Traian was rolling into the parking lot and up to the opulent restaurant after only another 15 minutes of driving. He pulled the car to a stop and cut the engine. I went to open the car door when his hand on my knee stopped me. My heart began to beat faster. And everything stems from that slight touch.


    “Would you kindly allow me?” he asked.


    I smiled and nodded. Hisrge bulk goes around the front of the car after getting out. His look was simply so… intimidating.


    After he opened the door for me, he guided me along the path and put hisrge hand on my lower back. When we finally entered, I was awestruck by thevishness, the attention to detail, and everything else around.


    As I continued to nce around, I stumbled over my words, “This ce is so beautiful.”


    Directly across from the double front doors was a stunning broad staircase, as well as a crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling and wide windows showcasing the surrounding gardens.


    I took a look at him when he didn’t react to see that he waspletely focused on me. I choked down my feelings in response to his gaze.


    “The fact that you love this ce makes me really happy” His voice’s deep, honey tone flowed over me in the most delectable way, and I shuddered at it.


    He extended his arm in a gentlemanly manner, I slipped mine through, and he let us lead the way through the restaurant.


    Then suddenly, two waiting waiters approached us.


    “Mr. Arcos,” the middle-aged waiter said.


    Traian only nodded and the two waiters looked at me and smiled warmly before gesturing the way. “This way please”


    I looked at Traian who simply winked at me while I was thinking that the name Arcos was oddly familiar.


    We followed the two waiters till they took us to a private room with a balcony from which we could overlook the surrounding garden. Traian pulled a chair for me. Before the waiters left, we both gave them our orders. I turned to face the garden, where a bed of variously colored flowers was illuminated by amp and the nighttime sky, which was bathed by the moon’s bright light. It was breathtaking to see.


    I said softly, “This ce is lovely”


    “That’s why I selected this location,” Traian said as he turned to gaze outside.


    I scowled at him and said, “Wait, do you own this?!” as my eyes grew wide.


    “Yes, one of my several restaurants,” he said.


    And he just cemented himself as affluent. Just how rich is he? I know that name Arcos sounded familiar.


    “Are you bragging right now,” I said with a giggle.


    He sipped on his wine and replied, “Yes”


    “Too bad, I’m not that hooked on restaurants,” I chuckle as I shake my head.


    I’ve got hotels and cruises,” he continued.


    “Still not”


    He smirked, “I have founded libraries”


    “It means I can go easy on it because it was open to the public”


    “Name anything you want,” he said leaning towards the table.


    I gave a shrug while grinning amusingly.


    He continued, “Tell me what you want.”


    And the determination on his face made me smile and get more amused. As soon as the door opened and the waiters arrived pushing a trolley, I refrained from responding. They gave us a courtesy and put the food on the table before leaving. We started eating, and I couldn’t help but sigh in pleasure at the vor and quality of the cuisine. This one will be easy for me to finish because it was so fantastic.


    “Hmm… this food is extremely good,” I moaned in contentment.


    He grinned and said, “I gave them the recipe for it.”Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I kept ying with the unimpressed look since I found his bragging entertaining and fun. Why, oh why, was he so perfect? He even provided recipes. My cooking abilities, which are probably not even close to his, are not something I want to recall.


    “But they’re the ones who cook this for me,” I teased.


    He put down his fork and focused on me, and damned if his intense look didn’t sway me. “Tell me what will make you impressed”


    How was I to tell him that I was impressed by all he did? Even the way he asks me in an effort to get a response from me is entertaining.


    I lifted my wine ss. And bring it to my lips, meeting his stare. I licked my lips, “Make me”


    “Challenge epted, sweetheart,” he said, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin.


    And if I said my body didn’t get hot from his piercing gaze, I’d be lying.


    I shrugged at him and carried on eating. Shortly after, we were done and already made it to dessert. We are just now savoring the taste of wine and the view outside. We talked about a lot of things, and I mostly told him everything about my time spent working and studying. I’m not sure what came over me. both entertaining and embarrassing events. When I am around him, everything just naturally pours out on my lips. And tonight, hisugh and grin drew me in.


    Iughed at the memories, “So I attempted to dye my hair because I knew I had no ns for tomorrow, but our dean unexpectedly called to ask me to talk at the seminar. It was all twisted up that I came to the seminar with a two-tone hair color which is green and orange. And our dean didn’t let me be the speaker and instead did it herself.”


    He chuckled and said, “Why would you want to color your hair?”


    “I want to try something new. I experienced dying my hair ck and blonde which made my mom red in anger”


    He murmured, “Jte Murray.”


    “How do you know my mother?”


    “Theye here to visit,” he said.


    “So, you’re familiar with my sister? Jane Henderson?”


    He nodded and said, “Yes.” He then appeared to start speaking again but eventually decided against it.


    I replied, “Perhaps that’s why she wasfortable with meing here since she knew this ce. But I still don’t know this town nor knew it existed”


    “I assume your parents wish to protect you,” he said, his expression turning grave.


    “Protect me from what?”


    “Wolves. There are many wolves in this area”


    I shrugged and said, “Maybe, but it doesn’t exactly fit neatly on the puzzle.”


    My parents will not have thatme excuse. I am an adult and the chance of being killed by wolves when I don’t wander around by myself in an unknown territory was just very low. I know my parents. They didn’t tell me about this town nor spoke about it. Even their ns to go here with my sister were hidden from me.


    Soon we made up our minds to go. We discussed a wide range of topics as if the conversation regarding me and my parents had never taken ce. Moreover, while we were traveling down the road, my attention was caught by the dazzling building outside. It was a pub where folks came and went.


    “Would you like to go there?” Traian questioned, grabbing my attention.


    “Um… can we?,” I said, tilting my head to the side as I regarded him.


    He shed me his enticing smile once again, “Of course. I also want to bring you there”