Chapter 5: NEVER HAVE I EVER

2018 

Williams's POV

At a party I hadn't planned to attend, becoming the victim of a wine mishap felt rather unfortunate, I thought. That is, until I caught sight of the culprit behind the spill. I'm not one to be easily smitten, but there was something uniquely captivating about the green-eyed woman before me. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, “Ooohh myyy God,” which should probably be the longest ‘O my God' I've heard.

“I am so sorry, I…” she stammered, quickly dropping the glasses as she frantically started rubbing my shirt with her arms in a failed attempt to clean off the wine. I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at my lips as I watched her expression move from shock to apologetic. Cute . 

"I really didn't mean to..." she continued, her words trailing off as I gently held her wrist to stop her. She shot me a look of surprise, her dark green eyes meeting mine as I studied her delicate features.

“You are only making it worse. It's red wine,” I said.

“What?” she questioned

“Red wine leaves a permanent stain on white,” I said matter of factly, and for some reason that made her chuckle, leaving a pretty smile on her lips. 

"Funny," she said, her gaze now tracking mine. Interesting Intrigued, I pressed on.

"What is?" My hand remained on her wrist, and for some reason, I wasn't ready to take it off yet.

“It's funny that you knew that yet still decided to show up to a party wearing white. I mean who wears white to a party?” she asked, revealing her pretty smile again that sparks up something in those green eyes of hers. This party might actually be more fun than I thought it would be. Grinning, I leaned in closer. 

"Well, pardon me; I couldn't predict that some green-eyed pretty lady would be clumsy enough to spill drinks on my shirt," I replied, leaving her wrist to hold her hand. Her soft skin was stirring up some thoughts.

I tucked away "Touche,” she said, not minding how intertwined our fingers are now. “Though I didn't expect someone this beautiful to be so clumsy,” I teased, lightly brushing my thumb against her chin, noticing how full her pretty lips are. 

"I didn't expect Robins Tyla to be flirting with me," she said as I noticed how flushed her cheeks were.

Now it was my turn to say “Touche” I chuckled, and she laughed in the prettiest way ever. 

“Surprising. She knows me,” I said, wondering what impression she held of me. 

“Is it? You are not exactly obscure. Robins” I have never loved my pseudonym; my dad did terrible work there, though I might just love it when it's called with that voice. “I think I am." No, I don't.

“Really? 

Best medical students for years now.. Your research is even my main reference to my ongoing project on terminal diseases,” she said, confirming my guess about her being intelligent, and as a sapiosexual, I found that sexy.

"I have a lot to contribute, but we are at a party." Boring talks canceled,” I stated jokingly. 

"Definitely," she agreed, "parties are no place for academics." She laughed so pretty; it's slowly becoming my favorite sound.

"Exactly,” I responded.

“Come smoke with me,” I offered. 

“What? I don't smoke.” 

I'm glad she doesn't. "Let's assume you don't drink either." I teased 

"Well, I do, but not excessively. Light drinker here,” she clarified.

"Oh, please, I'm sure you can't even handle a glass,” I teased her. I was delightfully aware that she would likely try to prove me wrong.

I'm loving the idea “Is that some kind of dare?” She asked, with a hint of challenge in her voice.

I shrugged, She laughed. Damn in a sudden, swift motion, she freed her hand from mine and grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward the bar area. It was quite empty now.

"Let's see who can drink more," she proposed, I laughed

"You really want to compete with a..." I began, nearly blurting out my true identity as a mafia son. Thankfully, I managed to hold my tongue.

"A man?" she assumed "Are you suggesting a woman can't compete with a man? I'm sensing some misogyny here." 

I laughed again, eager to set the record straight. "Oh, please. I love women; I'm not against them in any way." I clearified with a grin 

“Then let's compete in a game of ‘Never have I ever’ then” she winked, sitting down to order some drinks.

I chuckled, amused by her fiery spirit. I'm loving this . I sat down as she poured the drinks into lined up glasses

“Wowww Easy with that” I said quite surprised that she filled that many glasses

“Scared already, Blue eyes?” she retorted 

“Someone has been staring” I teased, she smiled, her cheeks flushed then she responded “Whatever, I'll go first, then” 

"Never have I ever," she began, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she continued her statement. "Never have I ever been arrested." Her gaze locked onto mine. Observing my reaction I couldn't help but laugh, the amusement evident in my voice as I admitted, "Well, I can't say the same.” knowing full well that my past wasn't exactly spotless, thanks to my family's line of work.

She raised an eyebrow in intrigue "Now that's a story I'd love to hear, but for now, drink up," she laughed, and I quickly finished my glass, ready to continue the game. 

"Never have I ever..." I started, but she interrupted with a look of suspicion. "Never have I ever been to a sleepover," I finally said.

"That's not fair!" she protested with a laugh.

"I'm a girl, of course I've been to a sleepover!" 

"Drink up," I teased, and she complied, By the fourth round, I noticed a change in her demeanor. She started glancing around the room, as if searching for something. 

"Tipsy already?" I asked 

"You wish," she retorted with a smile, though her unease was still evident. "I have to go," she finally admitted. "My friend is dropping me off, and I can't miss her." She began to stand, preparing to leave. 

"I can always drop you off," I offered 

"Thank you, but I'd rather just go with her," she insisted. 

"Sure, then. Funny, I never got your name," I said, realizing that we had spent the entire night without a proper introduction. 

She smiled, "It's Angela, Angela Graciano." 

"Well, nice to meet you, Angela," I replied, already certain that this wouldn't be our last encounter. 

"Thanks for the night, Robins," she said, offering one last smile before departing. 

“This is just the beginning, Angela Graciano” I said beneath my breath as I watched her leave