EDWIN

She insisted on driving us to the restaurant, and the way she handled the car was mesmerizing. The smooth, confident way she navigated the streets made the journey itself feel like a prelude to something exciting. The moment we arrived, I could see why the restaurant was so popular. The place oozed a sleek, sexy vibe and had become the talk of the town almost immediately after it opened. Securing a reservation was no small feat.

As we walked in, everyone greeted her warmly. We took our seats at the table she had reserved.

"Can I ask you a question, Everett" I began, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Yes, you can," she replied, her eyes scanning the menu.

"Why does everyone greet you like you own the place?"

She looked at me, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Because I do."

"You've got to be kidding me," I said, taken aback.

"No, I'm not."

Just then, the server arrived and took our order. We ate in silence for a while until I decided to break the ice again.

"Do you have any friends, Everett?" I asked.

"Why do you ask?" she responded, raising an eyebrow.

"I just want to get to know you better."

She paused for a moment. "Hmm... I do have one friend. His name is Adam."

"Oh! Is he your boyfriend?" I inquired.

"Nope. I don't have a boyfriend. I can't waste my time on love," she said, her tone tinged with disdain.

"Should I be the only one asking questions?" she interrupted, a playful glint in her eye. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I'm single," I replied, chuckling. "Always have been."

"Do you have friends? Because the way you talk is... different, you know?" I asked, leaning in slightly.

"No, I don't actually. But I recently got an offer to be friends with Austin Parker, though I refused it."

"So you know Austin Parker? Well, I emailed him about a collaboration between our companies, but he hasn't replied yet," she said, her curiosity piqued.

"As far as I know, he might be interested. He's just really busy. Don't worry, you'll get a response soon," I reassured her with a confident smile, her eyes sparkled.

We completed our dinner and made our way to the parking lot. We stopped midway, and she turned to me, her expression suddenly serious.

"Edwin, can I tell you something?" she asked, her voice dropping to a hushed tone.

"Yes, you can," I replied, intrigued and slightly nervous.

"I hope you find this acceptable... You have the most amazing honey golden-yellow eyes I've ever seen. I like them a lot. It's like they have been searching for love, and..." she trailed off, her voice full of curiosity and sincerity.

"Come on, let's go, Edwin," she said, snapping back to her usual tone, but there was a lingering warmth in her eyes.

"What were you going to say?" I asked, stopping and turning to face her, my heart racing.

She hesitated, then took a step closer. "I was going to say that I hope you find it as soon as you can."

"What if," I said as she stopped and turned to look at me, "What if I say I have found the love my eyes have been searching for?" I stepped closer, closing the distance between us.

Her eyes widened slightly, showing a mix of surprise and hope. "I am happy for you, Edwin..." she said, her voice trembling with genuine sincerity.

"Then what if I say it's you?" I said, my voice steady, my gaze locked onto hers.

She chuckled nervously, trying to brush it off. "Come on, don't joke, Edwin."

"I'm not joking, Everett," I replied sincerely, taking her hand in mine. "I mean it."

"Edwin, to be honest, I don't really believe in love or feelings," she said, her voice trembling and her eyes downcast. "If you're serious about this, it might be best for me to step away now, before things go any further. I don't want to hurt you."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at her, my heart aching. "So, you're saying you're rejecting me after everything? I thought you were the one who told me you will gladly be that unlucky person".

"Yes, Edwin," she said softly, her voice cracking with the weight of her decision. "It's just that... I've always been so guarded. I never wanted to let anyone in because I was afraid of getting hurt."

I could see the struggle in her eyes, and it mirrored my own pain. I reached out to her, my voice choked with emotion. "I never thought it would end like this. I was ready to fight for us, to prove that what I had was worth it."

She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I didn't want to hurt you, Edwin. I really didn't. But I need to be honest with myself and with you."

I pulled her into a tight embrace, my heart racing with a fierce determination. My breath was hot against her ear as I whispered, "If you think you can just walk away after coming into my life, you're sorely mistaken. When I want something, I don't back down. And especially when it comes to you, I'll do whatever it takes to make you mine. You're not getting away that easily."

Her breath hitched, and I could feel her pulse quicken against my chest. My voice dropped to a husky murmur, "You think you can resist me? You've only just started to realize what you're getting into. I'll be relentless, and I won't rest until you're fully mine."

Her eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and desire flickering across her face. The intensity between us crackled, the air charged with an electric tension. "I'm not letting you slip away," I added, my voice low and filled with resolve."This is far from over."

"Make me want you, Edwin," she whispered in the deepest, coolest voice I had ever heard from a woman. But she wasn't just any woman. She was my woman.