CAN'T I STEAL YOU AWAY?

The taxi stopped in front of the large and beautiful Italian restaurant. Megan paid the driver and got out of the taxi. The taxi sped off leaving her standing there. It has been a week since she saw Brandon in the hospital with that mysterious pregnant woman. He only called her once and she did not pick up, he did not bother to call her again, nor try to visit her since a week ago. How did she date that asshole for four years and think she was in love with him. Her leg has healed almost completely. Leonardo Valenti invited her for lunch at this nice Italian restaurant to apologize for what happened in his house since she said it was his fault. She felt sorry for blaming him now she has no choice but to accept his invitation for a meal together. Julie had strictly warned her not to drive, therefore the reason for the taxi.

Megan was wearing a white blouson dress and a brown coloured trench coat, she wore a white sandal heel and carried a white purse. Her hair was in a messy bun. The heels did not hurt her feet much because it was low. She walked into the fancy restaurant and straight to the desk at the front of the restaurant. The host behind the desk wearing the uniform of the restaurant looked up when she approached and put on a professional smile. "Good afternoon, how may I help you?"

"I was invited here for lunch."

"Do you have a reservation?" She inquired.

"Yes. I am here to see Mr. Valenti."

Recognition flashed in her eyes. "Oh. This way."

She led her to a private area that was upstairs and away from the general room where others were dining. She saw Leonardo sitting on one of the chairs for the table for two, set for them. He stood up when he saw her and pulled out her own chair for her to sit down. She blinked in surprise, she was not used to this kind of treatment from Brandon. Megan sat down quickly so as not to leave him standing. He moved to his own chair and sat down on it.

"A waiter will attend to you once you are done picking out your order." The hostess told them. Megan had almost forgotten about the woman standing there. "In the meantime, you can pick out your courses."

"Thank you." Leonardo Valenti said to the hostess. She nodded curtly and left them. Leonardo's dark eyes returned to her. He scanned her intently. She was uncomfortable with the intense gaze. He was so handsome and hot. He was wearing a dark blue three-piece suit. He sat on his chair looking so powerful like he is. At least she was now allowed to appreciate his beauty now that she was over with Brandon. At least, on her side.

"I see your leg has healed. You are wearing heels." He noted. "Won't it still be uncomfortable for you?" His voice was so deep that it made Megan shiver slightly.

"It has almost healed completely. The heels are low so they are comfortable as long as I don't stand for too long."

"Then why bother wearing them if they will still be uncomfortable for you?" He raised a perfectly arched brow.

"Women's fashion is different from men's. I have to wear my outfit with a heel so I chose a low heel that won't give me much problem or pain. You don't need to worry much about me or my leg. I am sorry for putting the blame on you."

"Why are you sorry? It happened in my house, therefore it was also my responsibility and my fault for scaring you."

Megan felt uncomfortable with his kindness. "Are you always this kind to people? You told me you do things for a reason. What is your reason for being kind to me?"

He smirked a wicked one. "So you took notice of my words. Very good. One of the keys to survival in this world is always to be wary of the people around you. Some are there for a purpose."

As he said those words, she instantly remembered Brandon. Who she trusted for a long time but he ended up betraying her.

"Are you also here for a purpose?" Megan asked and he leaned back on his chair looking relaxed. There is no way he approached her for a reason. One, his business is on par with her father's business or even bigger than, she wasn't sure. Two, he also has a lot more money than Brandon. A whole lot.

"Not really. It was merely an advice. If someone betrays you, then don't hesitate to stab them in the back when they are least expecting it."

Now she understands why the media painted him as a ruthless and arrogant businessman. She wondered what he did to people who betrayed him. She took her menu and opened it. "Let's order now, shall we? We came here to this beautiful restaurant to eat so we should do just that." It was intentional. Her trying to change the topic. She did not want to delve further into unnecessary things when they were just strangers.

He chuckled. It seems he understood what she was trying to do. "Alright."

Megan scanned the menu, there were all sorts of dishes that seemed nice. She doesn't eat Italian foods so she was clueless about which one to pick. She glanced at Leonardo and his eyes were on his menu.

"Can you pick for me?" She asked him. He would know which one to recommend since he was Italian.

He looked up at her. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I don't really eat Italian food so I am a bit confused about the one to pick. Since you are Italian, I feel you are the right person to recommend to me. Maybe a signature dish and something that is very nice and native."

"Alright. Do you have any allergies?" He asked.

"No. I don't." She answered.

He looked into his menu. "I would recommend the Braciole if you are craving meat or Snail Caviar if you are craving uncooked seafood and something greasy. Bottarga is also a nice seafood choice that is cooked."

"Hmm. The Snail Caviar is definitely off the list. I like cooked meals." He chuckled at that last one and she smiled. "I will go for the Braciole, I am craving meat today."

"That is a nice choice."

"What are you picking?"

"The Balsamic and Rosemary-Marinated Florentine Steak. I love that one."

"Oh, Steak. That is also nice." The waiter came and took their orders.

"I would like the Giuseppe Quintarelli Wine." He told the waiter who noted everything down and left.

When their meal arrived, her's was looking so beautiful to eat. She almost took a picture but refrained herself because it was a formal meal and not an informal one. She took a bite from her food and her eyes went wide. What is this divine taste? She heard Leonardo laugh. A deep throaty laugh and she looked up. He was staring at her in amusement. Her cheeks turned red. He had witnessed her unashamed appreciation.

"I'm sorry. It was just so nice. I hope I am not making you uncomfortable?"

"You certainly are not. Instead, I am enjoying this lunch." His Italian accent was noticeable.

Megan almost blushed. This meal between them felt intimate and not like a business meal. After that, they ate their meal in silence. The wine was heavenly and tasted rich in her mouth. This food was one of the best she had ever had and funny enough, she enjoyed his company. He was easygoing and was not too demanding. They had small conversations in which he made her laugh sometimes. When they finished eating, their plates were packed up and she felt full. It was a hearty meal.

"If this was a real apology meal, you are most certainly forgiven." Megan joked as she cleaned her mouth with a napkin.

However, his face was serious. "It is an apology meal and it will remain like that. I will take it that I am forgiven then."

"It's not really necessary but you are forgiven. I would like to try out the Bottarga someday. I never knew native Italian foods could be this nice and wonderful." She smiled.

"They are. I can bring you here again some other time if you would like to come with me."

Megan froze. Was he asking her on a date? She banished the thought from her head. Seems like she is beginning to behave like Julie and read too much into trivial things. "Do you mean another apology meal?"

"Certainly not. I meant a date." He said boldly and Megan's jaw almost dropped.

Why was Julie always right? First, it was Brandon, now it's Leonardo. Nevertheless, it was still wrong. He was her business client and even though she would soon break up with Brandon, what would others say? Especially the ones who are aware that she was the one who decorated his house.

"I am sorry but I have to decline that offer Mr. Valenti."

His eyes gave nothing away. "If you are thinking about what others might say then you should know that I do not care. You shouldn't too because they are not the owners of your life. Also, the name is Leonardo. Not Mr. Valenti. I thought we had passed that stage." He asked rhetorically.

"I am sorry about that Leonardo. I have a boyfriend so I can't go on a date with you. This one was simply a business dinner so that I why I came but it ends here." Maybe this one would make him back off.

He did not seem fazed. "Can't I steal you from your boyfriend so I can become your boyfriend instead? I know good things when I see one and I don't like letting go of them once I want it. The same thing applies to someone I like and I like you Megan Zendel." He said confidently staring at her with those dark eyes that were beginning to make her insides churn.