My Mysterious Love For him

CHAPTER-8

AZAREL

‘Did I overdo it?’

No, it was only some clothes, he wouldn’t mind much.

Though how could I be sure of his response, I hardly knew anything about his personality. I shook my head to stop overthinking, it was disturbing my work.

Since yesterday, I have been analyzing the hypothetical possibilities of Adam’s reaction. I lean back in my chair letting my thoughts to invade for couple of minutes as there was an important project I was supposed to work. Instead, the anticipation after I have asked to make the delivery to Adam, was frustrating me.

My lips twitch at the images of his varied facial expressions keep flashing in my mind. Adam was surely skeptical about anything he’d speak, it was his face, eyes that were clear reflection of his unfiltered views. That is, if someone has patience to read him.

Lately, it seemed like my senses were majoring in the task. To observe every tiniest shift of his movements or his body language. 'Dam! Maybe Dimitri was right, I do sound like a p*****t. No I was more of an observer.'

A knock on the door drew me out of my thoughts, I straighten my posture commanding them to enter. Mrs. Sherry walks inside with doubtful look.

“Sir, there is someone outside in the lobby asking for on sport appointment. What’d you prefer, to let them in or not?”

Retreating my pen, I glance at my watch, “we’re having meeting in fifteen minutes, you are aware I don’t prefer any sort of haste before important event. Please ask whoever it is to book for another day, also from when have I ever accepted any uncoordinated appointments?”

“Right, sorry sir. I will deliver the message to them.” Mrs. Sherry exits, needlessly apologizing.

The woman gets too formal sometimes. She had been working diligently for years now, still sometimes misunderstand my point of view.

*****

The scheduled meeting was proceeding since forty minutes, I was getting impatient with the useless points being repeated over and over. It was not the mistake of speaker, my gaze was targeted to his mentor. I raise my palm halting the junior, standing from the chair I shoved my hands in side pockets.

The presentation was supposed to be about the progressive updates of the pitch we were aiming for our latest software. But everything from the presentation was just the same parts I have last time checked, no visible improvements what so ever. They mistake my age for lack of experience.

“The timings of office hours are changing from today, it’s going to extend by two hours in the evening and no OT would be allotted.”

The six senior employees assigned for the project snapped their head at my announcement. Dimitri was smirking from his spot, clever fox already guessing my intention. If I detect any sort of slag in work, I prioritize the situation to solve it immediately. Instead of prolonging time, letting for damage to happen.

I give them few minutes to share their objections among selves. Money was the only asset never fails to dent anyone’s psyche. 'Disturb what they prioritize in life to make them emphasize what you want from them.'

“Sir, can we know the reason?”

Finally, someone dares to question. “Certainly Mr. Clinton, Wilson’s company is rumored to be ahead in the pitch. So how could we allow them to win us?”

“But it’s only rumors, also unfair to us.” Another acquaintance supports his statement.

I press my hands on desk to lean, gazing at each board member, “Exactly rumors- nothing of concreate proof, then what do you think the ‘progress’ here should be called? All these exaggerated charts presented here are entirely empty promises. The recruiters have no interest in knowing how selecting our software would benefit in future. They want to know why, why they should trust our new software.”

Everyone gets stunned, actually thinking about my perspective. Good.

“I want them to be eager- to buy, to trust this new software not take it as a choice. It should be their only best option.”

“In short, they should fall love at first sight. With our software of course. Isn’t it boss?”

Dimitri puts his useless opinion, making everyone chuckle. i***t. He smirks idly at my pointed glare.

*****

I should have payed attention to hints that this i***t was risky to sign him as one of the board member. Too late.

“You repeat such imbecile behavior again in the board meeting, one fourth from your salary would be deducted.”

Once the meeting was over, both of us were in cabin. I continued with my work.

“You can’t be serious?” he exclaims. I don’t react.

He scoffs sitting in the visitor’s chair, “Yeah, I have lost a fortune pampering my wife in our honeymoon. The seriousness of the conference hall was suffocating. So I made an attempt to lighten it. Anyways, why does it look like you are taking it personal?”

I give him a bore look, ignoring the anxious flutter of my heart.

He slams his hands on the desk dramatically, “Fine keep denying the obvious. I’m off for much needed lunch. Knowing your madness for the work, you’d skip lunch again. I’m getting you something light on my way back, better eat it.”

I wave my hand dismissing him, so patiently I could complete my tasks for the day. It doesn’t seem to be easy as the cabin door is opened again, I glance up to find Dimitri out of breath.

“You won’t believe who is waiting for you in the lobby?”

I humor him, “Who?”

“Your love interest, by the way he is good looking, surely appears kind. I wonder why he would choose someone like-

I don’t stay for him to complete the statement, jogging out of the office reaching for the lobby two floors down in the elevator. Remembering Mrs. Sherry’s notification from earlier morning, was he the one asking for my appointment?

There starts my heart skipping its beat at the sight of him.

Though his uncomfortable state due to constant gazes from passing office staff at him was infuriating me. Adam was almost trying to curl himself in the corner. Taking long strides in his direction I tug his arm gently. He was facing other side from mine.

Still, he slightly get startled then his stringed postures relaxes instantly. Before he nervously glance up at me. The fact that he recognized my touch, felt relived - oddly made me proud, satisfied. He eyes my hand on his, I retreat it back as I didn’t ask his permission to touch him.

“Hi,” he awkwardly waves his hand.

A smile threatens to tip, I urge it down. Even if it meant to be a small gesture, I don’t like my face revealing unprofessionalism in front of my employees. The smiles were personal, only for him. Where did this all coming from?

“Please follow me,”

He obliges timidly walking behind, I motion with my hand for him to step next to me. The place strangely felt right for him. Reaching the top floor, I push the door to my cabin inside allowing him to enter first. Dimitri wisely was not there.

I fold my arms to my chest letting him to take in my working space. There was something nice to have his presence in one of my favorite places or the place where I spend most of my days.

“It’s well organized, the desk is made of real teak wood? Oh, the view must be great from here…”

Speaking more to himself, he trudges to the large glass window elevating the vivid view of towering buildings, amongst high clouds. Generally I mind anyone touching the glass window as it leaves the hand print which irks me. Though Adam was exception, to watch him gazing outside in wonderment, was relaxing me.

He spins around, his bright smile fades slightly, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry without your permission.”

I walk towards him, “You are free to do anything, Adam.”

'Free to even own my heart, what?'

“In fact I should be the one apologizing. I’m taking my chances still, please tell me you were not waiting in the lobby since morning?”

He nods hesitantly doubling my guilt, ‘Merda’

I gesture for him to sit on the couch, maintaining a distance I occupy the left side.

“Wait, you must have missed the lunch as well”

He shakes his hands, “It’s alright. I can eat in the evening.”

I don’t listen to him, texting Dimitri to send take outs of a decent meal.

Earlier whenever the silence would fall in between us never felt uncomfortable but the last thirty minutes or so was deafening. Adam would barely communicate with me, he had food only for sake of formality. I was not sure if I wanted to know the reason of his arrival, anymore.

The mere thought of any sort of tension between us was knotting my stomach. Strange feelings.

“Mr. Azrael,” there he goes with formalities. I lean my elbows on my knees, attentively looking at him.

He grabs glass of water gulping it down blowing out a breath, his stressful body language signaling me of impending distress.

“Why would you, uhmm…send me such expensive clothes? I thought of sending them back to you and I will, once I hear your intension,” he stammers, twisting his fingers with one another.

“Intension was simple Adam, I wanted to buy them as a gift for you.”

His brows pinch in confusion, “Why’d you gift me out of all people?”

I didn’t like the way he was doubting, separating himself- disbelieving he’d even receive gifts from someone.

“Because you matter, isn’t it common to exchange gifts with people you care?”

From the way my commanding replies sound, I seriously doubt my sociable skills. It’d have been better to learn basics at least.

He shakes his head dismissively, “I shouldn’t matter to you. I’m not a charity case, Mr. Azrael.”

I straighten my posture, for being indirectly accused here. “When did I ever mention it Adam? In my responses or my actions, when? Sending you gifts honestly didn’t seem like a big deal. Ms. Soraya is part of my family and you’re important to her. If anything you could think the gifts to be sort of formality being exchanged in families. It’s my right to-

Before I could even end the explanation, he stood up. “Well you don’t have any right so please you are not obligated to show any sort of formalities just because Sora was going to be married with your brother,”

I purse my lips to not speak anymore as he put a halt to any of my further words- I don’t have any right on him. My jaw clenched for the first time being shunned down harshly by someone.

He shakily exhales, I stood up drifting my gaze on him. Immediately, he looks down taking contemplative steps to exit. I force my eyes to not waver in his direction, there was unfamiliar ache in my chest with an echo of his words.

“It’s best in interest if we remain where we are instead of crossing the boundaries. I deeply apologize if any of my said words offended you. Like I said earlier, I’d send all the clothing to the given address. Goodbye Mr. Azrael.”

I don’t turn even hearing the c***k in his voice or after door being closed, gently.

Was I assuming unrequited things from his side? There was nothing between us?