Chapter 3
Dante types an address in the GPS on his car and sets it on auto. Once we are en route he turns to me and smiles. “I am glad you agreed to meet with me, Miss Naila.” I unconsciously play with a loose strand of hair that escaped my bun.
“Thank you, Dante. Though I am not quite sure why you would even want to spend time with an average girl like me.” Dante grabs my hand and shakes his head.
“There is nothing average about you. You are a very unique woman and that is what caught my attention.” His gaze pierces through me. I bite my lip and look out the window.
I feel myself blushing, he is still holding my hand. Should I pull away? He squeezes my hand once and then lets it go. The rest of the ride is in silence.
When we arrive at the cafe I gasp. “Oh! I hear this place has the best lattes!” I exclaimed as I got out of the car. “Then you would have to make sure and try it than Miss Naila. Come on let us go in.” He smiles holding out his hand.
“I sure will.” I softly place my hand in his and walk into the cafe. The aroma of coffee hits me as soon as we cross the threshold of the cafe. There were a few tables in the center and the walls were lined up with private booths. It wasn’t exactly what I pictured the inside to look like.
There was a picture of a black and white tiger above the host stand along with other various wild animals throughout the cafe. “Hi! Did you have a reservation?” The hosts ask beaming at Dante.
I mean who could blame her the man is like a freaking Greek god. “Cane.” He responded curtly. The host looked down at her list. “uh I’m sorry that name isn’t on the list. L-let me grab my manager, it probably wasn’t updated.”
I looked up at Dante and saw that he was looking irritated. A few moments later the manager came out and it looked like her eyes were about to pop right out of their sockets as soon as she saw him.
“Ugh! Jessica, how could you have our most valued customer waiting? Do you not know who this is? This is Dante Cane as in the Dante Cane of Cane Enterprises.” She walked up to us and bow apologetically.
“I am deeply sorry for my employee’s behavior, she is new and just following standard protocol. Here follow me, I assume you want your usual room, Mr. Cane?”
She asks looking between the two of us. “That would be great, thank you.” She then leads us down a candle-lit hallway and into a room in the back. “Here we are. Enjoy.” She then exits the room. “WOW!” I look around the room plush seats and a small ivory table for two.
There was also a mini chandelier hanging above. A door which I assume is a bathroom. I almost forgot that I wasn’t alone when I looked over and saw Dante just staring at me amused.
I quickly sat at the table. Wow, it’s like the seats are hugging my ass. That’s when it hit. “Wait, that manager said you were Dante Cane of Cane Enterprises?” He sat and nodded. “That is right. I am the CEO.” Now it was time for eyes to pop out of my socket.
“Holy Shit! Why didn’t I realize this sooner? Gosh, the tabloids do NOT do you justice. You look like a whole other person. But wait that doesn’t make sense, this..”
I gesture between the two of us. “You said you find me unique?” Dante then flashes me a smile. “Yes, you are interesting, I think you are both unique and attractive. Don’t be wary of me just because you know who I am. With you, I am just me, Just Dante.”
There was a soft knock and the waiter came in to take our order. “Hello I’m Curtis and I will taking care of you today. What can I start you off with?” Curtis looked over at Dante then at me. “I’ll have a latte and…” I look over the menu quickly.
“A croissant please.” He then looked over at Dante “I assume you want the usual, Americano no cream, one sugar?” Dante nodded. Curtis bowed “I’ll have that right out for you guys.”
Dante looked over to me and sighed. “There is another reason I asked you out. I know what I might say may seem a bit…” I stare at him. “What is the reason?”
Knock. Knock. The waiter returns with our drinks and my croissant. “Enjoy.” With that, he left us alone. Dante takes a sip of his coffee and gestures for me to do the same. “I want you to marry me.” As I was in the middle of taking a sip, I choke. Cough! Cough!
“I’m sorry what? Did you just say you want me to marry you? I don’t even know you. We just met… we’re not even dating. Isn’t this moving a bit too fast?”
I started talking at lightning speed. Dante just sat there and smiled drinking his coffee like randomly asking someone you just met less than 24 hours ago to marry you is the most natural thing in the world.
“I’ll pay you. And it’s not as bad as you think it is. Look we can sign a contract and lay down some rules. It will be fine but I need you to marry me.
” I take a swig of my latte and then a bite of my croissant. “ I am sorry Mr. Cane but you have to ask someone else. I can’t just up and marry someone I just met, even if you say you will pay me.
If I marry someone I would want it to be out of love and not some business deal.” Dante shook his head. “ There is no one else in this world I would want to marry but you.
And how could you be so sure that I am not in love with you? I know we just met and this may sound crazy but I fell in love with you at first sight and just had to have you.”
I looked over at Dante bemused. There is no way in heaven, earth, or hell he would be in love with me at first sight. I mean yeah he is super sexy and handsome but no way am I going to marry him just for that. Also, he said he was gonna pay me?
Why would he do that if so-called loved me? Ugh, this doesn’t make any sense at all. I rub my temple trying to make head or tails out of this ludicrous proposal. “How about this, we can go on a couple of dates before you make your decision.”
He digs in his pocket and pulls out a small jewelry box. “Either way we are getting married. Whether you love me now or not, eventually you will.” He slides the box across.
“A gift...” I hold my hand up for him to stop what he was saying. I pick up the box and open it. Inside there was a simple necklace with a heart-shaped diamond. Oh, I thought it was a ring.
Wait this doesn’t make this situation any better. “ Dante, why on earth are you in such a rush to get married anyway?” He smirks. “I am not in a rush, I would just rather marry you so that I can have you.”
He stands up and sits next to me on my side of the table. Why did he come over here? Why didn’t he just stay over there? It would make it harder for me to deny him if he is that close.
I straighten myself and look him in his eyes. And then I just stare at him cause looking him in his eyes was the worst thing I could do with him being so close.
I open my mouth to respond but he cuts me off. “The only thing you should be saying right now is yes.” I start to protest. “ But Dante this doesn’t make sense.” He puts a finger on my lips “ I said, say yes. “ Before I can even say anything else, Dante leans in and kisses me.