Zara's heart jumped.
For a second, she thought she had heard, "Diego Vasquez"
But she knew she couldn't be that delusional to believe that the man she'd been looking for would suddenly introduce himself after all this time.
However, the last name still drew a bit of thinking from Zara.
She vaguely remembered a family with that name in her youth. Their family had some ties to them but everything was promptly forgotten after they moved out. This man must have been a lone son who decided to stay back.
Maybe a third or fourth born. A first born would never allow his heritage to leave his sight one bit. He would follow his parents anywhere they went till the day they died.
But this one, Zara figured that he couldn't have cared less, since it was likely that nothing of much value would reach him.
The brief moment of hesitation from her made the man raise an eyebrow.
"Oh, sorry. Was lost in thought there." Zara quickly replied. This man did not know that she had completely delved into his history and background in a matter of seconds.
"So. It must be tough being out here on your own right? So far from family?"
The man looked confused for a moment, and Zara wondered if she had completely gotten her analysis wrong.
But soon enough, a vague sense of recognition rematerialised in his features and he laughed breathlessly, much to the relief of Zara.
"Actually. I'd prefer it to be honest. My family is very problematic. I'm sure you can relate to that."
"Ugggh. Tell me about it. Those guys are walking loads of drama. Trust me, you wouldn't believe what I've gone through with the likes of them."
Zara said, her tone frustrated, but the next thing Diego said shocked her.
"Trust me. I do.", he replied with a light smile.
Excuse me. How?
Zara wanted to ask. It seemed like he was trying to comfort her, but Zara inherently found it disrespectful given that he had just witnessed what her dramatic stepmother performed.
However, she kept shut and replied with a simple "Thank you" in the most polite voice she could muster. There was a level of expression she could show to a stranger, and that was not part of it.
"I couldn't help but notice that you seemed all down here by yourself. Why don't we go move out to a fancy diner? You know, to get your spirits up a little."
Zara thought deeply on what Diego said. This was a good chance to escape the stifling air of this out-of-place gala and get a chance to catch some air as well as get to know an attractive stranger.
It was possible the stranger just wanted to get between her legs but Zara had her diplomatic way of defending against that. She was a first daughter afterall.
She was about to make up her mind to follow him when she brief my thought of Kai, almost feeing and for leaving him.
But he left me too, and multiple times even.
She thought to herself. He didn't care for her as well. She was just his girlfriend on paper. And on top of that, she had been at the gala for over three hours without proper food, just rich and fancy refreshments that would get digested very quickly.
Dinner would definitely not hurt. And of course, this man was handsome. Only the handsome ones enjoyed that privilege.
"Sure. Let me just gather my things."
"Don't worry, I'll have my assistant gather your things for you."
Diego snapped his fingers, and an organised man came up to them, hands held behind his back and a twirly moustache that twitched ever so slightly.
"Get these bags to the car will you, Francis."
"As you wish. Madam?"
Francis stretched out his arms and Zara quickly gave him her Louis Vuitton Tote bag. She decided to hold her purse, which was simple standard practice taught to her by her father.
Never give out your purse.
"Shall we?" Diego asked, his hand outstretched.
"Yes, we shall." Zara responded, placing her hand within his as he helped her down from the elevated stage where the high table stood.
Needless to say, Zara was stunned.
The manner with which Diego talked and acted was very gentlemanly. He was tender and soft with his words, forgetting his arrogance even when he talked to his personal assistant.
Most billionaires never treated their P.A's in such a kind manner. Zara was impressed.
She was more impressed when they got outside, and she saw a limousine.
She hadn't expected him to even have one in the first place. Limousines were very rare even among the nobles. She had expected a sports car, maybe a Lamborghini or a Bugatti.
But a limousine? Not at all.
This particular one had a grand look and richness to it that all lay in its design. It was coated black with a shiny gold frame that touched its door handles, bumpers, tyres and even exhaust.
Basically, these parts mentioned were made of pure gold.
After Francis got her bags in the trunk of the luxurious vehicle, Diego himself opened the door for her to enter.
Not his assistant, but him.
Zara was shaking in her heels. But she knew she had to maintain composure.
A simple "thank you" would do she thought.
"Why, thank you!" She responded.
The man turned the other way and entered from the other side, sitting next to her but far enough that she would have her personal space.
Ad the car drove off, Zara wondered within her mind why she'd been extra with a simple "thank you", adding a "why" in front of it as well as raising the pitch of her voice to the point that she was almost squealing.
She wondered inwardly if Diego thought she was easy to impress. That was not an impression that she wanted to give off.
Meanwhile, as the fancy limo drove off, the shutter of a phone's camera lens could be heard, and a photo was taken.
In the photo was a picture of a limo driving off, the very one that Zara had entered.
Unknown to Zara, this photo would then be added to an album filled with other photos, the main subjects of each photo being Zara and her escort.