“I’m only asking for one date, Michelle.” He stated again as I remained silent.

I gapped at him for another second before I willed myself to talk. I cleared my throat before speaking. “Okay, one date. That is all.”

“Oh, god. I thought you wouldn’t say yes…” he visibly relaxed and sighed in relief. “Does Saturday lunch sound good for you?”

“Yeah, sure.” I nodded timidly, not really processing what I just agreed to do. But I can’t help smile at his persistence.

“Good.” He nodded enthusiastically with a beaming smile. “Are you still free for that interview? I did came here with that in mind and some personal stuff…” He trailed off shyly in admission.

“I think I still have time. What kind of interview is it?” I replied, glancing down at my watch to see it was still quarter to six in my watch.

“There is a rumor going around that you have finally inherited the Newman Empire. And seeing as this office was your father’s, the rumors might be true.” He said and concluded his assumptions in the same breath, his eye darting around my new office.

“I’m not going to deny those rumors, but that position isn’t official. I have some things to do before that happens.” I replied grimly, remembering that condition to this position.

“Ah, yes. There was rumor about that too,” he trailed off as his gaze landed back towards me. “Is it true that our parent’s is arranging you to marry someone?” He asked after a beat of silence.

I stiffened at his question. How did he know all of this? Only a selected people knew about it. My family wouldn’t be blabbering on information regarding a secret family tradition, but then my mother told Mrs. Burns. She is as talkative as my mother, but she wouldn’t divulge such secret to the public. It would create an uproar in which I would be the center of it. She wouldn’t do that to me consciously even if I visibly hated her son.

“Where have you heard about this ridiculous idea?” I asked, brushing off my shock expression.

“It’s just a rumor. But I personally think it is not true. You’ve been dating a lot lately.” He replied smugly, giving me a flirtatious wink.

I chuckled and shook my head in amusement at his expression. “Well, whoever spread that rumor wanted me out of the dating scene. But I’m just getting started.” I giggled at my bad joke.

“Any reasons why you are dating a lot lately?” He asked in interest.

I opened my mouth for a reply but closed it again as I realized I was about to tell him a family secret. I cleared my throat and started again. “Not really. I think I’ve been away from the dating scene and it’s time to get back in the game.”

“That wasn’t what I heard from our source. They say that you are currently at a personal family deal about marriage.” He pointed out rather than asking for its confirmation.

I raised my eyebrow at his tone but brushed it off. “Whatever you heard is not true. This is purely my choice.”

“So, you are desperate on getting married?” He asked teasingly as the end of his lips twitched into a smug smile.

I rolled my eyes at him and sighed from my lack of interest. “I’m not. As I have said, I’m just getting back on the game. I’m not ready for marriage at all.” I replied more truthfully than I should. But it is a lie. I’m getting married in less than one hundred days.

He gave me a secretive smile before he nodded his head in understanding like he was convinced at my reply. But that glint in his eyes was telling me something different. For the rest of the interview, Eric kept the topic on a professional level. He asked me about my future plans on the company and current projects we were undergoing. I didn’t go into detail but I gave him enough answer that would comply with his job.

When we were done, we exited my office together. I was a little aware of the glare on the back of my head as I walked away from my office. I knew Hugh was looking at me after I glanced at him quickly when I walked pass him. He had a stern expression on his face. It felt like he overhead something in my conversation with Eric that he didn’t like, or was it how Eric’s hand was around my waist as we both walked towards the elevator.

I didn’t ponder on it and kept a brave front as I ignored his glares. As we reached the lobby, I separated ways with Eric as Russell met me by the entrance of the elevator. I gave Eric a quick kiss on his cheeks before I headed out towards the car that was already parked outside of the building.

I felt a little bit flushed at the gesture I did. What was wrong with me? When did I become so forward on my approach with men? I didn’t know how I got this confidence but I can’t help smile because of it.

On the drive back to the apartment, I got a few texts from Robert. The first message was a sweet greeting as he kindly asked about my day. But on the follow up message, it had evolved into an invitation for another date. I quickly clicked on the reply and started with a greeting. I didn’t want to sound a little excited that he was asking me again.

‘I’m glad your day went well. Did you read my other message? Are you free tonight? – Robert’

‘Yes. I’m free tonight.’

‘Are you trying to prolong the moment again? If I can’t get the reply out of you now, I have other ways to get my answer. – Robert’

‘And what are those other ways? I couldn’t help but smile at our little banter.’

As Russell parked the car in front of my apartment, my phone buzzed on a new message.

‘You’ll see. – Robert’

I chucked at the short confident tone of his message. He can be arrogant like how he was when we first met. I think that was part of his charm, which I’m slowly getting attached.

When the door on my right opened, I tore my eyes away from the phone screen and looked up towards the door. My eyes grew wide at the sight of the person I didn’t expect to see at all after the text I receive. But maybe I did know.

“I told you I have other ways to get my answer.” Robert said in greeting his smile smug yet it didn’t have that arrogant edge to it.

“You know this is border line stalker-ish, right?” I asked with as a slow grin formed at the edge of my mouth.

“I didn’t follow you all the way here. I was waiting patiently like a gentlemen.” He replied with a chuckle.

I shook my head in disbelief as I got out of the car. Robert closed the door behind me as I turned around to the front of the car. I could faintly see Russell’s silhouette on the driver’s seat.

“Do we need my car for this date or did you bring your own?” I asked glancing back at Robert.

“I will drive tonight.” He replied with a smile.

I nodded in understanding and turned back to the front of the car. I gave the front passenger door’s window a slow knock to get Russell attention. When he rolled the window down, I gave him a brief instruction on taking the rest of the night off. He replied with a nod before rolling up the window before driving the car towards the garage of the apartment building.

“So, where to now?” I asked when the car was gone.

“My car is park this way.” He gestured towards the opposite direction of where Russell pulled away.

The walk to his car was short. When we reach to his said ride, I couldn’t hide the expression on my face. I raised my eyebrow at him and rolled my eyes as he grinned in amusement. In front of me was a black Maserati. He was going all out tonight.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t buy it specifically for tonight. It’s a loan from a friend.” He stated as he hopped in the driver seat.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you did buy it for real. This car is a lady killer.” I remarked with a smirk.

“So, did the magic worked?” He asked after I got in the front passenger seat.

“What magic?” I asked a little confused at his question.

“Did I impress you with the car?” He asked as he burst in laughter.

“Nope. You still have a long way to go.” I replied, popping the ‘p’ in my nope.

“I knew you would say that.”

Robert drove the car out of the pavement towards the main street. The traffic wasn’t heavy since it was already pass seven in the evening. As we maneuvered the Maserati in the city, I finally remembered to ask where he was taking me.

“First, I think dinner would be a good idea. I guessed you haven’t eaten anything yet.” He replied with a chuckle.

And like on cue, my stomach grumbled at its lack of sustenance. The last meal I had was this afternoon’s sandwich that Hugh bought for me as I took care on some paper works in the office. And from they way I was working, I knew my hunger would caught up with me.

“Sounds good.” I agreed with a cough to hide my embarrassment.

Robert didn’t point out my grumbling stomach and continued to drive through the night. A few minutes later, we arrived at a homey-looking restaurant with red brick walls outside and a clear glass window that was huge enough to give any bystanders a good peek at the interior. I could see a glimpse of a wooden walls and chairs placed almost closed to each other.

“Do you like Italian?” Robert suddenly asked as he parked the car outside.

“I like pasta.” I replied with a sheepish smile. I knew what always comes with Italian cuisines. And from the atmosphere I saw, this is going to be one of those romantic nights.

He beamed at my reply before he got out of the car. Dazed by his reaction, I didn’t notice him walked around the car towards my side of the door and opened it. I was startled as I looked up to him. But I reeled it in after a second and got out of the car with a shy smile. A valet quickly approached us and asked for Robert’s car keys. He half-heartedly gave it to him with a tight lip warning. I couldn’t help but laugh at his expression.

As we entered the restaurant, a well-groomed man in a suit without a tie approached us. I blinked my eye a couple of times at the man’s well-mannered introduction as he led us to a table. I glanced up at Robert, only to him his eye on me. My face heated up at his stare, which made me look away from him.

“Did you reserve a table?” I asked in a small voice, a little chocked up from his previous staring.

“Yes.” He replied confidently.

I turned towards him with more confidence though my face was still flushed. “What if I said no?” I asked in challenge.

“I would still came and ate.” He replied with batting an eye, his penetrating gaze at me told me that the scenario was unlikely to happen. He felt so sure that I would agree to this date tonight. I don’t know whether to feel flattered or annoyed. But I couldn’t hide the small smile growing at the end of my lips.

After we were seated, another person attended to us to get our order. I stayed true to myself and got the only pasta I knew, which was Bolognese, and a glass of wine. Robert smiled at my choice before he told the waiter in a language that was slightly alien to my ear. I felt my heart rate rise at how the words rolled on his tongue. He can speak Italian.

“Grazie. Che sarebbe tutto. (Thank you. That would be all.)” Robert said after the waiter repeated our order.

I waited until we were alone before I spoke up. “You speak Italian?”

“You don’t?” he countered with a teasing glint on his eyes.

“I didn’t choose that as an elective in college. I know a bit of French. But my Italian is not much.” I grimace as I recount my day learning languages. When I traveled to foreign countries for business, I always have a translator with me when necessary.

“Well, I was forced to learn since I always fly from places to places.” He stated with a proud smile.

“I understood the grazie. But the rest is alien talk for me.” I admitted lightly with a chuckle. I shook my head as I recount how Robert’s voice sounded with his Italian in my head. I felt a goose bumps crawl up my arm.

“pardonnez-moi, mademoiselle. (Forgive me, miss)” He said smoothly like it was his native tongue.

I stiffened at his words. My eyes blinked rapidly. I opened my mouth to reply but closed them again when no words came out. I let out heavy sigh and smiled at my lack of response.

“This is the first time I see you this speechless.” Robert remarked smugly.

I raised my eyebrow at his tone when I mound my crumbling confidence. “Don’t make it a hobby to get used to.” I quipped with a grin.

The rest of the dinner went smoothly after our meal arrived. Robert and I talked about a little of our past, which involve a high school prom dance that went from dreamy to nightmare to my recent controversial break-up with a known NASCAR driver. I was surprised with myself that I was able to talk about an ex to a guy I’m currently seeing. Maybe it was how Robert seemed to be opened minded about it or the interest and caring tone on his voice. He had this charm that made me comfortable enough to tell him things without being judged.

After dinner, we didn’t stay in long as Robert dragged me hastily out of the restaurant. He kept on glancing down his watch every few seconds after he paid for the meal.

“Are you expected elsewhere? I can call for Russell to pick me up.” I offered after Robert asked the valet for his car.

“No, I have something else planned other than take you out for tonight.” He replied quickly. “I have a surprise for you in a few minutes.” He added more calmly as the Maserati purred into a stop in front of us.

“What? It’s not just dinner tonight.” I eyed him in disbelief.

He smiled in reply before he ushered me to the front door of the Maserati. He waited until I was settled in before he walked around to the driver seat.

“Are you going to give me a hint on where we are going?” I asked hopefully after he drove the car towards the main street.

“No. You have to wait and see.”

I pouted at his response in disappointment. I kept my mouth shut so that I would spoil the night with my impatience. After a few turns, I got an idea from the familiar streets and building around us. I was about to guess the location when he slowly down the car and parked it right in front of a newly built art gallery. I knew about it since the building was located a few blocks from my office.

“Surprise.” He exclaimed lightly after he turned off the ignition of the car.

There was a short silence lingering the small confide space of the Maserati. I eyed the art gallery in front of me. The exterior of the building was made of brick that was painted in white and tinted glass. In intricate writing worthy of a master calligrapher, the name of the gallery was in grave by the tinted glass. Elle Galleria.

“The owner is an acquaintance of mine. So I asked him for an early viewing of the gallery. The place isn’t only arts. They also serve the-soon-to-be-best cupcakes in town.” Robert said, breaking the silence.

I turned at the sudden sound of his voice and give him my attention. “I don’t normally say this to any guy. But I’m totally impress.” I admitted with a blush and watched his face break in to a huge smile.

“And my mission for the night is accomplished.” He replied smugly before getting out of the car.

And here I though no man would ever surprise me with this much effort. In the back of my mind, a past memory gnawed its way to grab my attention. I shook it off and willed myself to forget. I knew this wasn’t the best surprise I got from a man. The best surprise I had was from someone I regretted that I used to love.

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A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the very late update on this story. I'm having a hard time writing thesedays, writers block. I have a lot on my mind for the past week. I'm not giving up on this story yet, so please bare with me. 

Thank you so much for your patience and for reading the story. I shall update soon. I will finish writing this story within the month.

Have an awesome day and Happy reading! :D