Mid Size For The Billionaire

4- Cristiano

I finally gathered the nerve to ask Adia out, though I hadn't planned on doing it so abruptly. My intention was to ease into it, but before I knew it, the words had spilled out uncontrollably. As soon as she started laughing, my heart sank. What if she wasn't interested? I maintained a stoic expression, though inside, anxiety gnawed at me. When she realized I was serious, her face transformed from amusement to shock, and for a brief moment, I was sure she'd say no.

But to my relief, she agreed.

It was Friday, so I suggested we meet the next day. Waiting any longer could give her time to reconsider, and the last thing I wanted was for her to change her mind. We exchanged numbers and locked in our plans for Saturday.

I wanted the first date to be flawless. Doing something I knew she'd enjoy was better than taking risks, so I based the evening around her love for The Big Bang Theory. The time for experimenting could wait until later dates—if there were any. I chuckled inwardly at how quickly my thoughts leapt to future outings, considering I'd barely mustered the courage for this one.

The night was approaching. Dinner would come first. I initially intended to pick her up like a proper gentleman, but she surprised me by asking for my address instead. I didn't want to seem difficult, so I agreed, although it felt a little odd.

Adia often talked about Italian food at school, so I chose a menu inspired by her favorite dishes. It was a meaningful choice for me too—my father was Italian, my mother Jamaican. I'd inherited my father's wavy dark hair and intense green eyes, paired with my mother's deep, beautiful skin. Yet despite my efforts, my father's family had never fully accepted their relationship. Even after two decades, they still held on to their prejudice.

I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. The backyard was ready; I'd set up a tent as a precaution in case the weather turned bad, though the forecast promised clear skies. In the center of it all, I placed a projector, carefully aligned with a screen hung across from it. I arranged snacks—chocolates, sweets, and salty treats—ensuring everything was ready for the evening.

After a final check, I headed inside to get dressed. I wore suits often, typically in dark, muted tones, but tonight I opted for something different—a deep brown suit with a crisp white shirt, open at the collar for a more relaxed look. I was just finishing combing my hair when the house phone rang.

"Good evening, Mr. Townsend," a voice crackled on the other end. It sounded like one of the guards from the gate.

"Good evening," I replied. "Who's this?"

"It's Tommy, Sir, from the main gate."

"Yes, Tommy, how can I help you?"

"There's a Miss Branson here to see you."

The mention of her name made my heart race. "Send her in, please."

I hung up and quickly glanced around, ensuring everything was as it should be. The food was still warm on the stove, ready to serve, and I dimmed the lights to create a more intimate, romantic atmosphere. Everything was set.

A moment later, I heard her car approaching. I stepped outside just as she pulled up, and when she stepped out of her vehicle, I found myself momentarily speechless.

Adia was stunning.

She wore a fitted emerald green dress that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with matching heels. Green tassel earrings swung gently as she moved, and she carried a small clutch in the same shade. Her hair fell in soft, polished curls, and her makeup was flawless, accentuating her natural beauty. I couldn't stop my eyes from trailing over her, taking in every detail.

"Hi," she said softly, her voice slightly breathless.

"H-hey," I stammered, still distracted by how incredible she looked.

She noticed where my gaze had settled and frowned slightly. "Do you not like what I'm wearing?"

Her words snapped me out of my wandering thoughts. "Adia, you look incredible. I'm honestly speechless."

A radiant smile spread across her face. "Thank you. I was worried you wouldn't like it."

"You're stunning," I reassured her, stepping aside to let her in. My gaze followed the graceful curve of her figure, lingering for a moment longer than it should. I discreetly licked my lips before closing the door and following her inside.

"Wow, your home is beautiful," she said, looking around with wide eyes.

"Thank you, Dia."

"Dia?" She raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing on her lips.

"It suits you," I shrugged. "Besides, I wanted to call you something no one else does."

She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "I guess I'll have to come up with something unique for you, too."

"I'd like that," I replied, my voice more sincere than I expected.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked, still standing near the doorway.

"We're staying in, actually."

Surprise flashed across her face. "Oh? We are?"

"I thought it'd be more intimate if I cooked for us," I said, leading her toward the living room.

Her brow arched. "You cook?"

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Dia," I replied, a teasing edge to my tone. "Hopefully, you'll stick around long enough to find out."

She turned away, clearly flustered. "We'll see."

"How does Italian sound?"

Her eyes lit up. "Italian is perfect."

I helped her into a chair before heading back to the kitchen. A few moments later, I returned with the dishes in hand.

"I made pasta carbonara," I announced, setting her plate down, "just in case you have any food allergies."

"I'm allergic to peanuts," she said with a casual smile.

"Good to know," I replied, making a mental note.

I poured wine for both of us, setting the bottle aside once our glasses were full. As we dug into the meal, conversation flowed easily between us.

"I heard you're a writer," I mentioned after a sip of wine.

She smirked. "And I heard you're in the hotel business."

I tilted my head, keeping my cards close. "You could say that."

When we finished, she gave me a grateful smile. "Thank you for dinner. It was delicious."

"My pleasure," I said warmly. "I have a movie set up for us, too."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Is it any good?"

"You'll just have to find out," I teased, leading her out to the backyard.

Her eyes widened when she saw the outdoor setup, the projector screen glowing against the night sky. "Oh wow, this is amazing... Is that The Big Bang Theory?"

"It is. I remember how much you liked the series."

She looked at me, wide-eyed, her mouth slightly agape. "I can't believe I never had the nerve to tell you."

"Tell me what?" My heart pounded in my chest.

"I had a huge crush on you when we were younger."

I blinked, taken aback. "I had a huge crush on you, too."

We stared at each other in disbelief, the air between us suddenly thick with unspoken words. All this time, we'd both been too afraid to say what we felt—until now.