Chapter three: Secret and surprises

Days had passed, and Dustin still hadn't uncovered any information about the mysterious man.

That evening, as he wiped his hands on a towel, his phone buzzed. It was Kylie. "I'm picking you up in fifteen" she said, her voice light, but with a hint of something he couldn't quite place.

She arrived at his spa a few minutes later, her car stopping in front. He stepped out into the cool evening air, the scent of lavender  still lingering in the doorway.

Together, they walked to a nearby restaurant, the evening shadows stretching long behind them. 

"Any news about him?" Kylie asked, breaking the silence as they slid into a booth.

Dustin sighed, the weight of frustration pressing down on his chest. He leaned back against the booth.. arms crossed "Kylie, I think this guy might be dangerous. There's nothing about him. No records, no history-like he doesn't exist."

Kylie studied him for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. She reached for her glass of water, tapping the rim absentmindedly. "He doesn't seem dangerous to me.  Maybe he just values his privacy" 

Dustin's fingers drummed on the edge of the table, his thoughts racing. What if she's right?          Dustin was deep in thought, wondering if Kylie might be right.

Kylie sighed softly, the sound laced with disappointment. She let her gaze fall to her plate, pushing her food around "I guess l'm not destined to meet him, huh?" 

Dustin watched her for a moment, feeling a pang of guilt. He opened his mouth to say something but the words caught in his throat.

Instead, he reached across the table.. placing his hand over hers "Maybe one day" 

  ***** 

The next morning, Kylie dialed Dustin's number, excitement practically humming in her voice. "I've been thinking about it all night and I'm really serious about opening the café" she said, the words tumbling out.

Dustin's heart gave a quick, happy leap when he heard her "That's amazing, Kylie!" His voice was warm with support " think you'd be incredible at it. Let's talk about it

-what do you have in mind?" 

They spoke for a long time, bouncing ideas back and forth, their conversation filled with laughter and the thrill of possibility. By the end of the call, Kylie was already picturing the dream in motion. "I'm going to tell my dad"  she said 

She hung up and made her way to her dad's room, her footsteps light with anticipation. But when she opened the door, it was empty. She frowned, then heard the soft buzz of her phone. It was a message from him "Lunch with a client today. Let's catch up later"

Kylie sighed, glancing at the clock before pulling on her jacket. Time to meet Dustin.

They had to find the right location for her dream. 

When they met up, the first place they visited had too much foot traffic and the second was too cramped. At the third, they didn't even get past the front door. Dustin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "None of these are right"          

Kylie exhaled in frustration, her shoulders slumping. "It's been a tiring day. How about we try again tomorrow?"

"That works for me" Dustin agreed. "I have got work at the spa to catch up on anyway."

He gave her a quick hug and they said their goodbyes. Kylie's eyes lingered on him for a moment before she turned to leave. She called her dad as she walked toward her car. "Where are you? I'm on my way." 

Her dad's texted location led her to a posh restaurant a few blocks away. As she pulled up, she noticed a group of men dressed in black suits standing by the entrance, their presence almost imposing. She felt a flicker of unease but pushed it aside as she admired the stunning exterior of the place-glassy windows and sleek lines. Inside, the décor was modern and chic, with deep velvet chairs. 

The moment she stepped through the door, her dad spotted her. He waved  from a corner booth. Kylie's gaze flicked across the room, landing on him immediately. But as she walked closer, she noticed a man sitting with him-his back turned, obscuring his face.

The man's posture was stiff, almost too formal.

Kylie stopped a few paces away, trying to read the situation, but it was hard to get a sense of who he was.

She glanced around the restaurant, noting the silence. Not a single other customer in sight.

The whole place seemed to have been cleared out just for them. Had they booked it exclusively?

 "Hi, Papa"  she said, walking toward her father, her voice light but with a hint of curiosity. She leaned down to hug him, 

Mr Robert's face lit up with a grin "Khy, meet Mr. Rome"

Kylie's breath caught in her throat. The man turned slowly  and the moment she saw his face, everything seemed to freeze. Her eyes widened in shock and her mouth opened slightly in surprise. Her cheeks flushed as she blinked rapidly, trying to process the recognition.  

Seeing his daughter's reaction, Mr Robert furrowed his brows "Khy, are you okay?"

Kylie took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. She extended her hand quickly, offering a bright smile that was laced with a hint of nervousness. "Hi Mr Rome,  I'm Kylie Robert, but you can call me Khy"

Mr. Rome's lips curled into a small smile as he shook her hand. "Nice to see you again, Kylie"     

Mr. Robert blinked in surprise, his eyebrows rising "You know each other?"

Kylie nodded, her gaze still lingering on Mr Rome "Papa, he's the young man who helped me at the mall"  

Mr. Robert turned to Mr. Rome, offering a grateful nod "Thank you for looking out for her."

Mr. Rome's face remained unreadable as he shrugged  "It's nothing, Mr. Robert, If it were anyone else.. I would do the same"  

 Kylie looked up at him, her eyes shining brightly He's really handsome. She thought 

When he looked at her, she felt a rush of heat to her cheeks and couldn't help but admire him. His mannerisms, his way of speaking and everything he did fascinated her.

 While her father and Mr. Rome continued their discussion, Kylie took out her phone to snap a quick picture of him, forgetting her flashlight was on.

 "Khy, your phone's flashlight is on," Robert said with a stern look.

 Her face turned a deep red from embarrassment. She immediately apologized. "I'm sorry, Mr. Rome."

 A few minutes later, as they wrapped up their meeting, Mr. Robert extended his hand for a handshake "I'm hoping to work with you, Mr. Rome"

   "You will hear from my assistant, Mr. Robert," Rome replied, shaking his hand.

 Just as Rome was about to leave, Robert invited him for dinner to properly thank him for helping his daughter.

Rome initially declined, but Kylie persisted.

 "I feel indebted to you. I know you would do the same for anyone, but I want to treat you to dinner at my home and thank you properly, Mr. Rome."

 Rome raised one eyebrow, his eyes widening slightly. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed carefully on her.

 "Is that why you have been searching hard for me so intently?"

 Kylie's cheeks flushed lightly, and she lowered her gaze, her lips pressing into a small, unsure smile.

and she gave a modest nod, her eyes darting briefly towards him before quickly looking away. wondering how he had figured out her efforts to find him.

 He nodded. "Alright, I'm free tomorrow evening," he agreed and left with quick strides.

Kylie's face lit up with a beaming smile, her eyes sparkling with joy as she hugged her father tightly.

 Her father's eyes softened with affection, a proud smile spreading across his face as he observed Kylie's genuine admiration and evident love for Rome and her little trick to take a picture.

 At Davenge Enterprise, Kylie and her father enter the office, they were greeted by a room that excludes power and sophistication.

 The office is spacious with high ceilings and large windows that let in natural light, offering a view of the city.

 Mr. Robert's secretary, was soon asked to fetch coffee.

 "Khy, do you like Mr. Rome?" Robert asked.

Kylie's eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and realization.

She shifted her gaze downward, biting her lower lip while her fingers nervously twisted together. After a brief pause, she looked up with a shy, sincere smile,

"I think so, Papa"  Robert's eyes crinkled at the corners, his smile broadening with warmth, His eyebrows lifted slightly, and he placed a comforting hand on Kylie's shoulder,

 "I'm happy and nervous at the same time, my dear."

 A puzzled look crossed Kylie's face.

 "Why?"

 "Because you might not prioritize me anymore," he said with a sad smile.

 "You will always come first, so don't be nervous. And besides, I'm not getting married soon, Papa," she replied calmly.

 His face lit up in a smile. "My daughter is so grown now," Robert said, hugging her.

 "I want you to be sure of your feelings for Rome."

 "Can you tell me about Mr. Rome, Papa?" she asked.

He chuckled. "I don't know much about him, but here's what I know.

 He's a young, successful businessman and the CEO of Roman Group Corporation.

His company dominates the business world and is worth trillions of dollars.

 His identity remains largely unknown because he prefers to keep a low profile."

 "Oh really? He looks so young and has achieved a lot. He has this cold and dangerous aura around him. How old is he, Papa?"

 "He's only 27, my dear. To thrive in the business world, you need to protect yourself, and I believe that's why he seems so aloof."