Mistaking One's Fiancé in the Bar

The crystal chandelier in the Pierre Hotel refracted countless light spots into the martini in Luna Windsor's hand. The amber - colored liquor danced with the lights of the entire Manhattan. She huddled in the corner of the oak - paneled bar, her slender shoulders wrapped in a Tom Ford black velvet evening gown. The third martini was already at the bottom, but the alcohol had done nothing to numb the dull pain in her chest - the pain that had followed her like a shadow since Richard sent that text message.

"Another one, Sam." She snapped her fingers at the bartender she had known for years, her voice eight degrees higher than usual, attracting the attention of several Wall Street investment bankers nearby.

"Miss Windsor, I think you've already - "

"I said, another one." Luna took out her American Express Black Card from her Judith Leiber handbag and slapped it on the walnut bar counter. The diamond - studded watch flashed a cold light under the lamp. The bartender sighed and turned to mix the drink.

When the fourth glass of liquor slid down her throat, Luna's vision began to blur. In the hazy state, she saw a slender figure walking towards her through the crowd. Brioni custom - made suit, Ferragamo bow - tie, and those gray - green eyes - Richard Vanderwoodsen was always like this, even betrayal carried his unique elegance.

"You're back?" She heard the tremor in her own voice. Alcohol had completely broken the upbringing of a socialite.

Before the other person could answer, Luna had already fallen into that embrace.

The aroma of mountain spring water rushed towards her, slightly different from what she remembered, but at this moment, she couldn't care less about these details.

"Let's get married." She buried her face in the man's chest, her tears soaking the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of suit fabric. "Don't go to her anymore... please..."

The hands that embraced her froze obviously. After a moment of silence, a deep voice came from above her head: "Miss Windsor, you've mistaken me for someone else."

This voice was like a basin of cold water being poured on her. Luna suddenly raised her head. In front of her was a familiar yet unfamiliar face. The outline was three - tenths similar to Richard's, but the jawline was more resolute - Richard's cynicism had turned into calm elegance in this person. There was no frivolity in those amber eyes, only restrained concern.

"Leonardo Black?" When she uttered this name, she was mostly sober from the alcohol.

The young CEO of the business empire nodded slightly, and gracefully and neatly adjusted her shoulders, making her sit back on the sofa. He beckoned to the waiter to bring sparkling water.

"Drink some water." He pushed the glass in front of her, his knuckles were so slender that they seemed to be born for playing the piano.

Luna took the water glass, and her fingertips accidentally touched the back of his hand. Leonardo Black quickly withdrew his hand as if he had been burned. This subtle movement made Luna completely sober - she had actually cried and pleaded in the arms of a business rival? The dignity of the heir of the Windsor family was shattered.

"Sorry, I..." She pursed her lips. The carefully applied lipstick was already mottled. "I thought you were..."

"Richard Vanderwoodsen." Leonardo Black finished the sentence for her, with a barely perceptible arc at the corner of his mouth. "I guessed it."

Luna clenched the water glass, her knuckles turning white. The phone call three days ago rang in her ears again - Richard said he had to go to Paris because that girl was going to slit her wrists for him. "She only has me, Luna." That's what he said, as if explaining why he was leaving her a week before the engagement banquet.

"Do you need me to call a car to take you back?" Leonardo Black's voice brought her back to reality. He had stood up and was looking down at her, his expression returning to the aloofness unique to business elites.

Luna suddenly laughed. She tucked her loose blond hair behind her ears and put on a perfect smile she usually used in the business world: "No, Leonardo Black. In fact, I have a deal I want to talk to you about."

Leonardo Black raised his eyebrows. This action made him look a few years younger, less of the business sophistication and more of a genuine curiosity. But he quickly put on that flawless mask again: "Now?"

"Right now." Luna straightened her back, and the weakness brought by alcohol had completely disappeared. "Get engaged to me."

The noisy background sound of the bar seemed to suddenly stop. Leonardo Black's expression cracked for the first time. He widened his eyes slightly, and then returned to normal. He sat back in the seat opposite her, crossing his fingers and placing them on his knees: "I thought Miss Windsor had just experienced an... emotional setback."

"Exactly." Luna looked straight into his eyes. "I want him to know that the favor of the Windsor family is not a gift that can be taken back at any time."

Leonardo Black looked at her thoughtfully. The changing lights in the bar cast shadows on his well - defined face, making it hard to see his expression clearly. After a while, he said: "You should be aware of the competitive relationship between me and Richard Vanderwoodsen."

"Precisely because I'm aware, I chose you." Luna picked up the water glass and took a sip. "I need a fiancé right now who can embarrass Richard."

Leonardo Black suddenly chuckled, and this smile made him come alive: "Miss Luna, you're more interesting than the rumors." He stood up and adjusted the hem of his suit. "However, marriage - even a fake one - is not something that can be decided after getting drunk in a bar."

Luna stood up too. Even with seven - centimeter high - heeled shoes, it was difficult for her to look Leonardo Black in the eye. She raised her head stubbornly and said: "I'm not asking, Leonardo. This is a business proposal."

"Then according to Wall Street rules," Leonardo took out a business - card holder from his inner pocket, took out a gold - embossed business card and handed it to her. "Ten o'clock tomorrow morning, my office at the headquarters of the Black Building." His fingertips briefly brushed against hers when handing over the business card, and a subtle current flowed between the two.

Luna took the business card. The embossed letters sparkled under the light: Leonardo Black, CEO of the Black Group. When she looked up, she found Leonardo was looking at her, with an emotion she couldn't read in his eyes.

"Why help me?" She suddenly asked in her mother tongue.

Leonardo, who had already turned to leave, stopped in his tracks. He didn't turn around, and his voice was deep and clear: "Maybe I'm just curious to see if the rose of the Windsor family will wither or grow new thorns after being picked."

After saying this, he melted into the crowded bar crowd, his back as straight as the cedar in Central Park. Luna stared in the direction where he disappeared, the edge of the business card in her hand digging deeply into her palm.

In the reception room of the headquarters of the Black Group, Luna's fingertips gently tapped on the armrest. Outside the window, the clouds hung low, enveloping the entire city in a grayish light. She adjusted her sitting position for the third time, and the back of her silk shirt was slightly sweaty.

"Mr. Black will be here soon." The secretary put down the bone - china teacup. There was a slice of lemon floating on the surface of the tea, exactly the way she liked to drink it.

Luna nodded her thanks, but her heart sank. Since he had even investigated her beverage preferences clearly, Leonardo had obviously done his homework well. This made her drunken gaffe last night even more embarrassing.

The door slid open silently, and Leonardo walked in at a leisurely pace. At this moment, the sun broke through the clouds, gilding his outline with a golden edge. The dark - gray three - piece suit fit his broad - shouldered and narrow - waisted figure. Every step seemed to be precisely calculated, neither too fast to seem eager nor too slow to be pretentious - as if this expensive reception room was an extension of his territory.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting." He sat down on the single - person sofa opposite her, leaning back and crossing his long legs. This posture was elegant and somewhat lazy, yet miraculously not impolite - as if this reception room, which cost a fortune, was an extension of his territory.

Luna unconsciously straightened her back. Today, she deliberately chose the most concise outfit: a white silk shirt paired with black high - waisted trousers, and even her makeup was a bit lighter than usual. But with just a casual glance from Leonardo, she felt like a chessboard that had been seen through.

"Let's talk about a cooperation." She got straight to the point, her voice drier than she expected.