Órion Fantone
As I was getting ready, I paused for a brief moment in the middle of the closet, running my fingers over my lips. That kiss had awakened something inexplicable inside me, and when I tasted her mouth, my heart raced and everything inside me screamed for the golden curls. I was completely obsessed with her, and if before I needed to have her in my arms, now it was an obligation to satisfy that desire. I adjusted the collar of my white linen button-down shirt before zipping up my light beige chino pants, slipped on a pair of black loafers—it was a style I rarely wore, usually always in suits and ties, but I wanted Abigail to feel comfortable and to show her that I’m just a regular man like any other.
I glanced once more at the time on my Rolex. It had been a while since I felt something so intense that made me this nervous. Finally, after years, I felt alive again, and even if all this was complete madness, I wanted to dive headfirst into this date.
"Are you sure she’ll show up this time, Governor?" I gave a stern look to the head of security walking beside me. We were heading to the same table at the same restaurant as before, and if she didn’t show up again, I’d become the laughingstock among my staff.
"She’ll show up," I said, trying to calm my heart, but before I could sit down at the table, I saw her walk into the place, her hair loose with a few curls at the ends, her red dress hugging her figure, and her smile made me sigh. Abigail is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.
"Good evening, Governor." I stood there for a brief moment, admiring her beauty.
"Wow, you look… perfect."
"Thank you." She glanced at my outfit, eyeing me from head to toe. "You don’t look bad yourself. Actually, it’s strange seeing you without the usual formal wear."
"Today I want you to get to know me better—the real Orion behind all those protocols." Abigail tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, making me even more enchanted by her beauty. "Shall we sit?" I motioned to the table, and one of the waiters approached to pull out a chair, but I stopped him. I pulled the chair out for Curls myself, and she thanked me, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"I’m here, Orion. Now you’ll have to leave me alone." Smiling, I sat across from her, staring into her light eyes.
"I’ll do whatever you want at the end of this night."
She shook her head with a smile. I gestured for the waiter to pour wine into my glass. It was the same one from last night, and I knew it was one of the finest wines imported from Italy. I took a sip and asked him to serve her as well. Abigail looked thoughtful, and I would give anything to know what was going through her head.
"Forgive me, I didn’t ask if you drink wine," I said.
"I do, thank you." She held the glass in her hands, took a sip, and looked around. "It’s a beautiful place, very classy."
"I have good taste." I shrugged. "I like it because it’s discreet and private—nothing that happens here can leave this place."
"And what’s going to happen here? It’s just dinner between friends."
"Of course." I smiled. "Tell me about yourself. I know you’re studying psychology. What made you want to go into that field?"
"I’ve always enjoyed interpreting people’s emotions, understanding what’s going on in their heads, and helping them somehow."
"Interesting. Have you managed to interpret me yet, golden curls?" We were silent for a brief moment, looking at each other, until one of the waiters politely interrupted to serve the food. It was an Italian dish I had ordered myself—ravioli in white sauce. "I chose this dish because of a trip I took to Italy. They eat a lot of pasta there, and I’m passionate about it."
"It looks delicious." Abigail kept glancing around, perhaps not entirely comfortable with all the security around us.
"Are you okay?" I asked, reaching out and holding her hand, making her look at me again. Her hand was cold. "If you don’t like the dish, I can ask them to prepare something else."
"No, Orion, everything’s perfect—way beyond my reality. I’ve never even dreamed of a restaurant this luxurious, and I’m not really sure how to behave."
Shit, Orion! Why did I have to bring her somewhere so fancy? Abigail wasn’t like the elegant and spoiled women I usually dated—she didn’t care about expensive things, and this might’ve made her uncomfortable.
"I’m sorry. I wanted somewhere amazing for our dinner, and I ended up…" She squeezed my hand, making my heart race.
"It’s okay. You live in a completely different world than I do. It’s normal for you to choose somewhere this luxurious."
I stayed quiet, just looking at our intertwined hands until she pulled hers away to start eating the ravioli. She brought a bite to her mouth and let out a soft sigh. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste of the food before smiling.
"It’s the best meal I’ve ever had in my entire life." I relaxed into the chair, feeling calmer—at least she liked the food.
"I’m glad you liked it."
We kept talking. She told me about her siblings, her parents, and how close her family is. Unlike me, Abigail has a good relationship with her relatives. I barely speak to my daughter, and I’ve had no contact with my brothers since our parents died. I took another sip of wine while she kept talking nonstop. I could spend the whole night admiring her beauty, but I knew Curls would never spend the night by my side, even if it were just to sleep.
"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, just admiring your beauty." I held her hand again. "Curls, I’m completely obsessed with you."
"Orion, we agreed this would just be dinner between friends." Shit, I sounded like a lovesick teenager.
"It can be whatever you want, Curls." I drank some more wine. Time was passing, the conversation was nice, but Abigail stood up, saying she had to leave since her class started early the next morning. I felt frustrated because I wanted her in my bed.
I got up and followed her, then looked at my head of security, asking for the red box. I wanted to give her something that would always remind her of me.
"Wait, I have something for you." Abigail stopped halfway, turning to face me. I took the box from the security chief’s hands and, opening it, showed her the bracelet. Her eyes widened in surprise. "A little gift to remember me by."
Letting out a laugh, she walked up to me and stopped in front of the bracelet in my hands.
"Do you think you can buy me, Governor? I’m not like the women you go out with."
"Golden curls, I’m not trying to buy you. It’s just a gift."
"I don’t want it. I told you this would be just dinner, nothing more." She turned and walked away.
"Tell me." I took a few steps, grabbing her arm. "What’s your price? What do you want to be mine?"
The sound of her slap echoed through the restaurant. Stunned, I closed my eyes, feeling like a complete idiot for saying those words. Abigail wasn’t someone who could be bought with jewelry or money.
"Stay away from me, Governor. I don’t want your money."
I stood there watching her walk away and closed the box with the bracelet, handing it back to the security chief before running out of the restaurant. I needed to fix the mess I’d just made. I grabbed her arm again, pulling her close to my chest, and looked into her eyes.
"I’m sorry. I was an asshole, but I’m so crazy about you I’d do anything to have you."
"I don’t want you, Governor. I’ve made that clear." Abigail looked at my lips, making me smile. I could feel her desire for me.
"Are you sure? What if I…" I kissed her, threading my fingers through her hair. She didn’t pull away—our tongues met once again. My whole body was on fire, and I wanted her more and more.
"Sir, someone might see you." I heard the security chief. Abigail pulled away from me, hitting my chest with a few light slaps.
"Stay away."
I stood there, watching her get into the car with one of my guards. Our feelings were mutual, and I knew this was true madness. I could lose everything I had built over the years—lose the position of governor and push my daughter even further away. I closed my eyes, ran a hand through my hair, and pulled a cigarette from my pocket, lighting it. I was far too nervous and needed the nicotine to calm down.