Chapter 163 - Why Me?

Blinded by the chance to gain shares from BNX International, the Bardin's easily gave in to Orion's wishes. 

Immediately the next day, Esmée Bardin was now sitting in front of Orion inside the study of his second home. 

From his previous domineering aura, Orion was dressed casually when he faced Esmée. He had just battled it out with his uncle Kyle from Aeros, when he returned to Paris, only to learn that Esmée had been waiting for him for an hour. 

In fact, he walked in his sweaty white shirt and his traditional trousers from Aeros. 

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Esmée. I was practicing my sword skills with my uncle and I did not know you were here," said Orion. "How are you?"

Esmée's green eyes had been wandering on Orion's frame since he arrived. Orion was unsure of what was going through his mind, but he did not care. 

Seeing how she seemed to be in awe, he asked again, "Esmée?"

"Um... Yeah. Well, I'm not so sure if this is about right. Technically, my father sold me to you and now I am here... Forced against my will," she answered. 

Orion smiled and said, "Esmée, I will never force you to be with me. In fact, you can walk out the door right now and I'll be responsible for explaining to your father. You can lead the life you have always wanted."

Esmée was taken aback. She wondered if this was the same man who offered gold bars and shares of BNX International to her father so he could have her. With a frown, she asked, "What? What - what about your agreement with my father?"

"Esmée, I know you have been wanting to be free from your father's hold so I bought your freedom." Pointing out the door, Orion said, "Now you are free to go and do whatever you want."

"However, if you want to at least thank me for my efforts in getting you out of your father's prison, you could at least, give me a chance to prove to you how sincere I am with you."

"Esmée, I truly want to marry you and make you my queen," Orion revealed.

The surrounding room fell mute to Orion's suggestion. Esmée was completely confused. Her bags were already packed, resting next to the seat beside her. Her father had earlier insisted that she marry Orion so he could get the remaining gold and the shares to BNX International. 

"Are you - serious?" Esmée asked. 

"I am serious," he said, but at the back of his head he told, 'Not.' Of course, Orion had a plan. He really did not mean to let her go.

"Would you like to think about it? Because, if you are going to think about it, I might request for at least one date before you go. I can reserve the entire Eiffel Tower for both of us." Orion offered before calmly smiling. 

Esmée was about to object, but when he said he could close the Eiffel Tower, she froze. She had never been to the top. Living her whole life in Paris, her father never let her see the top of the Eiffel Tower. 

Growing up, she was kept like a prison in the mansion. She went to school and back home almost every day. 

Her mouth fell open, thinking about the opportunity, and after taking a deep breath, she said, "I - I suppose I could go to the Eiffel Tower."

"Good. The maids will bring you to your room and I'll see you in an hour," said Orion while getting up. He walked over to Esmée and offered his hand. 

Esmée could not fathom what it was with Orion, but he was just simply too fascinating to refuse. She wound up gulping as she offered her hand. She watched as he pecked on her knuckles and she heard him say, "I look forward to our first date."

She found herself being guided into a guestroom where, to her surprise, was already filled with signature clothes that were in her size. The maids told her everything was hers, including the fancy shoes she could only dream of wearing. 

The maids offered to assist her, but at the same time, they gave her the option to change on her own. It did not feel like she was forced into the date at all, for she willingly dressed beautifully for their dinner. 

She wore a beautiful high-neck, black dress that went down to her knees but had a slit up to her mid-thighs. It flaunted her slender and long legs altogether. She looked sexy and alluring while maintaining the conservative covering on her top. 

Her hair was tied into a bun from behind and she accessorized it with glittering flower pins. 

Esmée wasn't fond of wearing makeup. Thus, she simply put on a little blush and a pinkish gloss over her lips. 

She earnestly wasn't sure why she made such an effort, but going to the top of the Eiffel Tower for the first time, she needed to dress the part, especially since her date was undeniably handsome beyond words. 

Heading down to the living room, she found Orion already waiting for her. 

Like her, Orion was also in black attire. His hair combed to the side, and he wore a blue-grey shirt underneath. 

When she made it a meter from him, he absolutely smelled of a man's aftershave, a good one at that. 

'Damn, this guy! Can't he get any less attractive?' She instantly thought. 'Well, if he is a serial killer, his smile is definitely the weapon... or his eyes. No, wait, maybe his face.'

She grimaced for a second before she added, 'Or... his body? There is such a thing as a killer body, right?'

Earlier, at the study, Esmée saw through his manly frame from his sweaty shirt. She practically had a good estimate of the solidity of his chest. 

Offering his elbow, Orion said, "Shall we go, Esmée?"

"Yes," she said, forcing a smile. She easily hooked her arms to his, walking side by side until they made their way to the driveway. 

From inside the car, the two sat at the back and Esmée found the chance to ask, "So, Mr. Einar - "

"Just call me Orion," he said. "By the way, you are older than me."

"What?" She said, leaning back. 

"By ten years," he said before smirking altogether. 

Esmée wound up laughing. She said, "It wasn't a funny joke -"

"But you still laughed," he replied. 

Esmée turned sideways before returning to his handsome face. She asked, "I - I have been meaning to ask, Orion... Why me? Why? Of all the ladies out there? Why not my sister?"

Orion shifted Esmée's hands that were earlier in his arms. He rested it in his hand before he revealed, "Because I saw you years back and I fell in love with you since."

"Please don't be scared of me. I am simply being honest with you," he added, seeing her reaction. "I met you before and that is the truth."

"Years back? When?" She asked, fishing through her memory if she had ever met someone so good-looking in her life. She thought, 'How could I ever forget such a face?!'

Orion maintained his sly grin. He said, "You have such beautiful eyes, you know that? You have the same eyes as my mother."

Esmée wound up blushing, but returning immediately to his earlier statement, she asked again, "I swear I would remember if I had met you before. So, where exactly did we meet?"

"If I tell you, would you stay another week with me?" He asked, caressing his chin. 

'Oh, my God. I think I might actually end up staying with him for a month!' She said to herself. 

Esmée tried to get the information she wanted. Orion had completely awakened her curiosity. There was no way she was going to let it go. However, despite her attempts to get it out of him, he would not budge, insisting that she remain by his side for another week. 

Until such time they arrived at their destination. 

Esmée was mesmerized by how he really had reserved the entire tower. She wondered how it was even possible? It wasn't like her decision to agree on the date was made in advance? 

They made it to the restaurant at the top and settled on a table, providing the best view of the city lights. From there, she asked again, "Orion, how exactly did you reserve this entire place on such a brief notice?"

Orion leaned forward after placing the napkin on his lap. He probed, "Can I tell you a secret?"

She shrugged and said, "Sure."

"My grandma is a witch, and I used magic to convince the establishment's manager to reserve the entire restaurant just for the two of us," he seriously told. 

Esmée wound up laughing hysterically this time. She said, "Oh, my... You sure are silly."

"Is that another secret, I have to unveil about you?" She asked while resting her chin on her fist. 

"Hmmm... You.... could say that," Orion said. "So, what about our deal? Are you going to stay with me for another week?"