Tosin's stare lifted from his phone to the cocktail and then, as if in slow motion, caressed me from my sandals, flitted to my gown, grazed my lipstick, and in that moment, I noticed the corner of his mouth twitch before finally meeting my eyes. I involuntarily gasped.
What was that I just felt? I'd heard people describe intense attraction as electricity before, but it always sounded exaggerated—until now. Why him of all people?
"I see you finally came out of the shadows." Tosin's voice carried authority, but it was soft at the same time. I was too busy wondering if all billionaires' sons sounded like him that I almost missed what he said.
"Excuse me," I blinked, my eyes widening.
His smile was sarcastic. "You've been watching me from over there," he nodded toward the spot I'd been sitting. "Do we know each other?" He crossed his arms across his expansive chest—he must gym a lot—and looked at me pleasantly.
I refused to let my shock show. How did he do that? That was not important. He was talking to me, and I needed to latch onto that.
"I'm a fan!" I blurted in a high-pitched voice and internally winced. "You've made great strides in the tech world and it's fascinating. Such an inspiration." I met his gaze squarely, refusing to flinch as he narrowed his eyes in distrust.
"Could you elaborate on these strides?" He raised his brows.
"You've successfully created an AI automating software that cuts across industries and ensures repetitive tasks are cut out in one simple prompt. It's giving back a lot of companies and workers their time, which is also their money. So yayy. I've used the free version and it's awesome." I didn't have to force admiration for his work—that much was real.
Something about him softened afterwards. He flashed me a genuine smile, finally, and invited me to sit with him. Tosin was full of even more surprises. He guessed right away that I was new in town and also guessed I came with an intention. Luckily, he didn't guess it was him.
We talked for hours about nothing and everything. By the time he stood to leave, my heart was pounding for several reasons: I didn't want our time together to end because it was the most fun I'd had in ages; I hadn't gotten any money from him; and most importantly, if he left now, how would I reach him again? I went through so much to make tonight possible.
"Will you come back with me?" he invited, sounding uncertain. That tone made me pause. Didn't women throw themselves at him? And wasn't he "the playboy"? He cocked his head to one side, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I shot out of my chair. "Of course!"
Tosin held out a hand to me and after a moment of hesitation—because who does that—I took it. Events that followed were simply out of a fairytale. I went there to survive but returned with so much more.
This story continues from Tales of Uneven Love Series
Juliet is a Nigerian writer and storyteller drawn to the unseen narratives of everyday life. Her stories explore the profound moments hidden in ordinary relationships and ambitions.
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