The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride by Nadia Lee
Chapter Thirty-Two
Declan
The next two weeks go by fast. Tim keeps sending me scripts because Melvin hasn’t made up his mind yet, although Tim seems very optimistic. But nothing’s a given in Hollywood. And we aren’t going to stop looking at other options until a contract’s been signed.
The kiss is not repeated. It isn’t because I don’t want to. But Yuna seems to be maintaining some kind of mysterious distance. I even start to walk around the house topless, ostensibly because it’s too damn hot despite the A/C blowing nonstop. And I have Yuna count reps every time I work out, which is also done topless.
I sense her eyes on me like electricity prickling my body. If I were the only one responding to the chemistry between us, I might consider giving up, but I can tell she feels it too. Her cheeks flush, and there’s a spark of interest in her dark eyes. But still a big fat nothing in terms of a second kiss happening, much less anything else.
I try having her translate some old emails from the seeing eye dog retirement center for me. But it fails to re-create the magic from the first time. The catalyst Yuna needs may require something totally different.
Maybe she’s just trying to be professional until Benedict comes back. Should I have a talk with her about how I don’t really care about professionalism? But what if it makes things awkward between us instead?
It’s really exasperating. I’ve never been stumped by a woman before.
No matter how hard I think, nothing comes to me.
So I decide to focus on the present, which at the moment means lunch with Aiden.
I had him select the place, since I picked last time, and I’ll pick up the tab as an apology for missing our run. His secretary made a reservation at a French restaurant called La Chambre. Some celebrity chef opened it recently.
The interior is bright with lots of natural light. The high ceiling and pale color scheme make the place look airy and spacious, and the dark wooden panels on the walls add some much-needed contrast.
Aiden’s already at the table. He’s in a charcoal-gray suit, his perfectly cropped black hair styled slickly. A burgundy tie is around his neck in an impeccable Windsor knot.
“He totally looks like a lawyer,” Yuna whispers, walking next to me.
“What makes you say that?”
“Just the way he glances around. It’s like he’s looking for a reason to sue.”
I do my best not to laugh. But it’s hard, and when Aiden’s blue gaze sharpens as the hostess brings us to the table, I can’t stop myself.
“What’s so funny?” Aiden says as we take our seats.
“Something Yuna said.”
“So this is the famous assistant who isn’t interested in fame or fortune.” He shoots her his least threatening smile, the one he bestows on distressed clients. A hint of surprise flickers in his eyes as he assesses her from top to bottom, probably because most celebrity assistants don’t dress in top-end couture. He extends a hand. “I’m Aiden Hill. Nice to meet you.”
“Yuna Hae. Pleasure.” She shakes his hand.
“Nice grip,” he says, eyebrows raised. He plays tennis and golf when he has the time, and has good forearm strength.
Yuna smiles.
“She plays the piano,” I tell Aiden.
“I heard from Melvin. Curtis, right?”
“Yes,” Yuna says. “I’m impressed Melvin remembered.”
I’m also impressed Aiden remembered that detail after Melvin told him. But then, his superb memory probably helped him get into Harvard Law.
“He was quite taken. He spoke to me about you, which is why I asked Declan to bring you for lunch. It isn’t every day you meet a woman who isn’t interested in a speaking part in one of Melvin’s movies.” He looks mildly bemused by the idea. But he’s used to dealing with clients who want their big break. “So what’s the joke?”
“I said you had to be a lawyer because you’re looking at everything like you want a reason to sue.”
I smirk, amused at how Yuna is so forthcoming.
Aiden laughs. “I’m always looking for potential liabilities. Habit developed from work. But unless I get food poisoning, I’m unlikely to sue this fine establishment.” He gives Yuna a conspiratorial look. “Never say never, though.”
Our server gives us our menus, fills our glasses with icy water and explains the special. Yuna orders lightly baked sea bream with basil sauce, and I ask for the beef special. Aiden gets the same. Then he adds a bottle of wine to split, which our server brings out promptly and serves once Aiden takes a sip and okays it.
After the server leaves, Aiden pulls out a fancy-looking black and gold bag and hands it to me.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“A Bordeaux.”
Yuna looks at the label with interest. “I’ve never heard of this vineyard. Is it good?”
“It’s new. One of my clients’ friends started it a couple of years ago. The place hasn’t gone belly up, so I presume they know how to produce a decent vintage.”
“You haven’t tasted it?” I ask. Aiden is a wine connoisseur. There’s no way he hasn’t, but he’s acting like he’s never had a chance.
“I just got a case this morning at the office, and I had to go to the court over some motion—which was frankly ridiculous, because the opposing counsel is a donkey who was dropped on his head when he was young.” Aiden sneers, and Yuna laughs. “Anyway, I figured I’d give you”—he points at me—“a bottle, and you’ll tell me how it is by this afternoon.”
“So I’m your guinea pig.” Which I don’t mind too much, because Aiden doesn’t give out bad wine.
“She can be, too.” Aiden gestures at Yuna. “Unless you only drink famous labels.”
“I’ll drink anything that tastes good,” Yuna says. “It’s never about the price or how famous the vineyard is.”
Aiden’s eyebrow quirks. “I thought you might care, given the way you’re dressed.”
“I dress the way I do because I don’t feel like buying new but cheaper clothes just to make some people comfortable,” Yuna says with a polite but pointed smile. “Also, my family expects me to keep up a certain standard of appearance.”
Which is a dick move, considering how they’ve cut her off.
I guess what I’m thinking shows on my face, because she pats my hand. “My existing wardrobe is pretty significant, although I miss shopping.”
Our server interrupts to bring out our lunch. My beef dish is rich, but not bad. Still, I like the stuff at Éternité better. I make a mental note to take Yuna there soon.
“Who are your family?” Aiden asks after he’s swallowed his first bite. “And why do they expect you to look a certain way?”
“They’re the owners of Hae Min Group in Korea. You might not know them,” she says.
He probably doesn’t. I certainly didn’t.
But Aiden surprises me. “No way. Really? Your family owns SKE Entertainment?” He turns to me. “That’s one of the biggest movie distribution and production companies in Korea. It distributes a lot of Hollywood films.”
“We might,” Yuna says carelessly. “I don’t involve myself with the group’s business. That’s my brother’s thing.”
The asshole who wants to marry her off for some merger BS. Maybe somebody promised him another movie distribution business or some crap like that. Bastard. “She runs a charitable music foundation for her family,” I say to Aiden. Or maybe she isn’t doing that anymore. I can’t be sure.
Her phone buzzes. “Excuse me.” She checks it, then instantly pales. “I have to go.”
Chilly apprehension rakes through me. She never batted an eye with Jessica or Ella…or even Melvin. For her to react like this, it must be something really important. Did her family finally find a groom she can’t refuse?
“What’s wrong?” I ask, my mouth dry.