Done?
Carlos straightened, still holding the contract, his expression turning unreadable. “Take it or leave it,” he said, his voice brokering no argument. “One date with me, and the deal is yours. Otherwise, you’re welcome to find other investors.”
Cynthia’s mind spun. This was surreal— here she was, at the most important meeting of her life, with the future of H-Check hanging in the balance, and Carlos Antonio, one of the most powerful men in the world, was making this… personal.
“Cynthia—” Logan began, his voice laced with protectiveness.
But she cut him off, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. H-Check needed this. She needed this. And a date… it was just one date. If she turned it down, everything they’d worked for would be gone, and they would be left with nothing.
Taking a steadying breath, she looked up at Carlos, meeting his gaze with newfound resolve. “All right,” she said, her voice firm. “I accept."
A satisfied gleam entered Carlos’s eyes, and he handed the contract back to Cynthia. “Good. Then let’s proceed.”
The tension eased slightly as Emily resumed her place, though there was a palpable air of intrigue that remained in the room. Carlos returned to his seat, still watching Cynthia with that intense, calculating gaze that left her feeling both exhilarated and unsettled.
As she signed the contract, Cynthia knew this was only the beginning. She glanced at Logan, who gave her a tight, reluctant nod of approval, and she swallowed, wondering just what she had gotten herself into.
---------------------
A Week Later...
In the soft light of the bathroom, where Cynthia sat before the mirror, a swirl of nerves and excitement evident in her reflection. Her sister, Megan, stood behind her, carefully fixing the last few strands of her hair. Cynthia’s usually composed demeanor seemed a bit unsettled, her mind spinning with thoughts of the whirlwind she’d been in this past week— a billion-dollar deal closed, and now, a date with Carlos, the most renowned man in business.
“Meg, is this too much? I feel like this is moving too fast,” Cynthia muttered, a faint line of worry etched between her brows.
Megan rolled her eyes, playfully tapping Cynthia on the shoulder. “Cyn, relax. It’s just a date. Besides, it’s your time. You don’t just close a billion-dollar deal every day— and with someone like Carlos, no less. Enjoy it, girl! But, seriously… don’t mess it up. He’s kind of a big deal.” Her smile was mischievous, but there was a note of encouragement in her tone.
Cynthia laughed, though her eyes betrayed her unease. “Easier said than done, Meg.”
Before Megan could respond, the doorbell echoed through the apartment, jolting them both. They exchanged glances, and without another word, Megan dashed out of the bathroom, leaving Cynthia to gather herself.
Megan reached the door and hesitated a moment, her curiosity piqued as she peered through the peephole. A man in a sharp, tailored suit and dark shades stood on the other side, clutching an enormous bouquet of flowers— roses, lilies, and orchids arranged in an extravagant display that would easily make anyone feel like a celebrity. The flowers were so lush and vibrant they almost glowed.
Megan straightened her shirt instinctively, casting one last glance at her reflection in a nearby mirror before she opened the door. She smiled up at the man with the poise of someone trying not to seem flustered.
“Good evening, ma’am,” the man greeted, a polite but warm smile on his face as he glanced at her. “Ms. Cynthia, I presume?”
Megan blinked, then laughed, shaking her head. “Close, but no. I’m Megan, Cynthia’s twin. She’ll be out in just a moment.”
The agent’s face softened, a slight smile of embarrassment crossing his lips. “My apologies, Miss Megan. It’s hard to tell identical twins apart, especially when you’re both as lovely as you are.”
Megan laughed, graciously waving off his apology. “Don’t worry, happens all the time.” She gestured at the flowers. “Are those for my sister?”
“Indeed.” He extended the bouquet toward her, and as she took it, the weight of it caught her off guard. “From Mr. Carlos,” he added with a smile. The flowers were almost absurdly lavish, their scent filling the room as she brought them close, momentarily overwhelmed by their opulence.
“Wow… thank you,” Megan murmured, slightly breathless as she adjusted her hold on the extravagant bouquet. She turned, just in time to see Cynthia approaching, her long, elegant gown flowing around her like liquid silk. The deep color of her dress accentuated her figure beautifully, and the anticipation in her eyes made her look radiant.
Cynthia’s gaze darted to the flowers in Megan’s arms. “Are those…?”
“For you,” Megan replied, grinning. “And if that doesn’t impress you, Carlos sent a full-blown secret agent to escort you to the car. I think this man’s serious.”
Cynthia chuckled, giving her sister a grateful hug. “Thanks for everything, Meg.” She took a deep breath, her eyes flicking to the agent, who stepped forward, offering her his arm.
“Miss Cynthia,” he said, “may I escort you to the car? Mr. Carlos is waiting downstairs.”
Cynthia hesitated, casting one last glance at Megan, who gave her a wink and a thumbs-up. “Go knock him dead, sis!”
With that, Cynthia took the agent’s arm, letting him guide her out the door, down the hallway, and toward the elevator. Her pulse quickened with each step, the reality of the situation hitting her anew.
When they reached the lobby, the soft hum of conversation faded as heads turned to watch her exit. Outside, Carlos leaned casually against his custom-made, sleek, gray Range Rover, a one-of-a-kind vehicle crafted to his exact specifications. The sight of him was breathtaking— tall, magnetic, and completely at ease, his presence seemed to draw in everyone nearby. Dressed in a crisp, white vintage shirt that clung just right, he exuded confidence, his collar slightly open to reveal just a hint of his muscular chest.
Camera flashes popped all around as paparazzi jockeyed for the perfect shot. Cynthia blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity, but Carlos simply smiled, unfazed, and offered her a seductive wink as he opened the passenger door for her.
“Ready?” he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, thrilling confidence.
She nodded, her cheeks flushed as she climbed into the car, smoothing her dress nervously.
Carlos closed her door, then walked around to the opposite side of the car, slipping in beside her with an effortless grace. While the SS agent stepped into the driver’s seat, adjusted his mirrors, and smoothly pulled away from the curb, leaving the paparazzi flashing behind them.
The cityscape glittered outside the windows as they sped through the streets of New York, lights reflecting off buildings, casting a dreamlike glow over everything. For a moment, they were silent, the tension building between them. Finally, Carlos turned to her, his gaze sweeping over her with admiration.
“You look incredible, Cynthia,” he said, his voice soft but intense. “That dress… suits you perfectly.”
Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat. Coming from someone like Carlos, the compliment felt monumental. “Thank you. I… I wasn’t sure if it was too much.”
“Too much? Not at all.” He leaned back, his gaze lingering on her. “You couldn’t be more perfect if you tried.”
She blushed, momentarily speechless. But after a pause, she gathered her courage and asked, “Did you… did you really mean it when you said you’d cancel the deal if I’d said no to this date?”
Carlos’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. The deal… it wasn’t just business for me any more after I laid my eyes on you. I saw something I liked—someone I wanted.”
There was a sincerity in his voice that made Cynthia’s stomach flutter. “So, the deal was… about me?”
He nodded, not breaking eye contact. “Yes it was.”
She couldn’t look away, feeling as if he was seeing straight through her. The sheer intensity of his words left her feeling vulnerable. She forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood. “And what if I don’t agree to a second date?”
His smile vanished, replaced with a cool, calculated look. “Then the deal is off.”
She let out a nervous laugh, assuming he was joking, but when he didn’t join in, her laughter faded. “But… but we’ve both signed it. It’s done.”
"Done?" Carlos leaned in slightly, his gaze unwavering. “You’d be surprised what my money and influence can do, Cynthia.” His tone both chilling and mesmerizing.