The Seductress

Chapter 20

***Important A/N at the bottom. Must read***

Nick's POV.

It's been 3 days since Ariane hasn't come to work.

I miss her. Terribly.

I can't even believe how much I miss her. Her smell lingers all over our washroom. And every time I get into her office, I can't help but look at how well everything is placed.

And her candy stash.

I chuckled. Isn't this creepy as f**k? Why am I smiling like a loon in her office?

I should call her. Find out about her and her sister. Maybe I should get them dinner? Surprise them with champagne and chocolate for Ariane?

Great idea.

Immediately the sound of my phone ring interrupted my reverie.

"Hello?" I answered before checking the caller.

"Thank God you answered! You've been ignoring me for 3 days!" Alyssa shrieked on the other line . I shouldn't have picked up. She's getting annoying by the second.

"Well I've been busy." I said nonchalantly.

"Too busy for your girlfriend?" She asked and I could imagine her rolling her eyes in annoyance.

My girlfriend. Lately you've been thinking of someone other than your girlfriend.

"Why'd you call?" I sighed and asked her.

"Straight to the point as always Nick. Anyways, Our photo shoot for PopMotif is tomorrow at 10am. Tell that little mouse assistant of yours to clear your whole schedule. You should be here on time okay? Red doesn't like waiting.."

The way she said the last phrase made my head spin a little. But I didn't want to put much meaning into it.

" Listen. I don't take orders from anyone. Not you and definitely not Red. I'll be there when I want to and if he has a damn problem with it, he should suck it up his tight ass. And, never, ever call my assistant a mouse got it? You won't like my next words if that ever repeats itself." I snapped at her irritatingly.

Little mouse? If she wasn't a girl I'd be so tempted to punch her.

"Why are you getting so defensive Nicholas? Do you like her?" She yelled.

Yeah Nick! Do you like her?

Stfu.

" I have to go now. See you tomorrow." I said and hung up.

It was 5pm , so I decided to work for 1 more hour before heading home to prepare for my surprise visit to Ariane.

I couldn't stop thinking of what Alyssa said. Her words kept interrupting every thought I made. Was she right? Did I ?

Did I like her?

I shook the thought off and decided to head home. I packed up and went to my parking lot where Parker and Trey were waiting.

Half an hour later, I was home already home. I took a quick shower and couldn't decide on what to wear. I don't want to look too formal.

Trying to impress her huh? What an irony.

I didn't want to admit but I did want to impress her. Unlike others, her opinion actually matters to me. Her sister's too. For a really odd and strange reason, I wanted her to like me.

I wore a brown long sleeve shirt and black pants. I ruffled my hair a little and rushed downstairs. I got into my favorite Audi and drove off to her house. Not forgetting to buy flowers , chocolate and a bottle of champagne.

I was parked in her neighborhood and got confused about the exact house . They were all similar. I sat wondering if I should go back home. Was this really a good idea?

Fuck. I shouldn't have come. I don't even know her damn house.

I called Trey. He picked up on the first ring.

"Boss."

"What's Miss Rodstein's exact address?" I asked him immediately. I don't want to think of what he could be thinking.

"612 Boss. Do you need me to come get you when your done?" He asked. Efficient as ever.

"No. No, thanks. Have a good night Trey." I said and hung up. I walked to the house.

I got to her door. Everything kept screaming bad idea but I shut my inner self up and rang the bell. I adjusted my hair and waited patiently for her to open the door. A few minutes went by and I was already getting impatient. I was about knocking again when the door opened. 

"What are you doing here ?" I asked the ugly asshole that opened the door . Rage instantly clouded my judgement. I wanted to punch him. I really wanted my fist in his ugly face. I gritted my teeth in annoyance and clenched my jaw.

"I should be asking you the same thing. What are you doing here?" He asked looking annoyed as well.

Why the hell did they allow this douche into their house?

Right. It's her boyfriend. 

That didn't lessen my rage. If anything, it fueled it.

Why do you care? 

"Ty, who is it?" I heard Ariane ask as she made herself visible. I took my gaze away from this asshole and focused it on where the sound of her voice came from. She took my breath away.

She was dressed in nothing but shorts and a white top. She was looking as simple as ever but she looked so beautiful , I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her legs were unending and she looked as shocked as ever .

" Mr-Mr D—Nick, what are you doing here?" She asked as she stepped in front of the piece of s**t(Tyler).

"Uh- I got you these.." I said scratching the back of my neck nervously and handing her the pack of chocolate I got her. " Well, you obviously have company, so I'll call you later." I said "Give this to Tamara hm?" I said and turned to leave . I started walking away when she called my name.

"Nick!"

I turned and faced her and she had a small smile on her lips and her cheeks pink like her lips.

Lovely lips. Beautiful lips.

The asshole behind her was looking at her like she had a second head. I bet he didn't expect her to call me back . In your face dip s**t.

"And the champagne?" She said and I noticed the champagne was still in my hand. She bit her Bottom lip and gave me a wide smile as she walked closer to me and grabbed my hand 

"C'mon in, dinner should be getting ready while I put that to chill. Sound good?" She said as she pulled me towards her  door and I followed her like a puppet to her string.

I sound sappy as f**k.

Tyler was standing with clenched hands and I chuckled. Guess whose girlfriend is smitten with another man? Yeah, yours! 

Very funny. —Nope

I let her pull me into the apartment and I smirked at him when he looked at our intertwined hands.

I got into her house. It has a homey and girlish look. But it looked kinda old.. Isn't Harry..

"Welcome Nick! And thanks for the flowers. They're beautiful " I heard Tamara say as she stopped my eyes from roaming around the room. The living room is big enough for a family of four. I guess it's her parent's house.

Why do they still live here?..

Not that it matters..

Her cheeks were flushed and I smiled warmly at her.

"Come on, Dinner is ready. I hope you don't mind chicken and onion rings?" She added soon after.

"No problem. I love onions." I said looking at Ariane. I know she hates onions, so why would her sister make some?

Dinner was served and I took my seat by Ariane with Tyler on the other side. They said grace before meals and we started eating. The onions rings were amazing. 

"Do you like it?" I heard Tamara ask. She had not tasted her food yet and she was looking at me expectantly. Her eyes reminded me of Ariane's which made me face her and she looked as expectant as her sister.

I smiled . " Of course. It's so good. Did Ariane tell you I loved onions?" 

" No, no she didn't." Tamara said looking at her sister weirdly.

"How do you know he likes onions anyway?" That i***t spoke for the first time since the dinner started . He'd been quiet the whole time and I definitely miss his silence.

"Uh—"

"We went on a date." I cut in and Ariane gave me a bewildered look. "Didn't she tell you?"

"Is it true Ari?" 

" U-um.. I—"

"Let me have your onion rings, since you don't like onions at all , right Ariane?" I said and she faced me and and slowly nodded her head.

"I - I think I've lost my appetite. I'll go get some water." He soon said standing up abruptly and I smiled innocently.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" She whisper-yelled once he was out of sight.

"Me? Nothing. Him? I think dehydration. Hm? How about those onion rings?" I said sending my hand into her plate. 

Tamara was looking at us weirdly and I had to stop myself from laughing so hard. Yeah, bad habit of laughing at odd times .

"I'll go check on Tyler." She suddenly said.

"Why? He's a big boy. Finish your food first." I interrupted Tamara who was about to speak.

"I—"

"Food first." I added sternly and she rolled her eyes and continued eating . Tamara kept staring at us like we had grown a 3rd head each.

The rest of the dinner went on smoothly with Tamara making small talk. Ariane ate her food in silence and I hated the stink eye she was giving me. Just because of that i***t? Tamara cleared the table and declined my offer to help with the dishes , leaving just me and Ariane in the dining room.

"Can I leave now sir? Or do you want me to get you a glass of water ? Oh! I know, what about some more of that champagne ?" Ariane asked sarcastically and the smile dropped from my face.

"Why the hell are you here Nick?" 

" I came to check up on you."

" That's it? No other reason?" She asked looking into my eyes expectantly.

Does she want me to tell her I missed her? Like my ego would let that happen.

" Yes. You're my employee and I want to know how you are and see if your fit to come back to work." I said shrugging nonchalantly. Her face dropped and I wanted to take back my words.

" Oh. Thanks for checking. I'll be at work tomorrow." I suddenly felt bad for my behavior. Why am I acting like this? This is so unlike me. I can't even understand my own behavior! What the hell is goin on with me?

"Ariane.."

" Save it. You're right, I've taken a lot of time off work. I'll be back early tomorrow morning. Don't worry. You can take your leave now." She said motioning to the door while she turned to leave.

" And where are you going to? Back to him? Back to Tyler?" I asked. My voice came out harsher than it was supposed to and she flinched .

She let out a humorless laugh. And came closer to me .." You know, I've been asking you this over and over..why do you care? Tell me now! I thought you came here because we were friends of some sort, but I'm just an 'employee' to you. Then why do you keep asking these cryptic questions? Do you care about me? Even just as a friend?" She asked and I could see tears in her beautiful orbs and I felt stupid.

She took a step back and looked away. " You should go. Thank you for everything. See you at work."

"I guess I'll take my leave now..but there's something you should know.." I said stepping closer to her and pulling her to my chest. I bent down so I could whisper in her ear.

"I do care about you..more than you know" I said and pulled away.

" Forgive me for tonight, but I guess I was trying to mask the fact that I miss you. I may be selfish but I'm glad you're coming back to work tomorrow..I really missed you.." I said and she looked at me with wide eyes. I pulled away and headed to the door . Footsteps could be heard behind me so I believe she's following me.

I got out and turned to face her. I gave her a kiss on her forehead and I had to control myself or a moan would hv escaped my lips because of the contact.

Damn!

" See you tomorrow?" I said winking at her and turning on my heel to leave. I almost reached my car when I heard her call my name.

"Nick!" She yelled and I turned to face her..she had a small smile on her lips and her cheeks were red as hell. She looked gorgeous.

" I—I ..I missed you too.." She said and the keys in my hand dropped. I wanted rush and kiss her senseless when she smiled "Goodnight Mr.DeMorgane.." She said and shut her door quickly.

Fuck! 

Just those 4 words made my heart skip? I swear this isn't normal. What the f**k is goin on with me? I picked up my Keys and walked to the elevator with a wide smile. The fact that I left her with that piece of s**t annoyed the f**k out of me but I let it go just because of those little words..

Ariane? What are you doing to me?

********