Chapter 120 - Prince Charming

During my brief investigation on the man, I've read that he was quite young for the level of wealth he had—only in his early thirties. I've seen his photo, too. Still, it didn't do the guy justice. If there was a rich, but handsome CEO prince of the twenty-first century anywhere, Denis was it. Not a king. I was positive that he got most of his wealth from his parents, so a prince.

But a prince he was, in his white shirt and blue tie and with slightly ruffled chestnut hair. The man looked like a perfect man in the eyes of most women was supposed to—stunning, but not like he didn't care for his looks on purpose. I knew, though, that this was not something you could really achieve without working for it one way or another. Some people had to hit a gym, some had to meticulously untangle their hair every day, and some had to shave every six hours.

The bone structure of his angular, chiselled face was all natural, though. Unless it wasn't, which was also possible, with the man's money. And I just wasn't able to tell.

Prince, as I dubbed him in my head, took one look at me and stood from his desk with a smile that lit up his face. "Hello, you must be Diana? Come, sit down. Do you want something to drink?"

I made an unsure step forward, befuddled by an unexpected show of friendliness. I didn't know what to expect walking in, but it certainly wasn't that. Still, I smiled back and did he asked. If Prince was feeling friendly, I had to use this opportunity. Maybe he was feeling generous, too.

"Greetings, Denis Sergeevich—"

"Please, just call me Denis."

"Alright, Denis. No, thank you, I'm fine." I took the offered seat and Prince returned to his own. "If you don't mind, I'd prefer to not waste your valuable time and explain about the offer I had. I imagine your secretary had told you?.."

I folded my hands on my knees and clasped them together to not tap them on anything nervously. Maybe I should've accepted the offer, but I felt so out of place here that I wanted to cut this meeting short if I could.

"Yes, he did. He also told me all about your insistence, Diana, which was just the reason I found some time in my schedule to hear you out. From how determined you were, I realised that the items you wanted to buy were of some serious importance to you." Prince's voice gained a teasing lilt, but his grey eyes gleamed with intensity that was no joking matter. "I also realised that I wanted to meet that stubborn woman in person, and you, Diana, didn't disappoint me one bit."

I took in a breath and slowly let it out. Where were all these handsome guys interested in me when I was studying in college? Though, considering how hung up on Andrey I was at the time and how buried in my books and studies, I wouldn't have noticed one if he stepped on my leg.

As it was, though, I wasn't interested one bit, even if Prince was a handsome one. Handsomeness wasn't that rare. Same didn't go for the disarming honesty, centuries of wisdom and the optimism able to survive even the darkest times.

I also was beyond using the man's interest to my advantage—I had enough of it the last time. I was a person, not a part if boobs on two legs! So I gave Prince what I hoped was polite, but cold smile, and shook my head.

"The furniture set I was talking about isn't for me, but for my employer. She is a collector of sorts, and has very specific requirements, and until now, yours is the only set that meets them. I hope you will be willing to sell it, Denis."

"This isn't a problem. To say the truth, I bought the items for charity. I intended to give them to a museum. In fact, I'm willing to make this set you searched for a gift to you, Diana." Prince leaned a little closer, smiling in the most dashing manner. I'd bet it felled girls in heaps. Or his wallet. "For now, they are just gathering dust at my estate. Would you like to inspect them personally, Diana? I'm sure that this small collection would be professionally interesting to you."

I narrowed my eyes. Either this guy wasn't very well versed in body language, or he couldn't take a hint. "Is this a… date offer?"

Prince let out a short laugh, leaning back in his chair. Then he gave me another smouldering look. "It is if you'd like it to be. I sure do."

I let out another slow breath. "Sorry, Denis, but I already have a boyfriend. But if you are still agreeable to selling the set, I'd want to inspect it personally before purchase."

Prince's eyes dimmed with disappointment, and for a moment I was afraid it will turn to rage or something equally nasty. To my relief, a second later he just smiled again, as if I didn't say anything. "Of course! How about I meet you at your house tomorrow at seven?"

'What part of "I have a boyfriend" you don't understand?' I screamed inwardly. 'This isn't a fucking date!'

Outwardly, I just clenched my fists on my knees and tried to speak in my most even tone. "It'd be more convenient for me to meet you at your house if it's possible. Just give me the address and I will be there."

"Alright." Like the last time, the disappointment only lasted for a second before Prince was his previous impervious self again. "Do you have a favourite colour, Diana?"

I blinked at the strange question, but answered before my brain even fully registered it. "Black."

Prince grinned. "It suits you. You look just like a majestic, mysterious witch from old stories."

"Why were you even asking, Denis?"

"Oh, you will see," he winked at me. "You will see tomorrow."

I couldn't wait until after-tomorrow already.