The Don's Legal Eagle's Baby: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance

6. Griselda

Two days had passed since that peculiar encounter with Emilio, and I couldn”t shake the memory of it. There was an inexplicable allure to his presence, a magnetic force that kept drawing my thoughts back to that night.

Despite his infuriating and abrupt exit, I found myself wanting to meet him again, if only to give him a piece of my mind.

I did the most embarrassing thing a woman in my shoes could do and went to the club each night. It was as if an invisible thread pulled me there, hoping to catch another glimpse of him.

Or perhaps, deep down, I just hoped to understand why he had left so abruptly and confirm his parting words that it wasn’t because of me.

Visiting the place three days in a row hadn”t made it lose its charm. The lively chatter, the rhythmic pulse of music, and the clinking of glasses created a vibrant ambiance. Each visit fueled a blend of curiosity and frustration within me.

I told myself that I was here for other reasons - to unwind after work but, inevitably, my eyes would scan the crowd, hoping to spot that face that had etched itself into my memory.

It was a perplexing attraction. First, I was drawn into a conversation I did not seek, then unexpectedly enjoyed said conversation. Perhaps it was the way he carried himself with a certain grace. There was something to him that I couldn”t ignore.

He had stood me up in the most perplexing and rude manner, and yet, something about him made me want to know more. It made me wish we could at least have shared that kiss before whatever made him jump up and run.

As I sat at the bar, nursing a drink and pretending to be engrossed in my phone, my thoughts wandered back to our playful banter. Was he really the CEO of Royalty Rentals? What had he intended to achieve with such a joke? Was he hiding something beneath his cool composure?

Minutes ticked by as I observed each newcomer, hoping to spot that familiar face, but time played its own game. I chastised myself for becoming so fixated on a stranger, a man I knew nothing about.

A new arrival took a chair at the bar. My heart quickened, and I glanced in that direction. But it wasn”t him. It”s just another face lost in the crowd. Disappointed, I sighed, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. It seemed absurd to be affected this way, and yet, here I was.

Perhaps fate would decide in my favor to bring us face to face again, and this time, I wouldn”t let him slip away so easily.

The following evening, I found myself back at the club again. I didn”t even bother ordering a drink this time. My sole focus was on the door, desperately hoping Emilio would walk through it. I felt absurd, weak, desperate. I was practically stalking the club for a man I wasn’t familiar with.

What if he never showed up? Was this how I would continue, coming here on the off chance that he might?

An hour passed, and there was still no sign of him. Doubt crept into my mind. Was I bordering on insanity, fixating on this man I barely knew? I didn”t even have a certainty that he frequented this club. It was like chasing a mirage in a desert with no assurance that there would ever be water.

Self-awareness tugged at me. I couldn”t let myself spiral into this obsession. Yet, despite my logical reasoning, my heart kept longing for that chance encounter once more.

I had never felt this drawn to a person before.

I let out a sigh, grappling with my thoughts. It was probably time to release the grip this intrigue had on me. However, just as I was contemplating this, a bartender approached and set a drink on my table.

Pulled from my thoughts, I looked up, perplexed, wondering who had ordered it for me. The bartender nodded towards a man across the room, a knowing smile playing on his lips, revealing that he was the sender.

My heart did a little flutter, a glimmer of excitement sparking within me. Could it be Emilio attempting to make amends for abruptly ending our previous encounter? I turned my head, hope flickering in my eyes, but my hopes were quickly dashed as I saw a stranger grinning at me, evidently reveling in my anticipation.

Disappointment washed over me, suddenly filling my limbs with lead.

Offering a polite smile, I expressed my gratitude to the bartender but politely declined the drink. The stranger”s grin waned, his enthusiasm deflated by my rejection.

He wasn”t unattractive, sporting blonde hair, but my interest was elsewhere. Captured by a man I might or might not see again. I shifted my gaze, attempting to shake off the awkwardness and disappointment that now hung in the air.

Feeling disheartened, I decided to leave. Patience was dwindling, and this pathetic waiting for Emilio was leading me nowhere.

The next day, I found myself back at the bar for the fifth, and what I swore to myself would be the last time I came here to seek Emilio. If I didn’t see him today, then I would take it our paths weren’t meant to cross.

As I settled into my usual spot, I ordered a non-alcoholic drink since I had brought my car and waited. When my drink arrived, I focused on its amber liquid, the ice clinking softly against the glass. Tonight, the ambiance of the club did little to soothe my nerves.

Time dragged on, each tick of the clock amplifying my growing impatience. I glanced around, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he”d make an appearance, but as the minutes morphed into an hour, I decided that I couldn’t do it anymore.

The bartender approached with a friendly smile, inquiring if I”d like another drink. With a polite decline, I explained that I was about to leave.

Just as I was about to make my exit, a voice broke through the chatter. ”Leaving so soon?”

Startled, I turned to see the blonde stranger from last night. There was a casual yet confident demeanor about him. Smiling politely, I explained.

”I was waiting for someone, but I guess they”re a no-show,” I shared, my eyes momentarily meeting his. He slid into the seat beside me, leaning casually against the counter.

”Well, who would leave a beautiful woman like you all alone?” he remarked, attempting to flirt.

I let out a dry chuckle, trying to keep the situation light.

”Maybe something urgent came up,” I replied, inching to stand.

However, before I could make my move, his grip on my wrist tightened, effectively halting me. I glanced at where his hand held mine, then up at him, feeling uncomfortable and annoyed.

This man seemed unfazed by his intrusive gesture, pressing me to stay and join him for a drink. My patience was already worn thin. With as much self-control as I could muster, I gently removed my hand from his grasp, making it clear that I wasn”t interested.

”Thank you, but I”m not looking to have a drink,” I said firmly, hoping he”d respect my boundaries.

”I insist,” he expressed with a tone in his voice that made me more uncomfortable.

I shook my head with finality.

”No, really. Thank you, but I”m leaving,” I said, standing up with determination.

As I turned away from him and walked toward the exit, I felt a mixture of relief and frustration. Relief because I had managed to extricate myself from this stranger”s relentless advances.

Frustration because I had placed myself in this vulnerable position by showing up here night after night, all on my own, chasing some elusive enigma.

However, before I could even exit the club to get to my Nissan Altima, the blonde stranger reappeared, abruptly blocking my retreat. Anger simmered in his eyes as he looked down at me, his towering figure even more imposing now that we were both standing.

“What is your problem?”He demanded, seemingly offended by my rejection.

Caught off guard with my irritation boiling over, I fired back, ”What”s your problem?”

I”d made my stance clear to him multiple times. Yet the blonde stranger seemed to think that I was merely playing hard to get.

”I”ve already told you I”m not interested. How many times do I have to repeat myself?” I exclaimed, my tone sharper this time.

Just then, a firm voice cut through the tension. ”I believe she already said she wasn”t interested.”

I turned, my eyes widening in both surprise and relief.

There stood Emilio.

The blonde stranger turned, too, and for the first time, I realized how much taller Emilio was compared to most men.

Emilio”s appearance, though welcome, ignited conflicting feelings within me. A flutter of delight at finally seeing him again warred with my annoyance at being in this situation in the first place.

If he hadn’t just upped and left, if he had stayed, maybe share his contact details, I wouldn’t have had to stoop so low, waiting here, five evenings in a row, like a besotted

My attention shifted back to the blonde stranger, who seemed taken aback by Emilio”s interruption.

I seized the opportunity to gain the upper hand and said firmly, ”Excuse me, I really must go.”

I edged past him and towards Emilio, who was still standing there, his gaze steady and reassuring. Despite the odd circumstances, a feeling of safety washed over me as I approached him, my frustration from earlier beginning to subside.

Emilio took my hand, leading me out of the club and towards his vehicle. As we stepped into the dimly lit parking lot, my eyes widened at the sight of his stunning car.

It was a sleek, midnight black Mercedes-AMG GT, the embodiment of elegance and power. The moonlight glinted off its polished surface. I stood there, captivated by the sheer beauty.

However, when I turned my gaze to Emilio, ready to express my awe over his vehicle, he wore a smirk that hinted at pride over his car. Remembering my irritation, I quickly shifted my focus away from the car and directed my annoyance at him.

”You know,” I began, letting the events of that night fuel my anger, ”I expected a bit more courtesy. After your abrupt departure, you left me hanging back there.

I was surprised to see Emilio”s expression shift, his smirk disappearing as he looked at me.

”I”m sorry,” he said, his tone carrying remorse. ”I saw someone I had been searching for for a long time, and I couldn”t afford to let them slip away. It was a matter of urgency.”

Taken aback by his apology, it was hard to maintain my anger when faced with such sincerity. I sighed, allowing some of the tension to escape my shoulders.

”Alright,” I relented a little. ”But a heads up would have been nice.”

Emilio nodded, understanding in his eyes. ”I agree, and I should have handled it better. Let me make it up to you.”

The fact that he acknowledged his mistake made it easier for me to let go of my frustration. Besides, the anger seemed trivial now, standing here with him under the moonlit night.

“How?”, I asked, curiosity mingled with excitement.

Emilio smiled, pretending to ponder for a moment, before finally saying, ”Dinner. You, me, and dinner.”

I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard but undeniably flattered. I couldn”t deny I was looking forward to it.

”Where?” I inquired, my anticipation growing.

”There”s a hotel nearby,” he replied, his smile still playing on his lips.

The mention of the hotel brought a specific one to my mind.

Lumière Heights Hotel.

My eyes widened at the thought. That place was known to be extravagantly expensive.

”That place is crazy expensive,” I blurted out, a bit surprised by the suggestion.

Emilio chuckled, and he opened the passenger side door, motioning for me to get in. I hesitated for a moment, still trying to process the idea. Was he serious? With a mix of apprehension and excitement, I stepped into the car, wondering what this unexpected turn of events might bring.

As we drove to the hotel, I couldn”t help but admire the interior of Emilio”s Mercedes-AMG GT. The sleek, black leather seats and polished dashboard oozed luxury. The car purred with power as we smoothly navigated through the city streets.

When we arrived at Lumière Heights Hotel, my astonishment only deepened. The hotel stood tall and grand, exuding an air of opulence. The exterior was adorned with intricate architectural details, and the lobby, with its chandeliers and marble floors, was nothing short of magnificent.

Emilio swiftly booked a room, pulling out a black card. I had a flash of memory where he mentioned being the CEO of Royalty Rentals. Perhaps he wasn”t joking.

I followed him, feeling a mix of excitement and a tinge of jealousy at the thought that others might have experienced this level of treatment from him before.

He led the way with a confident stride, clearly familiar with the hotel. Now and then, he”d look back at me, making sure I was keeping up. His commanding presence was both intimidating and intriguing. As we ascended in the elevator, the air felt charged with anticipation.

We reached our floor, and Emilio guided me to the room, smoothly unlocking the door and ushering me inside. The room was just as luxurious as the rest of the hotel. The soft lighting, plush furnishings, and the inviting bed all hinted at a night of comfort and indulgence.

I couldn”t help but let my curiosity get the best of me.

”You seem familiar with this place,” I remarked, trying to keep my tone light.

He smiled with a glint of amusement in his eyes. ”I”ve been here a few times.”

Jealousy flared again, but I pushed it down. This was a night I hadn”t expected, and I didn”t want to spoil it. Emilio noticed my expression.’

Leaning slightly closer, he asked with a playful smile, ”Are you jealous?”

I scoffed, trying to deny it, ”Please, as if…”

I moved to sit at the round table in the room, and Emilio followed, taking the chair opposite me. He continued to stare at me, his gaze intense and unwavering. It sent shivers down my spine.

He broke the silence, ”You”re the first woman I”ve brought here.”

His revelation hung in the air, charged with meaning. The intimacy of the moment was palpable, pulling me in. I looked at him, finding only honesty in his eyes.

The atmosphere seemed to thicken with the magnetic pull between us. I swallowed.

Emilio moved closer, his hand reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from my face. The touch was electrifying, sending a wave of exhilaration through me. I met his gaze, feeling a sudden surge of courage and longing.

”You have no idea how attractive you are,” he whispered, his voice low and husky.

I smiled, a mix of nervousness and excitement coursing through me. ”You”re not so bad yourself.”

We were drawn by the desire in each other’s eyes, the space between us disappearing.

Our lips met in a fiery kiss, an explosion of pent-up passion and undeniable chemistry.