_REFLECTIONS_
The fact is that the world is out of everyone's expectation.
But some learn to forget, others insist.
-Anonymous
×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
AUTHOR'S P.O.V
Five years had passed since Valerie's accident . In a different part of the city, at an upscale restaurant a new story was unfolding...
Alistair sipped his scotch, the amber liquid warming his chest as he gazed across the restaurant. The soft hum of conversations, the clinking of glasses and the aroma of roasted coffee enveloped him.
His attention settled on the waitress with piercing blue eyes and a forced warm smile. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires in the dim light, drawing him in with an otherworldly allure.
As he watched her, Alistair's thoughts wandered to the weight of his empire, the constant scrutiny. But with her, all that melted away. He wanted to know her, to be the one she smiled at like that.
His eyes roamed her figure, taking in the subtle sway of her hips and the gentle rustle of her apron. She was all lush curves and and he couldn't help but feel drawn to her.
When she approached his table, he smiled, his heart beating slightly faster.
"Hi. Would you want anything?" she asked politely, her voice deeper than most women's yet so pleasant it sounded angelic to his ears. Alistair couldn't help but admire her up close, her features more striking than he'd initially thought.
Alistair leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "No, I'm good. Just enjoying the view."
Ariana's expression remained neutral, but Alistair detected a flicker of wariness in her eyes. "Can I get you anything else, then?" she asked.
Alistair shook his head, his gaze still locked on hers. "No, I'm fine. But thank you."
As she turned to leave, Alistair felt a pang of disappointment. But then he noticed the subtle sway of her hips, the gentle rustle of her apron.
Alistair's gaze followed her, his mind whirling with possibilities. Who was this enigmatic woman? What secrets lay behind those haunted eyes?
He sat for hours, watching people file out, the restaurant almost empty. As he finished his drink, Alistair couldn't help but think of ways to get Ariana's attention. He wanted to show her that he was different from the other patrons, that he saw her beyond the waitress uniform.
Leaving a substantial tip would surely make her remember him, maybe even spark a conversation. He wrote the cheque, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the thought of her reaction.
He rose to his feet, taller than the average man, and took a long look at her clearing a table. He walked out after leaving a generous tip. She'd be his soon, he promised.
Ariana watched him leave, feeling relieved. He'd been staring at her since he came in, just like every day. Alistair had been coming to the restaurant for weeks, always sitting in her section, always watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. Tonight was no different, except for the way he smiled at her, as if they shared a secret. It was starting to annoy her.
Alistair Belmayne - business tycoon, playboy, bad news. Being one of the richest men on earth and featured as the sexiest man in Forbes Magazine, he was famous or rather infamous. Besides, Nicole was too obsessed with the guy for her own good.
As she began to clear his table, her gaze fell upon the cheque he'd left as a tip. Her eyes widened in astonishment at the staggering figure.
She felt a surge if shock followed by discomfort and a hint of temptation. She thought about the bills she could pay, the stress she could alleviate with that amount. But then she looked around the restaurant, wondering if anyone was watching, if they'd think she was for sale.
It was either a mistake or a deliberate attempt to impress - or maybe the famous businessman was simply stupid or awfully generous. She chose the first option, her mind racing with skepticism. Who in their right mind would leave a $5,000 tip? It was excessive, ostentatious and downright suspicious. She couldn't take it, not without feeling like she was selling herself. The thought made her skin crawl.
She decided then and there that the next time he came in - and she had no doubt it would be tomorrow, since he seemed to have nothing better to do with his evenings than to gawk at her like a prized possession - she'd hand him back his money. It was the principle of the thing, not just the amount. Besides, it seemed like he was trying to buy her, like she was some kind of commodity to be won over with a fat cheque. That was totally unacceptable. She needed to maintain her self-respect
As she changed into her clothes and said her goodbyes, Freda approached her, a curious glint in her eye.
"Hey, girl, what's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Ariana hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's just Alistair Belmayne," she said finally. "He left me a crazy tip - $5,000."
Freda's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, that's insane! What did you do to deserve that?"
Ariana shook her head. "Nothing, that's the thing. I don't know what he wants from me."
Freda's expression turned serious. "Be careful, Ariana. Alistair Belmayne is not someone to be trifled with. He's got a reputation for being ruthless in business and pleasure."
Ariana felt a shiver run down her spine as she stepped out into the cold night. The streetlights cast long shadows, making the deserted sidewalk seem even emptier. She quickened her pace, her heart still racing from the encounter with Alistair She knew Freda was right - she needed to be careful around Alistair.
Just as she turned the corner, a sleek black car pulled up beside her, startling her. Her heart skipped a beat, her mind swirling with possibilities. Was she about to be kidnapped?
The window rolled down, revealing Alistair's chiseled features in the dim light. His eyes locked onto hers, the intensity of his gaze making her skin prickle.
"Get in," he said, his voice low and husky.
Ariana hesitated, her mind racing. How did he know her route? Had he been following her? The questions swirled in her head but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.
The door opened, inviting her into the warm, leather-scented interior. Alistair's eyes never left hers, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her feel seen and understood.
With a sense of trepidation, Ariana stepped into the car, the door closing behind her with a soft click. As they drove away from the curb, she felt a sense of surrender wash over her.
The city lights blurred together as they sped through the streets, the silence between them thick with tension. Alistair's eyes never left hers, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her skin prickle with awareness.
Ariana's heart raced, her mind whirling with questions. What did Alistair want from her? Why was he so drawn to her? She couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead.
