Adelina walked into the upscale restaurant, her heart heavy with the weight of her grandmother's persistent expectations. Her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor, a stark contrast to the quiet chatter of the diners around her. She could feel the eyes of the staff on her as she made her way to the table where her date was waiting.
Her grandmother had been on her case for weeks about giving this man a chance, but the idea of spending an evening with a complete stranger felt like a chore. She had already shown so much reluctance, and this was the last thing she wanted to do. But she had promised, and Adelina always kept her promises, even if it meant facing discomfort.
When she reached the table, the man—Eric, she remembered—was already seated, his posture casual but exuding the kind of arrogance that made Adelina uneasy. He was dressed sharply, a dark suit that fit him perfectly, but there was something about the way he looked at her that sent an uncomfortable chill down her spine. His gaze was intense, hungry, as though he was already sizing her up, not for who she was, but for what she could do for him.
"Adelina, right?" he greeted, standing up and giving her a wide, almost predatory grin.
"Yes," she answered, trying to hide the unease in her voice. She forced a smile, hoping to keep the conversation pleasant and brief. She was here for one reason only—because her grandmother insisted.
As they sat down, the conversation started light. He asked her questions about her life, but his eyes kept straying to her lips, her chest, her figure—everything except her words. It was clear that he wasn't interested in who she was as a person, but rather how she could fill a role in his life. He leaned in slightly, as if to draw her in, his tone low and condescending.
"So, Adelina," he began, his eyes scanning her face with an almost sickening intensity. "I'm looking for a woman who can really keep up with my lifestyle. Someone who's not afraid to have some fun, you know? I'm talking about being able to keep me satisfied... in every way possible. Cooking, catering to my needs, and, of course, having a bit of excitement in the bedroom."
Adelina's stomach turned. She had heard enough. This wasn't a date—it was a transaction. His words made it clear what he thought of women: something to be used and discarded when they were no longer useful. Her mind raced, anger building as she processed what he had just said. She had been expecting someone who might at least be somewhat decent, but this man had proven her wrong within the first few sentences.
"Excuse me?" she said, her voice cold and firm. "I'm afraid you've misunderstood something here."
Eric raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Oh? What do you mean?"
"I'm not your type," she replied, her voice gaining strength with each word. "I'm not here to play the role of a woman who caters to your every whim. I'm not interested in being someone's object, fulfilling your desires without any consideration for my own."
Eric seemed taken aback, but his arrogance quickly returned. "Come on, I'm just looking for someone who knows how to please a man. I'm not asking for much. Why are you being so difficult?"
Adelina didn't flinch. "I don't think we're looking for the same thing," she said, standing up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "And frankly, I'm not interested in being with someone who only sees me as an object to be used. I'm done here."
Before he could say another word, Adelina turned and made her way toward the restaurant's exit, her heart pounding in her chest. She had expected an awkward date, but this—this was beyond anything she had imagined. It was liberating to walk away, but also disheartening to realize that this was what she had been reduced to in the eyes of some men.
As she quickly moved past the tables, trying to put distance between herself and the uncomfortable situation, she bumped into someone. Her body slammed into his with unexpected force, and she stumbled forward, crashing into his chest.
Before she could catch her balance, strong hands grasped her arms, steadying her. She looked up, meeting the gaze of the man who had caught her. He was tall, with sharp features, and his pale white hair almost gleamed under the restaurant's lighting. His eyes, however, were the most striking—cold black, with an intensity that felt like it could cut right through her.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved. Their eyes locked, a strange electricity hanging in the air. Adelina's heart skipped a beat as she realized how close they were. His gaze was unwavering, almost as though he were searching her for something, and she found herself frozen in place, caught by the cold depth of his stare.
Her breath caught in her throat as she found herself suddenly aware of everything: the way his hands still gripped her arms, the heat radiating from his body, the powerful presence he exuded. She could hardly breathe, her pulse racing. There was something about him that made her feel a combination of intrigue and unease.
Adelina quickly stood up, stepping back and apologizing in a flurry of nerves. "I'm so sorry," she stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment.
The man remained silent for a moment, just watching her, his expression unreadable. But then, his lips twitched into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. Without a word, he took a step back, allowing her to regain her composure.
"No harm done," he said, his voice low and calm, with a smooth edge that matched his unsettling demeanor.
Adelina nodded, her heart still racing. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the strange tension that had formed in the air between them. Without another word, she turned on her heel and made her way out of the restaurant, her mind still reeling from the encounter.
As she stepped out into the cool night air, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Isla.
"Adelina!" Isla's voice rang out, full of excitement. "Guess who just landed back in town?"
Adelina's face softened as she heard the familiar warmth in her best friend's voice. It was exactly what she needed right now.
"Isla! You're back?" Adelina said, relief flooding her chest.
"Yeah, just landed! I was thinking maybe you could pick me up? I could really use a friendly face right now."
Adelina smiled, feeling the weight of the evening lift just a little. "Of course, I'll be right there," she replied, already heading toward her car. "I could really use a friend, too."