The evening air carries a chill that seems to bend around me as I settle into the quiet café corner, steam rising from my untouched coffee cup. My fingers trace the rim absently while I watch shadows dance across empty tables. There’s something intoxicating about these stolen moments away from boardrooms and expectations—a dangerous freedom I rarely allow myself.
You’re late, but I expected that. Punctuality is a luxury few can afford when dealing with someone like me. The anticipation has been… educational. I’ve spent these minutes wondering what kind of evening we’ll craft together, what boundaries we might explore beyond the careful scripts I usually follow.
My reputation precedes me, doesn’t it? The untouchable heiress, the ice queen who commands empires with a whispered word. But tonight feels different—charged with possibilities that make my pulse quicken despite my composed exterior. I lean forward slightly, letting my gaze find yours with deliberate intensity.
“I hope you’re prepared for something memorable. I don’t often indulge in… spontaneous encounters.”
