Dan is a wealthy gang owner seeking out the perfect partner to work along side him. You, a grieving widow, seek out an opportunity to survive and make money without your husband. Will you and Dan come to an agreement and strike a deal?
"She what?" Dan let out a sigh and dropped the newspaper on the table. I reached out to take the paper and hold it between Phil and I.
"Entrepreneur Daniel Howell found with other top entrepreneur Andrea Amarano in a new business companionship?" Phil read out the title in the business section. I glanced at Dan, my eyebrows furrowed.
"She tipped the press or something?" I asked and he let out a worried sigh.
"I'm assuming so. What if the press is there tonight? If they see us there will be another newspaper title and I wanted to keep you out of the public," Dan said, letting out a breath. I glanced over at Phil for a moment. Phil had no idea what Dan and I were, and I had made Sophie swear not to tell anyone else.
"Hey, why don't you go get ready and not think about it okay?" I said, patting his hand lightly. He glanced up at me from his chest, letting out a breath. He shook his head and left the dining room. I stood up, gripping the newspaper, crumpling it slightly in my fist.
"Where are you going?" Phil asked.
"I'm just going to head up to get ready myself," I said, and he gave me a glance. I headed up the stairs and to Dan's room, knocking lightly against the wooden frame. I opened the door and he stood, his arms stretched out to hold himself in a lean against his dresser. I could see the top of his head in the reflection in his mirror. "Dan?"
"I hate this."
"Hey, look." he glanced over at me and I let out a breath. I threw the newspaper on his side table. "She's just trying to get a reaction out of you, and so what if I'm in the public? You can't let this bother you."
"I don't want you associated with me."
"What am I embarrassing?" I asked, my heart beating in my chest.
"No, I don't want you to live life with my name attached to you, and going tonight would do that. I don't want to ruin our actual date, but-"
"I get that you want to protect me, I do, but maybe I want to be associated with you. I like you Dan, I really do. I have for a long time, and I want to go on a date with you. The public is just something that comes with you, and I welcome it with open arms. Andrea shouldn't bother you, and I suggest that we walk in there and rob her of everything she has." he stared at me for a moment and I crossed my arms, sinking into my hip slightly. "What?"
"Thank you, you're...you're like the only woman that has ever stuck around like you do," he said, clearing his throat. I smiled, walking over and slipping my hand in his.
"I'm glad. Now what do you say to some poker?"
~time skip~
I walked down the stairs, my clutch purse in hand.
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I cleared my throat lightly, crossing my legs underneath the long lying skirts as I waited. Sophie had helped me pick it out after tea, discussing what to name the baby. She knew if it was a boy she wanted to name it David, after her great grandfather, but she had no idea what to name it if it was a girl. I had suggested me and she rolled her eyes. She wanted a floral name, something like Lily or Rose.
I glanced over my polished fingers, waiting for Dan to come downstairs. I heard a gentle sigh and I turned around, Dan donned in a beautiful suit. I smiled, folding my arms to hold my purse behind my back.
"Ready?"
"I think?"
"You think?"
"I wasn't expecting this. You look so beautiful," he said. I felt my face warm and I offered out my hand for him to take and escort me.
"Thank you, and you look devilishly handsome as always," I returned his compliment.
"How ever will I make it through poker?"
"What ever do you mean?" I teased, stepping into the elevator carefully after him. As of now, we were technically still friends, and he knew that very well, watching me move beside him.
"Perhaps we'll stay home," he said, smirking warmly at me. I chuckled glancing at the numbers flipping downwards underneath the elevator arrow.
"How will we play poker?"
"We can do other things," he replied as a soft ding cued the elevator doors to open.
"I had my heart set on poker, perhaps later?" I walked out in front of him and I could feel his eyes flip down my figure.
"Perhaps."
I spent the drive with a soft breath, shallow in my chest, my chin tilted to watch out the window while he drove. The casino was out of the city, towards the edge, the entire venue rented out to invite only for the evening. I knew Andrea would be there, as would unprecedented press squeezing their way through. I placed a soft hand on my other, resting both in my lap as we pulled up. Valet made their way to the car, a short but well kept man opening my door and offering me a hand. I took it lightly as my other hand gripped my skirt. I stepped out and gave the valet a nod, before hooking my arm around Dan's arm.
I glanced around, remember the last time I went out with Dan. He had dragged me along, his friends making a mockery and an object out of me, Dan joined in on their games. I smiled softly to myself, glancing up at a content, but slightly nervous, looking Dan.
