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Yet, if I pursue this, while I'malso the heir to my father’s position and power, it could put both of us at increased risk. My family in New York would never approve of it, and I need to make a good impression when I get there. Do I care? I do. But not out of fear. No.
It is strategic. I must play each piece to my advantage, and Seraphina is not a piece that I can play in this scenario. She is a hindrance. I should just drop this entire pursuit and focus on the real goals.
I know I won’t do that, though. She has caught my eye. I want her. She will be mine.
The danger of dating her and the challenges it represents are only making me want her even more.
In the conversations we have had over the phone, I'mso attracted to her. She is kind, gentle. She is so passive, yet I know there is a strength behind her eyes that is unmatched by anyone I have met. I want to know everything about her.
I have to. She has infected my mind with thoughts of her. She is so similar to me, yet so different.
We struggled with the same things, yet she became gentle, kind and empathetic, and I became cold, ruthless and determined to gain all the power I could. She is a different version of me. She possesses characteristics that I have not yet mastered and want to own. By owning her, I can own her gentle nature.
Things in my life are changing quickly. New opportunities come with my father’s death. I have spent so long in hiding, my entire life having been lived beneath this veil of protection. I know it served its purpose, but that time is soon going to be over. I have so many things I need to focus on, and having met. Amid the midst of all of this, is not exactly convenient. I'm going to have to keep these things from her. I should just let her go, move on, forget her. But I know I'mnot going to do that. I know how to live in secret. I know how to hide parts of myself.
She may be a distraction, and her beauty might pull my attention away from where it is. I have lived my entire life beneath this veil of protection, always hiding, but I know who I'mand what I'mintended for. It will all be mine, including her.
All I have to do is keep the two worlds separate.
I message her to confirm our date for this evening.
Me: I’m looking forward to tonight. Are you sure I can't fetch you?
Seraphina: Me too. No, I'mhappy to find my way there.
Me: I'llsee you at seven then.
I want to talk to her more, but I shouldn’t. That is why I opted to message rather than call. If I phoned her, I would have been so drawn to her voice that we would have spoken for an hour.
I have things to do before this evening.
At seven pm, I am waiting at the table that I have booked for us. It is right at the biggest window, with the best views of the city. The restaurant is playing soft music that romantically drifts through the candle-lit room, creating the exact atmosphere that I would want to spend time with Seraphina in.
I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise, and I turn toward the door.
She is standing there; the waiter asking her who she was meeting.
They both turn toward my table and I stand.
She is wearing a short, silky, emerald dress that suits her caramel skin tone perfectly. Her hair is done in an elaborate style, with braids and curls falling around her face. She looks as though she was created as a mix of warrior and princess. Bold, yet gentle. Strong, yet obedient. She looks perfect. Absolutely stunning.
“Good evening, Seraphina.”
I lean down and wrap my arm around her waist, kissing her cheek. Her scent breezes over me, and I close my eyes for a moment before pulling away from her. She blushes slightly, and it sends shivers through me. I have to have her.
She has this air of innocence that pulls me further into her.
“Antonio, this place is beautiful.” But she is not looking around the restaurant; she is letting her eyes drift over my body. I smirk.
I stand behind her chair, and before holding it out for her to sit in, I move it closer to mine. She takes a seat, and I return to mine, our legs touching beneath the table and distracting me.
“I’m sure you know the meaning of your name, and tonight, it suits you perfectly. I have never seen someone looking so beautiful.” I say.
“Thank you.” She smiles and looks down at the table. She gives me the impression that she isn't used to receiving compliments.
“Have you had a good day? I'm so sorry about needing to cancel on you last night. Something came up, and I had no choice. It will not become a habit.”
“It is honestly no problem at all. And yes, I have had a good day today. How was yours?”
