Chapter 3 Nice to meet you

Arya's POV

"Okay, spill." I said to Jules, plopping myself on her bed.

"So," she started, a blush creeping into her cheeks, "I met a guy at the club."

"Oh yes. The same guy that had his tongue down your throat?" I asked teasingly

.

"Oh shut up. His name is Nolan."

"Mmm Nolan." I repeated, smiling sheepishly.

"He's an entrepreneur..."

"Ouuu"

"He's rich..."

"Oh we love rich."

"And he's inviting us for a gala next week!"

I paused.

"Hold up now... us?" I asked, getting slightly confused.

"Yes, us. Well, he invited me but I said I couldn't go without you, obviously, so he invited you too."

"Woah."

"I know, I know. Our first rich people event!"

"Wait, what are we gonna wear? I have nothing in my wardrobe of that sort." I exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Calm your tits. Nolan has it sorted. In fact, the dresses should be coming in by today." She explained.

"Oh so he's rich rich." I teased, wiggling my eyebrows as she laughed.

"And you?" she asked.

"Me?"

"Oh please, drop the act. What happened with mystery man?" she asked, her eyes beaming with curiosity. "What was his name?"

"Uhh..." I stared blankly.

"Ari! You didn't ask his name?" She exclaimed in disbelief.

"Well he didn't ask for mine either!"

"Ugh, I can't believe you."

"I'm never gonna see him again anyway. It was just one night and he was a total douchebag."

We spent the next hour talking about what happened when we were apart. I glanced at the clock, it was time for my shift at the restaurant.

"Crap. I better get going," I said, grabbing my jacket and car keys. "Dinner rush."

"Love you!" Julia called out as I stepped out the door, blowing her a kiss.

I sat at my station, counting down the hours till the end of my shift. Time seemed to pass by rather slowly for some reason.

"Hey," I looked up to see my co-worker looking rather uncomfortable. "Get table nine for me please? I gotta use the restroom. I'll get you back I promise."

"Sure no worries." I replied with a nod.

I pulled out my pen and pad, heading over to table nine. Two men sat there, engrossed in a conversation. My eyes widened as I realised who one of them was. It was him.

He was dressed casually in a blue shirt and dress pants, twirling a ring on his finger while laughing at something his friend said. He looked effortlessly handsome, like he didn't even have to try.

My heart skipped. I looked around for anyone else who was free to attend to their table instead but everyone seemed to be occupied.

"Fuck." I cursed underneath my breath and made my way to the table.

"Good evening gentlemen, what can I get you?" I said, forcing a polite smile.

He looked up at me, recognition flashing in his grey eyes before he masked it. He certainly hadn't expected to see me as well.

He turned to talk to his friend who looked quite familiar but I couldn't really place it.

"We'll have the number one special." He said sharply. "He'll have that with bourbon and I'll have whisky. Neat."

"Coming right up." I turned on my heels, releasing a deep breath I didn't realise I was holding.

Their orders were ready a few minutes later as an idea popped up in my head.

"Here you are." I said, setting up the table and making a move to leave.

"I ordered this neat." He says flatly, staring at the glass in his hand.

I blinked, "Did you?"

"Yes."

"My apologies, one moment." I said, taking the glass from him and walking back to the bar at a rather slow pace.

I returned a few minutes later with the correct drink order.

"Here you go..."

As I leaned forward to set it down, the cup tilted 'accidentally' as whisky splashed forward, directly onto him, wetting his shirt and dress pants.

"Oh my God!" I feigned innocence. "I'm so sorry that was completely my fault."

He stilled, eyes wide as his friend snickered, clearly finding the whole situation amusing. "Leave it."

"I'm so sorry." I repeated, dabbing a napkin on his shirt.

"I said leave it!" He snapped, catching the attention of other customers. He realises this the same time I did. His jaw tightened as he straightened himself in his seat.

"Just go." He said through gritted teeth.

"Well then, in the absence of a neat whisky," I said coolly, emphasising on 'neat', "enjoy your dinner."

I walked back to my station, smirking to myself. I felt a tiny bit of satisfaction.

My shift finally came to an end and I dragged my feet to my car, exhausted as ever. I sat there for a few minutes, collecting my thoughts before starting the engine.

I started it once. Twice. Thrice.

"Fuck. Not today please." I groaned, hitting my head against the steering wheel repeatedly.

I got down from the car and lifted the bonnet, examining the engine. Who was I fooling? I didn't know shit.

I got back in the car and tried again. After the tenth try, I gave up and decided to walk home.

I slipped into the narrow alley beside the restaurant, the noise of the street fading behind me. My eyes darted around, assessing my surroundings.

I notice a figure behind me. Clutching my purse tightly, I increased my pace.

"Hey," a voice called out.

I didn't turn around. I reached into my purse, fumbling for my phone.

"Shit." I muttered under my breath. My phone was dead.

"Relax," the voice drawled, "I just wanna talk."

"I'm not interested." I replied sharply.

"C'mon now baby, hear me out." He said, quickening his steps and closing the distance between us.

He pulled me from behind, pushing me against the brick wall. I winced. That was certainly going to leave a bruise.

I straightened myself, masking my fear. "Back off."

"Relax," he said for the second time. "I'm just being friendly."

Friendly? He had me against a brick wall in the middle of a dark alley. In what world was that friendly? "And I said I'm not interested. Move."

"She's got teeth," He gave a lazy smile, the kind that made my skin crawl. "Bet you could put them to better use."

He dragged his dark eyes over my body, making a move to touch me.

"Don't touch me." I warned.

"Or else what?" He challenged, grinning from ear to ear.

"Or else you'll regret it." A voice came from behind. Cold. Hard.

It was him. Again. Club guy.

He stood at the mouth of the alley, his posture relaxed, in contrast to the situation. He was still in the same clothes from earlier.

The man moved away instantly, annoyance written all over his face yet he still maintained the creepy smile. "My bad man. This your bitch?"

He didn't reply. He just took a step forward and that was enough to send the man scurrying. Really?

"You've got to be kidding me." I huffed, straightening my skirt and assessing my now scraped arm.

"You okay?" He asked.

Why would he care?

"I had it handled." I said lifting my chin.

He scoffed. "Sure you did."

I turned to leave.

"It's not safe, you know?" He spoke again, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned around to meet his gaze, unsure of what to say. I was scared, truthfully, but I was never going to admit that.

"The piece of junk parked outside the restaurant, is that yours?" He asked, amusement flickering across his face.

"Last I checked, it gets me where I need to go." I retorted.

"But it couldn't today?"

Dammit. He had me at a loss of words.

"Come, I'll drop you off." He said as he walked away.

I retained my position. Why was he being nice? Whatever he was trying to do, I wasn't falling for it.

"Don't be stubborn." He turned around to look at me, frustration etching in his voice.

"I don't even know your name. I'm not going anywhere with a stranger." I said plainly.

"Oh now you got your morals back?" He smirked. "I don't know yours either, yet I'm offering you a ride. Just take it."

I rolled my eyes, disappointed that he may have won this round. I moved my feet grudgingly as we walked to his car. It wasn't the same Porsche from last time. Just how rich was he?

"It's Kayden, by the way." He said quietly, eyes fixed on the road as he drove towards the address I had given him.

Kayden. Cute.

"Want me to beg for yours?" He asked, glancing at me briefly.

"That wouldn't be so bad" I said, a smile tugging at my lips. "Arya. Not nice to meet you."

"Definitely not nice to meet you too." He replied dryly, the corner of his mouth lifting as he turned his attention back to the road