Chapter 28
Zayden pulled up to the restaurant, and Victoria’s jaw nearly dropped. The exterior was nothing short of extravagant—a grand building with towering arched windows glowing warmly from within, its entrance framed by elegant wrought-iron gates adorned with twinkling fairy lights. The golden letters above the doorway read “La Maison d’Étoile.”
“This is… wow,” Victoria said as Zayden came around to open her car door.
He offered her his hand, his lips curving into a small, knowing smile. “Only the best for you, Victoria.”
Victoria hesitated for a moment, then took his hand, stepping out of the car. The scent of fresh flowers from the garden mingled with the faint aroma of gourmet cooking drifting from inside. She felt a flutter in her stomach—whether it was nerves or anticipation, she wasn’t sure.
Inside, the restaurant was even more breathtaking. A grand crystal chandelier hung in the center of the high-ceilinged room, casting soft, shimmering light over the elegantly set tables. Each table was draped in pristine white linens, adorned with gold candleholders and small bouquets of fresh roses. Soft instrumental music played in the background, adding to the intimate and luxurious ambiance.
“Mr. Huntington,” a sharply dressed waiter greeted them, bowing slightly. He was tall and lean, with a perfectly groomed mustache and an air of professionalism. “Your table is ready. Please, follow me.”
“Impressive,” Victoria murmured as Zayden guided her through the restaurant.
“I try,” he replied, a glint of humor in his eyes.
The waiter led them to a private corner by a large floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city’s skyline. As they sat down, he handed them their menus with a flourish. “Tonight, we recommend the chef’s special: roasted lamb with truffle-infused mashed potatoes, paired with a vintage Bordeaux.”
“Thank you,” Zayden said, nodding politely. “That sounds perfect.”
Victoria scanned the menu, her eyebrows lifting at the decadent offerings. “I think I’ll need a dictionary for some of these dishes,” she joked, glancing at Zayden.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll translate.”
“Would you like sparkling water or still?” the waiter asked, his tone smooth.
“Sparkling,” Zayden answered, glancing at Victoria for confirmation.
“That works,” she said, smiling politely.
As the waiter left, Zayden leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You clean up well, Tori.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Tori?”
“You said I could call you that,” he reminded her with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “Alright, fine. Tori it is.”
Zayden tilted his head, his expression playful. “So, Tori, what do you do for fun when you’re not taking down corporate villains?”
Victoria laughed softly. “I don’t remember the last time I had time for fun. But I used to enjoy painting. It’s been a while, though.”
“Painting?” Zayden asked, intrigued. “What kind of painting?”
“Abstract, mostly,” she replied. “I like the freedom of it. No rules, no expectations—just emotion on canvas.”
“That sounds amazing,” he said sincerely. “You should get back into it.”
Victoria shrugged. “Maybe I will. What about you? What’s your escape from being ridiculously charming and pulling people out of near-death experiences?”
“Ridiculously charming?” he echoed, grinning. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You shouldn’t,” she teased, smirking.
“Well,” he began, leaning forward slightly, “when I’m not saving lives or charming you, I like to cook. Nothing fancy—just experimenting with recipes. It’s therapeutic.”
“Cooking?” Victoria asked, raising an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have guessed.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” he replied, his tone laced with mystery.
Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of the waiter, who placed two plates of the chef’s special in front of them. The aroma was heavenly—perfectly roasted lamb, creamy mashed potatoes infused with truffle, and a medley of colorful vegetables arranged artfully on the side.
“This looks incredible,” Victoria said, picking up her fork.
“It tastes even better,” Zayden assured her, slicing into his lamb.
The meal was exquisite, and for the first time in weeks, Victoria found herself relaxing. She laughed at Zayden’s dry humor and witty remarks, the conversation flowing easily between them.
Halfway through dinner, she set down her fork and looked at him curiously. “I have to ask, though—why are you always at the Kane office? You’re a doctor, but it seems like you’re just as involved in the corporate side of things.”
Zayden took a sip of wine, his expression softening. “I always wanted to be a doctor. It’s what I was passionate about. But my parents…” He trailed off for a moment, then continued. “They wanted me to be a hedge fund manager, like my father. It was the family legacy.”
Victoria tilted her head. “So how did you end up at Kane?”
“They gave me an ultimatum,” Zayden explained. “If I wanted their support, I had to work in finance for a while. So I did. And when Kane Industries needed someone to overhaul their investment division, I got roped in. It wasn’t what I wanted, but I made it work.”
Victoria frowned. “Why haven’t I seen you around before?”
“I haven’t been there long,” he admitted. “Before this, I was working overseas—volunteer medical missions, mostly. It was fulfilling, but my parents insisted I come back and take on something ‘serious.’” He made air quotes, rolling his eyes. “So here I am.”
“Sounds like you’ve had quite the journey,” Victoria said thoughtfully.
“Not as interesting as yours,” Zayden replied, his gaze lingering on her. “But I think I’m starting to like where it’s going.”
Victoria felt her cheeks warm, and she looked away, pretending to be interested in her food. “You’re impossible.”
“I get that a lot,” he said with a chuckle.
Just as she was about to respond, a loud voice interrupted them. “Who the hell is this, Zayden?”
Victoria looked up sharply to see a tall, striking woman standing by their table, her arms crossed and her expression thunderous.
Zayden’s relaxed demeanor faltered for a split second before he recovered, setting down his fork. “Rebecca,” he said evenly, his tone unreadable.
Victoria’s stomach twisted as the woman’s glare shifted to her. “And who is she?” Rebecca demanded, her voice dripping with disdain.
