Public display

ALEXANDRA'S POV

“Okay, you can do this… you're used to meeting clients who are rude and just like him…” I kept muttering to myself as I pulled the shawl over my head.

I don't even know why I was sneaking about but the paparazzi I found outside my house was enough to put me in this state.

They were already after me.

Now I had to walk about my own city with a shawl over my face.

As I neared the cafe he had asked to meet, I sighed before opening the door, and looking around the interior of the place.

As I pushed open the door, a warm glow enveloped me, chasing away the chill of the outside world.

The cafe's interior was a haven of elegance, with soft golden lighting casting a honeyed hue over the polished wooden floors and plush velvet armchairs.

The air was alive with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle hum of conversation.

Delicate glass chandeliers refracted tiny rainbows, casting a whimsical touch amidst the sophisticated ambiance. The walls are adorned with vibrant artwork.

Amidst this tranquil oasis, I spotted him – the man who had summoned me here, his piercing gaze already locked onto mine.

I stilled and the smile on my face slowly fizzled out. Was it normal for the man to just ruin my mood this fast when I had a year ahead to spend with him?

Probably not.

Drawing the shawl over my face and ignoring how his blue eyes darkened with that, I walked over to him and sat down in front of him.

“Hey, I didn't expect you to be here this early” I whispered even though no one was paying us any attention.

Weird.

“You're 3 minutes late” he rumbled, adjusting the cufflinks on his arms.

“Yeah, okay so terrible traffic. Had to make a pit stop to get a piece of chocolate froㅡ”

“I didn't ask. When I give a time, I mean it, Miss Thompson. You as an event planner should know it's rude to keep someone waiting especially when you have business with them” he pointed out.

I froze, the cold tone in his voice making me pause the ransacking of my purse to look back up at him.

“It's just three minutes…” I muttered, confused slightly.

He frowned, a slight crease in his cheeks. “Three minutes? That was enough to stretch my patience to the limits, Miss Thompson” he said sternly.

“Look I'm sorrㅡ”

“Don't be. Just don't let it repeat itself now for the main reason we're here…” he paused and scowled even further.

“What?” I asked confused as to why he was staring at me that way.

“What is that monstrosity over your face?” He asked with an exasperated sigh.

I drew the shawl closer unconsciously. “It's so that People don't know who I am. You should have worn a disguise too, you know?” I hissed, my voice low.

He crossed his arms over his broad chest and went “I don't hide from the spotlight, Miss Thompson. I own it”

He fucking said that to me.

“Oh well, I know that” I adjusted uncomfortably in my seat, pouting slightly.

His eyes narrowed and I quickly smiled at him. “since we're not hiding, might as well put on a smile. People are beginning to look” I whispered, smiling at him.

“I don't have to smile, Miss Thompson. I'm not quite known for…smiling. I have a reputation to protect anyways…” he said casually, sipping the cup of iced Americano on the table.

People were indeed beginning to look and I could hear the distant flashes of the phones in the background.

How did rich people live in this type of world where they could have no privacy?

“And you think I don't have a reputation to uphold?”, I asked, my voice lowering as a waiter walked past our table.

“You're…not prey to such people, Miss Thompson. Point it, we can just go with the story of you being the lovey-dovey one. We met at an event and you chased me till I agreed and fell In love with you. You understand right? Kinda suits our… positions. Besides it's a believable story, I am very attractive and rich” he said, nodding to himself.

In all that he just spewed out, I could pick out one thing which was his last words. “Are you a narcissist?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He froze and he blinked once. Twice.

This was the first time I had managed to catch him off guard.

“I'm not a narcissist, more like a realist, I know my worth and I won't apologize for it,” he said coldly, his usual composure coming back.

I mulled over that for a moment then shook my head. “why did you tell me to come here anyways?” I asked him.

“To tell you that I will be sending you the details of everything in your mail tomorrow. I expect you to move into my house by the end of the week. Just pack and I'll get you a driver” he said, staring at me.

I gritted my teeth, knowing that there was no way to go back after this. “My payment first. It's urgent. Send the money first”

He frowned and nodded. “Very well, Miss Thompson. I'll give you 30 by this night. You work for the rest. You should understand. Do your best” he said with a click of his tongue.

I nodded and removed the shawl from my hair, my hair falling in waves.

He stared at that action for a fraction of a second then he stared back down into his cup. “Do we have a deal, Miss Thompson?” He asked.

I simply raised my hand to show him the ring he had given me the previous day.

“I think this should be enough proof”

He smirked. “Yeah sure, we're gonna have to do something about that ring. Get you a better one” he said, more to himself than to me.

“I have things to do. I should get going” I stood up and he stood up with me too.

I eyed him as he turned to my side of the table, his blue eyes cold and detached as he snaked a hand around my waist.

What in the fuck was he doing?

I couldn't pull away because I knew people were watching. He must have chosen this place as it would have more spectators. Wow.

Before I could comprehend it, he leaned in closer and kissed me.

On the lips.

He pulled back almost immediately and smiled slightly. “Bye,” then he was out, leaving me there with buckling legs.

Holy shit.