When The Devil Met His Match | ✔️

•02•

Arabella's POV:
Somehow during the night I found myself sat at the bar with Nicole, who I found as I was wondering round aimlessly. In my hand was a glass of champagne, even though I would much prefer a vodka shot. My mind was still staying with those dark eyes and I found myself wanting to find out who that man was and why he was in such a secluded section of the room as if avoiding any type of socialisation, even though being at one of the largest events in NYC.

My father had been walking around with my mother all night, chatting to possible business partners and what not, my mother at his side the whole time even though I knew these sorts of things bore her just as they do with me, in some aspects myself and my mother are very similar, we both have dark brown locks, legs for days and a attitude that could offend the light hearted. My father and I both share the same dark eyes, the only difference being my mischievous glint that took to my eyes, and his having a cold tone to which you wouldn't want to look into for more than a few seconds, unless you were his little girl, me.

I think I have a very healthy relationship with my parents which can not exactly be said with Nicole who sat to my left, talking about her recent family dramas which I choose to tune in and out of. In this moment I tune in, deciding something should take my mind off a certain Italian man.

"Can you believe it Ara, my mother had the audacity to tell me that my dress was too short?!" Nicole practically yelled at me.

One of her many stories that she found much more fascinating than anyone else would, still she was one of my best friends and I had to give her that.

I glanced down at he dress finding that it is indeed extremely short and not very appropriate for one of these types of occasions where she should have a long dress on, as the majority of the women in the room do.

"Wow Nic what a bitch you skirt isn't even that short" I tiredly replied.

Nicole noticed my lack of enthusiasm as she narrowed her bright blue eyes, something I had always been jealous of.

"What's the matter with you, Ara?" She softly said to me with a slight frown.

Nicole was very good at detecting when I was either distracted or upset, one of the few people I could say that for as I often wore a mask where no one could ever tell what I was thinking. I suppose it's from our many years of friendship. Nicole was the only person, apart from Rose, who I had bothered to keep around as without them I would be simply lost.

"Yeah I'm fine jus-" I was rudely interrupted by my father.

"Arabella I would like you to meet my new business partner, Mr Lopez." My father proudly stated.

Sighing, I glanced round and slowly spun my glass bar stool round, still looking down as my mood had darkened considerably as the night had progressed. I finally looked up and locked eyes with him.
Shit.
It's him, Mr Lopez, is the mysterious man I had been mesmerised with ever since I arrived.
Mr Lopez cleared his throat, smirking and brought my mind back into the real world. He extended his tanned, tattooed hand out towards me.

"Good evening Miss Walton, it is a pleasure to meet you" his gravelly, husky voice greeted my his eyes never once leaving mine.

I gulped and slid my dainty hand into his large one, the coldness of his rings making me shiver,
What is happening Ara get yourself together your being pathetic!
I replaced my expression with a stoic one I had learnt from my father himself.

"Nice to meet you too Mr Lopez and please call me Arabella" I softly spoke to him batting my long eyelashes at him, smirking.

"Must I say you look lovely tonight Arabella, a very beautiful dress" his thick Italian voice spoke, his face was mirroring my own, a smirk gracing his full lips.

I smiled at him assessing his features, he had on a expensive black tux with black shoes, he had no tie on, leaving his black dress shirt slightly open as the top three buttons remained open showing off a gold chain with a cross hanging from the bottom of it. My gaze traveled down his arm taking in his straining suit jacket to a point where it looked painful, down so his hands. His hands were adorned by multiple tattoos and rings, his tattoos appeared to travel up his sleeves making me wonder how far they go.
I have never been more attracted to a pair of hands as I have in this moment.

I felt flustered so I finally removed my eyes from the devil who stood proudly in front of me and noticed my father and my mother were both looking at me. My brothers, Matt and Marcus were stood behind my parents.

Marcus, being the eldest at 29, was holding a glass of whiskey in his hand and glancing round the room his eyes stopping on a few different women, all of who were stunning. Him no doubt wondering who to take home to his apartment after this was all over.

Matt was smirking at me, it was obvious that he had realised how flustered I had become in the moment, I glared at him and moved my eyes to my mother who was brightly gazing at me. I slowly rose from my seat and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Arabella you look gorgeous, but must you be drinking at the bar instead of socialising with your father and I" my mother sternly spoke to me, not so quietly.

I quickly glanced at Mr Lopez feeling slightly embarrassed at my mothers comment, but I found he was slightly smirking as if he found this situation amusing, when he saw me looking at him his dark gaze traveled away from me as he stepped forwards in between myself and Nicole who had turned round to flirt with the man next to her who looked far too old for her to be flirting with.

Mr Lopez drummed his long fingers against the marble worktop, getting the attention of the barman, he put his hand up.

"I'll have one scotch" he nodded at the barman who quickly began filling his glass up with the liquid. It seemed it wasn't only me who was intimidated by this beast of a man.

My mother was still talking away at me as I found myself distracted once again by the man to my left, I brought my attention back to my mother.

"Mother there is nothing for me at these types of events as I make no business" I firmly stated to her, not caring if I sounded rude.

My mother didn't seem to notice my rudeness as she said "well Bella at least try and look interested."

"So Arabella, Mr Lopez may be round our house a few times doing business but I assume you will keep out of the way" my father stated to me as if it were an order, I rolled my eyes at his orders.

"Of course father" I spoke uninterestedly.

"So I suppose you are wondering who Mr Lopez is, correct?" He didn't wait for my reply as he kept speaking, "Mr Lopez it the boss of the Italian Mafia."