By the time Evelyn was finally done dressing, the evening had settled in. She wasted no time heading downstairs, knowing Carlos was already waiting.
Outside, beside a sleek black Benz, Carlos stood, his attention fixed on his tablet. The sound of slow, hesitant footsteps caught his ear, and when he looked up, he almost did a double take.
For a moment, he didn't recognize her.
She was breathtaking.
Dressed in a stunning yellow, sleeveless gown with a daring slit at the front, her elegance was undeniable. The soft glow of the evening light accentuated the curves of her figure, and the delicate heels she wore only made her seem more ethereal. The makeup on her face wasn't excessive, just enough to enhance her natural beauty—an angel standing before him.
Carlos swallowed hard, an unfamiliar sensation tightening in his chest. Has she always been this beautiful?
His pulse skipped a beat. That was… strange.
Without a word, he walked to the driver's side and got in. Evelyn followed, settling into the passenger seat. The silence between them was thick, almost suffocating. She rolled down the window slightly, letting the night breeze in as she gazed outside.
This was the first time she had ever seen him drive himself.
Carlos, however, was fighting an entirely different battle. Every time he glanced at the side mirror, he found himself adjusting it—subtly, deliberately—until it gave him the perfect view of her. The way the soft glow of passing streetlights kissed her skin, the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders…
It was distracting. Annoyingly so.
Even when he told himself to stop looking, his traitorous gaze kept returning to her reflection. What the hell is wrong with me?
The car eventually pulled into a grand estate, a vast compound adorned with lush gardens and vibrant flowers. The night air carried a scent of blooming roses, and the warm glow of the villa's lights gave the place a lively, inviting feel—so different from the cold, empty darkness of his mansion.
As Carlos stepped out, he made his way to Evelyn's side, his hand instinctively reaching for her waist. His touch was firm, possessive, as if claiming her in that moment. She tensed slightly, startled by the sudden closeness, but his deep, commanding voice quickly pulled her back.
"I'll do all the talking," he murmured, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "You only need to greet three people. The rest?" His fingers tightened just a little. "Treat them as if they don't exist."
Evelyn's eyes widened. Wait… others?
Her stomach twisted. She had been expecting only three people, but now it sounded like there were more. How is she supposed to just ignore them?
Before she could protest, he leaned in, his breath warm against her skin.
"Let's go," he said, his voice lower this time. And with that, he led her inside, his hand never leaving her waist.