The conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from business to broader topics – the challenges of modern innovation, the importance of ethical practices, even the surprisingly similar pressures they both faced from well-meaning but meddling family members. Snow found herself laughing more than she had in months, genuinely enjoying the sharp wit and dry humor that occasionally broke through Andreas's serious demeanor.
He, too, found himself captivated. Snow White. Her name, combined with her unassuming elegance and fierce intelligence, was a paradox he couldn't unravel. She was unlike any woman he'd met through his father's arranged dates, devoid of artifice or agenda. He watched her animated expressions, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke of her work, and the fleeting shadows that crossed her face when the conversation veered too close to personal history. He was intrigued, a sensation he hadn't felt in years.
As dessert arrived, Andreas's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, a frown creasing his brow. "Excuse me for a moment," he said, rising from the table. "An urgent matter." He walked a few steps away, speaking in hushed, authoritative tones.
Snow took a sip of her water, feeling a strange mix of disappointment and contentment. The evening had been far more enjoyable than she'd ever anticipated. She picked up her phone, quickly checking for messages from her "Dwarves." Bashful had sent a single emoji: a winking face. Dopey: a heart. Snow smiled.
Suddenly, a hushed whisper from a nearby table caught her attention. "Is that... Andreas Charm? The CEO of Charm Global?"
Another voice, equally hushed, replied, "It must be. Look at the way he's talking. Only he has that kind of presence."
Snow froze. Her hand, holding her water glass, trembled slightly. Andreas Charm? Charm Global? The name hit her like a physical blow. The biggest, most influential conglomerate in the city. The very empire her stepmother-figure, now a formidable rival CEO, had always aspired to align with. The name was synonymous with power, ruthlessness, and the very kind of corporate politics Snow had fled.
She looked at him again, talking into his phone, his profile sharp against the restaurant's ornate decor. The expensive suit, the confident posture, the way the waiter had practically bowed – it all clicked into place. The realization settled over her, cold and heavy. She hadn't been on a date with a polite stranger; she had been sitting across from a titan, a man who represented everything she had tried to leave behind.
Andreas ended his call and turned back, his expression softening as he met her gaze. He walked towards the table, completely unaware of the storm brewing behind Snow's calm exterior.
"My apologies," he said, taking his seat. "Business never truly sleeps." He looked at her, expecting the usual pleasant expression. Instead, he saw a flicker of something he hadn't seen before: a hint of fear, a shadow of betrayal, and a deep, unsettling sadness in her eyes. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a polite, almost glacial smile.
"Of course," Snow replied, her voice now cool, distant. The warmth that had bloomed between them just moments ago seemed to evaporate, replaced by an invisible wall. "I understand perfectly, Mr. Charm."
Andreas frowned, picking up on the subtle shift. "Ms. White?"
But Snow was already standing. "Thank you for the evening, Mr. Charm. It was... enlightening. I should go." Before he could react, before he could ask a single question, she turned and walked away, leaving him alone at the table, a dessert untouched, and a multitude of questions swirling in his mind.
The sudden revelation of Andreas's identity changes everything for Snow, bringing her past trauma to the forefront. This leaves Andreas confused and intrigued, setting up his pursuit.