There is nothing to be nervous about. Emery told herself once again as she scanned her dinner attire in the dressing mirror.

This was not the first time she was going on a date but her nerves had not gotten the gist yet.

Comfort yet elegant was what she was going for and after minutes of ransacking her closet, she finally decided on an ivory ankle-length dress. She had worn it once so it would have to do. And it matched the gold platform heels and gold clutch she purchased for the graduation after-party she was unable to attend.

Gently, Emery adjusted the pins holding her hairstyle in place. She winced when the damn thing still managed to poke her scalp.

Taking a seat on the footstool in front of the vanity, she strapped on her heels and went ahead to do her makeup. As usual, she went in for a simple nude shade and sprinkled on some perfume afterward.

Once done, she grabbed her purse and stuff some needed items in there. A ChapStick, one tiny pack of mint gum, tissues and some cash was all she needed. There. That was decent enough for a first date at Becca's.

Her phone rang and she rushed to the bed for it, thinking that it was him. But it was a video call from Natalia. She picked up.

"Wow, girl you're slaying tonight."

"Thanks boo."

"Aunt Em you beautiful!"

Emery chuckled at little Alexis words. "Hi Lexy." she waved back at the girl. "Thanks baby."

"Alright run along and let me do some adult talking."

"Where are her parents?" Emery asked when Alexis was out of sight.

"On a date. Seriously those two need it. Talking about dates. I got your text. Girl what the fuck are you nervous about?"

Emery sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. Its been a long time since I went on one so I guess its just a normal reaction?"

'Sis just loosen up and enjoy yourself.'

Emery nodded in agreement.

'And I want details of your Emellion time together.'

"Em, what?" Emery burst into laughter. "where the hell did you get that one from?"

'Well duh. It wasn't difficult to come by.'

A knock on the front door made her cut their conversation short. "I think he is here," she said giddily and took another look at herself in the mirror.

'Well go ahead and remember to enjoy yourself.'

"I will, boo. Call you when I get back." she hung up.

Taking in a deep breath, Emery strode downstairs. Her heart was beating so fast that she broke a sweat and had to dab her face with a tissue. She put on a smile and pulled the door open only for her face to fall.

"Good evening, Miss Hamilton. I'm Samuel Cooper, your Chauffer for the night."

He sent his bodyguard to pick me up?

"Oh, right. Give me a second," Emery said drily and locked the door.

Samuel ushered her into the Ferrari. The ride was quiet and awkward to say the least but ended a few minutes later when they arrived at BECCA. One of the top restaurants in Manhattan.

The first floor was bustling with patrons from the upper class as usual, and for a second Emery was certain the guard would lead her to a table in that vicinity but to her outermost surprise, he ushered her into the VIP lift.

When the elevator came to a stop, the guard pointed to a double glass door before them. "Mr. Dekker is waiting for you inside."

"Thank you, Samuel," Emery gave him a gentle smile.

After Samuel had left, she took heavy steps towards the door. Her stomach was a hot mess of nerves as she grabbed the knob and turned it.

The melodious tune of a harp filtered through the balcony. Red lit candles sat at vantage points, giving the patio a perfect sense of tranquility.

Emery felt some of her nerves melt away as she beheld the magnificent view before her.

"Hey," Billion said from where he leaned against the metal rail.

"Hi." Her heart acknowledged him once again when she met his warm gaze.

He looked impeccably handsome in a maroon tux and his lustrous deep brown hair was scissor cut, enhancing his manly looks.

Billion backed away from the rail and took gentle strides towards her. "Thank you for coming."

He took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips, placing a tender kiss at the back of her hand without breaking eye contact. Emery gulped at the familiar jolt of electricity but quickly dabbed on a smile to keep her composure.

"Something tells me you're looking like a goddess tonight just for me," Billion led her to their table for two.

"You almost got me there, Dekker." her reply made both of them chuckle.

Billion pulled out her chair. "Well, I have eyes too, my dear."

"Thank you. You don't look bad yourself," Emery said, her face burning from the endearment.

"Well, thank you." Billion did a playful bow which made her giggle. "hope you like the place?" he took his seat as well.

"I do. Thank you."

In Emery's honest opinion, BECCA was too extravagant for her taste but if someone had put in the efforts, she was not going to put her degree to use and give an economic lecture.

"Anything for you, Em."

Can someone tell him to stop acting so sweet?

"Um...so, how was your day?" she asked just to start a less awkward conversation.

Goodness, girl. Didn't you two talk about this on the phone?

"Do you talk to yourself this often?" Billion asked in amusement. She pulled a face so he explained, "you make these funny faces at times and it is not hard to figure out you are talking to yourself."

"Observant. I like that..."

"What else do you like?" Billion asked. His gaze was intense almost desperate, and it made her fidget with her table napkin.

"Well let's see, first, you're generous and caring and that is-"

Before Emery could complete her sentence, the door opened and a brunette in a black chef attire strode in with two waitresses. She was no doubt grateful they had saved her from answering his thought nerve provoking question.

"Good evening, lady and gentleman. I'm chef Rebecca Dekker. I'll be waiting on you with my team tonight. Nice to have you at BECCA'S." The girls behind her went over to the table and filled their wine glasses before stepping back.

Emery turned discretely to Billion and with wide eyes, she mouthed, "Dekker?"

Billion smiled as if he knew her train of thought at the moment. "Em, meet Rebecca, my sister in law. Becca, this is Emery."

"Nice to finally meet you, Emery." the lady put a hand out and Emery took it.

"Pleasure is all mine, Rebecca," she said.

The lady offered her a warm smile. "When you're ready to begin the night with me and my team, you know what to do." she pointed to a small bell attached to one end of their table.

"Thanks, Becca." Billion acknowledged.

"You're welcome, hon. If you'll excuse us. Have a wonderful evening." she strode out of the room with the others.

"Let me guess, she owns the restaurant?" Emery asked the second the door shut after the ladies.

"Yes," Billion replied lightly.

Fucking rich people. Emery mused as she took a sip of her wine.

"So..." she began. "tell me something I don't already know about Billion Miles Dekker."

That was the beginning of a beautiful night of conversation between the two. Though they had known each other for some time now, it was still their first date so they stayed away from asking intimate questions.

When the time came for them to order, Emery was indecisive. She had never been to BECCA before and was glad she hadn't upon seeing the prices staring her in the face.

"I..." Emery gave him a sheepish smile. "I don't really know what to order. Everything looks so appetizing and..." so damn expensive.

Billion lowered his menu and looked at her. "Their steak is the best but you can order the salmon with assorted rice, I hear it's amazing."

Emery nodded. "Thanks. The steak does look good but I couldn't spend $120 just for a steak." she said in all seriousness.

Billion raised a brow at the bargain. "You're being funny right?"

"No. That wasn't meant as a joke," she stated, a soft smile peeking at the edges of her lips. "Bill, come on, I insist."

Billion sighed. "We are not splitting the check. That's an insult."

"It wasn't meant to be," Emery said gently. "You men are really something else."

Billion smiled. "Look, I just want you to enjoy yourself tonight. You don't need to worry about the cost. I've got this so please order whatever you want."

"Bill-" he cut her off by pressing on the bell.

Rebecca and her assistants strode in not a second after. Emery had no choice then, but to order. She gave him the sting eye when their servers left, not knowing how he found that cute.

They continued with their idle chit-chat as they waited for their food and when it arrived, she was glad she had ordered the steak. But it was still not worth $120.

Dinner rolled over minutes later and Emery knew it was time for them to settle things. But it looked as if the man to settle the scores was lost in his mind. Unconsciously he kept stroking the back of her hand as he stared at the dark-blue horizon.

Emery had seen her fair share of Billion Miles Dekker since they met but sitting this close to the man, she could not help but to notice for the first time, how expressive yet innocent his eyes were.

Unconsciously, her lingering gaze dropped to his lush pink lips but snapped back to his wondering hand when he glanced at her. It was obvious then that he had caught her staring.

"Dance with me?"

His close voice sent a warm tingle down her spine. Emery's heart was beating wildly and she prayed he wouldn't notice how her breath hitched when he leaned in. But before her body could betray her like it always does when she was around the man, she averted her gaze to distract herself.

You can do this. Emery told herself.

"I don't know how we're going to dance to the tune of a harp but sure." she took his offered hand.

"I know it was just dinner and idle chat but I hope you're enjoying the night?" Billion asked as he led her to the open space.

Emery met his gaze and offered him a big smile in return. "More than you can imagine. Thank you."

"Pleasure is all mine," Billion said, looking down at her with an affection that boggled his very own mind.

He held her gently by the waist and drew her into him. She wrapped her hands around his broad shoulders as they swayed to the foreign tune, all the while staring into each other's eyes.

Although both of them wouldn't disclose it, none wanted the magical moment to end.

Emery leaned her head on his chest, inhaling his soothing cologne that never failed to warm her insides. She was lost in her own little world as she laid in the arms of the man who was winning over her heart with every passing minute.

She did not sign up for this and Emery was certain Billion didn't either. It was supposed to be a simple task. Well, as effortless as the contract made it look. Spend six months together as a couple all in the name of pretense to help him get his beloved Foundation back. And to put his reckless life in shape. It had been a simple task on paper.

But all was not smooth sailing. Not when Billion Miles Dekker was involved. She was falling. Emery knew she was and it scared her. When she loves, she love with all of her so she fears for the state of her fragile heart by the time the contract comes to an end.

"Can I say something crazy?" Billion asked as he swayed gently with the quiet girl in his arms. His question seemed to draw her out of her thoughts. Just as he wanted.

"Well, let's hear it," she mumbled against his chest.

"I know I said we'll find a way to settle this, but I don't want us to end, Em..."

She lifted her head from his chest in time to meet his soft gaze. "What do you mean?"

"I'm tired of pretending, Em and I know you're too. I'm not going to lie, it feels good being with you, and I don't know why but I need this closure. Let's do this right, Em." he said softly. "Please give me a chance to make this right.

By now, the blood was rushing in and out of Emery's ears as she stared back at him. She almost blamed his openness on the numerous glass of wine he had consumed during dinner, but his unwavering gaze told her he was very much sober.

Hesitantly, she averted her gaze. "I... I don't know what to say. I need some time to think about this."

Billion nodded. "I'll be waiting, and whatever your answer maybe, I'll respect that."

Her stiff features made Billion cuss himself for opening up. He had been meaning to say that. And a lot more but he did not want to overwhelm her.

Billion drew her closer and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "The night is still young, and we have other fun things to do. Come on."

"What do you have in mind?" Emery asked while he led her back to their table.

"Well, we can take a stroll down the beach and maybe grab a couple of drinks. Anything you want, Em."

"That would be nice, thanks."

They grabbed their things and ambled out of BECCA, hand-in-hand.

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

The night had been amazing more than either had anticipated, but came to an end as the sky pulled on its dark coat.

The tension between them had grown since they left the beach, but Billion was doing his very best to nip his yearnings in the bud. He wanted to give her space to think and make a clear decision.

If only he knew how frustrating his lack of closure was for Emery.

Minutes after the awkward drive, Billion pulled into the Hamilton's driveway. He walked her to the front door.

"Once again, thanks for dinner. I really enjoyed myself," Emery said, rocking back and forth on her heels.

"You were great company."

"I could say the same," she mumbled. "Um... wanna come in for tea?"

Tea with her? Alone? That was very inviting but he would rather head home and take a cold shower.

"Thanks for offering but maybe another time." Billion turned down the offer gently.

"Oh OK," Emery chided herself for even feeling disappointed by his rejection.

"Good night, Em." He leaned in to place an innocent kiss on her cheek, but she turned and captured his lips in a light kiss.

Billion's resolve crumbled right then and he pulled her into him, kissing her back with as much fervor. Slanting her head back, he deepened the kiss which elicited a soft moan from her. It was obvious from their desperate groping that they had been yearning for each other's touch since the night began. His body throbbed in pure need, but he broke off the kiss and pulled away before the little temptress could win.

"Me vuelves loco." Billion mumbled breathlessly. "I'll call you." Not waiting for her reply, he jogged back to his car and drove out of the Hamilton's house.

Emery gulped down the remnants of his taste as she watched his car disappear from view. It's a damn yes, Dekker. She knew she was supposed to feel bad for throwing herself at him in such a wanton way, but all she felt was giddiness and warmth.

"Great, now I've scared him off," Emery chastised herself as she grabbed her house keys from her clutch. 

"And I'm surprised the more, Emery." Emery spun around at the seething voice only to see a fuming Nicholas.

──────────────•••─────────────
ʙɪʟʟɪᴏɴ ᴡᴀɴᴛs ᴀ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴇᴍᴇʀʏ?

ɴɪᴄᴋ ʙᴀsɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ ᴄᴀᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴄᴛ, ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴇ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɪɴ ᴇᴍᴇʀʏ's sʜᴏᴇs?

Me vuelves loco - You drive me crazy.

ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ, ᴋɪɴᴅʟʏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴠᴏᴛᴇ ᴏʀ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴏʀ sʜᴀʀᴇ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ.