I awoke from a peaceful slumber, ensconced in a comforting embrace that stirred butterflies in my stomach. Smiling, I snuggled deeper into the warmth, savoring its security. But a mischievous sensation prompted me to open my eyes, revealing the sleeping figure beside me to be Mr. Dean I felt my heart thudding in my chest and I created some distance between us.
Memories of the night flooded back, and embarrassment gripped me as I coiled myself into a ball.
As I opened my eyes once again,a soft smile involuntarily spread across my face at the sight of Mr. Dean's serene expression. The tranquil beauty of the early morning moment captivated me. "Why must he look so perfect even in his sleep?" I mused, pondering the allure of his slumbering form.
Suddenly, he spoke with eyes closed, catching me off guard. "Do you always stare at people that way?" he asked, wrapping his hand firmly around my waist, as he guiding me into the captivating halo of his eyes. "Don't ever look any anyone with such eyes" he spoke leaving me confused. "..have me for breakfast and spare me the kitchen duties since you're already salivating," he suddenly teased even more tracking his finger from my nose and stopped at my lips, leaving the room with a change in aura that left me speechless.
I remained frozen in the bed long after he left, the imprint of his touch burning on my skin like sunlight after shadow. My fingers trembled slightly as they hovered over my lips his last point of contact. I hadn't known a single touch could feel so loud.
The sheets were tangled around me, evidence of the night I couldn't quite categorize was it tenderness? Possession? A mistake? But the way he looked at me... like I was something rare and confusing, like I stirred something in him he didn't know how to name.
Still swaddled in silence, I rose from the bed, wrapping the sheet around myself. The cool air kissed my bare legs as I padded softly to the open doorway, drawn by the distant sound of water and the faint scent of coffee. There he stood shirtless, framed by the morning sun spilling through the balcony doors, like some cruel painting I wasn't allowed to touch.
He sensed me before I could turn back.
"You walk like a ghost," Mr Dean murmured without looking. "I'd think I imagined last night if not for the wrinkle in those sheets."
My cheeks flushed as he finally turned, eyes grazing the sheet clutched tightly to my chest. His smile was lazy, but his gaze was too sharp like he was reading a page I hadn't written yet.
"No need to be shy, Beloved," he said, stepping closer. "You didn't seem so modest when you curled into me like I was your favorite secret."
I looked away, jaw tight. I hated how he played with me with the silence I couldn't fill,and with emotions I couldn't name aloud.
But then his fingers gently lifted my chin, and I met his eyes. He studied me, this time with a softness that melted the smugness away.
"I keep saying stupid things," he whispered. "Because I don't know how to ask you... how last night made you feel." His hot breath touched the skin beneath ear region making me tense up.
My throat constricted. I wished I had words. A single sentence would've done something clean, honest, maybe cruel enough to guard my heart.
Instead, I reached for his hand.
His eyes widened when I pressed his palm against my chest right over the rapid beat of my heart.
He stilled.
"Carmela..." His voice was rougher now, unsteady. "That's not fair."
But I wasn't trying to be fair. I was trying to be understood.
The fear and panic from last night was real and the sudden comfort he gave to me was something I can never overlook.
His other hand found my waist again, pulling me closer until the space between us vanished. "Do you even know what you're doing to me?" he whispered against my forehead. "You make me want to forget how this started. Forget who bought who."
I looked up, my breath catching.
His lips suddenly fell on mine, as he nibbled on my lips while I try to comprehend what exactly was going on. He kissed me not out of dominance, not out of claim but he was gentle, like a question he didn't expect an answer to.
And I, silent as ever, stood dump while he did his thing with my lip like an answer he hadn't dared hope for.
Days passed with him by my side, the house feeling like a prison, yet oddly, I was getting used to it. His presence, doing everything for me, even watching me sleep, which introduced a new aspect of him I never dreamed of seeing.
"You've been standing there for almost ten minutes, would you speak up or excuse me?" His question jolted me back to the present, and I struggled to remember why I came. "Book," I blurted out, avoiding eye contact, concocting a reason.
"Book?" He questioned back and I gave an affirmative nod "I've been bored all day and thought if you could borrow me a romance novel" I avoided eye contact with him as I knew I was totally speaking garbage and the reason I was actually here in the first place was totally different from that
"Check my bookshelf"
"I already did and it was just filled with business related books so that is why I came to meet you in person" I rose to my tip toe, pointing the direction of his shelve with my right hand with a huge smile on my face,like a kid feeling happy after scoring a ten in her class work
"Then doesn't that outline the fact that the rest of my books are business related"
Okay I didn't see that coming.
He suddenly waved me over "How about we practice your speaking skill" he gave me a tablet "Keep reading this out loud until I say otherwise"
Alright this wasn't what I was expecting but still with a swollen face I moved over to the other side of the table.
"Who could be behind the success of T & C construction company?" I read out the outline
"In the world of construction today,there are only a few reliable and safe construction bodies to look up to, and one of those construction bodies is the T & C company.
Although the T & C construction company was founded by an anonymous person,we can all testify that it's the best of the best..."
As I read aloud, a panic set in, but I pressed on. Suddenly, he rose, coming closer, watching intently. My heart rebelled, my temperature soared. "Carmela" I felt shivers down my spine hearing him say my name and I reflexly jolted to that. And in an unexpected intensity, our lips met-again a connection bewildering me with shock. The mix of surprise, curiosity, and intended passion lingered briefly, but he retreated, leaving me dazed.
"Go to bed without me; I have something to attend to," he said, avoiding eye contact. As he left, the sensation of our kiss remained, and I touched my lips, trying to comprehend what just happened.
My first and second kiss gone just like that.
"When exactly are you all coming back?" I questioned bluntly
"Just four more days we're almost done cross checking the information of all the maids" Xavier said from the other end of the phone
"Why is it taking so long,I mean..."
"Weren't you the one who asked for more maids so what's the hurry?"
"Nothing, just get back home as soon as possible" I said and ended the call.
I sat in the gardening chair, the cool breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers. While my mind wrestled with conflicting emotions, questioning the sudden urge to kiss Carmela over and over again and her inexperienced reaction to my kisses only made me chuckle.
The image of her sleeping peacefully beside me in my room surfaced and a mixture of longing and curiosity lingered in my thoughts, unraveling the reasons behind my impulsive action.
I turned towards the door to find her waving at me while holding the landline phone and a smile emerged on my face as I waved her back and she gave me a look that asked If I were crazy,well that is the same question I've been asking myself but still no response, I sighed looking away. Seeing her without her glasses for these past few days makes me see her in a different light which I feel is crazy as I've never judged people based on appearance
"Someone wants to speak with you" she handed me the phone while I lazily took the handphone from her.
"Hello"
"Seems you've forgotten your old man" I let out a sigh hearing the voice of my old man.I stood to my feet, excused myself and made my way into the house, going straight to the point "What do you want this time around?" I questioned
"Seems you don't want to talk with me so I'll go straight to the point,I want to meet with her" he said excitement visible in his tone
"Who?"
"The girl who picked up the phone" I heard him say and stopped in my track wondering which planet this old man is actually from
"How about I call your doctor and ask him to book you a very nice ward where you'll get another check up done?" I scoffed just to have him sneer at me
"You shouldn't be so brutal to an old man,I called you to invite you for a business party" which I quickly kicked against "You said you wanted my share of the family business don't you? Then make sure you come over tomorrow by 7pm"
"I'll be there but if you don't keep your words I'll be sure to send you on a journey of no return" I scoffed before ending the call. I've surely missed the game of cat and mouse I used to play with my uncle. It seems it's high time I pick up from where I left.
I smiled at my reflection on the mirror,as usual my charm was still present as always I placed my hand in one of my pocket checking myself out one more time and I have to admit I do pity all the young ladies out there seeing how much I stand out in this night blue handmaid tailored suit
"Mr Dean"
"Yes" i answered with a smile still plastered on my face as I couldn't get enough of myself
"Are you a narcissist? You've been staring at yourself as if you're going to eat yourself"
"Wh.." I fell speechless seeing Carmela gracefully slip into a spaghetti-strap, midnight blue, body-hugging sequined gown that elegantly cascades down to the floor, accentuating every curve. The fabric shimmers as it traces her silhouette, creating a mesmerizing play of light. She complements the gown with a matching hand glove that gracefully extends to her elbow, adding an extra touch of sophistication. I positioned in front of the mirror,captivated by the sight, appreciating the flawless ensemble
"Why do you look dumb Mr Dean?"
"And why are you suddenly speaking a lot lately?" I questioned noticing her change in attitude and courage in the past few
"You were the one who asked me to speak too"she murmured rolling her eyes "Can you help me with the zipper of the gown I can't reach it" she turned her back to face me and I was quick to notice the fire scare that stood out at the right hand side of her back
"Except this fire accident have you ever been involved in another fire accident?" I asked pulling the zipper up and she shook her head "This was my first" she said which I found strange as the scare surely wasn't made from the recent accident she just got involved with it was rather an old scare.
"Where are we going? Are we going to your grandfather's party?" She said letting her hair down and I raised an eyebrow wondering where she heard that from "who told you that?"
"He did,when he called yesterday he said you are his grandson and he wanted to invite you for a business party and I should pass the phone to you" I sighed listening to her
"We are surely attending a business party but I wouldn't want you to get any wrong ideas. It's just for business,so make sure you always stick by my side and don't try interacting with anyone.
And to make sure of that you won't be taking your tab with you, greet everyone you come across with a sight bow and don't let anyone find out about your health condition, understood?" I said coldly raising an eyebrow while she responded with a nod.
I needed to make it clear that we weren't just attending any business party but we were going there to hunt down our prey and set the trap that would lure them in once and for all.