BLIND DATE DISASTER

ROBERT'S POV

I sat at the table, trying my best to ignore Evelina’s constant flirting. God, she was doing the most. Every other sentence out of her mouth was some over-the-top compliment about how I “shouldn’t be this handsome and single.” I tried to keep my face neutral, but inside, I was getting more and more annoyed.

"I mean, I’m single too, Robert," she said, batting her lashes like I hadn't heard that line a hundred times. "Maybe we could bond?"

Bond? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I forced a polite smile and nodded, hoping she’d get the hint that I wasn’t interested. I didn’t want to be rude, but this was getting ridiculous. I was just trying to enjoy a quiet evening, and she had turned it into some weird game I didn’t sign up for.

And then, out of nowhere, she pulled that stupid stunt with her ring. She giggled—an actual giggle—like we were in some bad romantic comedy, and let her ring “accidentally” fall to the floor.

"Oops," she said, in this high-pitched, fake-innocent tone that made my skin crawl. I watched as she bent down, making sure to arch her back just enough to make it obvious what she was trying to do. Oh, for God’s sake.

When she stood up, she was way too close to me. Before I could even react, she leaned in and whispered something lewd into my ear. That was it. I didn’t even process what she said. I just felt this wave of irritation crash over me.

Without a word, I stood up. The chair scraped against the floor, loud enough to cut through the low murmur of the restaurant, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t sticking around for this. She had no clue who I was, what I was about.

As I walked out, I could feel her eyes on my back, probably in shock that her little act hadn’t worked. But I didn’t care. Evelina was the type who thought she could get whatever she wanted just by throwing herself at someone, and that wasn’t me. I wasn’t here for cheap thrills or desperate attention.

I should’ve left the moment she started with the flirting, but I’d tried to be polite. Next time, I’m trusting my gut.

What the fuck was she about? Did she actually think I’d lay with her? I clenched my jaw, still fuming as I made my way out of the restaurant. What was my mother thinking, setting me up with such a cheap bitch?What match making company even referred a total slut like this to my mother. It’s like she didn’t even know me. Well maybe she didn't. I shook my head, thanking the heavens I had the foresight to book the whole damn place. If I hadn’t, I’d be plastered all over the news by tomorrow, Evelina acting like some fucking victim in this mess.

Sliding into my car, I started the engine and peeled out of the parking lot, my hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than usual. I just needed to get home and forget about this disaster of a night.

As I drove back to my estate, my mind wandered—away from Evelina, thank God—and somehow ended up back on Sophia. What could she be doing right now? Probably with her boyfriend, I guessed. Does she even have a boyfriend? I realized that after our recent reunion, I didn’t know much about Sophia’s love life at all. We hadn’t really gotten into that during our conversations.

But Sophia—she was always this beautiful woman. I couldn’t deny it. I’d admired her back in high school, not in a romantic way but more out of pure appreciation. Her eyes, her body structure—everything about her was perfect back then, and honestly, she hadn’t changed much. She still had that glow.

She probably had a line of suitors, though. I mean, someone like her? There’s no way she didn’t have men falling over themselves just to get a chance with her. She was probably engaged by now, tied up with some guy who was lucky enough to lock her down. That thought sat weird with me. Not because I was jealous, but because it was Sophia. I couldn’t picture her being with anyone else from how I remembered her.

Then, I remembered our conversation earlier in the day. She mentioned something about her ex and that boat cruise she was planning to go on. The way she talked about it, it felt like there was more to the story than she let on. Her ex must’ve really done a number on her.

I’d call her as soon as I got home. Just to check in like had promised.

As I got closer to my estate, my phone started buzzing on the passenger seat. Glancing over, I saw Mum flashing on the screen. Oh, shit. Just what I needed right now.

I let it ring a few more times, debating whether or not to pick it up. After that disaster with Evelina, I really wasn’t in the mood for whatever lecture she was about to give me. She probably wanted a recap of the night—probably asking if Evelina and I hit it off. Yeah, not happening.

But if I didn’t answer, I’d never hear the end of it. She’d call again, and again, and then drop by unannounced like she usually did.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath, snatching up the phone and answering it.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. This was going to be fun.

This was going to be a long conversation.