Chapter 5 A Forced Encounter

Hayden Russell leaned back in his sleek leather chair, staring blankly at the numbers on his laptop screen. The quarterly projections were solid, even impressive, but his focus kept slipping. For the third time that morning, his mind wandered back to the gala two nights ago.

The mysterious woman.

He still didn't know her name, but the memory of her sharp wit and the quiet elegance in her movements had etched itself into his thoughts. She wasn't like the other women he typically met at these events. There was a depth to her, a spark that intrigued him.

Who was she?

He had scoured the guest list after the event, only to find no name that matched his impression of her. It was maddening. Someone that captivating didn't just disappear.

"Mr. Russell?"

Hayden snapped out of his thoughts, glancing up to see his assistant, Claire, standing in the doorway of his office.

"Yes?" he asked, trying to mask his distraction.

"You have a meeting in forty five minutes with the board," she said, her tone brisk. "Would you like me to bring in the latest reports?"

"Yes, thank you," Hayden replied.

Claire nodded and disappeared, leaving him alone with his thoughts once more. He glanced at his watch. There was just enough time to grab a quick lunch before diving into another round of boardroom politics.

The buzzing energy of La Belle Bistro greeted him as he stepped inside. The cozy yet upscale restaurant had become his usual spot for a quiet midday retreat. He had a preferred table near the window, where he could enjoy his meal undisturbed.

But as he made his way to his seat, his steps faltered.

There she was.

The woman from the gala sat at a table by the far wall, studying a menu with casual grace. She wasn't in a ballgown or a mask now, but he'd recognize those hazel eyes anywhere.

She looked up at that moment, as if sensing his presence. For a fleeting second, there was a flicker of recognition in her gaze before she masked it with a polite, curious smile.

Hayden's lips curved into a small smile of his own. He adjusted his cufflinks and crossed the room toward her.

"Funny running into you here," he said as he approached her table.

Jasmine looked up, feigning mild surprise. "Do I know you?"

He chuckled, his tone laced with amusement. "Not exactly, but I believe we've met. Two nights ago, at the Sterling Hotel?"

Jasmine's heart skipped a beat. So he remembered.

"Ah, the gala," she said, tilting her head slightly. "I wasn't sure if you'd remember me. It was such a whirlwind of a night."

"Hard to forget someone who disappears into thin air," Hayden said, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were trying to read her. "Do you often make an impression and then vanish?"

Jasmine smiled, her mask of confidence firmly in place. "Only when it adds to the intrigue."

He laughed, a rich, warm sound that made a few heads turn in their direction. "Well, it worked. May I join you?"

"Of course," she said, gesturing to the empty seat across from her.

Hayden took a seat, signaling the waiter without breaking eye contact with her. His sharp blue eyes seemed to pierce through her, making her feel both exposed and exhilarated.

"So," he began, leaning back slightly, "are you going to tell me your name this time?"

Jasmine hesitated, her mind racing. She couldn't afford to let him think she was hiding anything. "Jasmine Thompson," she said finally, extending a hand across the table.

He took it, his grip firm but not overpowering. "Hayden Russell. Though I suspect you already knew that."

"Doesn't everyone?" she said lightly.

"Touché," he said, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "What brings you here, Jasmine? A fan of French cuisine?"

She shrugged. "I heard this place was good, and I thought I'd give it a try. Lucky me, running into you again."

"Lucky, indeed," he said, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary.

As the waiter arrived to take their orders, Jasmine felt a spark of satisfaction. Her research had paid off. She had learned that La Belle Bistro was Hayden's go-to spot for lunch meetings and had timed her arrival perfectly.

Over the next half hour, their conversation flowed effortlessly. Hayden found himself drawn to her wit, her intelligence, and the way she carried herself with such quiet confidence. Jasmine, for her part, navigated the conversation with care, offering just enough personal detail to seem genuine without revealing too much.

"So, Jasmine," he said as the waiter cleared their plates, "what do you do when you're not attending galas and charming strangers?"

She smiled. "I'm a lawyer. Or at least, I was. I recently left my job to... explore other opportunities."

"Other opportunities?" he repeated, his curiosity piqued. "Such as?"

She hesitated, as though carefully choosing her words. "Let's just say I'm figuring out what comes next. It's a transitional phase."

He nodded, intrigued. "Well, if you approach this 'phase' with the same finesse you brought to that gala, I'm sure you'll succeed at whatever you choose."

"That's quite the compliment," she said, her tone playful.

"It's well-deserved," he replied, his voice dropping slightly.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them seemed to shift, charged with an unspoken tension.

Hayden studied her face, his brows furrowing slightly. "You know, I can't believe I was able to recognize you right away."

Jasmine was puzzled, but she kept her expression calm. "What gave me away?"

"Your eyes," he said simply. "They're unforgettable."

She felt a flicker of satisfaction at his words. This was exactly the reaction she'd been aiming for.

"Well," she said, leaning back slightly, "it seems the mystery has been solved."

"Not entirely," Hayden said, his tone thoughtful. "There's still a lot I don't know about you. But I'd like to change that."

Jasmine arched a brow. "Are you suggesting we meet again?"

"I am," he said without hesitation. "What do you say?"

Jasmine smiled, her heart racing with triumph. "I'd say... I'm intrigued."

"Good," Hayden said, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Then it's a date."

As she walked out of the restaurant a few minutes later, Jasmine couldn't help but smile to herself. Everything was going according to plan.

And Hayden Russell had no idea what he was walking into.