Hello Mr. Arrogant

Chapter 10

[Semi-edited]

Chapter 10: {Velvet Desert Oud}

I usually got off work at six, but today I was staying late to catch up on emails that I had 'accidentally' missed these past few days. The sun had already gone down by the time the last email was sent.   

I let out a deep sigh and collected my things in my purse. Turning off the light, I took one last glance behind me just in case I forgot something, then locked the door with my key card.

The hallways were empty, silent and forbidding. Just the feeling of everything being unattended had caused a fearful shiver down my spine. You know the feeling when your alone, but you don't feel alone. That's what I was experiencing as I walked at a moderate pace down the empty corridor. 

There I was, almost rushing to the elevator when I heard a door open and shut in front of me. The rational side of me thought it was just a person staying late like me. Someone who'd skipped their daily work and had just finished. The other side, the more irrational, crazy side, got terrified of the noise. I was basically stuck in place, my hand so close to the elevator button. It was right there, my fingertips only inches from it yet it seemed miles away.

A gust of cold air blew across my face. Suddenly, heavy footsteps came from down the hall to my right. I couldn't tell if it was my heart beating or an actual person. As if on queue, my fingers pressed against the button calling up the elevator, but by that time I could feel the warm presence of someone behind me. I slowly turned my head over my shoulder and jumped back when I was met with a pair of blue eyes.

"Jesus Christ!" I yelled dropping my purse and holding my chest as if my heart was going to jump right out of it. He chuckled from the depth of his throat. I could feel the vibration in his chest as he got closer.

"Did I scare you?" Ashton asked me once he was done with his laughing fit. I scowled turning my back to him and crossing my arms over my chest.

"No," I huffed when the doors opened. I took a step inside and braced myself on the wall bar that surrounded the lift. I positioned my body so Ashton wouldn't see my very white knuckles as I squeezed the bar.

Ashton stepped in. "What are you doing?" He asked looking over at me with a curious look. One eyebrow was raised and a slight frown graced his lips. I honestly felt like my knees were going to give out. 

"Nothing." That frown of his grew deeper and he leaned closer so he was only a few inches away from me. "Just standing here. Waiting." I averted my eyes trying to look anywhere but at him and those endless blue pools. If this wasn't awkward then I don't know what is because this man was making this already horrible elevator ride even worse. 

"Alright," He said shrugging his shoulders and pulling away just enough so I could breathe again. "Why did you stay late?" He questioned not letting the silence take over. I also shrugged my shoulders and hoped this elevator would go faster. Out of habit I started taping my foot quietly and biting my bottom lip. 

Did I ever mention how much I hated feeling so vulnerable? It was like he could see right through me and then read me like an open book with big, bolded letters. 

Chapter one: Why did Lydia Bennett stay late. 

Chapter two: Why Lydia Bennett ran away at nineteen. 

Chapter three: The rest of Lydia Bennett's entire life.

With a mischievous grin, he said, "I noticed that for the past few days my emails haven't been sent to me. And then, a few hours ago, they all magically appeared. Is that why you stayed late, Lydia?" He said my name! And the way he said it, too, just made my heart skip a beat. I nodded helplessly feeling my hands turn numb. 

The doors opened and I rushed out of there like my life depended on it. I was basically running to the front doors hoping a taxi would be out there waiting for me. 

"Lydia," Ashton called out to me. I stopped in my tracks and turned around with a fake smile plastered on my face. 

"Yes?" I said looking out to the busy street and hoping I could inch my way out without him noticing. 

"Do you need a ride?" he asked sounding very friendly and determined. It was almost scary how eager he was to keep me around.

"No, I can get a cab." I was about to turn away when his hand grabbed my wrist stopping whatever movement I was about to make.

"I insist," He uttered almost like he was grasping for anything to get me to go with him. I blinked in shock a few times holding in the urge to gasp. 

This can not be happening right now.

"Umm," I looked all around me trying to find something that would allow me to reject his offer. As usual, nothing ever went the way I wanted. "Sure, why not." I smiled up at him from under my lashes trying to put off that I was, not so stealthily, looking for excuses. He gave his own slight smile back and started walking to the car garage where he kept his car. 

I followed two feet behind, my heart pounding harder with every step. This was not how I planned my day. I wanted, after I got off work, to take a taxi home and then jump into bed without a second thought. I just wanted to relax and get on with my life, but this guy wouldn't let that happen. He always keeps coming whenever I least expected him too, or he says the most outlandish things. Like that day when he invited me to his house. When he played video games with me. Or the first time I ever met him, kissing Miss Jenna like he couldn't live without her.

I can never forget his face that day. I rarely ever see Miss Jenna anyway, but when I do I always fume with jealousy. I wanted what they had together so badly. I wanted to begin to trust the other gender again, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. 

They only want to use me.

"Lydia, come." I hadn't even realized I'd stopped until Ashton brought me back to reality with his deep voice. I looked up at him wide-eyed, then a small amount of frustration pooled in my stomach. 

"I'm not your dog, Ashton," I snapped crossing my arms over my chest and marching forward. As I passed him the scent of Velvet Desert Oud by Dolce and Gabbana surrounded me. It was heavenly, and also the same cologne I'd smelt before a long time ago.

***

A year and a half ago:

Lydia walked down the familiar hallway to her dad's office. The light gray walls and the dark brown carpet made the building seem dull and sad. She had walked down this way many times over the past year. Back and forth, room to room, taking orders from her father and almost any other person that came her way.

Many times before, she wondered why she even took this stupid job in the first place. Maybe it was finally being excepted by her father and brother that drove her to take it. Or maybe it was the emptiness in her chest when she was at home by herself. For whatever reason, it didn't matter now, she had a job to do, and she planned on completing it without fail.

A few minutes later and she was standing in front of the massive door that led to her father's office. She knocked slightly then opened the door. Inside her father was casually seated as his desk folding some papers in half and getting ready for their meeting. His meeting.

"Lydia," He greeted not bothering to look up to meet her gaze. She scowled but kept her own feelings to herself.

"Father," she said back with the same monotone voice he gave her. She played with the pencil in her hand as she waited for him to get up. "Are you ready?" She asked walking over to the exit and slightly opening the doors. He finally looked up at her and nodded his head, getting up from his comfortable looking chair and taking a few folded papers with him. 

They walked silently to the next room. Nothing could be said to him that would make him notice her. No sound she could make, no words that he could hear, she was invisible to him. A part of her wished he didn't even realize the neglect, but the other part, the rational side, said otherwise. 

Years, Lydia, it's been years since he's forgotten you. Ever since your toddler years, you've just been a little pest on his shoulder. You're never going to be your brother, so why even try.

Yes, she thought. Why even try, but that's exactly why she was trying. Giving up was too easy, and she wasn't known to go the easier route. She was going to try even if it killed her soul. Even if after all the hard work and the never-ending neglect she would still try. She was strong and capable of doing whatever she wanted, and right now that was getting her father's love and attention.

She hadn't even realized when they both walked into the meeting room. There was something warm and relaxing about it. This was nothing she had ever felt before in this place. A whole swarm of scents circled around her. Velvet Desert Oud? It was one of her brother's favorite colognes, and it was a wonderful earthy scent that sent tremors up and down her skin.

Lydia looked up from her notepad only to be met with bright blue eyes. The man in a black suit was looking directly at her with a smirk plastered on his plump lips. His features were sharp, his hair looked silky soft-- a deep brown-- and his eyes. If anything, they were the most entrancing thing about him. 

She took a seat next to her father, who was at the head of the table and was also right across from Mr. Blue eyes. She spent the entire time trying not to look at him, but she could feel his gaze from time to time. Thirty minutes went by, then an hour, her hands trembled from lack of eye contact. She took a peek from under her eyelashes and found, yet again, his blue eyes glued to her. 

Dear god, Lydia thought to herself. She momentarily brought the back of her hand to rest against her heated temple. Her whole face felt like it was burning up. She couldn't even focus on what her father was saying anymore. It was just him and her seated in a room full of strangers.

The meeting ended just in time, and Lydia rushed out forgetting her notepad and pencil entirely. She had to get to a bathroom quickly or she would have to go around work looking like a cherry tomato. Good thing she would never see that man again.

***

Until I remembered just where that familiar scent came from and all the memories came back to me.

Mr. Blue eyes!