Racing Hearts

Five minutes

Kiara

As Henry's car pulled up in front of my dorm building, I couldn't shake the knot of anger that twisted in my stomach. I had agreed to go to this meeting with him out of obligation, but that didn't mean I was happy about it. And seeing him standing there with that smug grin on his face only made me more irritated.

As he approached, I forced a polite smile, but when he reached out to kiss me, I instinctively dodged, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Henry, we're just going to your dad's party , remember?" I snapped, my tone sharp.

His smile faltered for a moment, but then he nodded, his expression turning serious. "Right, just the party," he muttered, but I could see the disappointment flicker in his eyes.

We drove towards the mansion where the meeting was being held, and with every passing moment, my anger only seemed to grow. Henry's casual attitude grated on my nerves, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was enjoying my discomfort.

When he mentioned Nexotech, my heart skipped a beat, and I felt a surge of panic wash over me. Blake's family business. The thought of facing her again, of seeing her after everything that had happened between us, made my blood boil.

I must have been lost in thought because Henry's voice suddenly broke through the silence. "Kiara, we're here," he said, his tone gentle.

I blinked, shaking myself out of my reverie as I looked out the window at the imposing mansion before us. The sight of it only fueled my anger, knowing that I was about to walk into a room filled with people who saw me as nothing more than Henry's arm candy.

As we entered the mansion, Henry's hand on the small of my back, I couldn't shake the feeling of resentment that washed over me. I plastered a polite smile on my face as he introduced me to his father and the other guests, but inside, I was seething.

And then Henry dropped the bombshell about Nexotech, and I froze. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt my anger flare to life once more. Blake's family business. Of course, she would be here.

I stood awkwardly amidst the opulence of the gathering, feeling out of place in my simple attire amidst the sea of suits and cocktail dresses. Henry, my ex-boyfriend, had dragged me here against my will, insisting that it was important for me to be present at his father's meeting with Nexotech.

As Henry and his father approached, my discomfort only grew. Henry's father, a stern figure in his own right, made an unexpected comment about me being a "good girl" and suggested I meet someone. Before I could protest, he summoned a figure from across the room – Blake, adorned in a striking maroon suit that accentuated her sharp features.

Blake's eyes met mine as she approached, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity despite my annoyance at being thrust into this situation.

"Kiara, this is Blake," Henry's father introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Blake said with a warm smile.

I managed a polite nod, feeling incredibly out of place.

"Blake, why don't you show Kiara around?" Mr Vincent (Henry's father) suggested.

Before I could object, Blake gently took my arm. "Of course, I'd be happy to."

As she began to lead me away, I couldn't help but scoff inwardly, wanting nothing more than to escape the stifling atmosphere of the party.

Before I could make my excuses and leave, Blake reached out and gently pulled me back, causing me to collide with the solid wall of her abs. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I stumbled slightly, catching myself against her.

"Sorry about that," she said softly, her voice surprisingly soothing.

"It's fine," I muttered, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and intrigue.

In a low whisper, Blake urged me to meet her outside, her voice sending shivers down my spine.

"Meet me outside in five minutes," she said, her gaze intense.

Despite my initial resistance, there was something intriguing about her that I couldn't ignore. With a reluctant nod, I agreed, bracing myself for whatever awaited me beyond the confines of the party.

5 minutes later

As I stood alone in the courtyard, the cool night air enveloping me, a sense of disappointment washed over me as I realized Blake was nowhere to be found. I sighed, assuming she had decided not to come after all. Just as I turned to leave, a familiar, intoxicating scent filled the air, stopping me in my tracks.

I spun around to see Blake leaning casually against her Aston Martin, a small smile playing on her lips. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, my earlier frustration melting away in an instant.

"Why did you call me out here?" I asked, my voice betraying my curiosity and confusion.

Blake's expression softened as she straightened up. "I'm sorry for walking out like that, Kiara. I didn't mean to leave you hanging."

I searched her eyes, trying to gauge the sincerity behind her words. "Do you really mean that?"

She took a step closer, closing the distance between us. "Yes, I do. But I understand if you don't believe me."

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "How can I trust you?"

Blake reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I can tell you, or I can show you."

Before I could comprehend her words, she closed the remaining space between us, her lips meeting mine in a tender kiss. All doubts and uncertainties vanished in that moment as I melted into her embrace, feeling a sense of connection and understanding that transcended words.

As Blake's lips met mine, a rush of emotions flooded through me—surprise, confusion, and an undeniable sense of longing. Despite our past tensions, her kiss was tender and filled with an unexpected warmth that left me breathless.

Breaking away slightly, I searched her eyes for any hint of insincerity, but all I found was an earnestness that took me by surprise. In that moment, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me, a glimmer of possibility that maybe, just maybe, things could be different between us.

"I... I don't know what to say," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Blake's smile softened, her thumb gently tracing circles on my cheek. "You don't have to say anything, Kiara. Just give me a chance to show you."

Her words hung in the air between us, laden with unspoken promises and a sense of vulnerability that I hadn't expected. And despite my lingering doubts, I found myself nodding in silent agreement, a spark of excitement igniting within me at the prospect of what lay ahead.

"Okay," I whispered, a tentative smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Show me."

With that, Blake took my hand in hers, leading me away from the grandeur of the mansion and into the night. And as we disappeared into the darkness together, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me, eager to discover what surprises awaited us on this unexpected journey.