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Griselda nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "You're right. How about you? What keeps you occupied?"
"Business ventures, mostly," I replied, opting for a more general response. "I'm passionate about what I do."
As the night progressed and various topics came under discussion, conversation flowed easily between us. When last had either of us enjoyed a real vacation? , Which were our dream destinations if time and money were of no concern?
We even shared our love for Italian cuisine, staying away from anything too personal. One topic led naturally into another, and Griselda's guarded demeanor began to fade away. It felt as if I was watching the gradual unfurling of a beautiful mystery.
"So, Griselda," I started, circling back to our professional lives, "what keeps you busy during the day?"
"I'm a lawyer," she replied, a glint of passion lighting up her hazel eyes.
"Ah, a guardian of justice," I quipped, the irony not lost on me. There was a glaring yet unspoken truth—her path was on the side of justice, while mine - well - it had its complexities.
Griselda revealed her passion for law and her dedication to her work. Her core belief that she could impact the lives of her clients for the better caused her hazel eyes to glow with a certain light.
The faint dimples that appeared when she smiled and the way her nose crinkled slightly were all details that drew me in."Your turn," she prompted, genuinely interested.
"I'm the CEO of Royalty Rentals," I admitted, silently bracing for her reaction. The same one every other woman who discovered my status gave me. A broader, faker smile and eyes were suddenly lighting up with dollar signs.
Instead, a burst of laughter escaped her, and it was as if the atmosphere of the club echoed the joyful sound. I could sense a tinge of disbelief in her laughter, almost like she couldn't fathom me holding such a position. It pricked my pride, but the genuine joy in her laughter was endearing.
"Royalty Rentals? Seriously?" she giggled, shaking her head incredulously.
"Absolutely," I confirmed, a smirk playing on my lips. Her skepticism was strangely charming, and I found myself captivated once more.
"Wow, well, you must have quite a choice of cars then," she remarked, still chuckling.
Leaning casually against the counter, facing her directly, I replied, "Oh, you have no idea."
There was a playful edge to our conversation, yet we both exercised caution. I didn’t dwell much on her not believing me. It didn’t matter.
“What’s your color?” she asked me.
"Favorite color? Well, that's an unexpected turn," I remarked, surprised and intrigued by her sudden change of topic. "But I'd say midnight blue. It's mysterious and elegant. How about you, Griselda?"
Her smile broadened, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Emerald green, for sure. It's vibrant and full of life. They say it's the color of ambition, you know."
I leaned in a bit closer as our playfulness gained momentum. "Ambition, huh? I can see that in your eyes. A woman who knows what she wants."
Griselda's laughter filled the air, a delightful sound that made my heart race. "You've got a way with words, Emilio. But don't think you can distract me that easily."
"Distraction is an art, Griselda," I murmured, our faces mere inches apart. "And I'm an artist."
She chuckled softly, her breath mingling with mine. "An artist, huh? Show me what else you can create."
Our lips hovered impossibly close, a tantalizing promise of something electric, when suddenly, my peripheral vision caught a flicker of movement. It was as if the universe had conspired to yank me away from this moment.
I pulled back, my eyes darting to the side. There, emerging from the door through which he had left earlier, stood. Panic surged within me because, for a moment, I had almost forgotten why I was here.
Griselda, confusion etched across her features, leaned back, her eyes scanning mine for answers. "Is something wrong? Did I misread the vibe?"
I wanted to tell her it wasn't her, that it was anything but her, but words escaped me at what happened next.
Mancini’s thug looked around the club and ended up catching sight of me by sheer accident. Our eyes locked, and in that instant, recognition and dread flashed across both our faces. Time seemed to slow as we stared at each other, and I knew that I couldn't let this chance slip away.
Without a second thought, the guy bolted, his burly frame vanishing into the chaotic depths of the club.
My instincts kicked in, and I lunged after him, my apologies to Griselda lost in the blaring music and the cacophony of voices.
