17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
K endra
I stood in front of my closet, scanning the array of dresses and tops, unsure what to wear for my date with Antonio. Tina sat on my bed, sipping champagne and offering unsolicited advice.
“Girl, you need something that screams, ‘I’m interested,’ without saying, ‘I’m desperate,’” Tina said, examining her nails.
I chuckled and held up a red dress. “How about this?”
Tina’s eyes widened. “No way. You’ll look like you’re trying too hard. Plus, Antonio’s already seen that dress.”
I laughed, remembering when Tina and I bumped into him at a charity event in town. “Okay, what’s your expert opinion, then?”
Tina jumped off the bed and began rummaging through my closet. It took about eleven seconds of tossing clothes aside before she finally found something that caught her eye.
“Ah-ha! This one.” She nodded, pulling out a flowy, pale blue dress with a delicate lace trim.
“Perfect,” I said, taking the dress.
“Of course! If it isn’t perfect, then it’s not me…” she beamed, handing me the dress.
As I changed, Tina worked her magic on my hair, curling loose waves that cascaded down my back. She handed me a glass of champagne, and we clinked glasses.
“To a night to remember,” Tina said, smiling.
I took a sip, feeling a mix of excitement and guilt.
“Kendra, what’s Antonio like?” she asked, applying my makeup.
I closed my eyes, letting my mind conjure images of him. “He’s charming, kind, and genuine. And those eyes... oh my world...”
Tina giggled. “I’ve seen those eyes. Many ladies would kill to have him smile at them.”
We both laughed, but Tina’s expression turned serious. “Kendra, we both know why you’re doing this, though. You feel terrible, don’t you?”
I nodded, opening my eyes to meet Tina’s concerned gaze. “How can I not? I’m using him for a story.”
Tina’s voice softened. “You need this break, Kendra. But be careful. Antonio doesn’t seem like someone to trifle with.”
Just then, my phone buzzed. My brother, Tom, was video-calling.
“Hey, sis! Let me see what you’re wearing,” Tom said, his face filling the screen.
I held up the phone, striking a pose.
“Wow, stunning!” Tom exclaimed. Lucinda chimed in from the background.
“You look like a million bucks, love,” Lucinda said, smiling.
“Thanks, Lu…” I set the phone on the table and pulled Tina into the frame. “Tom, Lucinda, meet Tina. Tina, that’s my brother, and that is his beautiful wife.”
Lucinda’s cheeks flushed at the introduction.
“Hi, Tina, we’ve heard so much about you.” Tom smiled.
“Likewise,” Tina grinned. They got talking while I finished up my makeup.
“So… when is your college lover coming to pick you up?” Lucinda teased.
Tina’s eyes widened. “Did you say college lover?” she asked, looking between me and the phone screen.
“Lulu… why? I’ll never hear the last of this,” I groaned.
Tom’s face turned bright red. “Kendra didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Kendra has always had a crush on Antonio since her college days.”
“What?! You knew Antonio in college?”
“Sorta…” I responded casually.
“Sorta? Come on, girl… you gotta give me more than that.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “He was in his final year when I was a freshman. I liked him, but he never noticed me. And from our conversations, he doesn’t remember my face. It’s not that big a deal.”
“What? It’s the biggest deal!” Tina squealed.
Tom and Lucinda erupted into laughter. Tom gave Tina a more detailed account of my days of crushing on Antonio, and after they had their fill teasing me, we said our goodbyes.
As the call ended, Tina turned serious.
“Kendra, so you've always liked Antonio. How didn’t you know he was the same billionaire on the news until you were asked to do the story?”
“I don’t know… it didn’t make sense that he was a billionaire and living next to me. Anyway, that’s not important right now.”
“Does Tom know why you’re really going out with Antonio?”
I shook my head.
Tina’s eyes filled with pity. “This changes everything, Kendra. He isn’t just some random person you met here in Asheville.”
I took a deep breath, feeling a pang of guilt. “I know, Tina. But you said it yourself, I need this story.”
Tina’s expression softened. “Just be careful, okay?”
I nodded.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Antonio!
“Time to put on a show,” Tina whispered, handing me my clutch.
I smiled nervously, taking one last look in the mirror.
The blue dress shimmered in the light, and my hair cascaded down my back. I felt like a princess.
Tina gave me a quick hug. “You got this, girl.”
I opened the door, and Antonio’s eyes locked onto mine.
His smile lit up the evening. “Wow,” he said, handing me a bouquet of lavender asters. “You look breathtaking.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Thanks,” I said, feeling my cheeks flush.
With one last glance at Tina, who mouthed “be careful,” I stepped out into the evening, my heart in my mouth.
This was it—our first date.
***
As we walked to Antonio's car, the cool evening breeze carried the sweet scent of lavender asters. I felt like a princess, and the way Antonio’s gaze lingered on me made my cheeks flush.
We arrived at Le Coeur de la Vie , a five-star restaurant renowned for its exquisite French cuisine. The ma?tre d' greeted Antonio warmly and led us to a cozy table by the window. It was clear Antonio had made the reservation earlier in the day, and the thoughtful gesture made my heart swell.
Over champagne and appetizers, our conversation flowed effortlessly.
“Have I mentioned you look stunning tonight, Kendra?” Antonio said, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Only about a million times, I think.” I grinned. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
He chuckled softly, the sound sending a pleasant thrill through me. “I try my best.”
When the waiter came to take our order for the main course, Antonio leaned forward slightly. “So, what college did you attend?”
I studied his face, enjoying the moment. “Actually, we went to the same college.”
The way his eyes widened put a satisfied smile on my lips. “Really? Wait, how’d you know what school I went to? Because I’d definitely remember if I’d met you before.”
“Well, let’s just say I was one very shy college kid. I saw you a couple of times. You were the captain of the football team. But you always had so many ladies around you… it would’ve been impossible for you to notice me.”
“Wow, you’re not joking.” He shook his head, looking bewildered. “I can’t believe it. Go Huskies!” he exclaimed, a nostalgic grin spreading across his face.
“Go Huskies!” I echoed, laughing.
“What were you studying?” he asked, genuine curiosity in his tone.
I hesitated. “Uh… Communications.”
“Interesting,” Antonio said, leaning back thoughtfully. “I majored in business administration. Did we ever take any classes together?”
I shook my head, still smiling. “I don’t think so. You were in your finals when I was just a freshman.”
Antonio’s eyes sparkled. “I wish I’d noticed you back then.”
My smile softened. “You were busy being the big man on campus.”
We fell into easy conversation, Antonio sharing stories about his family’s business and his unexpected passion for wine-making. I found myself drawn in, asking questions, laughing at his jokes. He was more relaxed than I’d ever seen him, and it made my chest tighten in a way that both thrilled and scared me.
As our main courses arrived, he turned the conversation back to me. “So, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?”
“I love writing… creative writing,” I admitted, my voice shy.
“Really?” Antonio’s eyes lit up. “What kind of stories do you write?”
I swallowed, trying to deflect. “Just random tales. Nothing too serious.” I wasn’t being entirely truthful, but it was the best response I could give. If he knew the real reason I was here, he’d shut me out in an instant.
Quickly, I redirected the spotlight back to him. “I’ve always been fascinated by people’s passions. So, tell me, Antonio, what drives you?”
His expression turned serious, thoughtful. “My family’s legacy, I suppose. And making a difference in the community.”
As we finished our dessert, I noticed Antonio’s gaze drifting, his expression troubled.
“Is everything okay?” I asked softly, concern creeping into my voice.
Antonio’s smile faltered. “It’s nothing.”
But I reached out, placing my hand over his. “You can tell me, Antonio.”
He sighed deeply, his eyes locking onto mine. “It’s just family stuff. My mother... she’s been causing some… trouble.”
“Trouble?” I echoed, brow furrowed.
“Yeah. My parents had a nasty divorce years back, and my mother hasn’t been very... reasonable since. She’s resurfaced recently with absurd demands, and I…”
I leaned in, heart pounding. “What kind of demands?” I had a feeling this was connected to the story I was after. And even though guilt twisted in my chest, I wanted—no, needed—to know more.
Antonio lowered his voice. “I don’t know if you’ve heard about the winery on the news, and some of the rumors surrounding it… The person responsible for those rumors is my mother. But no one outside my family knows that yet. She’s threatening to reveal some very sensitive information if she doesn’t get her way.”
My throat tightened as guilt slammed into me. I was the threat he feared. If he ever found out…
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, forcing my voice to sound genuine. “That sounds awful.”
Antonio’s eyes searched mine, vulnerable in a way I hadn’t expected. “I just want to protect my family’s business. We’ve worked so hard to build our reputation.”
“I wish I could wave my hand and make your worries disappear,” I whispered, meaning every word. I never wanted to hurt him—not like this.
He smiled weakly, placing his hand over mine. “Just being here with me is enough. Thank you.” He took a deep breath, and then his eyes lit up again. “Enough about my troubled family. We came here to celebrate.” He lifted his wine glass. “A toast—to the start of something beautiful.”
I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole as I clinked my glass with his.
As the evening drew to a close, Antonio walked me back to his car, his arm around my shoulders, warm and protective.
“Thank you for tonight, Kendra,” he said softly, his voice low and husky. “Thank you for walking back into my life.”
My heart squeezed painfully. “Thanks for dinner. I had a wonderful time.”
Antonio parked at the apartment’s garage, and we walked upstairs together, fingers entwined. Every step made my heart beat faster, every glance made the ache of guilt sharper.
When we reached my door, he turned to face me. “Kendra,” he whispered, his breath brushing against my skin.
I closed my eyes, the world spinning around me. And then, our lips met in a soft, gentle kiss.
Time stood still.
But as we broke apart, reality hit me like a tidal wave. I was playing with fire, and Antonio’s heart was the kindling.
“Goodnight, Kendra,” he murmured, eyes still searching mine, as if he could see every lie buried beneath the surface.
“Goodnight,” I whispered back, my voice barely audible.
I slipped inside and shut the door, leaning heavily against it. I was walking a tightrope, balancing my deceit and my growing feelings for Antonio. And I knew, deep down, that I couldn’t keep this up for much longer.