Those beautiful, mesmerising eyes. How could she ever forget them. They had been embedded in the depth of her mind for the past couple of days and finally they were right before her. His cologne was the same as before, so wonderfully potent and it made her weak to her knees.

"I-I," she stuttered pathetically but her ability to speak failed her miserably. The way his strong, large hands were around her made her thoughts race.

"This is definitely comical. We bumped into each other a few days ago too, right?" he asked, a slight tinge of humor in his otherwise velvelty voice.

Ximena nodded dumbly, still not able to voice her thoughts properly. Never in her life had she been so helpless in front of anyone, much less a total stranger like the man in front of her. A very hot one, at that.

He retrieved his hands from her rather slowly like the last time, and placed them in pockets of his slacks. He was clad in a navy blue Armani suit and a baby blue shirt with the first two buttons undone, giving a sneak peek of his toned chest. It was like he had gotten even more attractive than the last time she'd seen him, if that was possible.

"I'm so sorry," she finally managed to say but her voice came out higher than usual. She cleared her throat to lower it a bit. "I was so taken by the decor that I wasn't focused on where I was going."

He nodded understandingly, causing a lone stand of hair to fall delicately onto his forehead. "I get where you're coming from, this place is fascinating. It's surreal," he smiled.

That smile could be the death of me, she thought but then quickly shook it away. Where had that even come from? She didn't even know who this mystery man was anyway!

"Well, have a pleasant evening," he added and then turned to leave.

Even though it was totally weird, she felt sad to see him leave. The worst thing was that she hadn't even gotten his name! What a wasted opportunity. Maybe if fate would have it, the two would meet again in the not so distant future. If only she had known she wouldn't have to wait too long for it.

With a sigh, Ximena continued along the lower level of the club until she reached a staircase that had a sign saying it led to the VIP section. Hopefully they'd be a less scary bouncer than the one at the entrance but much to her chagrin, the one standing at the end of the stairs was twice large as the other one. She gulped visibly and took out her phone.

"Umm, I'm by the door now. Could you come and get me, I've had one too many encounters with large scary men tonight," she breathed, cautiously eyeing the stone faced security guard.

Seconds later, her dark skinned best friend emerged from behind the door and engulfed her in tight embrace. "You look so gorgeous, Mena!" she shrieked, giving her a once over. "Purple is definitely your colour!"

Ximena smiled tightly. "Thanks, Chels. You look amazing too. Could we go inside, where there are no guards," she mumbled, her eyes switching between her friend and the formidable man.

Chelsea grabbed her hand and dragged her into the large room, where the lights were even dimmer and the music was less loud. There was a dance floor in the middle of the room and tables scattered all around. A quaint bar sat at one corner and a small DJ stationed at the opposite end. There was a lot of chattering going on, people sipping on something and groups swaying about. From one look, anyone could tell only the elite of the elite were invited up here.

They both arrived at the little bar and took a seat. "So, what do you think?" Chelsea asked, motioning to the club. "Isn't it awesome?"

Ximena nodded, her eyes still taking in the new room. "It's jazzy, definitely your scene and not mine," she joked and they both chuckled.

The bartender arrived and they both ordered their drinks. "So, update me on what's been happening in the life of the Ximena Dos Ramos?" she asked, her hazel eyes twinkling with delight.

"Aside from the date from hell with that British narcisist, not much. Business had been great as usual at work, but something is definitely up with my father. He's been acting stange. I haven't seen him so withdrawn and stressed out...like he did something that he's regretting."

Her companion frowned. "Now that's not right. Your dad is usually a calm and collected guy. Have you talked to him about it?" she asked just as their orders arrived. Chelsea had ordered a cosmopolitan and Ximena had gone for a club soda.

She shook her head and took a light sip. "No, because I haven't seen him much. Even at home, he hasn't had dinner with us for a couple of nights now. He stays couped up in his home office.''

"Maybe he's just worked up. Running a shipping empire can't be easy, especially alone. Anyway, tell me about your date."

Ximena groaned loudly, and took a sip of her drink. "What is there to tell honestly? It's the same old story everytime, Chels. Although this time, he wasted no time in letting his warped intentions obvious. I can't even believe I let you talk me into doing that," she scowled playfully at her friend.

Chelsea pet her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Mena. I thought you two would be a great couple but I guess I was wrong. But that does not mean I'm gonna stop scouting around until we find you your novio," she winked and Ximena laughed. "At least tell me about Mr Hotty whom you bumped into though."

Her cyan eyes widened in excitement, something that didn't happen very often. "You're not going to believe this but I bumped into him again, like a few minutes ago before I came up here."

A girly squeal erupted from Chelsea's mouth. "Did you get his name?"

"No," she replied defeatedly. "I couldn't even string together a proper sentence. He's got this effect on me. I can't seem to speak whenever I'm around him."

Chelsea rolled her eyes and gulped down her cosmopolitan. "Well that's no good. Twice you've encountered this hunk and you don't even know his name? Can you at least describe him to me?" she asked hopefully. Chelsea knew almost all the eligible bachelors in the state.

The screws were turning in Ximena's mind, trying to remember everything about him. "Well, he's got dark brown hair. Green eyes, but not just any green eyes. So piercing, so profound. Strong jawline, about six foot four or taller. Definitely muscular, I think he works out regularly-"

"Woah, you got all that from the brief encounters you had with him?" Chelsea inquired incredulously. "You're so observant..."

A slight blush crept up her cheeks. "Hey, I'm allowed to admire the finer things in life and besides, you know I have a photographic memory," she added sassily. "Oh, and he was wearing a blue suit and blue shirt tonight."

Chelsea paused, as she wracked her brain for a face to match the description. "I'm not quite sure who he is, but I'll ask around. Anyway, enough about that. Let's go have some fun on the dance floor," she prompted and stood up abruptly.

"But I haven't finished my soda yet," Ximena pouted childishly.

"I'll buy you another one later. Come on," she said and tugged her reluctant companion to the dance floor.

It was going to be some night.

***

Emilio sat in his home office, a glass of scotch in one hand and the contract in the other. He'd already read it about a million times, and each time he had the words made less sense to him. It was a mistake. A huge one. But he couldn't back out now, not when his foot was in the mouth of the crocodile.

If either one of the signing parties should go back on the terms of the agreement, they are to hand over 40% of their company shares to the remaining party.

"Dammit," he murmured angrily and put his drink down. It was definitely too late for him to end this. It had been two weeks since he'd signed and the following week, it had been scheduled that his family and Humberto's were to meet and discuss the upcoming wedding. Not too long from there, his daughter and Humberto's son are supposed to start making public appearances to make it official.

When his family finds about his stupid move, nothing is ever going to be the same again and he knew that for sure. Ximena, his beloved first-born daughter, was surely going to hate him for this and the thought of it made his heart wrench in agonizing despair.

Emilio was brought out of his thoughts when the door creaked open. "I thought I might find you in here, amor." said his wife, Dolores. Even in her late forties she did not look a day over thirty but the worry lines on her face were starting to marr her heavenly features. "You've been couped up in this room since morning. What's going on Emilio?" she asked as she made her way over to where he was.

Her husband sighed, and placed the contract in his drawer before she could see it. "I'm just worried about the future, Lolita."

"What about the future are you worried about?" she asked, as she turned his swivel chair around so she could sit on his lap. "Why are you always wearing yourself out with matters that are out of your control. You seem to keep forgetting that the future is only determined by God and him alone."

He remained silent because he knew she was right. A lot of people seemed to always forget that from time to time, even people like him. Without a word, Emilio pulled his wife into an embrace that she gladly leaned into. He placed a kiss on her head and said,

"Sometimes we need to take matters into our own hands."

________________

Sup people! I hope y'all are liking this story so far 'cause I've got a lot planned.I know it's been a little while since the last update but it's because the votes were not satisfactory...but I've figured out how to solve the issue. For the next update, I need a minimum if 30 votes and 10 comments to post it.

Until then,

Deetronite❤