NEMESIS: HATE AT FIRST LOVE.

HARRO.

As Orion's eyes swept across my newest restaurant, I couldn't help but be captivated by his handsomeness. We had taken a detour to his place for a quick change of clothes, and though I had been frustrated by his stubbornness regarding my desire to buy him new attire, I resolved to surprise him later.

Now, dressed in a sleek two-piece black suit, complete with a crisp white dress shirt and a flowing burgundy colored coat, Orion looked absolutely stunning. His hair was styled to perfection, accentuating his chiseled features. I haven't been able to tear my gaze away from him since we stepped into the restaurant a while ago.

My restaurant itself was breathtaking, a dream brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. An aquarium-inspired atmosphere enveloped us, where vibrant corals danced beneath the surface of an immaculate tank, and the gentle hum of water created a soothing backdrop. Ethereal chandeliers, reminiscent of jellyfish, floated above us, their gentle light providing an almost surreal glow to the soft blues and greens that adorned the walls.

Tables adorned with delicate floral arrangements mirrored the elegance of the sea, while subtle oceanic scents wafted through the air, enhancing the immersive experience. I watched as Orion marveled, his eyes sparkling with joy and intrigue, the enchanting ambiance reflecting in their depths. He turned to me, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile that made my heart flutter. "This is incredible," he breathed, his eyes sparkling with wonder.

The way his face lit up as he took in the breathtaking scenery was nothing short of enchanting. I'd made sure we arrived early, giving me a lot of time to show him around before dinner. My new restaurant was a masterpiece, if I did say so myself. I'd envisioned an aquarium-inspired vibe when I first purchased the property, and I'd painstakingly ensured every detail was executed to perfection.

The result was a unique fusion of fine dining and aquatic wonder. As we walked through the restaurant, the soft glow of aquariums surrounded us, casting an ethereal light on the elegant décor. I'm relishing in Orion's reaction as he watched people dined amidst this underwater-inspired oasis.

"Are those real?" Orion asked, his eyes wide with wonder as he pointed at the majestic twenty-foot-tall fish tank teeming with exotic sea creatures. I nodded, smiling at his awe.

"A business associate who's passionate about exotic sea life helped me set it up," I replied, watching as Orion's gaze remained transfixed on the aquatic marvel.

Acquiring those rare species hadn't been easy, and the cost had been staggering, but I'd wanted the best, and that came at a price. I smiled, knowing that this restaurant wasn't open to just anyone. Some secrets were better kept hidden, and this was one of them. With a gentle nudge,I led Orion into the elevator, which whisked us away to my private sanctuary on the top floor – a room that doubled as an office whenever I was in residence.

Orion turned to me, his expression still agog. "I had no idea a place like this existed. How did you come up with something so incredible?" His voice was laced with genuine admiration.

As the door to my office opened, Orion's eyes widened further, taking in the opulent décor. I chuckled at his reaction, taking his hand in mine and entwining our fingers. I kissed his knuckles, feeling a spark of electricity at the touch, before releasing him to explore the room.

"You know me, I'm captivated by beauty in all its forms," I said, my eyes locked on Orion's. He smiled knowingly, and I continued, "I'm glad this place exists, and now, I get to share it with you." My sincerity was obvious, and Orion's eyes sparkled with delight.

This restaurant was my sanctuary, a reflection of my passion and dedication, it holds a special place in my heart. I'd never brought any of my past lovers here; it felt sacrilegious to share this sacred space with those who didn't hold a piece of my heart. But Orion was different. He'd already claimed a part of me, and I was eager to share this piece of myself with him.

As we shed our coats and settled into the plush seats, Orion's gaze roamed the room, drinking in the elegance. "Thank you for bringing me here, it's breathtakingly beautiful," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

I smiled, my heart swelling with emotion. "You're welcome, and thank you for allowing me to share this with you." I meant every word. I know he has a lot of things to resolve with his father and his own life. I was willing to wait for Orion to sort through his feelings and concerns about our relationship. I cared about him deeply, and that made all the difference.

A soft knock at the door broke the spell, and Orion's eyes darted to mine in confusion. "Must be our meals," I said with a smile.

Orion's brow furrowed. "But we haven't even ordered yet."

I chuckled, amused by his surprise. "I took the liberty of arranging everything in advance. From the moment you mentioned taking me out, I made sure to plan the perfect evening."

Orion's expression transformed into a comical mix of shock and wonder. I laughed inwardly, knowing he was still getting accustomed to my meticulous nature. It didn't matter; I was happy to teach him my ways, slowly but surely.

As the doors opened, a parade of dishes was presented before us. Orion's eyes widened in awe. "Wow, everything looks delicious! I've never even seen some of these dishes before."

I grinned, captivated by the delight radiating from Orion's face. This was how I wanted to see him – always carefree and joyful.

"I guess ordering the entire menu was a good call, then," I said with a chuckle. "We'll get to try everything."

As I handed Orion a glass of wine, his nose scrunched up in concern. "It's non-alcoholic," I reassured him, and his shoulders relaxed in relief. He took the glass from me, his eyes sparkling with gratitude.

"How is it that you can't handle alcohol?" I asked, still intrigued by this aspect of Orion's life.

He shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I don't know, I just can't. One sip and I'm...well, let's just say I'm not exactly cut out for drinking." He chuckled, and I laughed along with him. "My mom was the same way." he added, his eyes taking on a wistful glint.

I reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "See? You're more like her than you thought" I said, my voice filled with genuine warmth.

Orion's smile deepened, and he nodded in appreciation, his eyes crinkling at the corners. We fell into a comfortable silence, savoring the exquisite flavors of our meal together.

The rest of the evening unfolded like a dream, filled with effortless conversation and laughter as we savored our exquisite meal. I peppered Orion with questions, eager to unravel the mysteries of his captivating soul. But he didn't mind; instead, he answered each query with a radiant smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

As we talked, I discovered a new side of Orion – one that was just as alluring as he is during love making. An attentive Orion, fully present and engaged, was a truly breathtaking sight. His eyes never wavered from mine, drinking in every word as I spoke. His interest was genuine, his attention unwavering, and I felt seen, heard, and understood in a way that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

At that moment, I knew I'd found something special – something that went beyond mere chemistry or physical attraction. This was a connection that spoke to the very essence of my being, a sense of belonging that felt almost... destined. As if we'd been meant to find each other all along, our paths converged in a beautiful, intricate dance.

As the night wore on, time seemed to lose all meaning. We lingered over dinner, lost in conversation and each other's eyes. Before I knew it, the evening had slipped away, leaving us with a reluctant goodbye.

I drove Orion home, the quiet of the night enveloping us like a warm embrace. Each mile felt heavy with unspoken words and shared glances, the silence between us rich with meaning. As we parked outside his house, a soft glow emanating from the windows, I found myself unwilling to let go of his hand. He tried to pull away, to offer a simple goodnight and retreat into the warmth of his home, but I clutched his fingers tighter, unwilling to sever the connection that thrummed so sweetly between us.

Stealing glances at him, my heart fluttered at the sight of his beautiful face, illuminated by the soft glow of the street lamp. I leaned in closer, brushing my lips against his with an aching tenderness, each soft kiss a desperate plea to convey the longing that words failed to express. The faint brush of our lips ignited a fire within me, each touch both exhilarating and torturous, a delicious reminder of everything I desired but couldn't yet articulate.

Finally, with a heavy sigh that felt like it carried the weight of my heart, I managed to whisper a soft goodnight, my voice trembling and barely audible over the racing thrum of my heartbeat. I pressed my lips to his once more, a lingering kiss that tasted of longing and unfulfilled promises, before finally releasing his hand and gently urging him to go.

Orion's laughter, low and husky, cascaded over me like a gentle caress as he slipped out of the car, his presence lingering in the air long after he closed the door. I watched, eyes glued to the spot where he vanished into the comforting embrace of his home, my heart aching with the distance that had suddenly grown between us. Reluctantly, I put the car in gear and began to drive away, each turn taking me further from him but leaving my heart tethered in place.

The space between us expanded, but my heart remained anchored to Orion, already in a state of longing and restless anticipation, counting down the moments until I could once again be wrapped in the warmth of his presence, where everything felt right in the world.