Plaza. 7:58 pm

Blaze

My leg bounced nervously as I repeatedly checked the clock. The restaurant's loud noise was barely audible to me as I was intensely focused on the clock's ticking seconds that felt like hours. As it struck 7:59, I breathed a sigh of relief and watched as the clock hand moved to the next minute. I felt like a teenager waiting for a date, and though I couldn't pinpoint the cause of my nervousness, I knew it was all because of her.

Lately, I guess, she had been the cause of everything. It's not guessing in fact I know for sure it's her.

My body can't control itself I feel so drawn to her, it's like we are two magnets being dragged to each other. My mind gets so blurry whenever I think of her or when I am with her, my subconscious is pretty obstinate when it comes to her. It's her and only her.

Though I am pretty direct toward what I want... I know her like the palm of my hand, in a year I learn more about her than what I expected, I can almost read her look and I know for sure she is quite indecisive about our relationship.

I can see in her eyes, she is afraid. Afraid of being with me, afraid of giving in. Maybe that's why she didn't realized or told me her feelings sooner.

I can see through that easily.

I know her better than I ever wanted to, but I simply can't get enough of her. She appeared out of the blue but these feeling I have for her, I guess they were always there from day one I couldn't simply recognize them.

It's utterly amazing to say the least, how that woman turned my life upside down, and how willing I am to let her do that.

Eleonora is something I have never had in my life. I loved before, at least I think I did but after knowing her and I am not sure if I was ever in love or if I really know and experience that word... Love.

I have a feeling that she will teach me the meaning of that word, but until then I will keep my rhythm and follow her lead while making sure she is comfortable. I will always communicate my desires to her. As I watched the clock hands, I whispered "8 pm" and scanned the restaurant in search of her beautiful face. Perhaps she forgot or decided not to come, but those possibilities don't seem like her at all.

Perhaps my anxiety was getting the best of me and influencing my vulnerable mind. Or perhaps it was just her, the impact she had on me. The mere thought of her had a strong hold over me, a man who owns over half of the businesses in the United States, a renowned billionaire. I don't say this to boast, but I am almost a multi-millionaire after expanding my business in Europe. In many aspects and areas, I am quite powerful, but when it comes to her, I feel weak. And to prove my point...

- I saw her smiling to the waitress as he indicated her the table. She was dressing a long silver dress tight to her body, making her curves perfectly clear and admirable. Times like these made me question what I wanted, whether I wanted to put her under my embrace and show her to the world as mine or walk her home so no one could have the same sight as me.

However, the first option was rather shinier.

"Am I late?" she questioned me as she sat down on the chair in front

"No... I was earlier"

"I thought you would be the one arriving late because of your meetings," she said placing a bunch of papers on the table

I looked at them with a raise eyebrow wondering what would that all be about... Was our contract changed that much? I think that it's going to be quite strict.

"So... I gathered every detail and opinion I have about - you know. Everything is here" she said not daring to look at me and handing me those papers which I declined with a soft smile

"Let's eat first" I proposed calling the waitress

"Eat? Wasn't this suppose to be reunion ?" she frowned, my lips curved into a smile at her innocence. A reunion? It can be... But I would like to think of it as a date but I see she isn't on the same page as I am... I don't want to make her uncomfortable so I should just cover up that small detail.

"You think better with some food on your stomach" I informed

"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell may I ask for your orders?" the waitress questioned

"We will start with the caviar" I notified the waitress

"Very well... And to drink?"

"Chateau Mouton of 45 " I asked thinking about how much she enjoyed red wine. The first time I realized was in our game night where we ended with almost 5 bottles ourselves.

"Red wine..." she mumbled to herself scratching her head

"Your order will be here in a minute" the waitress left politely taking our order and I finally took a moment to analyze her face now inches away from mine.

She looked nervous, she kept hitting her lip, that was her funny habit when she was nervous or lying she would bite her under lip and would try cover it up with her upper lip, she chewed on her lip in nervousness and I could not smile at that.

She probably catch my smile because I saw her eyes avoiding mine. She was clearly uncomfortable and I hated that.

"So... How was your day? " I asked, I saw the surprise over her face

"Hm... good" she simply said

"Just good?!" I asked, the waitress interrupted us by filling our glasses with wine and before she answer me she rook a sip of wine. I thank the waitress for his service and watched her sipping slowly on the wine, doing everything she could so she wouldn't talk.

Well... Challenged accepted. I will make her talk. Usually she talks so much, she talk someone's ear off so this quietness is rather strange coming from her.

" Didn't you have a reunion with Mr. Cordova today?" I questioned making her nod " I know he is planning on making a romantic pack for his chain of hotels dedicated to his wife" I recalled trying to get some reaction out of her.

She rolled her eyes probably wondering about their meeting "He wants her face in everything ... The pack is so elaborated and so randomly weird. The pack includes a Queen Size bed in a heart shape, digital shower with a round bath tub, spa, private Turkish bath, stone massage for couples, a romantic dinner with the light of candles on the rooftop, a set of lingerie and a pack of condoms. " she said taking her hand to her head " How am I going to do the marketing of this ridiculous romantic hotel pack. He wants me to stamp her face in everything, he wants posters, flyers, TV and YouTube ads everything with her face, even the goddamn condom he wants her face stamped on them." she breathed revolted making me chuckle lightly at her frustration.

"You're laughing?" She asked in an angry tone "that's low of you, can you imagine making the design of a condom? I am not talking badly about condom designers is just not what I signed for, plus I have rules - have you ever seen a woman on a the outside plastic of a condom?" she asked angrily making impossible for me to not smile at how cute she was

"You keep on smiling" she said with a unamused face

"Sorry" I apologized "I am sure you can do it"

"Can't you talk with Mr.Cordova for me?"

"Talk with him?" I laughed while the waitress placed our order on the table

"Yes"

"Mr. Cordova is probably one of the most stubborn client's I have, specially since his new wife appeared he seems to do everything according to her wishes. I believe I can't help you..."

"You should just give him a word..." She persisted

"What will you have for the main courses?" the waitress asked

"Two Fillet Steaks..." I requested them I looked at her surprise "unless you want something else ?"

"No, I was about to say that" she gave a shy smile to the waitress and he took our orders. I do know her... like the palm of my hand.

"I will see what I can with Mr. Cordova-" I said while serving her some caviar in a toast with smoked salmon "Meanwhile you should relax and eat"

She stood quiet watching me place the toast on her plate, she didn't look u comfortable and when I realized under the dim lights of the restaurant the small shade of pink emerging on her cheeks I instantly smiled. "Is my small gentleman action making you blush, Eleonora Maxwell?" I asked her looking into her chocolate eyes.

"No" she mumbled biting her lip while the pink shade started to get stronger, I gave a bigger smile.

"And don't call me that" she mumbled in a weak tone.

"What?" I asked with a smirk emerging into my face.

"You know what..."

"Well... That's your name"

" I am quite aware of it however- don't say it"

"Why? Other people say it all the time-" I was really interested to know her way of escaping this

She looked straight into my eyes and for some reason she didn't seem shy or nervous anymore "Other people are not you"

"Am I different?"

"Yes"

"I feel flattered"

"It wasn't a compliment"

"I will take it as one" I smiled "we both know it was"

"You look pretty confident" she said while eating

"Confident? I just know you that well"

"Hm... You think you have me on the palm of your hand isn't it?" she asked confidently looking into my eyes,she looked mad... Madly hot in my opinion.

"I don't?" I teased her "you did confess your feelings... And I confessed mine"

"Why are you so straightforward?"

"I don't like wasting time... If I want you why should I play around with it?"

"Normal men do that..."

"No... Normal boys do that, boys tell their feelings and wait for the world to work it out. A man... He tells his feelings and proves them with actions" I explained

"We should talk about the contract" she insisted again interrupting our talk

I nodded my head watching her persistence "what do you propose then?" I asked while grabbing her pappers

"Forget these" she said taking them out of my hand, I was quite shocked by her actions "let's make a new contract... after my deal..."

"Your deal? Are we playing again?" I smirked

"If you want to call it that"

"You surely love to gamble... And lose" I smiled looking into her chocolate eyes

"Since you are so convicted and confident on this I want to know how dedicated are you on this"

"On this?" I asked confused

"On us" she commented gazing at me, her confidence was making me crazy

"Us?" I mumbled to myself liking the thought of that

"You like me? Show me..." she said shrugging her shoulders "win me over" she commented as her eyes drifted to the food

I tilted my head in confusion "win you over?" what does she mean with win her over? Haven't I done that already? She said she had feelings for me... That's a win in my perspective

"Hm... I think I might be passing the image I am quite easy to pursue... I want to change that"

"Easy? You're far from being easy..." I mumbled to myself watching her raised eyebrows judging me

"Are you going to back up? If you can't take it it's fine by me..." she shrugged her shoulders in a careless way.

"Back up?" I laughed "Do you know me? I never back up. If you want me to win you over I will gladly!" I declared truthfully

"Ok... Good" she nodded to herself

"What are the rules? What am I allowed and not allowed to do?" I questioned

"Everything." she informed while slowly looking at me over her eyelashed "No rules" she said and I am certain I almost saw a smirk on her face

"Very well... Should we enjoy our date now?" I asked watching her nod

"Sure"

"I think I haven't said it but you look beautiful " I watched the pink rose shade appear again into her cheeks making me smile... This is going to be fun.