The charity gala was in full swing, a sea of beautiful gowns and fitted tuxedos. Adjusting my bowtie, I examined the throng for possible wife materials. Another dead end. These women were more interested in my bank account than me. With a sigh, I grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter.
"Champagne, Mr. Blackwood? I thought you were more of a whiskey man."
That voice. I knew that voice. I turned, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Mia?"
There she stood, a vision in a midnight blue gown that embraced every curve. This couldn't be Jake's little sister. The Mia I remember was all gangly limbs and braces. This Mia was... beautiful.
"Hello, Dylan. Long time no see." Her grin was warm, yet there was something in her eyes. A glimmer of... what? Amusement? Challenge?
I cleared my throat. "I... wow. You look fantastic. When did you get back?"
"Just yesterday. I heard about this gala and thought it'd be a nice chance to reintroduce myself to New York society." She raised an eyebrow. "And to you."
Before I could react, a ruckus at the entryway caught our attention. Cameras flashed, and enthusiastic murmurs ran through the audience.
"Looks like the paparazzi found their next target," Mia observed, a touch of disgust in her voice.
I groaned. "They've been relentless since the news about my father's will broke." I glanced at Mia. "You've heard about that, I assume?"
She nodded, her look opaque. "It's been all over the news. 'Billionaire Heir's Race to the Altar. ' Quite the dilemma you're in."
The crowd parted as the paparazzi made their way towards us. I could already picture the headlines: 'Blackwood's Mystery Woman.' This would not end well.
"We need to get out of here," I exclaimed, grasping Mia's hand without thinking. The touch sent an unexpected jolt through me. "Do you trust me?"
Her eyes widened slightly, but she nodded. "Lead the way, Blackwood."
We navigated through the crowd, my hand never leaving hers. I could hear the paparazzi shouting questions behind us. "Mr. Blackwood! Who's the lady? Is she the one? Have you found your bride?"
We burst through a side door into the chilly night air. My Aston Martin was parked close, thank God for valet privileges. "Get in," I murmured, opening the passenger door for Mia.
She hesitated for a single second before sliding in. I rushed around to the driver's side, the sound of approaching footsteps driving me on.
The engine sprang to life, and we peeled away from the curb just as the paparazzi surged out onto the street. I caught a glimpse of flashing cameras in the rearview mirror before we turned the corner.
"Well," Mia began, a note of breathlessness in her voice, "this isn't quite how I imagined my return to New York."
I chuckled, the adrenaline still racing through my veins. "Welcome back, Mia. Nothing like a high-speed chase to reacquaint you with the city."
She laughed, and the sound did something to my insides. When was the last time I heard genuine laughing from a woman? Not the trained giggles of socialites or the artificial chuckles of gold-diggers, but real, uninhibited laughter?
"So, where are we going?" she inquired, looking out at the city lights rushing past us.
I realized I hadn't considered that far ahead. "I... don't know. I immediately knew we had to get out of there. Any suggestions?"
Mia considered for a moment. "How about that little diner we used to go to after school? Do you remember it?"
"Joe's? Is that place still open?"
She nodded. "I checked yesterday. Some things never change."
Unlike you, I thought. Everything about you has changed.
We drove in comfortable solitude for a while, the metropolis gradually giving way to more residential areas. I stole looks at Mia when I could. The way the streetlights played across her features, the small smile on her lips as she stared out the window. It was like seeing her for the first time.
"You're staring," she murmured, not turning from the window.
I swiftly looked back at the road. "Sorry, it's just... you've changed so much."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" There was a tinge of fragility in her voice that astonished me.
"Definitely good," I answered without hesitation. "You were always beautiful, Mia. But now... you're gorgeous."
I noticed her blush in the mirror of the window. "You're not too awful yourself, Blackwood. Though I see you still have a knack for getting into trouble."
I laughed. "Some things never change, right?"
We were nearing Joe's Diner when I observed a black SUV in my rear view mirror. It had been following us for the last few blocks.
"Mia," I murmured, my voice low, "don't look back, but I think we're being followed."
Her body tensed. "Paparazzi?"
I shook my head. "This feels different. More... professional."
The SUV was gaining on us. I pressed down on the accelerator, my head racing. Who may be following us? A competitor company? Someone who knew about my father's will?
"Dylan," Mia's voice was tight with terror, "there's another one up ahead."
Sure enough, another black SUV had pulled up in front of us, obstructing our route. I swerved, narrowly escaping a collision. The tires squealed as we took a fast bend along a side street.
"Hold on!" I yelled as I handled the tiny route, the SUVs hot on our tail.
Mia grasped the dashboard, her knuckles white. "Dylan, who are these people?"
"I don't know," I answered through clinched teeth, "but we're about to find out."
I observed an abandoned parking structure up ahead. It was a risk, but it might be our only chance to lose them.
"Mia, when I say so, I need you to hit that button," I pointed to a little red button beside the gear shift. "It'll release a smoke screen. It's a... latest addition."
Her eyes expanded. "Why do you have a smoke screen in your car?"
"Let's just say it's come in handy previously. Ready?"
She nodded, her fingers hesitating above the button.
We entered the parking garage, the SUVs close behind us. I floored it, racing up the levels, the sound of squealing tires reverberating off the concrete walls.
"Now!" I exclaimed as we reached the top level.
Mia slapped her hand down on the button. Thick smoke billowed out behind us, enveloping the chasing vehicles.
I swung the car around, my heart hammering as I searched for an exit. There is a ramp running down to the other side of the garage.
We sped towards it, the smoke starting to disperse. I could see the silhouette of the SUVs emerging.
"We're almost there," I replied, more to myself than to Mia.
As we approached the ramp, a guy stepped out of the shadows, squarely in our path. I slammed on the brakes, the car skidding to a halt barely inches from the person.
The smoke cleared, and I felt the blood drain from my face as I knew who it was.
"Oh my God," Mia murmured beside me.
The apparition smiled, a cold, calculating look that sent chills down my spine.
"Hello, Dylan," they said. "We need to talk about your father's will."
The SUVs drove up behind us, blocking any hope of escape. We were trapped.