CHAPTER 4

The last woman to have been publicly associated with Mr. Black was Amelia—a name that still lingered in whispers around the office. According to the rumors, they had dated for a year, back when his company was still in its infancy and financial struggles were his constant companion. Their relationship had ended abruptly when Amelia left him for a wealthier man, a betrayal that seemed to have left a permanent mark.

Since then, Mr. Black had never been seen with anyone romantically, at least not publicly. His guarded demeanor and intense focus on work had fueled countless speculations but no concrete answers.

What was known about him painted the picture of a self-made millionaire. He came from humble beginnings and had built his empire from the ground up, through sheer determination and relentless hard work. Beyond that, however, his life was a mystery.

No one knew where he came from—his family, his hometown, or even the details of his past. It was as if his existence had begun the day he founded his company. This enigma only added to the aura surrounding him, making him a figure both intimidating and fascinating.

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I stood in front of my closet, torn about what to wear. The word "date" still didn't sit right with me. Me, Carmen, going to dinner with Max Black? The thought felt surreal, like a fantasy too good to be true.

To snap myself back to reality, I pinched my arm lightly, half-expecting to wake up from a dream. But the sting confirmed it—this was really happening. I replayed the moment he'd asked me out, scrutinizing every word, every glance. Was this a date? Or had I misunderstood? Was I overthinking this?

A part of me knew countless women would kill to be in my position, and yet here I was, doubting myself. Did I make the right choice saying yes?

Finally, I decided on a long, elegant dress that hugged my figure perfectly, its cut flattering yet tasteful. The plunging neckline called for some accessories, so I added a delicate necklace and matching earrings. I let my dark, curled hair cascade down my shoulders, its natural shine completing the look.

As I slipped on my heels and took one last look in the mirror, I almost didn't recognize myself. The reflection staring back at me was stunning, exuding a confidence I hadn't felt in years. A small smile tugged at my lips. It's been so long since I felt this beautiful.

Then, the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat. It was time.

I opened the door, and there he was, standing tall and looking incredibly handsome. Max Black radiated elegance in a tailored suit that fit him like a glove, every detail perfectly aligned. His hair, freshly cut and meticulously combed, made him look even more striking. His intense gaze swept over me, lingering just a moment too long, his eyes glowing with unspoken admiration.

"You…you look…you look very beautiful," he said, his voice a bit softer than usual, yet sincere.

A small smile curved my lips as I responded, doing my best to sound composed. "You look handsome too."

His lips quirked into a smile as he held out a bouquet of flowers. "Here, these are for you."

I took them, the scent of fresh blooms filling the air. "Thank you," I said warmly, lifting them to my nose. "They smell amazing. Come in, let me put these in a vase."

I turned and headed to the kitchen, feeling his presence behind me as I found a vase, filled it with water, and gently arranged the flowers. Setting them on the counter, I allowed myself a brief moment to collect my thoughts. This is happening, I reminded myself. Max Black is in my apartment.

When I returned, he was still standing near the door, his demeanor composed yet thoughtful. What a gentleman, I mused. He looked up as I approached and asked, "Are you ready to go?"

I nodded, walking toward him. He opened the door for me, stepping aside as I passed. His quiet attentiveness was disarming. Outside, he opened the passenger door of his sleek, black car, waiting for me to settle in before gently closing it.

As he rounded the car to his side, I took a deep, steadying breath. I can't believe this is real. I'm actually going on a date with Max Black. A small voice in my head whispered, Carmen, pull yourself together. Everything will be perfect.

Max slid into the driver's seat, casting me a warm smile before starting the car. His confidence was magnetic, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax, letting the reality of this surreal evening sink in.

We parked in front of a building that didn't remotely resemble a restaurant. Confused, I turned to Max, my brows furrowed. "Are we supposed to be going to dinner, or did I mishear you?" I asked hesitantly, my earlier excitement giving way to uncertainty.

The structure before us was nothing like the elegant restaurants I'd imagined. It wasn't lavish, nor did it have any telltale signs of being an exclusive dining spot. Could this be one of those secret restaurants for the rich? My mind raced. If that's the case, I'll have to bluff my way through this. Everyone thinks I'm a millionaire's kid, so I should act like I know about places like this.

A pang of anxiety hit me as I recalled my modest apartment. Max hadn't commented on it earlier, nor did he seem surprised. Did he even notice how simple it was? Maybe he didn't look around enough to realize it's not the kind of place a supposed millionaire's daughter would live in.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost missed his response. "Yes, I'm taking you to dinner. You didn't mishear me," he said, his tone warm. A teasing smile played on his lips as he added, "And don't worry, I'm not planning to kidnap you."

His unexpected joke snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I blinked in surprise. Max Black is joking? This was new. He was always so stiff and serious at work, exuding an air of unshakable professionalism.

A soft laugh escaped me. "Haha, well, I'll hold you to that," I said, trying to match his light-hearted tone. "Blow my mind away, then."

He grinned, his expression a mix of amusement and mystery. "Oh, I plan to," he replied before stepping out of the car to open my door, his gentlemanly demeanor firmly in place.

Wherever we were going, it was bound to be unforgettable.

We stepped into the elevator, and Max pressed the button for the rooftop. A secret restaurant? It was the only explanation that made sense, but my curiosity gnawed at me. None of this added up. The sleek yet unassuming building and now this rooftop destination—it was all too mysterious.

When the doors opened, I stepped out and froze in place, utterly captivated. Before me was a breathtaking scene. The rooftop was transformed into a private paradise. Flowers of all colors were arranged in an elegant display, their fragrance subtly perfuming the air. Candles flickered gently in the soft evening breeze, casting a warm glow that made the setting feel both romantic and surreal. In the center of it all was a single table, perfectly set for two.

I couldn't move, glued to the ground as I took it all in. This wasn't just dinner—this was magic.

Max turned to me, his expression soft yet unreadable, and held out his hand. "Come," he said, his voice low and steady. I placed my hand in his, letting him guide me to the table. My heart raced, not just from the beauty of the setting but from the thought that he had done all this—for me.

We sat, and moments later, a waiter appeared seemingly out of nowhere, as if he were part of the ambiance itself. "Good evening," he said with a smile, pouring wine into our glasses. "Your meal will be ready in five minutes."

I barely managed to thank him, my mind still spinning from everything unfolding around me. Max Black, the ever-serious, unreachable man, had orchestrated something this incredible.

I looked at him across the table, unable to hide my amazement. "This is… breathtaking," I said softly.

He smiled, raising his glass. "To a night worth remembering."

And just like that, the world outside this rooftop seemed to disappear.