Accepting the Invitation

CHAPTER 6

"Over there," Sarah mentioned, moving back with a content nod. "You are prepared to go and pursue your billionaire playboy."

I let out a nervous laugh, running my hands gently over the smooth cotton shirt she had assisted in choosing. "Take it easy. I have no idea what this even is, to be honest."

Sarah gave me a sharp glance. "Young woman, I beg of you. That guy was ogling you from the other side of the club. He obviously desires to devour you next."

"Perhaps he is simply a harmless eccentric who delights in gathering intriguing individuals."

Before Sarah had a chance to reply, a loud car horn honked outside. Both of us looked at the windows and I was amazed to see the shiny luxury car parked outside my humble apartment building.

Sarah dryly remarked that she believes that is your mode of transportation. "Shall we?"

“I still wonder how he knows where I live.”

She linked her arm with mine and practically pulled me out before I could hesitate and change my mind, “Leave that for now.”

I permitted myself to be guided outside towards the impressive car, where a well-dressed man in a suit and hat was standing, holding the back door.

"Hello, Miss," he greeted me courteously with a small nod of his head. I am here representing Mr. Salvatore to accompany you to his penthouse suite.

"Um, yeah...hey," I responded weakly, still shocked by the excessive show.

The driver quickly glanced at Sarah with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Ah, I am simply the friend sending her away," Sarah chimed in happily. "Pay no attention to me!"

With a smile on his face, the driver nodded and motioned for me to step into the comfortable interior of the fancy car.

I glanced back at Sarah with uncertainty before she urged me to continue, her expression showing she was enjoying playing the matchmaker.

My thoughts were suddenly stopped when the car started to decrease in speed before going through a detailed wrought-iron entrance with the label "Le Castillon" carved on it. My heart began to race rapidly in my chest.

The vehicle came to a halt in the circular driveway and the driver quickly opened my door. I stepped out into the cool evening air, my legs trembling.

Estefan was at that location. Anticipating my arrival. Simply considering it triggered a new surge of anxious butterflies.

"Excuse me? Please follow me," the driver said next to me.

I reacted with a small jump of shock before swiftly nodding, letting him guide me towards the entrance. We walked through the intricately designed wooden doors and entered a lobby that left me breathless.

As the driver drove me over, a plump woman with stylishly arranged grey hair came closer.

"Good evening and thank you for coming to Le Castillon," she smoothly welcomed me. "Do I understand correctly that you are Mr. Salvatore's guest for the evening?"

"Uh...um, y-yes," I stuttered, feeling strangely out of place in my plain jeans and shirt amidst all this elegant splendor. "Kaitlyn. My name is Kaitlyn."

If the woman noticed my evident poverty, she did not show any sign of it. Her pleasant smile and refined attitude remained constant.

"Delightful, Miss Kaitlyn, we have been anticipating your presence," She said as she motioned towards one of the luxuriously padded sofas. "Kindly relax briefly as we prepare for your escort to Mr. Salvatore's personal residence."

Did she have to be so polite? I cocked a brow.

I followed her advice and clumsily sat on a luxurious velvet sofa that likely had a value higher than that of most cars. I continued to look around at the elaborate marble and wood details, feeling out of place.

What possible desire could Estefan Salvatore have for someone as ordinary and unassuming as myself?

Right on time, another employee came up; a tall, well-built man in a suit with an earpiece, giving off an air of strength and authority as if he could be protecting a high-ranking official.

"Hello Miss Kaitlyn, how are you this evening?" He told me in a quick, professional manner that he was Romano and would be accompanying me to the penthouse suite. "Could you please come with me?"

I quickly stood up, running my hands over my shirt nervously while taking quick steps behind his strong, determined walk. We walked through the shiny lobby to a quiet group of elevators, where Romano used a keycard to call one of the exclusive ride.

During the tense and silent ride up, the strong man stood perfectly still in a military stance, while my heart raced with increasing fear in my chest. What on earth was I getting involved in?

Prior to talking myself out of the surreal situation, the elevator smoothly came to a stop and the fancy vestibule area's brass doors opened. Romano got off first, signaling me with a look to do the same.

I took a deep breath before approaching the entrance with shaky footsteps.

He was the one. Salvatore. Dressed in an impeccably fitted gray suit that highlighted his impressive tallness and strong physique. His bedroom eyes gleamed with clear enjoyment and male admiration as they surveyed me in a manner that almost crossed the line.

"We meet again, sweetheart," he said in his irresistibly accented voice that stirred something inside of me. “I've been anticipating this all day.”