C2 Chapter 2

Invitations

I walk towards him, observing his elegant demeanor while he waits for his glass of champagne. I don't understand why he is not in one of those giant Calvin Klein advertisements that you find in the shopping centers.

"May I join you?" I ask him when I get to his side, trying not to show how attractive he seems to me.

Sienna, you must not fall for him, My inner self tells me, but I think it's a little late.

He looks at me from head to toe with those big blue eyes and then fixes them on my gray eyes. " Of course you can," he says, smiling at me, "young man, a glass of champagne for the miss per favore," tells the bartender, and I melt with his accent.

"Thank you," I say with a smile on my face, and then I grab the glass, "Come, let's go over there," I propose pointing to one of the tall cocktail tables that are free in a corner.

"I never would have imagined that Mauricio had a daughter so bella'." He says, and I love how the word "Bella" sounds with that Italian accent.

"Thank you very much for the compliment," I answer when we get to the table.

"And how old are you?" He asks after taking a sip of champagne.

"Twenty-eight, what about you?" I inquire, and it's just that I'm getting too interested in knowing him.

"Thirty-two, so you work with your father?" He says without taking his gaze from mine, and I feel that he is undressing me with his eyes.

Can it be possible?

"Let's say I'm the company's public relations officer," I explain. Even though the reality is that my work is intermittent, I go to the office when I want. I dedicated the rest of the day to designing dresses, which I would like to produce soon.

A half-smile is drawn on his face as he approaches me and remains standing by my side, "and this drink with me is part of your job?" He asks in a way that I don't even know how I'll be able to keep talking. I don't know what he wants with me, but it is clear that the art of seduction is his thing.

"No. This drink with you is because I want to", I answer in the most secure way I can, and I give him my best smile.

He looks me in the eye and then goes down to my cleavage, then comes back to my eyes as if nothing happened, "doesn't your boyfriend get jealous?"

I laugh at his question and deny, "I don't have a boyfriend" I confess and drink another sip of champagne, trying to keep my composure.

He smiles sideways, "how is a woman like you alone?" He asks and, without expecting it, he moves a lock of my hair behind my ear.

Is he trying to seduce me, or is it just my imagination?

"It's just that when your heart is broken, it's complicated to trust someone again," I answer bluntly, and he looks at me, narrowing his eyes.

"Do you believe in love?" He inquires and what a question he just asked me.

"No, not anymore. What about you, married, committed, girlfriend?" I dare to ask, trying to take the attention away from me.

"None of the above. It seems that love and myself are not compatible", he explains, and I quite like his philosophy.

"It's the best," I answered, and I took another sip of my glass. "Have you already decided whether or not you will do business with my father?"I ask, trying to change the subject.

"After seeing you, I have no doubts," he replies, and I think he has removed the straps of my dress with his eyes.

"So you took your decision because of me?" I ask, pretending to be unaware.

"Let's just say you're an excellent reason," explains " because of you, I believe that love and I could be compatible again," he says out of nowhere, and I must take a deep breath.

"Good reason ... I don't know how I should take that", I comment and pretend not to have interest in his words, although I suppose he must be used to women falling at his feet. He is exceptionally handsome.

He smiles broadly at me. "The business was already good before I met you, but it's much more interesting now. If you accept an invitation to dinner tomorrow, I'll explain", proposes.

"My father doesn't like me to mix business with my personal life," I let him know, trying not to smile at his proposal. Which I admit is quite interesting.

"Your father doesn't have to know," he sentences, and I can only look at him surprised.

"You are so direct," I comment with a mischievous smile on my face.

"I can be much more, but I try to be a gentleman," he answers in a very provocative way, and for some reason, I want him to stop being so.

"Interesting" I limit my answer to that word, and I only do it because I have to maintain my composure.

"Give me your phone number before your father arrives," he asks, looking nowhere, and when I turn around, I see my father walking towards us.

He gave me his cell phone, and quickly I dialed my number, letting it ring for a moment, and then I ended the call.

It only remains him to call me, right?

"Lucas! How's it going?" My father asks him as he stands on the opposite side from which Lucas is standing.

"Very well, your daughter is very kind," he says with a smile, and I smiled inside.

"I'm delighted to hear that. Can we talk about business?" my father inquires.

"Mr. Di Marco, there is nothing to talk about; on Monday, we signed the agreement," he answers in a confident tone, and my father looks stunned.

"Wow! ... I'm so glad to hear that", and knowing him, he must be wondering how Lucas made his decision so soon.

"It is a pleasure to do business with you," answers Lucas.

"I will leave you to continue talking," I say and try to retire, but before I go, Lucas gently takes my arm.

"It was nice talking to you," he says nicely.

"Likewise," if only he knew how much. I take a deep breath and go for another drink.

What happened? I ask myself. I have no idea why, but this man makes me nervous, and I kind of love it.