004

ARI’S POV

“You again?” I spoke incredulously, my heart hammering in shock.

Once could have simply been a coincidence, but meeting him twice?

“Hey, wait-”

Uncaring of everything else, I tore my hand away from him and brought out my gun.

“What the hell do you want from me?” I stood on guard.

It would have been better if he'd gotten angry but all he did was chuckle.

“I don't think such drastic measures are necessary cara,” he said. Again that word. I had taken basic Italian lessons to know what that meant.

Darling.

And the way it rolled off his tongue…

‘No.’

I couldn't lose my guard, no matter how attractive this man was, this was bordering on stalking.

“Not when you've been stalking me.” I spat out.

“Would you believe me if I really did say that I found your location through legal means?” he said, stepping forward.

I backed away, still on guard as he pulled out something from his pocket.

“You left this at the hotel.” he said,

I looked down cautiously to find my office ID card. I'd never considered looking for it-

“Oh,” I breathed out. Heat rose to my cheeks in pure mortification. That was how he knew my workplace and home address.

And without thinking I'd treated him like a criminal. Raising my gun at a common civilian

“I'm so sorry. I should never have raised my gun at you,” I rushed out, putting my gun away, a mix of guilt and mortification filling me.

When I looked up I realized he hadn't said a word, instead his gaze was focused on me with something close to amusement.

My face shuttered once I realized. I brought my hand up in offering.

“Thank you for getting this for me. Please hand it over,” I said politely.

“And if I refuse?” He asked.

‘What the -’

Taken aback, anger fluttered in me.

“Please, just give it back.” My smile became more strained. Gauging him I knew I could easily tackle him, but I'd made enough missteps for one day.

“Did you like my present?” he asked. I inhaled sharply at the reminder of the necklace box still lodged in my bag.

“No, now give me back my ID or I'll arrest you, here and now.” I rushed out, ending with a threat.

“Why don't you do that then?” He said, “You'll be surprised to know what I can do for a beautiful lady like you.”

I reared back in shock. I couldn't read him.

“Who the hell are you anyways?” I asked,

“Wouldn't you like to know?” He smirked and my heart skipped a beat.

‘Get your head straight Ariana .’ I repeated to myself, but the hot feeling on my face told a different story.

I was losing my composure, getting flustered because of a stranger.

“I'll give it to you on one condition.” His voice made me look up in time for him to speak again.

“Have dinner with me,”

Of all the things to say, that was what I never expected.

“You asked me what I wanted. I want you to have dinner with me. If you do , then I'll leave you alone.” he said,

“No,” I refused, but he held me before I could get away.

“Come on cara. Yesterday was your birthday, no?” I stiffened, spinning back in shock.

‘How did he…Oh.’ I realized bitterly that my ID card was still in his hands.

“You deserve to celebrate properly. I swear I won't do anything you don't want me to.” he said,

My eyes narrowed, distrustfully, yet his expression remained neutral.

“If you do…I'll promise to tell you who I really am.” he said.

I shouldn't agree. I knew this. Even without the stalking involved, my instincts were on the defense. There was something suspicious about him and there were too many reasons to not trust this man. Surely none of this was worth it for a single ID card.

Yet slowly my barriers were breaking before I sighed.

Just one night?

“Fine.” I said.

…

He followed me to my apartment building. It would make no difference now considering that he knew where I lived anyways.

Yet on the way there, a thought came; What was I going to wear?

I'd rarely went to any parties. The only clothes I had was the one I'd bought specifically for my birthday dinner and now that one was…

Suddenly he stopped me in place and handed me a bag.

“You should get dressed. I'll be waiting.” He said,

“What's this?” I asked in confusion.

“I had a feeling someone as practical as you wouldn't know what to wear. So I made my own arrangements.”

It took a few seconds to realize what he'd meant.

He picked out a dress for me.

In an instant, anger formed. If he wanted to rile me up he'd succeeded.

The urge to scream at his smug face was overwhelming but I didn't.

I snatched the bag without a word before storming away.

“Presumptuous bastard,” I muttered curses to myself, uncaring if he heard before slamming my door.

I couldn't believe his audacity. Making his own arrangements, what the hell?

As I brought out the dress, a red silky number, I stopped short.

This dress was expensive. First the necklace and now this dress? How much money did he have?

Who the hell was he?

Looking over it, all the fight left me. I'd try it out. It might not even fit.

A few minutes later I ate my words.

I looked in the mirror shocked. Every part of my body molded to it perfectly.

How did he know my size?

I had no idea. It only added to the mystery of him which made me more suspicious.

But pushing him aside, I couldn't believe what I was seeing in the mirror. I looked freaking hot. Like a bombshell in a noir movie.

‘Focus.’ I told myself. My gaze trailed down to the jewelry box from before.

In a matter of minutes I stepped out, my hair clipped up and away from my face. He watched me as I moved towards him.

I noticed his gaze trailed down to my neck followed by a frown. Before I could overthink it, I handed over the jewelry box.

“I can't put it on,” I said, “the clasp…”

With those words, his disappointment washed away. He took the box and smiled.

“Turn around cara,”

Goosebumps erupted from the closeness but I obeyed.

My breath hitched when his hands brushed against my neck, followed by the cold metal of the necklace. I felt his eyes boring into my exposed skin. Heat bubbled up

Why did I feel this attraction?

As soon as he was done, I turned towards him.

“Bellissima,” he murmured. I also knew what that meant.

Beautiful.

…

Together we entered a car that definitely wasn't there before. It was sleek and black, increasing my suspicions.

“Just relax cara. You look tense.” he said on the way.

“Don't call me that.” I snapped defensively, “We aren't a couple. This is just a one time thing to get you to leave me alone.”

“Whatever you say,” he replied, that smug smile still on his face. I fought the heat lurching inside of me and turned away.

I had to keep my head straight. There was no time for romance or whatever this was. I had to be devoted to my job, no matter how damn distracting he was.

Surprisingly, the dinner went well. He'd taken me to some expensive place that made me raise my eyebrows at first. As the dinner went on he'd tried making conversation yet managed to constantly avoid whatever questions I had with flirtation. It was infuriating and yet… I couldn't deny my attraction.

There was just something about him.

He'd kept to his word, never moving near me or trying anything. By the time we stepped out, I was relaxed.

Maybe too relaxed.

I should have sensed something was wrong at the near empty street. As he opened the door for me to enter, I froze, spotting several people. One of them in particular caught my eye.

I never forgot a face, especially one of a thug that escaped my custody once.

Anxiety crawled through my skin. They were focused on us and I instinctively knew what was coming next.

Gunshots rang in the air. I ducked before finding myself dragged into the car.

“Fuck.” I heard him curse out. Following his gaze my blood ran cold at the sight of the now dead driver slumped on the steering wheel.

Rage warmed over me. This was everything I hated. Casualties and deaths.

The gunshots had stopped, as if they'd realized it wouldn't work. Looking up, I could pinpoint their location.

Looking over them. There were 10 total, nothing I wasn't used to if not for the fact that I was completely unarmed.

A metal clicking sound caught my attention. I whipped my head to find the Stranger holding two guns. My blood ran cold instantly.

Why hadn't I noticed earlier? He looked upset but not frightened by the gunshots and even had the fast reflexes to pull me back. It was like he was used to this situation.

I tensed as he lifted one of the guns only to realize he was handing it over to me. He lifted a single brow as if daring me.

Very well.

“You're going to tell me who you are.” I demanded as I snatched the gun from his hands, savoring the cool metal feeling.

“Let's survive this first shall we cara.” he said beside me. I couldn't bother correcting him as I spied from the window.

My eyes narrowed in anticipation as the shadows outside moved closer.

Game on.