Temptation Of The Knight ✔

Chapter 16: Paparazzi and The Park

The smile on Drazhan's face vanished the moment sound of shutters, the flashes of camera and yelling of paparazzi filled his surroundings. He saw Judith's face fill with discomfort and anxiety, and his jaw clinched in wrath. He hurriedly pulled her into his embrace, with one hand around her waist and the other around her shoulder as he took her inside the restaurant. The car with his bodyguards that had been following them from a distance came to a halt behind Drazhan's car, and the bodyguards rushed towards Drazhan and Judith. They escorted them inside, shielding them from the cameras with their massive built.

Judith had her palm over her eyes, hoping to shelter them from the harsh flashes and, ideally, to hide her face. She could feel Drazhan's muscles stiffen, and he trembled slightly from the fury that was building up inside him. The paparazzi were stopped at the restaurant entrance by security, and she finally exhaled a sigh of relief.
"This way, sir." She heard a bodyguard say as he led them inside the restaurant to a discreet, secluded booth. Drazhan sat her down and inquired, "Are you okay?" with anxious eyes. "Yes!" Judith said with a nod of her head. Drazhan smiled and whirled around to face the bodyguards.
"Why were they here?" The bodyguards looked down as he asked sternly with clinched teeth. Drazhan looked up as one of the bodyguards entered the booth.
"Speak, Elio!" Drazhan snarled.
"It turns out that Theron Corbin was here, sir. The paparazzi were here following him, and he had left just moments before you arrived!" In annoyance, Drazhan ran his hand through his hair and dismissed the bodyguards. He took a seat in front of Judith on the chair.
"Whose Theron?" Drazhan sighed as she inquired.
"Some jerk of a billionaire." Judith raised her brow as he informed her.
"And it seems you don't like him."
"Let's not bring him up." Drazhan looked at the waiter as he approached to take their order. They placed their order, and Drazhan sighed, rubbing his palm over his face.
"Judith!" He called her name with a guilty tone, and she looked up. "I truly apologize for all that has happened. If I had known, I would not have pulled into this restaurant."
"It's okay, you didn't know." She smiled reassuringly, and he, too, smiled with a guilty grimace.
Judith suddenly chuckled and Drazhan looked at her with a baffled face. "What?" He inquired, his face curved in befuddlement. Judith's chuckle evolved to laughter, and she gestured with her palm for him to wait a moment. Drazhan frowned as she took out her phone and snapped a photo.
"What?" He asked again, and Judith put her phone away.
"You should never, ever drive me anywhere. Whenever you drive me somewhere something happens." Drazhan rolled his eyes as she said while trying to contain her laughter. Their food arrived soon, and they ate while talking and joking about anything and everything.

After they had finished their meal, they quarrelled amongst themselves for a good ten minutes about who should pay. They ended up sharing the bill since they were both equally stubborn.
"The door is that way!" Judith expressed her confusion pointing at the other side as Drazhan led her away from the door they had entered through. He didn't say anything as he led her to the restaurant's rear door and exited through the exclusive parking lot area where his car awaited. He opened the door for her, and she slipped inside.
"You think I would take the risk pulling over in front again! Never!" As he drove out of the garage, Drazhan scoffed, and Judith nodded. "Understandable."

Drazhan's phone rang halfway through the drive to AEM Holdings, and he pulled over to the side of the road. When he saw Gerbert's name flash over the screen, he picked up his phone.
"Yes Father?"
"Where are you? Is Judith with you?" Gerbert inquired.
"Yes she's with me and we are on our way back. Why?" Drazhan inquired, frowning, and Judith looked at him with curiosity.
"Good, take her somewhere else. The paparazzi are gathered in front of the office building." Gerbert informed Drazhan, who sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"I understand." Judith leaned forward as he hung up the phone.
"What happened?" She inquired with curiosity as Drazhan's attention was drawn to the road and he tried to turn around.
"The paparazzi are waiting in front of your office building." He informed her, and she chuckled as she leaned back in her seat.
"Famous wealthy must be tough." Drazhan gave her a sidelong glance as she scoffed.
"Trust me, they're more interested in learning about you than they are in knowing about me." He murmured frustratedly, and she sat up, staring at him.
"And what's the reason for that?" She inquired,
"Isn't that obvious?" I pulled up in front of a fancy restaurant after staying out of the spotlight for years, and that too with a girl the rest of the world doesn't recognize. I then took her in my arms and shielded her from their lenses." Drazhan shrugged and realisation drawn into her.
"So they think something is going in between us!" She exclaimed and he smirked at her.
"Well, they're not entirely wrong." Judith rolled her eyes as he winked at her. "As if I'm ever going to marry you!" She scoffed as she leaned back in her seat.
"I never said anything about marriage." His smirk deepened and she huffed, "Well even if you did I wouldn't marry you!"
Drazhan's rich laughter filled the vehicle, and Judith couldn't help but stare at him. It was the first time she had seen him genuinely laugh, and it was beautiful! The frowns and stress on his face had vanished and he looked more young and carefree. She smiled at him and looked out of the window.
"Hey!" She smacked his arm, enthusiastically pointing out the window. "Wanna go over there?" She inquired, and Drazhan's eyes sparkled as he gazed out the window. "Yes yes! Let's go!"

Their eyes sparkle as they gaze at the vibrant theme park in front of them. They are enthralled by the roller coaster and Ferris wheel, which are filled with lights, music, laughter, and people screaming. Drazhan found a parking spot quickly and parked the car, while Judith removed her blazer and put her hair up in a bun. He looked at her perplexed as she folded her sleeves and un-tucked her shirt.
"What are you doing?" Drazhan asked and Judith glanced at him.
"We can't go to a theme park looking like corporate employees!" She said and he nodded his head taking off his blazer too.

They jumped out of the car and dashed towards the entrance gate. They ran into the amusement park after purchasing their tickets and looked about with glowing, enthusiastic eyes.
"I haven't been to an amusement park in years!" Judith exclaimed, and Drazhan excitedly nodded his head. "And it's my first visit to an American amusement park!" Judith gasped as he exclaimed. "What?! Then let us make sure you remember this day for the rest of your pathetic existence!" Judith roared with enthusiasm as she dragged him toward the carnival games. "Hey!" When he realised she had labelled his existence pathetic, he yelled.
"Let's warm you up with the game of ring tossing!"

Drazhan and Judith tried every game the carnival had to offer, and it was packed with them competing, betting, and bickering amongst themselves. Their hands were full with goodies at the end of the carnival game spree. They laughed and wandered around the amusement park like carefree young adults.
"So, what do wanna try next?" Drazhan inquired, and Judith turned to face him. She smirked and smiled wickedly. "Is it really what I think it is?" Drazhan inquired, his face beaming.
"Rollercoaster!" "Ferrie-wheel!" They said it all together and scowled, when Drazhan wanted to ride the Rollercoaster and Judith wanted to ride the Ferrie-wheel.
"The Rollercoaster is the most boring shit in the world!" Drazhan's brows scrunched up as Judith yelled, frowning.
"The ferris wheel is the most boring shit ever! It simply goes up and round!" They bickered amongst themselves while standing in the middle of the road, and people passing by gave them weird looks.
"Fine! Let's decide with Rock-paper-scissors!" Judith yelled. "Fine! Glenn! Elio!" He shouted, and two of his bodyguards, who had been following them from a distance, dashed to their assistance. Drazhan handed all of his goodies to Elio, while Glenn took all of Judith's goodies.
"Rock-paper-scissors!" They yelled and threw their fists in the air, and Drazhan exclaimed, flinging his fist in the air. Judith groaned as she examined their hands. She went for the scissors, while he went for the rock.
Judith groaned in annoyance as the riders on the rollercoaster yelled as it dropped. When Drazhan's scream became louder, she grimaced.
"Will you shut up!" She shrieked at him as high-pressured wind slammed her face and blew past her hair, causing her hair to fall out and blow wildly in the wind. When Rollercoaster made the 360° spin and Drazhan screamed louder, Judith rolled her eyes.

Judith sighed of relief getting out of the Rollercoaster and Drazhan exclaimed.
"That was a lot of fun!" Judith sighed and rolled her eyes. "That shit was boring." She started walking out and Drazhan yelled. "How was that boring!" Judith turned her head to him "I used to be a fighter pilot boy! That crap was nothing!" She waved her hand turning around.
"Right! Now I remember! Of course!" Drazhan smacked his forehead and followed her to the Ferrie-wheel.

From the top of the Ferrie-wheel, Judith looks directly out towards the sea, entranced in the rhythmic drumming of waves on sand. Her gaze is fixed on the horizon, her face lit up by the last orange rays before night calls the stars. Her lips are slightly parted in a smile, indicating that she is enjoying her thoughts, whatever they may be. Drazhan moves closer so she can feel his presence, but remains silent, allowing her to be immersed in the moment for a little longer. The colour of fire hearths and tangerines, orange gold, extends far and wide. It's only a reflection of the dawn, the promise of the rising sun after the velvety night has had its say and the land has rested once more.
He glances at her glowing face as she takes in the sunset and he takes in the beauty in front of him.
The sunset on the horizon took the orange and golden hues with it, leaving a dark sky that began to fill with dazzling stars. Judith sighed as she sat on the small bench, and Drazhan took a seat in front of her. They smile at each other and Drazhan began talking gently, "It had been a long time since I had this much fun."
"Same here." Judith returns the warm smile, and they sit in silence for a while. They looked around, avoiding each other's gaze, and Drazhan coughed, clearing his throat.
"Listen!" Judith looked up as he spoke hesitantly.
"Let's keep everything about today-" he murmured, motioning to himself and her. "Yeah, let's keep this between us." She finished the sentence, and he nodded. They sat in silence for a few moments before broke out laughing.
"You ran around like a teenager and bickered like a girl!" Judith laughed and pointed at him. "You acted like a little adolescent girl who got permission to go to an amusement park without her parents!" They laughed while clutching their stomachs. Their laughing faded gradually "Oh my God! What had gotten into us!" Judith exclaimed, and Drazhan shrugged, chuckling, his gaze never leaving her. "You know you aren't that bad!" Drazhan smirked as Judith said with a smile. "I know right!"
"You're not all that amazing either!" Drazhan grinned as Judith rolled her eyes.
They teased one other, laughed and enjoyed every second of their time together as the carriage of the Ferrie-wheel slowly descended.

"-and then I landed fifteen minutes into the flying routine before he could start throwing all over me." They laughed as Judith finished her tale. "And that wuss later became your wingman?" Drazhan inquired, and Judith responded with a nod.
"Yes! He was with me until I retired and, believe it or not, he is a First Lieutenant!" Judith exclaimed, and Drazhan nodded. "Wow, you must have done a great job training him!"
"Well our commanding officer was a pretty tough man. All the credit goes to him."

Drazhan pulled over in front of AEM Holdings, and Judith peered left and right before exiting the car and sprinting into the building. Drazhan chuckled and got out of the car, strolling towards the panting woman who was waiting for him by the elevator. "Don't worry, the paparazzi are gone." As they entered the elevator, he chuckled. She scowled as she gazed up at him. "How did you find out?"
"Well they don't just fall from the sky. And I had my men chasing them away." Judith punched Drazhan's arm as he grinned down at her. "OW! That hurt you know!" Drazhan grabbed his arm and exclaimed, "You should've told me that!" She scowled and walked out of the elevator.

Judith knocked on her father's office door, and Fabian's voice came through the closed door. "Come in!"
Judith walked in followed by Drazhan. Gerbert and Fabian greeted them with warm smiles. They talked about businesses, and as the night grew darker, Drazhan offered to drive her home. This time she accepted without hesitation. They said their goodbyes after Drazhan dropped her off at her apartment, and while he drove home, Judith succumbed to slumber after a shower.
The next morning came soon, and Judith was up and dressed, while Fabian slept in even though he had arrived home late. Judith made breakfast for herself and her father, and after finishing her meal, she softly closed the door before leaving the apartment. She down a staircase and walked out of the apartment building. Suddenly the flashes