Chapter 3

I pulled up in my Ferrari and parked it in front of the restaurant. Judging by the lineup of sleek, high end cars surrounding me, it's clear this place caters the rich and fabulous.

Sometimes I forget that I'm rich now.

Kia steps out of the passenger seat with her usual confidence, and I follow suit. She heads straight to the manager to confirm our reservation while I trail behind, busy tucking my car keys into my purse and pretending to be organized. My attention is entirely on my handbag when bam!, I walk right into a wall.

And no, it's not the cliché Wattpad "hot guy wall" you hopeless romantics. This is a real wall. Because, unfortunately, real life doesn't come with a fictional subplot.

Glancing around to make sure no one witnessed my moment of supreme grace, I quickly compose myself and stride into the restaurant, heading straight toward Kia as if nothing ever happened.

The restaurant's interior is exactly what you'd expect from a place this extravagant. Warm lighting bathes the spacious room, giving it an inviting glow. Marble tables in various shades are paired with sleek, transparent glass chairs. The faint clinking of glasses and soft murmur of conversation add to the air of sophistication, making it clear this is a spot where elegance meets indulgence.

I glance back at Kia, still deep in conversation with the manager. Judging by the awkward expression on her face, she's probably forcing a fake smile and trying to sweet-talk her way in faster. Meanwhile, I notice the growing line of people forming behind me.

Seriously? Do they not realize this isn't a line? I'm literally just standing here waiting for my friend, and there's nothing in front of me except a glass door separating me from Kia. If they were smart, they'd be standing behind her, not me. Losers.

I'm still silently roasting the clueless line behind me when two tall guys approach the glass door and head straight for the manager. Curious, I turn to get a better look and oh my my!

These men aren't just handsome; they're beautiful. Both are dressed in impeccably tailored coats, radiating confidence. But one of them completely captures my attention, as if I'm inexplicably and unapologetically drawn to him.

His green eyes are sharp and mesmerizing, magnified slightly by the thin, stylish glasses resting on the bridge of his straight nose,an accessory that only adds to his attractive face. The glasses give him an intellectual edge, going perfectly with his red pouty lips. His brown, tightly curled hair frames his face effortlessly, with one rebellious curl falling onto his forehead as if it was placed there by design. Tattoos peek out from the collar of his black shirt, curling around his neck like intricate pieces of art, while his hands are equally captivating, one tucked casually into his pocket, the other holding an expensive phone, I can see the faint details of scattered tattoos visible across the back of his hand.

He's almost too hot to be real, like he stepped straight out of a dream, my dream more specifically, glasses and all.

Rich ahem, eight-figure, that's my type that's my type ahem that's my type

His friend is no less striking. His presence feels different sharper, edgier and more playful? His blond hair is neatly styled back, with just enough volume to make it look effortless. His features are angular with icy blue eyes that seem to take in everything around him with cool detachment. His jawline is sharp enough to cut glass, and the slight smirk playing on his lips.

Unlike his friend, he doesn't have visible tattoos, but the tailored fit of his navy coat and crisp white shirt suggests a man who understands power and style. Together, they look like they own the world.

Just because they're good-looking doesn't mean they can waltz right past the imaginary waiting line behind me. With that thought in mind, I decided it was finally time to speak up instead of silently judging.

It's not my fault Kia left me alone for such a long time. I have to do something to keep myself entertained.

"Hey!" I snap my fingers to grab their attention. "Yeah, you fine gentlemen."

Both of them turn toward me, and for a moment, I almost forget what I was going to say, but then I quickly pull myself together and put on my best attitude. "You can't just cut the line. We're all waiting here, you know!"

An old lady behind me chimes in, "Yes, young man, get to the back of the line!"

I grin internally and add, "I completely agree, Ms. I don't know how to do my makeup, just because you're rich, and oh, let's not forget, men, doesn't mean you can bypass the queue and keep torturing us ladies. We're rich too! Our gender shouldn't deny us the right to sit at a diner." I'm holding back laughter at the sheer confusion on their faces.

Poor guys, they look like they've never been questioned before.

I turn to the rest of the line and ask way too dramatically, "Tell me, ladies, do we really need to tolerate this? Don't we have rights too?"

A chorus of "Yes!" and "Absolutely!" rings out across the lounge area.

The blond man finally speaks, his voice cutting through the noise and silencing everyone. "What line? There's no line to get into the restaurant." His friend just stares at me, completely blank.

"And how would you know that? Are you the owner or something?" I shoot back, laughing at the absurdity. Just then, I catch Kia's eye, and she motions for me to come over. Finally! We've got our table. About time, I almost don't have anything else to contribute in this ridiculous drama.

"Yeah, I am." The reply comes in a deep, velvety voice, the kind that could literally make your knees weak. I'm not even exaggerating, if anything, I'm under-exaggerating it.

Wait, what?

He's a what

He's a wizard, Iliana.

Did I really just embarrass myself twice in under ten minutes? Jesus, today is not my day. Then again, no day is my day.

A throat clears, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. I look up to find Mr. Green Eyes watching me intently, only now I notice his little freckles on his nose that are barely visible because of his tanned skin, while Blondie stands next to him, smirking like he owns the world. They've moved closer now, standing right in front of me.

I clear my throat too, plastering on my best fake smile and forcing a blank expression. "Very well, good to know. I was merely asking for educational purposes. Now that I have my answers, I'll take my leave. Good evening, gentlemen."

I turn to walk toward Kia, but as I pass the old lady from earlier, I catch her glaring daggers at me. "Have a good evening oldie. Terrible makeup, by the way," I say breezily. It was meant to be a whisper, but judging by her reaction and the way she sticks her leg out to trip me, it clearly wasn't.

Too bad for her, I wasn't even heading in that direction. Nice try, lady. Jokes on you.

Oh wait,never mind they can't be because there already is, ugly makeup on you.

When I finally reach Kia, she looks me up and down and blurts, "How did you manage to cause trouble in" she looks at her rolex and continues "nine minutes?"

"Whaaat?" I draw the word out, feigning ignorance as if she's speaking a completely foreign language.

"Two drop-dead gorgeous men are staring at you, and that old lady looks like you just ran over her dog. Also, ew—what is that makeup?"

"Hey! I said the same thing. And don't ask questions. It's not my fault you left me unsupervised and alone. I got bored. But it's all settled now, so can we please go eat?" I finish with a pleading tone.

Kia gives me a suspicious look but decides to let it go. She opens her mouth to say something else but gets interrupted by the waiter, who leads us to our table.

Finally food!