Chapter 44 Chapter 44
Adele
The restaurant was stunning, the kind of place that only wealth could create. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden light over the tables covered in crisp, white linen. The air smelled faintly of expensive perfume. The ambience alone took my breath away, only extremely wealthy people can dine here.
I held my purse tightly in one hand, feeling the cool leather against my fingers. My dress was a strapless gown that ended just above my knees, hugging my curves in all the right places. I had found it tucked away in my wardrobe years ago and never had the right occasion to wear it, until tonight. Tonight felt like the perfect night. My silver heels clicked softly against the polished floor as I walked, each step steady despite the flutter in my stomach.
Rafe was already seated. He had claimed a corner table as if he owned the place, his jacket casually draped over the back of his chair. He sat with perfect ease, yet his eyes were alert, scanning the room. The moment I entered, his gaze found me. He looked like he had been waiting for this exact moment, his eyes traveling over my dress, my heels, taking in every detail.
A small, almost smug smile curved his lips, and I felt a sudden, inexplicable flutter in my chest. I pushed it down, keeping my expression neutral. I walked toward him with deliberate confidence, heels clicking, posture straight.
“Hello, Mr. Blackthorn,” I said, my voice calm, steady, betraying none of the nerves I felt inside.
“Good evening, Miss Adele,” he said, a teasing note in his voice. His eyes scanned me again, slow and deliberate, like he was memorizing every detail. “You look incredible. Absolutely breathtaking.”
I didn’t respond. Compliments were his currency, and I wasn’t buying.
Without another word, he rose and pulled out a chair for me with that effortless charm he always carried. I sat, placing my bag carefully beside me, and met his gaze directly. “Before we order,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady, “I’d like to know the outcome of your team’s discussion.”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he gave a slight lift of his hand, signaling the waiter. “Let’s eat first,” he said smoothly. “We will about work later.”
I frowned. “Fine,” I said, deliberately slow, “but I don’t want to fill my stomach too much. I have an actual date by nine.” I saw his jaw tighten slightly at my words, and a tiny thrill went through me. I didn’t have anywhere pressing to be, but I wanted to get under his skin, to make him feel a little unimportant, just like he’d made me feel.
“If that’s an actual date,” he said, voice calm but edged with firmness, “then what is this?”
“A business dinner with a potential client,” I said, keeping my eyes locked on his.
He gave a small nod, his jaw tightening just slightly. “Fine. I don’t want to argue with you. You can have something simple. I don’t want to eat while you stare at me,” he added, his tone calm but firm.
I studied his face for a long moment, reading the flicker of irritation. Finally, I exhaled. “Fine. But I am not here for small talk,” I said, my voice steady.
A faint, almost smug smile curved his lips, as if he had won a small battle. We placed our orders, the food that arrived felt almost unreal—Wagyu beef glazed in a delicate truffle reduction, lobster risotto infused with saffron, oysters so fresh they tasted like the ocean itself. Without even asking my preference or glancing at the price, he selected a deep, rich Bordeaux to accompany the meal.
I dug in immediately, forgetting the lie I’d told about an actual date. Every bite was exquisite, every sip of wine smooth and warming, spreading a pleasant heat down my throat. If I were a billionaire, I thought with a small, indulgent smile, I’d spend half my fortune chasing meals like this around the world. I loved food.
We ate in near silence for a while, then he spoke, breaking the hush. “Listen, I know you are angry at me for ghosting you. But I didn’t do it on purpose. I misplaced my phone.”
I paused, my fork frozen mid-air. “You misplaced your phone and that was the last time you had a cell phone right? No calls, no texts for over a week to explain why you ghosted me. I am over it already and we are cool ” I said the words out loud, but my chest still burned and I tried to keep my anger under control.
“I can tell you are still upset,” he said softly, his eyes sincere. “I left New York for Norway and misplaced my phone. On top of that, I had just taken over my dad’s company. It’s been a lot. I got back just a day before our meeting. I should have been resting, but because I had a meeting with you and Maxwell, I went straight to the office.”
He leaned slightly forward, his voice gentler now. “I am sorry. I like you more than I have liked anyone and I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day we met. I promise I will do better if you give me another chance.”
His smile was effortless, irresistible, the kind that made your chest tighten despite every warning bell in your mind.
I cleared my throat, looking down at my plate for a moment before meeting his gaze again.
“I really don’t know,” I admitted. “I don’t want someone unstable in my life. I don’t want someone who has a complicated relationship with their ex or someone who’s here one minute and disappears for months the next. I have been hurt before, Rafe. I can’t go through that again.”
“I don’t have any ex drama,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “I used to, but I blocked her for good the night I met you. Listen, I want you.
That’s the reason I’m here. I could have given you your answer yesterday, but I knew you weren’t ready to hear anything I had to say . You looked like you wanted to—” He paused, a small grin tugging at his lips, “ beat me if you had the chance.”
We both chuckled softly, the tension between us easing for a brief moment.
Before I could respond, the restaurant doors swung open. My stomach lurched. Killian walked in, his posture as confident as ever, a woman draped elegantly on his arm and beside them walked a small child, hand clutched tightly in hers, eyes wide as they took in the sparkling chandeliers above.
My chest tightened immediately. This was the first time I had seen him since I’d left him at the altar. I had gone out of my way to avoid him, to erase every connection, blocking anyone even remotely connected to him from my life. And yet here he was, perfectly composed, like he belonged in this world while I felt my heartbeat stumble at the sight of him.
Killian’s eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, surprise flickered across his face before his usual calm composure returned. He guided the woman and child to a nearby table, giving us space, but my chest still felt tight, my pulse quickening.
I turned back to Rafe, trying to steady myself. “Do you know them?” he asked quietly. I nodded, keeping my expression neutral.
“I know the man,” I said simply, my tone even, though every muscle in me was tense.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Killian moving toward our table. My stomach twisted.
He reached us with that infuriating, self-satisfied smile plastered across his face. “Hi, Adele,” he said smoothly, eyes flicking between me and Rafe. “It’s been so long. And this must be one of your business associates,” he added, his voice dripping with mockery.
I froze for a heartbeat, then leaned slightly forward, my smile tight and controlled. “Nope,” I said, my voice cool but deliberate. “This is my fiancé’s.”
Rafe’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by my words. Killian’s confident smirk faltered and I felt a tiny thrill of satisfaction at the sight.
Author's note: fiance, Adele, you can lieee 😂.