So, I was dressing up. Again.

Yesterday night, because of my bad luck, Mr. Alvarez saw me. And he didn't wait a second before getting up from his chair and walking towards us.

No one knew who he was except for Peyton so Becca gave off a warning in a whisper, "Hottie incoming, 12 o'clock!"

"Adara." I hear his voice behind me.

Shit!

I slowly rise from my seat to meet his ocean blue eyes. "Will these lovely ladies mind if I steal you for the night?" he asked with gazing at everyone at the table and than turning it on me.

Asking me out while he's on a date with another girl. Ain't he just the best?

"Pardon me, sir. But they're my college friends and we haven't met in a long time. I don't think it'll be fair to leave them," I politely replied looking at his beautiful eyes.

"Besides, I believe you already have a date, sir." I said pointing to the blondie with my eyes.

He turned to look back at her and than said,"I could have gotten rid of her for you." He said with a look in his eyes which was showing how much he wanted me to go with him.

Aah, what a charming lad !

But I couldn't bail on my friends! And this is the first time I've met with them after we graduated from college.
Sisters before misters, after all.

"You don't have to over think it. I'm not gonna take you away from your friends." he said with a soft chuckle. Which was rare, by the way

"However, I want to take you to dinner anyway. I've been meaning to ask you this, but...."

His voice trailed off and his ocean blue eyes bored into mine with an unknown emotion running through them.

"Uh, never mind. So, how about tomorrow? "

Before I could say anything, Jenna hurriedly said,

"Tomorrow would be great, Mr. Alvarez! I'll make sure Adara's present before you in one piece tomorrow." Then she winked at me.

That Bitch! Oh, she will pay for this...

"Very well, then. See you tomorrow, Adara." he said with a low voice, stepping forward and touching my cheek.

I shuddered at hearing my name on his mouth. Mr. Alvarez never called me by my first name and he most certainly never made physical contact with me!

What is happening to this world?

So, for Jenna's over eagerness at getting me a boyfriend, I had to face the wrath of Becca and the others. And as a cherry on top, I was getting dressed up to go to a very awkward date with Mr. Alvarez.

"Wish me luck, Pey. I'm gonna need it."

"I wish God makes you lucky enough to wake up in his bed tomorrow. Now, get out."

I send her a glare and get out of the apartment to meet with Mr Alvarez who was waiting outside.

"Its ok, Adara. You'll Live. You've been through worse."

I took a deep breath and got inside the elevator.

**********************

"You look really....beautiful. "

I shyly smiled at him.

We were sitting at the same restaurant we ate dinner the previous night.

"Thank you, Mr Alvarez,but this is the third time you've told me that."

He just looked at me with an awed face and whispered, "I can't help it, Adara. You're face is....precious."

I didn't know what to say. I was amazed to see this side of him. But why was he like this? All the girl he ever dated were prettier than me. So, why is he looking at me like I'm the most precious thing he has yet to own?

"Sir, I..."

"Adara. I believe we're not at work now. I am not your boss at the moment. I'm just a man who is having a wonderful time with the most elegant women there is. So, you may call me Ethan." he said the last line with a hint of command in his voice.

The most elegant women.....What?

I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and said, " But, si-..I mean, E-Ethan, I- I meant to ask you something. "

"Go ahead."

"What if you don't get this factory in Milan? What if Longo sells it to Armsden? Do you have a plan B?"

I saw the sudden change in his face. His jaw tightened and anger was visible in his eyes.

"I do have a plan B. Anything I can't have, I won't let others have it either.
If that bustard Longo sells it to Armsden I'll make sure there isn't a factory to run a business in before killing him." He spits in anger.

My eyes widen at his words. Its just a factory and its totally up to the owner who he'll sell his factory to. Why does Mr. Alvarez need to kill him for that?

Its only then that Mr. Alvarez noticed my wide eyes expression and softened his face. " I'm sorry, Adara. I didn't mean to scare you. Its just...the thought of loosing something to someone is really frustrating for me. There's nothing I won't do to get what I want."

"I'm not scared, I'm just startled that this factory means that much to you." I said with a silly laugh.

"You know what, Adara? You have a really beautiful smile."

I blush at his complement and was about say something when the waiter came and started serving the food.

We ate our dinner in comfortable silence but his eyes never left my face.

***********************

Mr. Alvarez came around from his side of the car and opened my door.
I got out and thanked him.

"Adara.....",his voice trailed off looking at me.

" I- I...I don't know how to say this but I hope you understand that....you mean more to me than just being my assistant. I've known you for 2 years now and you've surprised me everyday. I'm not putting stuff out there or anything but I just want you to know that...I care about you."

With that said, he stepped forward and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek that set a thousand butterflies free on my stomach. Than he got in his car and drove off.

While I was just standing there, dumbstruck.

What the heck just happened?

Mr. Alvarez, whose motto is literally, 'I don't care', just told me that he cared about me? Shit just got real.

My mind started playing Jenna's words in my head.

"Ethan Alvarez totally has a thing for you!"

I knew as soon as I step inside the apartment, I'm gonna have to face Peyton and Tell her everything. But I'm too tired. All this information was too much to take for me. I can't face Peyton's wrath right now. At least, not tonight.

Sighing, I got inside the elevator, thinking ways of how to dodge Peyton for the night.

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A/N

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