Chapter Five
910 Words
ANNA
He grinned as if he couldn’t understand why I couldn’t get it. “You don’t know how beautiful you are, do you? The first time I saw you, I couldn’t look away. And even when you tried to look… bland,” he said as he looked at my hair, his eyes amused, before they went back to my powderless, lipstick-less face. “And you’re really trying hard, you still do. It’s not working.”
He must be kidding me. “There must be a whole bunch of women who wouldn’t try to look bland for you out there,” I said.
“I like you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
His left hand went up to scratch his left cheek. His handsomeness looked puzzled. I saw the way the sun’s rays went through his thick eyelashes, turning the tips into a lighter shade of brown. It made his skin rosy and translucent, but it didn’t even lessen his masculine looks. He was a beautiful man. Simple gestures add more to his charm. I am sure he knew this already so I shouldn’t get manipulated into getting charmed.
But I was jealous of those eyelashes. I wished I could have them on my baby.
Wait. What?
“Shut up, I say!”
His mouth were open halfway, and he froze.
I was shocked. “Sorry! I thought you said something.”
“I was about to. But it’s nothing, just that I can’t explain it myself. As you’ve said, I have met a lot of beautiful woman. But you’re… different. I do want to know why. Aren’t you curious about me, too? Even for a little bit?”
I couldn’t believe him. But I also didn’t know what to say. For one, I basically have told him he was lying a few times. It didn’t seem to get him to budge.
“Let’s find out, shall we? Dinner, dancing, drinks... whatever you’re comfortable with. I would be delighted with anything, just, please… go out with me.”
I stepped back. Don’t smile at me like that. I don’t want to be curious. I have a lot to do. I have no time for this. “I can’t.”
“Not tonight? Tomorrow? You’re busy? When can you have time?”
“Mr. Dumas—”
“Lanz. Call me Lanz.”
“No. I’ll not call you anything at any other time. My life is not something you can play with. I’m sorry, I’ll not go out with you.” I was about to turn away, but he wasn’t done.
“I’ll be back here tomorrow.”
I abruptly stopped.
“And the next day. I’ll not stop until you go out with me.”
I scowled back at him. “I will get fired. I’ll have to leave.”
“I’ll give you a job. Heck, I’ll give you your own coffee shop. You can oversee, you don’t have to work so hard. That way, you’ll have time to see me whenever we want to see each other.”
Rich kids. Why do they always think they can buy anybody’s love and attention when they can just ask for it?
No!
“Excuse me. I just said it. I do not want to see you.”
“I have all the time and all the means to convince you.” Oozing with confidence, he was.
“Oh my goodness, what is wrong with you?” I asked, incredulous.
“Well…” He was smiling again, and it was really sexy. His eyes were on my face, his eyelids drooping a little, making me hot all over. He’s laying it thick. “It’s your fault. The more you evade, the more I will go after you. I’ll do anything. I really want to find out why I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I took a deep breath. My cheeks felt so hot. And I think I just caught flat faces on the windows of the coffee shop before they disappeared when I was supposed to go back. This must stop soon. “What time?” I found myself saying over the laughing yell of my inner voice in my head. “But not because I want anything. I just want you to stop.” One date with me should do the trick.
He laughed, and his smile reached his eyes. I was suddenly breathless. It was all so crazy. “Whatever time is convenient for you.”
I gave him a time and an address. He didn’t even make me repeat it. That should have scared me shitless, but he was still smiling, and logically it wasn’t impossible for someone like him – if all stories were to be believed – to know where I lived. Didn’t I just say he’s a stalker? I was right!
And you’re going out with him.
Shut up.
What have I gotten myself into? I was asking myself as I hurried back to the coffee shop. I just turned and left him without saying goodbye because what I really should have said was ‘Get lost!’ I knew it in my heart and soul. I should have persisted on telling him to go away until he did. Now, I could only blame myself if this turns to s**t.
But in the next hour, all I could think of was what I would wear for the date.
Idiot.
- Writer
