Pursuing Miss Introvert

Chapter 9. Stake A Claim

Laurence spotted her sitting on the iron bench overlooking the river by herself. She must have needed some air after that audition piece. He didn't have a grasp of her true talent before, but he surely did now. There was no way the school orchestra wouldn't pick her.

Mustering his courage, he casually strolled closer to where she was and lazily leaned on the railing of the decorative iron fence, just a few feet away.

Surprised she wasn't alone anymore, Milly looked up and met his gaze for a short second, before turning her attention back to the water.

"You were fantastic."

Laurence complimented.

Milly blinked at him, obviously not anticipating he was there in the audience too.

"Thanks."

She quipped, looking up at him briefly, as her fingers tapped the bench unconsciously.

Laurence smiled a little, before sitting down on the empty bench next to hers.

Not wanting to disturb her but just to keep her company, he kept silent as the gentle breeze moved the almost still waters of the river in front of them.

It was a beautiful spot, Milly thought.

After what happened between them last time, she should've left upon seeing him. But today felt different.

Laurence seemed collected, harmless even, but knowing by experience that he could change his mood in a snap, Milly furtively observed him.

His long arms were spread wide to his sides, his fingers skimming the back of the bench mindlessly. He had his side to her, and it was the only time she got a clear view of his prominent nose and sharp jawline, highlighting his handsome face.

He must have felt her eyes on him that he turned to glance in her direction. Milly blinked and stared back at her feet, unconsciously biting her lip again.

Laurence suppressed a smile. He realized in the week that he hadn't seen her that he couldn't force his way into her life. He had to be a little bit extra patient with this one.

"I saw you, you know."

But somehow, he couldn't resist teasing her.

Milly looked back at him, confused.

"Saw me?"

She asked.

Her eyes stared straight at his, curious, and cautious at the same time.

"I saw you staring, inside the car that night."

He met her gaze head-on, wanting to see that adorable blush on her cheeks whenever she was caught off guard.

And there it was, Laurence smiled.

He was almost certain that if he touched her face, he would feel the heat in his palms.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Suddenly feeling defensive, Milly averted her gaze.

Did she just hear him right?

No way. There was just no way he could have seen her staring at him intently, right? Or was there?

Exasperated, Amelia racked her brain hard to recall how he could have noticed outside the antique store.

But more so, how could he just tell her that out of the blue?

Annoyed that he somehow sidetracked her yet again, Milly stood and indignantly walked over in front of him.

"You know what?"

Laurence didn't expect her to stomp her way to him, obviously upset about what he said.

"You know, I don't care what you think!"

Milly was almost seething in anger.

She had never felt insulted and cornered by anyone at school.

"You know, I don't really like you."

Milly continued, trying her best to be angry at him but still avoid getting any attention from the students milling around the side of the hall.

"You're so... you're so..."

What the heck? Milly thought.

The way he just sat there unmoving, looking up at her without any reaction on his face, distracted her even more.

"So annoying..."

Milly whispered.

Unable to find the right words to berate him further, Milly let out a frustrated sigh and walked away.

Keeping his reaction in check, Laurence watched her walk away from him for what felt like a full minute before he stood up and followed.

It might be tagged as stalker behavior, but he couldn't help himself. He knew she was truly upset this time, and any form of apology from him would enrage her even more. But he still couldn't resist the pull he felt with Amelia.

When she moved past the concert hall and proceeded in the direction of the campus grounds, he followed, keeping a safe distance so she wouldn't notice.

She walked briskly at first, but now that her anger may have dissipated a little, her pace slowed.

The pathways were now empty, most of the students were probably still inside the concert hall, or for those who weren't interested in music, they had long left school today.

Milly called Claire, who separated from her after her audition. One of the choir members approached her and she joined them. Good for her, Milly thought. Her friend was so excited, it had to be something good, otherwise, they wouldn't call her up right away.

Feeling calm now, Amelia strolled down lazily on the concrete stairway leading to the oval. Like the entrance of the school, it was surrounded by tall trees and rows of potted plants on each side. None of them bore flowers, but the thick foliage provided a serene ambiance, especially since it was devoid of noise at that time of day.

Crack!

She was a few steps away from even ground below when she heard someone behind her.

Immediately pivoting around, she was met by his handsome face just a couple of steps up, the gentle expression on his eyes told her he must have been following her for some time now.

How could he look so calm when she felt scared for a second there?

Heart racing, Amelia let out a slow sigh and held her chest to calm herself.

"Are you following me?"

She asked.

Laurence stared at her for a second before averting his gaze, suddenly interested in how the leaves of the trees grew so thick when the rainy season haven't begun yet.

Amelia rolled her eyes, he looked so annoying when he ignored her like that!

Exasperated by his lack of interest in her discomfort, she begrudgingly climbed back up, and only stopped when she was directly a step below him. When Laurence finally stared back at her, Milly realized that was a mistake; he was directly a step above her, and his towering height felt magnificent against hers.

Her brows furrowed in anger, Laurence stared at her pretty face, her cheeks now turning pinkish-red from annoyance. With the stubborn tilt of her head, he knew she was aware she was at a disadvantage but refused to back down.

"Why are you following me?"

Her face told him she was ready for a confrontation this time.

"I don't understand why you're treating me this way!"

Milly continued, her voice laced with pent-up frustration.

"You know, if you like me, you can just directly tell me!"

She declared, with one hand on her waist, and the other pointing her finger at his face.

"But just so you know, I'm so annoyed at you I will never give you a cha-"

He never gave her a chance to finish.

Laurence stepped down the stairs and pulled at the finger pointed at him, before sealing her mouth with a hot, possessive kiss that claimed her lips in ways she didn't expect. Amelia froze, tightly holding on to his shirt, as he moved his mouth against hers, impatient, possessive, hard. He pulled her closer to him as he cupped the back of her head before leaning forward, moving his mouth to suck on her lower lip, sending Amelia shivers all over her body. Milly closed her eyes, feeling the heat of his body with every brush of his lips against hers, he didn't mean it to be a warning, or a first taste, but a possession, a promise that he meant more, wanted more and wanted her.

Slowing his rhythm, his kisses turned soft, inviting, giving Milly spiraling emotions she couldn't understand, but before she could respond, Laurence stepped back just inches away from her face.

"I'll give you time to process this in your pretty head, but I'll come see you by the river at this hour, two days from now."

He muttered softly, his hot breath fanning on her face.

"If this wasn't clear enough, I want you, I am in love with you, Amelia."

Laurence stared at her, his expression serious, his eyes clear and bright.

"I'm in love with you."

He whispered, claiming her mouth one more time, before walking away in stride.