hree days had passed, and Esme had fully recovered.
After being cooped up inside the house for what felt like an eternity, she finally decided it was time to step outside and breathe some fresh air.
Getting ready had given her a brief sense of normalcy.
She walked over to her bedroom door, opened it, and pulled it shut gently behind her.
As she walked down the hallway, her eyes naturally drifted toward Rowan’s door.
She hadn’t seen him since the other night, mostly because she had been actively going out of her way to avoid him.
Shaking off the thought, she hurried down the grand staircase and headed straight for the exit.
Stepping into the courtyard, the warm sunlight hit her skin, bringing a soft smile to her face.
Right on cue, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her.
The driver’s side window rolled down smoothly, and the driver looked back at her politely.
“The car is ready, Mrs.
Carven.” “Thank you,” Esme smiled, pulling the door open and settling comfortably into the leather backseat.
She was just about to tell the driver her destination when the opposite rear door unexpectedly swung open.
Rowan slid into the seat right beside her, closing the door behind him with a quiet, authoritative click.
Esme’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
“What are you doing?” Rowan turned his head toward her, a smooth, unbothered smile playing on his lips.
“You’ve been avoiding me.” She quickly looked away, crossing her arms tightly.
“So what if I have?” He tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping into a quieter tone.
“I don’t like it.
It hurts.” Esme turned her head back to face him slowly, caught off guard by his words.
He was already looking at her, his expression softening as he spoke.
“It’s good to see your face up close again.” A sudden wave of warmth fluttered in her chest, making her heart beat erratically.
Frustrated by her own physical reaction, she snapped her gaze back to the window, trying to mask her flustered state.
“What is wrong with you?” Rowan chuckled softly, the low sound vibrating in the quiet cabin of the car.
He looked forward toward the driver.
“Drive.” “Yes, sir,” the driver replied, pulling out of the estate.
Esme turned back to Rowan, her brows furrowed in suspicion.
“Where are we going?” “On a date,” Rowan said casually, a faint smile lingering on his face.
Esme raised an eyebrow, staring at him like he had lost his mind.
“A date?
Are you crazy?” “I invited someone to join us,” Rowan added smoothly.
Esme bit her lower lip, fighting off the headache he was giving her.
“You are utterly insane.” She leaned toward the front console and raised her voice slightly.
“Stop the car.
Right now.” The driver didn’t flinch, keeping his eyes firmly on the road.
“I’m going to jump out if you don’t stop,” she warned, reaching for the door handle.
Rowan leaned back, watching her with mild amusement.
“How will you do that when the doors are child-locked?” She aggressively pulled on the handle, but it refused to budge.
Letting out a sharp sigh of defeat, she sank back into the plush seating.
“What do you mean you’re taking me on a date?
And who on earth did you invite?” “It’s a date,” Rowan repeated calmly.
“I’m taking my wife out.
Is that a problem?
As for our guest…” He paused, a dark smirk catching the corner of his lips.
“…it’s someone you know very well.” “Someone I know?
Who?” Esme pressed.
Before she could fire off another question, Rowan reached over and gently placed his index finger over her lips.
“You talk too much, Mrs.
Carven.” Esme instantly swatted his hand away, glaring at him with a deep frown.
She turned her back to him, staring intently out the tinted window for the remainder of the ride.
Rowan simply watched her with an amused smile before pulling out his phone to check his messages.
Minutes later, the car pulled up to the entrance of a high-end restaurant.
The valet stood ready, but Esme stayed firmly planted in her seat, arms still folded tightly across her chest.
Rowan glanced over at her.
“Are you getting down?” “No,” she said stubbornly.
“I’m not.” Rowan let out a dramatic sigh.
“Alright, suit yourself.
Just don’t curse me out later when one of my enemies spots you sitting alone in an unarmored vehicle and decides to take a shot.” He pushed his door open and stepped out onto the pavement.
Esme’s eyes widened in horror.
“What?!” As Rowan closed his door with a smirk, Esme scrambled across the leather interior, shoved her door open, and practically sprinted to catch up with him.
He slowed his stride, looking down at her as she fell into step beside him.
“Oh?
What made you change your mind?” She glared up at him with pure venom.
“Shut up, Rowan.” He chuckled, shaking his head gently.
“Shall we?” The car pulled away behind them as Esme marched ahead toward the entrance.
She pushed open the heavy glass doors and swept through without holding them.
The door swung back aggressively, nearly hitting Rowan right in the face, but he caught it effortlessly with one hand, letting out a quiet laugh as he let it close gently behind them.
Inside, the restaurant was grand and opulent, filled with soft lighting, delicate violin music, and affluent patrons dressed in high-end fashion.
Esme wove past the tables and slid into a plush booth.
Rowan immediately slid into the exact same side of the booth, pressing close to her.
Esme snapped her head toward him, thoroughly annoyed.
“Why do you have to sit on my side?
Why not sit on the seat across from me?” Rowan leaned in slightly, his tone smooth and dripping with charm.
“Is it really a bad thing that I want to be close to my wife?” “Yes,” Esme replied flatly.
“It is.” Rowan chuckled again.
“Well, our guest needs somewhere to sit on the other side.
That is, if they get the chance to sit at all.” Esme turned her head, her curiosity finally outweighing her irritation.
“Who is this person, Rowan?” Rowan looked toward the main entrance, a cold, satisfied smile spreading across his face.
“They’re here.” Esme followed his gaze across the dining room.
Walking through the entrance was a woman in a glamorous dress, nervously scanning the crowd as if looking for a specific reservation.
Esme’s breath caught in her throat.
Her eyes widened as recognition hit her like a physical blow.
“Layla…” Esme whispered under her breath.
As if hearing her name, Layla turned her head toward the booth.
Her eyes locked onto Esme, widening in absolute shock.
Layla slowly walked toward their table, her confidence evaporating with every step.
She stopped just a few feet away, her eyes darting frantically between Esme and Rowan, who sat beside her with an unreadable, lethal composure.
Standing up abruptly from the booth, Esme stared at her former best friend.
Layla swallowed hard, her voice trembling as the realization crashed over her.
“What the absolute fuck?!” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Jael123 What exactly are you planning Rowan, don’t piss me off ma dude!