CHAPTER NINETY-ONE

CHAPTER NINETY-ONE
ELENA

"Black or blue?" I muttered to myself, gazing at the two options in the large mirror Alexander had installed. "I guess having a billionaire date implies now having to think about what to wear."

I stood with two dresses in my hand, as though I were in some ridiculous romance film. I wish Sofia were around today; if it were the case, Sofia would have selected my dress instantly.

All around me were paint tubes and brushes. They reminded me not to be poor in my next life because they are more expensive than my monthly rental price.

The blue dress fits all right, but the black one was more formal and perhaps more suitable for wherever it was that Alexander had invited me to this evening. He was not precise about the date plans but only said "dress up nicely."

Something tells me there is something that would blow my mind as usual with this date.

When we were at the hospital yesterday, Alexander asked me something that made my heart skip a beat unnecessarily. He asked to take me to dinner at a restaurant he claimed to have special memories of. Though when he had said that he wanted to ask me something, that wasn't exactly what I expected it to be, but then again, I also wasn't quite ready for what I thought he was gonna ask.

Finally, I had the black dress on and was applying my lipstick when there came the sound of a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," I said, turning and seeing Alexander standing at the door.
He was looking very handsome, and his good looks were accentuated by his nice suit. My heart beat fast.

"Wow," he said, his gaze falling on me more seriously. "You look stunning."

"No, you look great too," I said to try to remain calm despite my own nervousness. "Are you going to finally tell me where we are heading?"

His lips curved into the half-smile that never failed to warm my heart. "It would spoil the surprise."

"I don't like surprises," I lied.

"Of course, you don't." He extended his arm. "Ready?"

After thirty minutes, we exited the elevator that ascended to the roof of one of Chicago's finest eateries. My eyes widened – the entire roof had been converted to an exclusive dining space with lights, flowers, and a table for two with a view of the city.

"Let me think," I said, regaining my voice. "You wanted the whole restaurant, but they were fully booked, so you purchased the restaurant?"

Alexander chuckled. "No, not exactly. I rented the roof for the night."

"Oh, is that all? That is so nice of you."

Our server arrived with the champagne, and I gazed at Alexander in shock. "Champagne? That's brave considering how we started."

"I live life on the edge," he said, leading me to the table.

The whole view was spectacular – we could see the bright lights of Chicago twinkling as they lined the city. A personal chef cooked our meal and the champagne was wonderfully cold when it arrived.

"This is..." I tried to find words that weren’t too worthless.

"Is it too much?" he paused and there was a look of uncertainty in his eyes.

"No," I replied softly. "It's wonderful. Just don't expect me to get used to this."

While we were eating, I remembered how things had gone from shaky to far better since we met at the exhibition.

"You're thinking it all out of proportion," Alexander suddenly took my hand and squeezed it slightly as though he was reading my mind.

"I am just contemplating the bizarre twists and turns of life. Just a few months back, it was ramen for dinner and worrying about paying for the roof over my head. This evening, I am having dinner on the rooftop with a billionaire and security guards."

"Also," I put to him, "can we just not speak about Marco, your dad, or break-ins tonight, okay? I just want to have one normal night with you."

"Okay," said Alexander, clutching my hand. "Tonight can just be about us."

The conversation shifted to lighter subjects. Alexander inquired about my artistic plans, and his eyes lit up with genuine interest while I related my plans to him.

"I'd like to get a series of photographs of the city," I said. "Not the typical pretty downtown shots, but the actual city – the areas, the little places where most people never look."

"You have to do it," said Alexander. "I've witnessed you bring the character of an area to life."

"What about you?" I queried. "Apart from constructing the Moretti company, what are your dreams?"

A shadow crossed his face for an instant. "I have been thinking about something important. Something my family history doesn't influence."

He paused, gazing at me so intensely that it took my breath away. "But lately, I've been considering building a life rather than merely doing business."

"A life?" I said.

"With you." He said it calmly. "I've never been this way with another person, Elena. You show me opportunities I never saw."

My pulse is racing, and I have the feeling he can hear it. "What is this life all about, actually? Do you have five-year plans and spreadsheets and all the rest?"

He chuckled, and it warmed my heart. "No spreadsheets. Just the two of us, together. A true partnership."

"Partners," I whispered softly, glad to hear it.

After dinner, Alexander took me to where we would be able to dance. He had his arms around my waist under the starlight while we danced.
My head lay against his chest as his heart beat gently against my ear.

"This should seem strange," I whispered. "We, together like this. The once-upon-a-time struggling artist and the billionaire."

"But it doesn't," he completed my thought, his lips brushing against my hair.

"No," I stated. "It feels nice."

We returned to the penthouse, both of us incredibly elated. My head still reeled from the champagne and the conversation about our future, courtesy of Alexander.

Upon opening the elevator doors on the highest floor, I exited first, but then stopped.

"Alexander," I whispered, frightened, looking at what had attracted my attention. The entrance hall had been in disarray, and the drawers were pushed out and items were scattered all around the floor. The pleasant evening shattered instantly like glass. "Someone's been here."