His last minute bride

68

-Rose Dern-

"You heading somewhere?" Suzy asked, head buried to whatever was on the magazine she held in her hands.

"Hmm." I searched my handbag if I'd put my phone in it and fortunately I had.

I hoped I looked pretty in the dark blue off-shoulder shirt which matched the black jean trouser I had on with a black heel.

I'd left my blonde hair to sway on my back. I hadn't applied much makeup so as not to look too desperate.

"Where to?" Suzy asked, not seeming to care too much but her attention focused on the magazine.

"No where important, I've just got to go meet someone to discuss work-related issues." Even after I said it, I realized it wasn't a smart excuse to back up why I'd been invited.

Suzy rose her head from the magazine, staring at me intensely. "And if I may ask, who is this 'someone'"

Her teasing gaze made me feel like a child caught stealing candy from a store but I rolled my eyes so as not to let her read through me.

"It's Darien. He asked me to have dinner with him at some restaurant." I shrugged. "I guess he wants to talk about work."

Her smile became wider. "You and I both know he doesn't want to talk about some boring business."

She dropped the magazine on the couch beside her, standing up. "Oh sweetheart, don't act so naive, we both know he's interested in you."

I tried so much to calm my racing heart, looking anywhere but at her while I recalled the passionate kiss at the beach.

"I don't know." I guessed shrugging would calm my racing heart, but unfortunately it didn't. "He's my boss, remember."

"So?" She pursed her lips in intimidation.

"So, I don't think it'd be right for him to like me." Every part of me disagreed with what I was saying, but if I told Suzy what was really in my heart, she'd tease me for the rest of my life.

"Also, I don't think he likes me."

"But you like him." She rose both brows, that teasing smile playing on her lips.

Duh, of course I do.

But I would not be saying that to Suzy. Instead, "listen, I don't have time for your boring talks, someone is waiting for me, okay?"

Her smile grew wider. "Yes, my dearest friend, go, don't keep your prince waiting." She gestured towards the door.

Rolling my eyes but secretly thankful she didn't try to squeeze the answer out of me, I sauntered out of the house to my car whose door was opened by a bodyguard.

He closed it as soon as I was in, then the driver drove off.

He dropped me off in front of the biggest restaurant I'd ever been.

Just the sight of the outside made my jaw drop.

I'd never been to such breath-taking restaurant. It was perfect even without checking the inside.

The doorman to the restaurant opened the car door for me. He looked like he could be in his early sixties so I thanked him for opening the door for me.

Every step I took towards the restaurant made me love it even more.

The door was opened so I just walked in.

Once inside, I was awed by everything in it. I wasn't sure what part of the restaurant I was in, but it was lovely.