“An arrangement?” Aria asked, confused.
“Yes, it’s my parents anniversary today and I want you to come with me-”
“No” she denied even before he could complete as his jaw clenched and he glared at her.
“Listen to me first” he gritted out.
“I don’t want to go with you. You said you’d leave me alone after this” she replied harshly.
At this, he chuckled “I precisely remember Aria, I said ‘If you go out with me today, then maybe I’ll never bother you again’ so it still applies till midnight today”
She gasped in realization as her hands fisted up in frustration.
“I already have a schedule” she tried to lie.
“I know your schedule Ms Leighton and I know that you are very free today”
She cursed under her breath while breathing heavily and looking down, contemplating what he just said. Abigor studied her with furrowed brows.
He didn’t understand what her deal was.
Back in the apartment, when he had pinned her to the wall and forced a kiss. She tried to push him away with all her strength but couldn’t.
At least that’s what she wanted him to believe.
But she forgot who she was dealing with, he had been in this game for far too long to be fooled by people. He knew she was holding back. But one question lingered in his mind.
Why?
What was she planning and what was she trying to prove?
“-ine” he almost didn’t hear her because of his intense thinking
“What?” he asked, snapping out from his trance.
“I said fine, I’ll go” she repeated as a small, almost unnoticeable smile broke out on his face.
It disappeared as fast as it surfaced.
“Good” he hummed while sipping on his coffee one more time “I want you to wear the dress I bought you”
“The dress you bought me?” she asked confused because she knew that she would clearly remember if such a thing happened.
“The gifts I brought you? There’s a dress in there along with some jewellery, I want you to wear that” he hummed as he took out his phone and typed something.
“Oh” she said in realization as she accepted it. It was his party after all. Why should she soil her own clothing by entering the nasty mafia world? It was just a one-night thing. She would get in, attend the party and get out.
And make sure that she never sees Abigor Hayes’s face again, of course.
“Okay” she agreed as she took out some cash along with an handsome amount of tip and placed it under flower vase “I’ll take my leave now, Mr Hayes”
His eyes fell back on her as it travelled on the cash lying on the table. The thought of her paying for herself in his presence infuriated him, but he decided to let it go for now.
He couldn’t expect her to start acting like his right away. He would give her some time if that’s what she wanted.
“I’ll be there at 7 pm sharp” he said firmly as he saw her standing up and waving her hands in dismissal.
She walked out while swaying her hips graciously. The way she carried herself so elegantly had left Abigor wanting more, he wanted to crack her facade and drag her real self out.
Before she could walk away from the cafe a car stopped in front of her as she flinched back in surprise. A man in his mid-50s suited in a black tuxedo stepped out from the driver’s seat and bowed in front of her.
She looked at him with wide eyes as she saw him opening the back door of the car and waiting for her to step in.
She turned around towards the cafe to look at Abigor still seated at their previous place, looking at her intensely through the large window. He lifted his fingers and gestured her to get in.
Aria huffed in annoyance. Even his gentlemanly things got on her nerves for some reason. She turned back to look at the man still standing in the same position as before.
She sighed and got in, looking away from the cafe as the chauffeur closed the door and got in the driver’s seat before driving away. She could still feel the pair of hazel eyes following her each and every movement.
Aria picked up the most decent looking dress among the sea of dresses. It was a dress with flower designs, it wasn’t exactly her style but she’d make do with it today.
“You look gorgeous sis!” She heard Kahlil’s voice as she turned around while wearing her diamond hoop earrings that came with the dress.
“And where were you?” she asked him as he scratched the back of his neck and looked around.
She had not seen him since Abigor had ordered his puppies to drag him out of the apartment in the morning. She was worried for him a bit but was confident that he was strong enough to defend himself if anything happens.
“With Karl y’know” he hesitated as she raised her brows in surprise while applying her lipstick.
“That dog of Abigor Hayes?” she questioned “Till now?”
“He’s not a dog, he’s his assistant” Kahlil argued “and yeah he just dragged me along with him the whole day”
Her jaw clenched as she fully turned around. She took slow steps towards him as her heels echoed throughout the empty room “Make sure he doesn’t drag you along in the future” she warned.
“You know what you are doing and getting involved with the Mafia is the last thing we want” her voice darkened as he gulped and nodded with determination.
“Of course sis. I do apologize for today” he looked down in shame as Aria smiled and patted his shoulder.
“I just want the best for y-”
She couldn’t complete her sentence as the doorbell rang, making both of them look towards the front door.
“I’ll get it” Kahlil said. But stopped when he felt her hand gripping his wrist.
“No, I will” she said as he nodded and allowed her to go.