It was that time again—Family Dinner Night. Amara sat at the dining table,
trying to stay focused on her plate while her father spoke excitedly about the
upcoming event. He was practically beaming as he mentioned that Don Manuelo
Garcia had invited them to their mansion for the anniversary of Lorenzo's late
mother's passing.
Amara wasn't exactly thrilled about the gathering. Of course, she knew what
it really meant: the families pushing her and Lorenzo together once again. It
had become a familiar routine. They would all sit around, chat, and the
constant pressure to settle down would hang thick in the air. As much as she
wanted to avoid the conversation, it always circled back to the same
thing—marriage. But there was something about Lorenzo that made her pause.
She couldn't quite put her finger on it. He was handsome, wealthy, and
clearly had his pick of women. And though she knew all about his reputation—his
playboy lifestyle—it didn't stop her from feeling that strange sense of
familiarity when they crossed paths. He wasn't someone she was close with, but
there was something in his eyes, something that felt like she'd known for a
long time.
She's confused. Was it just because her family keep mentioning him? Or was
there something more? Amara couldn't decide.
But tonight was different. There was a part of her that felt open to the
idea of seeing where things could go. Maybe she could get past the rumors, just
for a moment, and see if they could actually be comfortable around each other.
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The evening arrived at the Garcia mansion. The sprawling estate looked even
grander than usual, with the soft glow of chandeliers illuminating the room. As
expected, the night turned into a blend of business talk, lighthearted teasing,
and subtle nudges from their families about their futures. But tonight… tonight
there was something in the air, something that wasn't quite the same.
Lorenzo kept his attention on her, in a way that wasn't just courteous but
oddly personal. He wasn't the typical aloof figure he often portrayed. Instead,
he seemed genuinely interested in her. Amara caught him glancing at her more
than once, a playful smile tugging at his lips whenever their eyes met. His
flirtations were subtle but there—light remarks, witty comments, the occasional
brush of his fingers against hers as they passed each other at the buffet.
It felt… nice. And strangely comfortable.
At some point during the evening, Amara excused herself from the group. She
needed some air, and maybe a moment away from the well-meaning but increasingly
insistent chatter about marriage. Lorenzo appeared almost immediately by her
side.
"You running away from all the marriage talk?" he asked, his voice smooth,
almost teasing.
She raised an eyebrow. "Is it that obvious?"
"Well, they've been laying it on thick tonight. Thought I'd give you an
escape," he said with a wink. "Shall we step outside? I know a quiet spot."
They walked together through the garden, the sound of their families'
chatter fading as they found a quiet corner. The night air was crisp, and for a
moment, they just stood there, looking at the stars.
"I have to admit, this is… unexpected," she said, crossing her arms. "I
thought you'd be busy with other people tonight."
"I'm always busy with other people," he said with a grin, "but now's different.
I'm actually enjoying the conversation. And I'm not just saying that because I
have to."
She gave him a skeptical look. "Okay, now I know you're playing me."
"No, really," he laughed. "I don't usually… well, I don't usually try to
connect with anyone like this. I guess I'm just… curious about you."
Amara wasn't sure what to make of that. There was a sincerity to his words,
something that made her want to believe him.
"Curious?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why? What makes me so different?"
He took a small step closer. "You're not like the others," he said softly.
"You don't just see the man, you see the person. And I think that's rare."
She hesitated, feeling an odd flutter in her chest. Was this really
happening? Was Lorenzo Garcia—playboy, heir to a massive fortune—saying he was
interested in getting to know her?
"I'm not sure what to think of you," she admitted. "I've heard the stories
and well, the way you treat me at the party."
He gave a knowing shrug. "Yeah, I'm sure you have. But not everything you
hear is true. And about the party, you know, I think I'm just shy when it comes
to you, that's why I acted like that."
Amara isn't the type of woman who trust someone easily, though it felt like
he's genuine. Could she really let go of the doubts and see where this might
go? She wasn't sure, but the more she talked to him, the more she was willing
to try.
"I'm not saying yes to anything yet," she said, her voice quiet but firm.
"But maybe… we could see where this goes?"
His smile softened, and he gave a small nod. "I like that. Tomorrow, I'll
take you to the cemetery, show you my mom's mausoleum. It's a quiet spot. I
think you'd like it."
Amara felt the odd pull again—the same sense of familiarity, the
inexplicable connection that she couldn't quite understand. But maybe… just
maybe, there was something more between them than she realized.
"I'll come with you," she said, feeling a strange calmness wash over her.
"I'll see you there."
And just like that, something shifted between them. What started as an
evening of obligatory family tradition had turned into something far more
complex—and maybe, just maybe, something worth exploring.