The Park – Part l

The smile on Onyx's face vanished the moment sound of shutters, the flashes of camera and yelling of paparazzi filled his surroundings. He saw Ophelia's face fill with discomfort and anxiety, and his jaw clinched in wrath. He hurriedly pulled her into his embrace, with one hand around her waist and the other around her shoulder as he took her inside the restaurant. The car with his bodyguards that had been following them from a distance came to a halt behind Onyx's car, and the bodyguards rushed towards Onyx and Ophelia. They escorted them inside, shielding them from the cameras with their massive built.

Ophelia had her palm over her eyes, hoping to shelter them from the harsh flashes and, ideally, to hide her face. She could feel Onyx's muscles stiffen, and he trembled slightly from the fury that was building up inside him. The paparazzi were stopped at the restaurant entrance by security, and she finally exhaled a sigh of relief.
"This way, sir." She heard a bodyguard say as he led them inside the restaurant to a discreet, secluded booth. Onyx sat her down and inquired, "Are you okay?" with anxious eyes. "Yes!" Ophelia said with a nod of her head. Onyx smiled and whirled around to face the bodyguards.
"Why were they here?" The bodyguards looked down as he asked sternly with clinched teeth. Onyx looked up as one of the bodyguards entered the booth.
"Speak, Elio!" Onyx snarled.
"It turns out that Theron Corbin was here, sir. The paparazzi were here following him, and he had left just moments before you arrived!" In annoyance, Onyx ran his hand through his hair and dismissed the bodyguards. He took a seat in front of Ophelia on the chair.
"Whose Theron?" Onyx sighed as she inquired.
"Some jerk of a billionaire." Ophelia raised her brow as he informed her.
"And it seems you don't like him."
"Let's not bring him up." Onyx looked at the waiter as he approached to take their order. They placed their order, and Onyx sighed, rubbing his palm over his face.
"Ophelia!" He called her name with a guilty tone, and she looked up. "I truly apologize for all that has happened. If I had known, I would not have pulled into this restaurant."
"It's okay, you didn't know." She smiled reassuringly, and he, too, smiled with a guilty grimace.
Ophelia suddenly chuckled and Onyx looked at her with a baffled face. "What?" He inquired, his face curved in befuddlement. Ophelia's chuckle evolved to laughter, and she gestured with her palm for him to wait a moment. Onyx frowned as she took out her phone and snapped a photo.
"What?" He asked again, and Ophelia put her phone away.
"You should never, ever drive me anywhere. Whenever you drive me somewhere something happens." Onyx rolled his eyes as she said while trying to contain her laughter. Their food arrived soon, and they ate while talking and joking about anything and everything.

After they had finished their meal, they quarrelled amongst themselves for a good ten minutes about who should pay. They ended up sharing the bill since they were both equally stubborn.
"The door is that way!" Ophelia expressed her confusion pointing at the other side as Onyx led her away from the door they had entered through. He didn't say anything as he led her to the restaurant's rear door and exited through the exclusive parking lot area where his car awaited. He opened the door for her, and she slipped inside.
"You think I would take the risk pulling over in front again! Never!" As he drove out of the garage, Onyx scoffed, and Ophelia nodded. "Understandable."

Onyx's phone rang halfway through the drive to AEM Holdings, and he pulled over to the side of the road. When he saw Gerbert's name flash over the screen, he picked up his phone.
"Yes Father?"
"Where are you? Is Ophelia with you?" Gerbert inquired.
"Yes she's with me and we are on our way back. Why?" Onyx inquired, frowning, and Ophelia looked at him with curiosity.
"Good, take her somewhere else. The paparazzi are gathered in front of the office building." Gerbert informed Onyx, who sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"I understand." Ophelia leaned forward as he hung up the phone.
"What happened?" She inquired with curiosity as Onyx's attention was drawn to the road and he tried to turn around.
"The paparazzi are waiting in front of your office building." He informed her, and she chuckled as she leaned back in her seat.
"Famous wealthy must be tough." Onyx gave her a sidelong glance as she scoffed.
"Trust me, they're more interested in learning about you than they are in knowing about me." He murmured frustratedly, and she sat up, staring at him.
"And what's the reason for that?" She inquired,
"Isn't that obvious?" I pulled up in front of a fancy restaurant after staying out of the spotlight for years, and that too with a girl the rest of the world doesn't recognize. I then took her in my arms and shielded her from their lenses." Onyx shrugged and realisation drawn into her.
"So they think something is going in between us!" She exclaimed and he smirked at her.
"Well, they're not entirely wrong." Ophelia rolled her eyes as he winked at her. "As if I'm ever going to marry you!" She scoffed as she leaned back in her seat.
"I never said anything about marriage." His smirk deepened and she huffed, "Well even if you did I wouldn't marry you!"
Onyx's rich laughter filled the vehicle, and Ophelia couldn't help but stare at him. It was the first time she had seen him genuinely laugh, and it was beautiful! The frowns and stress on his face had vanished and he looked more young and carefree. She smiled at him and looked out of the window.
"Hey!" She smacked his arm, enthusiastically pointing out the window. "Wanna go over there?" She inquired, and Onyx's eyes sparkled as he gazed out the window. "Yes yes! Let's go!"

Their eyes sparkle as they gaze at the vibrant theme park in front of them. They are enthralled by the roller coaster and Ferris wheel, which are filled with lights, music, laughter, and people screaming. Onyx found a parking spot quickly and parked the car, while Ophelia removed her blazer and put her hair up in a bun. He looked at her perplexed as she folded her sleeves and un-tucked her shirt.
"What are you doing?" Onyx asked and Ophelia glanced at him.
"We can't go to a theme park looking like corporate employees!" She said and he nodded his head taking off his blazer too.

They jumped out of the car and dashed towards the entrance gate. They ran into the amusement park after purchasing their tickets and looked about with glowing, enthusiastic eyes.
"I haven't been to an amusement park in years!" Ophelia exclaimed, and Onyx excitedly nodded his head. "And it's my first visit to an American amusement park!" Ophelia gasped as he exclaimed. "What?! Then let us make sure you remember this day for the rest of your pathetic existence!" Ophelia roared with enthusiasm as she dragged him toward the carnival games. "Hey!" When he realised she had labelled his existence pathetic, he yelled.
"Let's warm you up with the game of ring tossing!"