Undoubtedly Yours

Chapter 12

Hope

This night is turning out to be completely different from what I anticipated. Who would have thought that one person coming to the party could shift the mood of the party for me so drastically? I was getting to know everyone, talking and trying to build a relationship with our colleagues, since there were very few people working in Vancouver and most of them refused to relocate. When that guy touched me and mentioned asking for it, I almost lost it, but I tried not to let it ruin my mood and I was glad when Dean did not push the subject for long.

When Katie asked Dean and Mark to join us, I almost told her not to bother them, but Dean beat me to it, not knowing that it is useless to argue with Katie, which to be honest, I am also learning about her today. She has a way with words, and you always end up losing the argument. I did not realize I wanted him to stay until he said he was going to leave. It kind of spiraled out of control after that. Dean asking me to dance, all of us dancing together and now, just the two of us dancing, everything has been like a roller-coaster ride. The songs that the DJ is playing are older, some of which we used to dance to in college, and so many memories flash before my eyes.

When the DJ switched to soft music, everybody broke out into couples, and Mark decided to get us drinks while we danced. Without warning, I feel Dean's arms around my waist, startling a gasp out of me, which I prayed he didn't hear, but the smirk on this devil's face says otherwise. We start swaying to the music when he bends towards my ear and says, "You know something, Williams, I haven't danced in any of the parties since you went away, I just couldn't. I missed you and dancing with you." He pulls back and looks at me and I cannot help but swallow and just look away from him because if I see his eyes now, I might break down, and I do not want to create a scene in front of so many people. I think Dean senses it because he squeezes my waist a little to get my attention, and when I look at him, he just rubs my back a little, which helps me to calm down.

We dance for a little while when Mark comes back with a couple more guys with drinks, and we all head back to our tables. We spend the rest of the night talking to everyone. I get to know quite a lot of people I will be working with, and so does Dean. Both of us keep stealing glances at each other, and every once in a while, Dean keeps sending a wink my way, letting me know he saw me looking at him. We have fun enjoying delicious food, and then it's time to go home. It takes a while to get everybody out since most of the people are tipsy. Katie is a little more drunk than tipsy. The girl can party. Two of the other girls who are not so drunk decide to take her home since they lived close by. I had to promise her that I would be safe before she left, and I think we have officially become friends today.

I am sending everyone away, making sure no one is driving when I see Mark and Dean walking towards me. They were inside, making sure everyone is taken care of just like they used to back in college. Everyone has left and I hear Mark say as they get closer, "Boy, oh, boy! These guys can party! I don't think I have seen anything like this since college." I laugh and tell him, "Well, it helps that about sixty percent of these guys are fresh graduates from college. Mr. Charles believes having youngsters as interns is important to keep the fresh ideas coming." Mark nods and says, "Well, he is doing something right considering how he has taken the company to the next level in a very short span of time. Anyway, enough about work, Sara is coming to pick me up since she was nearby visiting one of her friends and said she can't wait to see you."

As soon as he finishes speaking, a car stops in front of us, and Sara looks at me and smiles a big smile, and gets out. She comes my way and gives me a tight hug, "Oh my god, Hope! It is so nice to see you after so long. Mark mentioned you guys will be working together. I have been with my mom for the past few days, but today, she is feeling much better. Let's plan something and get together. It's been a long time." I have to laugh at the way she says everything in one breath. I nod at her, "Yes, it certainly has been a long time and yes to us working together for the next few months as well. Also, I would love to get together. You let me know your schedule, and we can plan something next weekend." She nods at me, and we exchange numbers, and she goes over to greet Dean and then goes to Mark, who is smiling, looking at her.

"Hello, wife!"Mark says and just hugs her, and we talk about getting together more on coming weekends, and then they both wish us goodnight and leave. "So, how are we going to go home, Miss Williams?"Dean asks me as he waves the two of them away. "Well, we can both take an Uber to our respective places like everyone else tonight." He smirks and then turns to me and puts his hand in his pockets and says, "Not a chance in hell that is going to happen. I will call my car and will drop you then go back to my place." I roll my eyes at him and say, "Stop being an i***t. There is no point in going out of your way to drop me. It does not make any sense." He walks slowly and then stops in front of me, his hand, coming out to hold my chin with his finger, so I look him in the eye and says, "I am not asking Hope. I am not ready for this night to end, so let's just go."

I try to say something, but the words seemed to be stuck in my throat. My heart feels like it is going to burst out. I want to tell him that the night has gone way out of hand already, but I don't say anything, I can't. The way he said he does not want the night to end, I know I am in trouble. His car arrives as we stand quietly waiting for the car not ready to break the silence. He motions to the driver and opens the car door for me, and I get in, and he gets in from the other side. I tell the driver my address and we start towards my place. We are still not saying anything, but I feel his hand on my hand that is in the middle of the seat. I look down at our hands and look at him, but he continues to look outside, which gives me time to calm my racing heart.

We reach my building, and he asks the driver to park and wait for him. He comes out and opens my door, and I am not sure whether I should invite him or let him go. He did mention he is not ready for the night to end, but now that it's time for me to go, I don't think that I am ready for the night to end either. I come out of the car and stand in front of him as he closes the door behind me. Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, "Would you like to come upstairs for some tea?" He looks me straight in the eyes, and something he sees makes his eyes go darker, and I don't know if I am ready for him. "Are you sure?", he asks me, and I suddenly am not sure what I should say.

I think about my answer and decide to go with honesty, "I really don't know what I should say here, to be honest with you. You mentioned you didn't want the night to end, and I think I don't either, so I think tea sounds like the perfect idea to me. But, if it's weird, we can just call it a night. It's all good. It's not a big deal." He looks at me and chuckles, "You sound like how I feel, and you know what, I love that you are still honest about how you feel. Let's go, have some tea." We walk towards the building, and when we enter the elevator is when I realize that I just invited him for tea without even thinking. What is wrong with me? In what world does this seem like a good idea? What am I going to say to him if he asks me about the past? Will I be able to tell him everything that led me to leave everything and go?

I have so many thoughts going through my mind when we reach our floor, and I go towards my apartment. I feel him close to me at my back, and my hands shake a little as I open the door. I muster all the courage and get ready to face the challenge I have created for myself and say as we enter, "Welcome to my humble abode."