
Starley glanced at Raul, who was at a different table. Raul was talking to Lucian, not looking in her direction. But eventually, it seemed like Raul could feel her gaze. He turned, and their eyes met for a few seconds.
However, Starley quickly broke eye contact. Just then, Starley's phone vibrated with a new message from Raul. Starley opened it and read it.
Raul: What's up, cupcake? Can't wait for tonight?
Starley rolled her eyes but held back a smile.
Starley: Oh, don't get too confident. I'm just trying to figure out what excuse to give my parents.
Raul: An excuse?
Starley: An excuse so I can go to your place tonight.
Raul: Why didn't you tell me earlier?
Starley: So what? Do you want to help me find an excuse?
Raul: Wait a second.
Starley glanced at Raul. He seemed busy with his phone.
A few minutes later, Harold's phone rang, stopping the conversation. Harold looked at his phone screen, exited his seat, and walked to a quiet spot to take the call.
But Starley ignored it and continued eating the food in front of her. Harold returned to the table and said, "It looks like I must go to New York earlier than scheduled. I'll be leaving tonight.
There's an issue in New York, and if I leave tonight, I'll arrive tomorrow morning," Harold announced. Starley blinked in surprise. Could this be a coincidence?
"Tonight, dear?" Victoria asked.
"Yes, if you want to leave tomorrow, that's fine, Victoria," Harold replied.
Her mom had also planned to open a store in New York. Initially, her mom and dad were supposed to leave together the next day on their private plane. But if Harold had left for New York earlier, Victoria would have had to fly commercially the next day.
"Then I'll leave tonight, too," Victoria said. Harold nodded.
"Starley, Nathan, you two stay here until the event ends. And Nathan, please make sure your sister gets home safely," Harold instructed.
Nathan responded, "Alright, Dad."
Victoria and Harold left to grab their things from home without wasting more time and immediately headed to the airport. At that moment, Starley's phone vibrated—another message from Raul. Starley opened the message and read it.
Raul: It's done; you don't need to give any more excuses to your parents.
Starley was confused when she read Raul's message, but as soon as she realized something, she immediately replied.
Starley: There's no way you're the one who made my parents move up their departure schedule to New York.
Raul: But the truth is, I did cupcake.
Starley couldn't believe what she was reading.
Starley: Are you serious? How did you do it?
Raul: I just used my current position as the owner and CEO of B.I.A.
This man was quite terrifying. Before Starley could reply, Raul sent another message:
Raul: See you after the party ends.
Starley swallowed hard as she read that.
.
.
.
A few hours later, the party finally ended. Even though it was over, many people still lingered and chose not to leave immediately. Among those people was Nathan.
Nathan was chatting with one of his business associates—whoever they were, Starley didn't care enough to remember the name. But Nathan seemed thoroughly engrossed in the conversation.
Suddenly, Starley's phone buzzed again with a message notification from Raul. She opened it in a flash.
Raul: I'll be waiting at the east parking lot.
Starley's heart began pounding wildly. She glanced at Nathan, who still appeared deeply engaged in his conversation. This was her chance to slip away.
Without looking back at Nathan, Starley walked away and headed toward the east parking lot.
When she arrived, Starley thought she'd have trouble finding Raul's car or might need to text him first. But that wasn't necessary. Only one car was in the parking lot—a black Bugatti with headlights on. That meant someone was inside and that someone was undoubtedly Raul.
Starley quickly sent a message to Nathan.
Starley: I don't want to bother you, so I'll take a taxi home. Don't worry.
After sending the message, she walked toward Raul's car and tapped on the window when she was beside it. Raul rolled the window down and said, "Get in."
Starley opened the door and stepped into the car. Once seated in the front passenger seat, she felt Raul's gaze on her from the driver's seat. She turned to face him.
"What?" Starley asked.
"Once this car starts moving, you can't change your mind, cupcake."
Starley's throat went dry. The thought of backing out crossed her mind, but her body didn't agree. Besides, it felt too late to stop now.
"Just drive," Starley said, trying to sound more composed.
Raul looked at her for a moment before replying. "Alright."
Raul then drove the car from the Blackwell family estate and headed for his mansion. The drive was silent, with neither of them speaking. Starley opted to gaze out the window instead.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a large mansion with a sleek, minimalist, modern design—perfectly fitting for Raul. It was the ideal home for a bachelor.
As they entered Raul's property, his car went to the private garage. Raul still hadn't spoken a word. Starley knew there was no turning back now.
Oh God, have I just walked into the lion's den? she thought.
.
.
.
At Raul's mansion, the car carrying Raul and Starley finally stopped in the garage. Inside the garage was a collection of Raul's many vehicles. However, Starley wasn't interested in them—her thoughts were elsewhere. Her heart was pounding wildly. This man was genuinely insane.
After Raul parked the car, they both got out. Yet still, neither of them spoke a word. How long was Raul going to keep ignoring her like this?
Starley eventually followed Raul. They made their way to an elevator located in the garage. Once inside, Raul pressed the button for the second floor.
Moments later, they arrived. Raul led Starley to his bedroom, opening the door for her to step in first.
Starley's eyes scanned the room; it was spacious and had a very soft and large bed. The room was minimalist yet masculine, making it suitable for Raul. Inside was a vast window showcasing the view of Chicago at night. Starley ventured further into the room until she heard the door lock. Her body became much more upright than before.
"Do you want some wine?" Raul finally broke the silence.
Starley turned to see him heading toward the minibar in his room. She swallowed hard. Maybe she did need wine to calm her nerves.
"Sure," she replied. She moved closer to Raul, who was already retrieving glasses and a bottle of wine. He opened the bottle and poured wine into both glasses.
They sat down on the sofa together. Starley sipped her wine slowly, but it didn't take long before she began to feel its calming effects. Raul drank his wine, too, but he appeared far more composed than Starley. His demeanor exuded authority and control.
"Is this your first time doing something like this?" Raul suddenly asked.
"What?" Starley responded, slightly startled by his question.
"A relationship that's purely physical," Raul clarified.
"Oh, yes, it's my first time," Starley admitted.
"Come here," Raul said. Starley hesitated briefly, unsure of his intentions, but he wanted her to sit closer to him.
Starley felt no urge to resist tonight—because deep down, she wanted this too. She moved closer to Raul, but he pulled her by the waist, closing the distance between them.
"Relax," Raul said, noticing how tense she was. Starley took a deep breath and sipped more of her wine. Without realizing it, her head rested against Raul's chest, where she felt comforted and relaxed.
When she finished her wine, Starley set her glass next to Raul's empty one. Then she leaned back into him. Suddenly, Raul kissed the top of her head.
"What perfume are you wearing? Its scent is intoxicating," Raul murmured.
"Or maybe you're the one who's intoxicated, Mr. Blackwell," Starley teased.
Raul gently tucked her hair behind her ear.
"One glass of wine isn't enough to intoxicate me. And from now on, call me Raul," he said.
Starley nodded in understanding.
"Say it," Raul urged. Starley gave him a puzzled look. Raul touched her lips lightly with his finger.
"My name. I want to hear my name from your lips."
"Raul," Starley whispered hoarsely.
At that moment, Raul kissed her. Starley was taken aback, but before she realized it, her hands were on Raul's neck, and she was returning his tender kiss.
It was like the kiss in the garden earlier—the feeling of their lips meeting made butterflies erupt in her stomach. Then Raul let out a low growl, a sound so sensual it sent shivers through her.
Raul broke the kiss momentarily.
"If you want to know, I've been holding myself back all night since kissing you in the garden," Raul whispered.
"You don't need to hold back anymore," Starley said, her hands resting on his neck.
With her permission, Raul didn't hold back. He pulled Starley onto his lap and kissed her again, this time with unrestrained passion.
…