The Seductress

Chapter 23

"Hey Ty could you come pick me up?" I spoke to the phone trying to mask the sadness in my voice.

"Are you okay Ari? Where are you? I'm coming to get you." He said anxiously.

"Okay. Thank you." I said giving him the address of The DeMorgane mansion.

"I'll be there in about 10 minutes." He said and hung up a second after. Luckily I had taken a coat with me to keep me warm.

"Leave my house"

I'm so silly..what was I thinking coming here?

And where the hell was Nick when I needed him? It's so embarrassing! 

This has never happened to me, being kicked out of someone's house! God! I was on the brink of tears but I held it in. Apparently people didn't resident this neighborhood considering how empty and lonely it was.

I turned and looked at the huge mansion and saw Harry stepping out. 

Just what I needed.

He looked at me intensely for long minutes and got into the house again.

Thank Goodness. Don't need anyone worsening my mood.

I turned and faced the road waiting for Tyler. Where the hell is he? I'm getting so impatient already. Ughh.

Soon enough, Tyler pulled up and I sighed in relief. I was about getting into the car when at the exact same time , Nick came out of the house. I couldn't help but stare at him as he walked confidently towards me with long strides.

"Where the hell are you going to?" He said as he got closer to me.

"Y-your mom said I-" I started..

"Ari-bear, c'mon, get in." Tyler said from the car. Nick frowned at the nickname and came closer to me. 

As soon as he got a glimpse of who was in the car, he smiled sarcastically.

"Of course, your boyfriend. Why the f**k am I not surprised?" He said angrily.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

" Nothing at all! Go ahead! Have fun Ari-bear! But please, don't pretend to be intimidated by my family just so you can leave."

"Pretending? You think I'm pretending?!" I almost yelled. He's pushing my buttons ..

"I remember asking you if you had any plans and you said no! So what the f**k is that i***t doing in my house?" He said with so much venom.

"Don't call Tyler that!" I said and the guy him self stepped out of the car. 

"Ari, lets go. There's no point arguing with this guy." He said indicating he heard all we said.

"Yeah ..run along with Ty-boo! You guys make me f*****g sick." He said with anger and I turned away from him and got into the car. I put on my seatbelt and shut my eyes. 

"You okay?" Tyler asked me and I just nodded. 

" You sure? Do you want us to stop and get you some candy?" He said with a small smile and I smiled back. He always knew how to lighten up my mood. He then took my hand in his and kissed it.

"I'll always be there for you." He said with much sincerity.. 

The look he was giving me was an unusual one. Look of longing and .. I couldn't place a finger on it. I smiled at him.

"Thank you. But right now, I need you to focus on the road. I don't wanna die yet.." I told him. And he smiled and drove off.

Thank God it's Friday!

          *********

"Hey, why you home so early?" Tammy asked as soon as I stepped into the house. Tyler had to leave as soon as he dropped me off because he was at work when I called him. He obviously insisted on staying longer but I persuaded him to leave.

"I told you, I wouldn't make a good impression Tammy! His mom was so rude and stared at me like.. like... I can't even explain it!" I told her angrily.

"Really? I thought she was nice? These magazines are so deceiving! Where was Nick?"

"Huh! Mr Perfect was probably looking for his stupid girlfriend. And you know what? He has the nerve to be upset when I called Tyler to come pick me up! Does he have any right to do that? So infuriating!" I told her irritatingly.

"Tyler huh?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah, he came about 10 minutes after I called him."

"Really? Hmm" she said looking at me weirdly. Tamara is very observant and I'm dying to know what's going through her head. She obviously won't tell me.

"What's with the look? And what are you thinking of?" I ask her, raising my eyebrows as well.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. C'mon , get out of that dress so we can binge watch 'The Originals' cause I know you won't stop thinking about that hot boss of yours."

"Yeah right" I said sarcastically as we got into my room. "I'm so glad it's the weekend Tammy. At least I don't get to see his annoying face till Monday." I told her as I walked round my room in only my underwear. "Goodness gracious, his mother drove me out like I was some gate crasher and then all of a sudden I'm the bad guy because Tyler shows up. The nerve of that guy!" Honestly, I was furious. I can't believe Nick.

"Calm down Ari, forget about it will ya?" She said and shot my pyjama shorts to me.

"By the way, the bank called.." she mentioned and my heart stopped beating for a split second. Were they about to come get our house?

"And?" I asked hesitantly.

"I didn't pick up. I don't want to hear them again. Ari, we can't lose this house. It's mom and dads. It has sentimental value. We just can't."

"We won't. I promise." I said with confidence and she smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry that I'm leaving all the work for you. I'm the older sister and I should be the one handling these things. I'm so sorry .. so sorry" she said and I knew we were both going to cry.

" Forget that. It's no big deal okay! Let's go watch 'The Originals' and gush about Marcel Gerard!" I said pulling her to the living room. The moment we got into the living room, the door bell rang and Tammy went to check it while I went to get some pop corn.

When I came back, I was shocked to see Zoey.

"Zoey! What are you doing here? And how do you know my house?" I asked her as she stood up and faced me. How did she get here?

"I- well, Nick gave me your address. I'm here to apologize for my mother's behavior. I'm so embarrassed. I'm sorry." She said apologetically..

Oh my God. "How did you know what your mom did to me?" I asked her curiously.

She scratched her forehead. "When I came back and didn't see you, and my friends had not seen you either, I got worried. Thought you must have lost your way. It's a big house, you know. So I checked the cctv footage and saw what happened. Goodness, I'm still mad at mama for what she did. I'm so sorry, Ari. She's never done that to any of my friends."

"It's fine! Really, but it's your birthday party.. you shouldn't be here. Go back now. And you don't need to apologize."

"No, I really did. It's unacceptable. And I'm not going back to that party. It's wack already. Oh I'm sorry for my manners, hello and thanks for letting me in!" She said smiling at Tammy which was standing by me. I totally forgot she was around. 

"Hi.. I'm Tamara." She said smiling a little.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Zoey. You must be Ari's sister. You're both so beautiful!" She gushed with a smile.

"Thank you. But really, you need to go back to your party.. your family must be sick looking for you." I told her.

"No! I'm not going back there. Do you really want me to leave? I thought we were friends.." she said looking disappointed. 

Yeah Nick, you were so right. She's a brat! But she's such an amazing person.

"Fine. We're about to watch The Originals. You up for it? It's old and all but..."

"Yesss! Who wouldn't  watch Klaus?! I'm up for it!" She said happily and I smiled. We moved to the couch and turned on the tv. We watched while eating the popcorn that I made. 

An hour after, she was sleeping. I smiled and Tammy covered her with a blanket. She looked exhausted and peaceful in her sleep.

Tammy soon went to her room cause she was tired. I stayed up and continued watching the show. Tyler called to check up on me and we talked for a while and hung up. About an hour after, there was a ring on the bell. 

"Guess it's her driver.." I said to myself as I opened the door.

Wasn't her driver! It was Mr Perfect himself ! Why did he have to come himself? He looked handsome with his messy hair and he was still in his tux from the party and looked a little dazed upon seeing me. 

As usual, he stared at me intently with his eyes moving up and down my body. 

Suddenly felt self conscious but I did nothing about it.

Hé cleared his throat and looked at me again " Is Zoey here?" He asked and I just nodded motioning to her sleeping figure. He got into the house which suddenly seemed very small compared to his tall self.

He carried his sister and she didn't even flinch . Guess she sleeps like a log

"Uh I'll bring her bag." I said as I took her bag and followed him out of the house. He put her carefully in the car and shut the door. I handed him the bag and he took it from me with our hands touching each other slightly.

That electric feeling again ..

"Um, goodnight." I said turning on my heel and heading towards the house. The fact that I acted civil doesn't change a thing. I'm still mad at him.

"Let's talk." He said behind me authoritatively and I rolled my eyes and kept walking .

"Please." He said after and I faced him. He looked away from me with his jaw clenched.

"Would you like tea? Or coffee?" I asked and he stared at me..I know he never drinks tea.. but I still asked.

"Coffee. " He said with a little smile as he followed me into my house.

"Where's Tamara?" He said as soon as he got in and took a seat on the couch.

"Asleep" I said making his coffee. We stayed in silence until I made both our cups of coffee and brought it to him. I took a seat next to him.

"Thanks" He said taking the cup. "Uh, I came to apologize. Again" he said with a small smile. "You always seem to get apologies out of me. I shouldn't have lashed out at you. Zoey told me what happened. And my mom, she's just .. overprotective when she meets new people..don't be offended " he rambled 

"I'm sorry too. I should have told you I was leaving.." I trailed off.

"I just got angry.. so angry when I saw him.Funny, I have no f*****g idea why... crazy right?" He said staring at me intently. He looked so handsome and confused with his brows creased. 

Maybe I should tell him, Tyler's not my boyfriend..

"Um, T-Tyler's not my boyfriend. He's just my really good friend." I told him honestly.

"Really? He's not?" He said as a smile crept unto his face.

"Yeah, he's practically like my brother.. "

"He clearly thinks otherwise." He muttered but I heard it..

"Huh?" I said.

"Nothing Ariane ! Nothin' at all! I'm so happy that asshat isn't your boyfriend. Don't ask me why, but you deserve better. I should go now. Thanks for the coffee" he said standing up and placing the cup on the table.

I stood staring at him like he's  lost his mind. What was he saying ? 

"Would you mind coming over to my house tomorrow?  We need to plan the company's Annual Ball. And I need your input on some ideas"

"I-I.."

"Please cara. I'll get all your favorite candies. And we can do whatever you want right after.. I just ..I just need you." He said giving me a sexy smile and I blushed. He remembers my candy stack in my office.

"Okay." I said blushing. The cold was making my n*****s stand out and my legs were cold considering the shorts I was wearing.

"Great! My driver will pick you up at 9am. Dress simple.. you can come naked too .. I wouldn't mind.." he said giving me a wink and I slapped his arm and my face was red. Yup! Playful Nick was back and I loved it!

"Goodnight DeMorgane! Leave my house you p*****t!" I yelled at him with a smile on my lips.

He chuckled deeply and pulled me closer so that we were chest to chest. I could smell his masculine perfume making me to reminisce about the time I slept on his chest in Italy.

He bent down and whispered in my ear.."Wanna know what this p*****t is thinking of?" He asked and I blushed and didn't say anything..

"Ask me what I'm thinking.." he whispered again..

"W-what are you thinking?" I asked and he smiled and chuckled again..the sound is soooo

"That you have beautiful n*****s. " he said and I gasped in shock , trying to get out of his hold but he held me tight .."And the other thing I'm thinking about would be safer in my head cara. Requires demonstration." 

He whispered again and kissed me on my forehead. He stepped back and winked before walking to his car. I stood there shocked ,remembering his words for a minute..before shutting the door and leaning against it.

"Hmm. Little Miss 'I don't like him' , you sure as hell know how to prove that point." A voice said from the staircase. And I shrieked in fear for a second.

"Don't freaking scare me like that! Tamara. And I mean it! I don't like that stupid handsome i***t that makes me want melt and lose my mind at the same time!Goodnight!" I said storming off to my room leaving her on the stairs looking at me like I had lost my mind. I shut the door and jumped on my bed.

Ughh! This guy !

*******

"So what did you want my opinion on?" I asked Nick as I watched him chop in his huge kitchen. Reminded me of when there was a photo shoot and I cut my finger and he sucked it. The thought sent shivers down my spine.

" I need you to think of a good venue for the ball,My tux; I have to look hot as f**k, the food and the drinks and of course, the guest list. Don't want no gatecrashers."He said and I rolled my eyes at his cockiness.

"Couldn't this wait till Monday?" I asked.

"Do you have something else you wanted to do? From the best of my knowledge, you're single." He said raising his eyebrows as he stopped chopping.

"I wanted to sleep in today and spend the day with my sister." I said rolling my eyes again.

"Quit rolling your eyes. I hate it." He said and I was dying. Literally dying to do it again. Bossy i***t.

"Whatever dad." I muttered to myself and I looked up at him when heard him chuckling.

"What's funny?" I asked irritatingly..

"You won't understand. You're too pure for this." He said as he continued chopping away."s**t!" He soon yelled and I got up from my seat in his kitchen and went to him.

"You okay?" I asked him and saw the cut on his finger.

Serves you right stupid.

"I'm good. f*****g awesome." He said putting the hand under water. This is like a repeat of history, but instead of me being the victim this time, it's Nick . Who knew Mr Perfect could cut his hands? I was dying to laugh.

"Lemme help you with that." I said trying not to laugh and he noticed it and rolled his eyes although he looked amused. I took his finger and looked up at his orbs and sucked it.

Just like he did with mine.

The look he was currently giving me had changed from being amused to something else..

What is that?

I took his finger out and kissed it. He looked dazed with his lips parted. "Where's the bandaid?" I said stepping back trying to act normally, like what just happened didn't affect me at all. 

Keyword on trying.

He didn't say a word and just stared at me blankly before pointing to the top shelf. I gingerly took the bandaid from the top shelf and put it on his finger and kissed it, just like he did with mine.

"C'mon DeMorgane, ain't got all day!" I said as I stepped away from him just to be pulled right back as he looked at me like he was memorizing my face.

"Are you tempting me Ariane?" He asked lowly and I took in a breath.

"I-I..." - saved by his ringtone ! He bit his bottom lip and took out his phone .

Alyssa.

Great! Awesome!

"Get to work, I'll get join you soon. Lemme take this" 

" Take your time boss.. No rush." I told him begrudgingly. And he just left the kitchen to the huge garden.

I just hate her. Everything about her! Ughh. Jealousy is such an ugly color!

I sighed and decided to stroll while waiting for him . I went round the house and ended up staring at the huge piano under the stairs. I looked at it and touched the keys..

"What are you doing?" He spoke behind me and I was startled as I faced him.

" I was just looking at the piano.." I told him and he just nodded. "Do you play?" I asked and I almost smacked myself silly. Obviously since it's in his house!

"Not anymore." He said curtly, his face in a thin line.

"Why not? " I asked , my curiosity getting the best of me .

"Did you bring your planner? We should start now.." he cut me off changing the subject completely.

"Yeah. It's right here." 

"Good. Let's talk in the garden." He said and left. Suddenly reminded me of bossy and annoying Nick when I just started working for him.

Did I say something wrong?

Why did his mood suddenly change after he saw me next to the piano? 

I didn't want to dwell on the questions swirling in my mind , so I took my planner instead and joined him in his beautiful garden.

We soon started discussing the plans for the Annual Ball. We discussed ideas and he kept on asking for my opinions and everything else. He visibly relaxed and I made a mental note to ask him what that was about.We also made the guest list while his maid brought us snacks. I ate with gusto, and as always, he stared at me with a small smile. It was already getting dark and the lights were now on.

"You always eat like you're starving. What did you have for breakfast?" He asked and my smile dropped. Well, we're not exactly starving but we don't have money to waste on expensive breakfast items . Cereal and milk is usually enough every morning.

"Cereal.."

"That isn't food Ariane. You should eat more. You're so skinny." He said"Not that I mind, you're really perfect the way you are.. I'm just saying maybe you should... you know what, forget it" He said rambling and I laughed.

"Well, lets call it a day! C'mon, I bet you're tired. We could watch a movie if you like. You get to pick.." He said pulling me from my chair and into the house and I smiled.

He wants to watch a movie with me? What's with all this sweetness ?

Well good for you! Get access to his heart.

" I'm sorry Nick, but.. I promised Tammy to be home this night.." I told him and he looked disappointed.

I should just ditch movie night with Tammy and stay with this hunk!

"Oh, that's okay. My driver will drop you off. " He said with a small smile. "But before that, here you go" he said handing me huge boxes of chocolates and some candy.

"Y-you really didn't have to.."

"Yeah, cuz you're gonna get diabetes from all these sweets you're eating but this should be a thank you for today." He said with a shrug.

I put the boxes on the table and hugged him tightly inhaling his scent. And he wrapped his arms around me.

"Thank you. Thanks so much . You have no idea how happy you've made me." I told him honestly. Almost made me teary-eyed.

"Anytime Ariane" He said as we pulled back. I looked up at him and kissed him on his cheek for long seconds. His breath hitched and I pulled back, leaving his mansion.

"Goodnight DeMorgane." I told him before entering the car

"Sweet dreams cara." He said and shut the door. We drove off his property and I sighed to myself in the car.

Nicholas J DeMorgane! You're no good for my health!

***********