Chapter Three: Do You Believe In Love At First Sight, Candice?

"Who's the new guy," Candice asked Leonora, sipping on a glass of champagne. "You mean that young, handsome man standing with Ava, looking at you!" Leonara laughed as she shook her head, "Yes," Candice replied and held her focus on Leonora.

"Honestly, I don't know. I only know that he is some big-shot investment man," Candice bit her lip, "Oh, okay."

She sipped on her champagne and glanced in his direction occasionally. Candice was blown away by confinement.

She had never reacted the way she did when their eyes met moments ago, and that scared her.

And here she stood with feelings running wild within her, feelings she thought she had lost connection with a long time ago. That man was dangerous, and she needed to stay guarded. She knew she needed to protect her heart at all costs.

"Candice, you are wanted in the golden room and paid for until closing," Ana said, and Candice's jaw dropped. "But that's millions of dollars. Who did that?"

"One of the new gentlemen, Mr. Underhill. He was very confident while paying and determined to have you for himself," Candice blushed and nodded before leaving for the golden room.

She was a little nervous walking through the hall towards the private area. The golden room was the most luxurious one of them.

It was a big flat with a Jacuzzi, a private bar, and a vast terrace.

She inhaled a deep breath before she opened the door and went inside.

"Do you believe in love at first sight, Candice?" Richard asks when he sees Candice stepping inside the room. He smirked at her confinement, "Because I didn't until I saw you," Candice was flushed red when she heard Richard Underhill's shameless pick-up lines.

"That's very kind, Sir," Candice replies as she walks towards Richard.

She felt confident in her tight black short, satin dress, and she smiled at him.

Richard felt his pants tighten when he heard Candice call him Sir, as she rolled on the R.

She walked towards Richard, who was sitting on the couch, and Richard felt his heart rate when he heard the heels click against the floor. And now the sound of her stiletto heels was his new favorite sound, and Sir was his new favorite word.

"So, I'm yours the whole night," Candice utters to Calmy, and Richard smiles, "Yes, and you will be from now on," Candice frowns, "What will I be from now on?"

"Mine!" Richard replied and handed her a glass of champagne. "Cheers," He said and raised his glass.

"Cheers," Candice mumbled and took a sip. Richard gestured for Candice to sit down on the sofa. He was eager to get to know her.

"How old are you?" He asked, "I'm twenty-two. How old are you,

"I'm twenty-five. How long have you worked here?"Richard continues,

"One year. What do you work with?" "I'm a risk capitalist and do some day trading," Candice nods.

"Well, you must be rich if you could pay for my company all night."

"You're worth it," Richard replies, and Candice glances away, feeling her heart skip a beat. 

"Where are you from?" Candice looked at Richard, "I'm from Ohio. I moved to New York a year ago." Richard nodded. "Okay. What do you wanna do with your life?" Candice frowns,

"Wow. That's a tough one. I don't know. How about you?"

"Becoming a billionaire before thirty and then traveling the world before settling in the countryside. Preferably with a woman beside me, maybe some kids, a few dogs, and horses. I would love to spend my days doing the things I love and never have to worry about money or work."

"Wow, it seems like you have your life figured out, huh!" Candice replies, and Richard shrugs, "Yes, in a way. But I think it's good to have a goal to reach to keep the motivation. How come you moved to New York?" Candice needed to be more confident. She didn't like to talk about herself, and most of the men she met loved to brag about their fortunes and never asked her anything personal.

"I needed a fresh start. But you never told me where you are from?" Candice replied and tried to shift back the focus on him. "I'm from Nebraska. Why did you need a fresh start?" Richard utters with curiosity,

"Wow, talk about interrogation,"

Candice sighed and finished her champagne, "Honestly? I needed a break from my family and my old hometown," Richard gave her a puzzled look, "I can relate to that," Candice shrugged. She felt a little uncomfortable. She was used to playing a role with men, but this guy made her insecure.

And his admiring gaze made her stomach flutter, something she hardly felt.

"Do you wanna go outside to get some fresh air?" Richard asked, and Candice nodded, "Sure!"

They headed outside, and Candice began to freeze a little when she felt the cold air biting her bare skin. "Oh, you must be cold," Richard stated, taking off his jacket and hanging it over Candice's shoulders. "Thank you," Candice replied when she felt the warmth from the jacket embrace her with a spicy scent that lingered in her nostril.

"Have you ever wanted to disappear?" Candice asks, and Richard frowns.

"That's a little odd question. But sure, that thought had crossed my mind. Leaving without a word and starting a new life," Candice nodded. "Yes, exactly, a fresh start and never look back."

"It seems like there are a lot of emotions loaded in that question," Richard stated, and Candice shrugged, "Maybe,"

"What did you wanna be when you were a child?" Richard asks, and Candice looks away, "Grown-up and self-sufficient. There wasn't much room for bigger dreams!" Richard studied Candice as she looked out over the view of the city. And he noticed that her eyes flickered with emotions trying to break through.

"What did you wanna be?" Candice replied and pulled the jacket closer to her skin.

"Rich enough to leave my hometown," Richard replies, and Candice smiles. "Looks like you can check that one off then," 

"Yes. But there is something else I wanna check off more," Richard mumbles and take a step closer to Candice.