Falling for Forever

Silence before storm is dangerous?

I lay in bed wide awake, watching Zane breathing beside me. The sky out of the window was cloudy, dull grey, threatening rain, as if mocking me.

I revisited the last twelve hours in my head. What happened really wasn’t even close to anything I expected from the meeting. I would have laughed silly if someone said I’ll be engaged when I entered the club. Now, however, I was not laughing at all.

I recalled my first meeting with Zane Knight. It was the most hateful place for me to be, a charity ball. I was no good at parties and these social events, never believed in flashing riches when I could always support a cause in silence.

My first ever business social time was at a ball was years ago and I daresay disastrous. I tripped right at my entrance and three more times; I was messy, not so confident, making stupid of myself all evening. The embarrassment was fueled by none other than my father who started schooling me for behavior. I hated every bit of it. I couldn’t bring myself to attend parties after that until absolutely necessary.

That night, however was different. My presence was meant something of importance since I was the new CEO of HiSkyline. It meant publicity and publicity is all it takes for charities to raise funds. I couldn’t refuse. My mother would have never forgiven me for choosing my insecurities over helping a noble cause. That charity ball is unforgettable because it was the night I met Zane Knight for the first time, two years ago.

Zane delivered a remarkable philanthropic speech. Mr. Cooper was all praising him for his overly generous contribution and participation for the cause. His speech indicated, at several times like the cause was so personal to him. I was impressed. My first impression of him was of a humble, generous gentleman with absolutely gorgeous face and kind heart. Yeah, those eyes & dimples caught my attention then! But how deceiving can the first impressions be I learned that very night. My first introduction to him wasn’t as pleasant.

“Mr. Knight” we shook hands firm, “that was quite a speech you gave there” saying I’m impressed would be too much, isn’t it?

"Ms Melissa Rose" his eyes were wide with a weird recognition, surprised I would say and unusually piercing, "are you the new CEO I hear? I'm surprised, given you're so young and perhaps inexperienced..." his voice trailed away thoughtfully. For the first introductions, he knew quite a lot about me and I perhaps, judgmental.

"do I hear you underestimating me Mr. Knight?” how disappointing “I hope your big fat experienced ego can bear with young, not so experienced woman in business soon"

I wasn’t sure of liking him at all. He was turning out to be just another man questioning my abilities.

"you are sharp and I daresay extremely beautiful. I didn’t mean to offend. I’m sure you’ll turn out to be great businesswoman to work with"

Well, do hell with what you think!

"I am not sure I can say the same about you"

He stepped closer to me, "I am sure we can change that babygirl" he whispered enough for me and only me to hear the endearment. There, I was absolutely sure I didn’t like him. However good looking, generous and successful he might be, Zane Knight was trouble written all over.

I don’t know if it just happened or he was intentionally enjoying irritating me, but an hour later when we bumped into each other again, the disagreements extended & he kissed to shut me up; my reflexes being mine, I slapped him. Yeah, my hand hurt for two later after that! I chuckle, remembering his eyes-wide-with-shock face. That was one moment worth framing… But no denying, the kiss left my knees wobbly.

For next two weeks, my office was filled with flowers- first congratulating me for my new position, reassuring how I was worthy of it, and others, to apologize for being out of the line that night, kissing me without consent. I refused to answer or acknowledge any of it. I wanted to stir clear of him! But third week, I was obliged by his presence himself in my office, offering to have lunch leaving me no room to refuse- for he had made an appointment with me for lunch.

Talk about persistence!

The series of events led to another and nothing but intense clash between the two CEOs. I lost seven important projects and properties to him but managed to seize from him five equally important ones in next sixteen months. I was beginning to think, either Zane took it all very personally or he mistook it to be some sort of games. Apparently, the false trails we left only seriously damaged the market. I remember being so mad at him for losing one of the dearest projects I was working so hard to get. Oh right, and the night afterwards… my cheeks heat up thinking about New York. I shook the images out of my head.

Stop! Don’t go there…

My reverie was interrupted when Zane stir in his sleep. My focus shifted from past to his face. I took my time studying his clear features; long lashes, freckles on the cheeks, sweet little dimples when he smile, perfect long nose, sweet sweet lips…. I would never admit, but Zane Knight had been my crush ever since I laid my eyes on him. His eyes have got something that pulls me with a strange magnetic force. He is easy to talk person but most infuriating man on the planet. Need not mention how frustratingly gorgeous too; the only one capable of confusing me between wanting to kiss or punch his face at the same time.

“done watching me babygirl?” he smirked with his eyes close.

Shit!

“—that’s creepy but hot”

The next moment I was pinned to bed with him on top of me.

***

Zane kissed my head and stoop up to order food leaving me wrapped in the sheets. Spending a day with him was equal to burning five hundred calories an hour. I was hungry, tired and refreshed at the same time.

All of it, the previous night, merger, the arrangement between me and him was hurting my head now. I need time to process it all …Watching the ring on my finger, I made a mental note to talk to father about this.

“penny for your thoughts?” Zane asked, kissing my shoulder as he put down the food tray, “looks like you’re brain is overworking. Give it a rest babygirl or the rock will explode”

My head is ready to explode…. I took a deep breath preparing for a Million dollar question! “What did my father offer you in exchange of this arrangement?”

His eyes widen at me question.

You don’t get married for every merger Mr.Knight!

Pulling the table with food tray closer, “you really wanna know?” he asked kissing my head. I only nodded. He wrapped his hands around my waist resting his head on my shoulder, “Peace” he shrugged, “we signed a contract that he won’t interfere in my business anymore”

Oh! “but how can that be possible? I mean, we’re coming together to work, how can...”

“—you’ll know” he cut in, “right now, I’m famished” he forcefully stuffed my mouth with toast.

I could eat whole of an elephant right now…okay... I’m being dramatic. No elephants. But I was hungry but not too much. The questions were a constant nag at the back of my mind.

“what good does it do though? I was the real one, pain in your ass” I need to know!

“you still are” he pointed out teasing.

I rolled my eyes, This isn’t going anywhere. “I always will be. Deal with it”

“I’ll deal with it alright” he smirked, leaning in and kissing my neck, “I can always tie you up and keep you hidden”

“so you wish”

Finishing breakfast, we put on our freshly laundered clothes (Zane sent it last night when I was sleeping!) ready to go.

“Did my father send you to talk to me?” I was burning with questions and Zane, ever so frustrating wasn’t answering any.

“No babygirl. I volunteered” I could see him being dramatic again, “You see, I figured it’ll take someone charming intelligent and incredibly smart to knock some sense in you.”

I rolled my eyes, “talk about self obsession”

“Am I not?” he narrowed his eyes on me, “charming intelligent and incredibly smart, a person?”

I am not going to admit

“I would tell you the truth but it isn’t good for your overly fueled ego”

Pouting Zane was cute. Hell, stop it Melissa! I dismissed the bickering walking to the door. My mind was too much occupied to put up with this annoying overdramatic beautiful ass.

“I’ll drive you home, come” he held my hands walking me out.

“I have my engagements for the day. Some other time, perhaps. Don’t miss me too much” he winked and left, refusing to come in. I entered my apartment and went for a hot shower straight.

Some day it is!

***

Tuesday, August 2nd 2016

I was back to my work, in my cabin, finishing my meetings back to back. Alicia, my PA was maintaining her distance not wanting me to bash out on her again. I don’t blame her. I was cranky for the second day in a row at work.

Three days. It’s been three long days ever since I agreed to the stupid arrangement with Zane. My father was avoiding me like the back of his hand, refusing all my requests to meet or formal appointments. This wasn’t news to me. I am used to such ignorance coming from him. Cheery on the top was Zane’s disappearance ever since the night in club. I was least expecting him to call, or enlighten me about the discussion he and my father had, about merger, or whatever contracts but nothing. I didn’t hear from him at all. He was out of the reach, not answering messages.

Did he play a sick joke on me? The thought angered me. I will kill him!

I was feeling stupid for expecting explanations from him in the first place. The affect of the last weekend was profoundly seen on my concentration - I was zoning out, snapping at people & grumpy all day. Cranky & Unreasonably irritated has been my modulus operandi. Even six mugs of Alicia’s killer coffee a day failed to fix my sinking mood.

Feeling the knots of disappointment in guts, I decided to forget about Zane and called Alicia.

“You’re next appointment is ready”

“send him in please”

I turned to the file, my phone buzzed. A text from Knight! Talk of the devil…

Think you can make it to lunch?

We still got loads to discuss babygirl ;)

Do we now? Well, do hell with you.

Who’s this?

yeah, I’m not in a mood for your games!

“Hi, David. Let’s get to it”. David is my second, Chief Operating Officer of HiSkyline and an exceptionally talented lawyer. I would say he’s my life saver but that would sound tad overdramatic and I’m not Zane.

“I heard you got work for me”

“David, could you find me information on Blue Sapphire Plaza on Street 49? I think the location is ideal and we can strip it down, renovate and make it big.” I was distracted by my buzzing phone again.

I see…. you are mad at me again ? ;)

“Sure, but it’s quite old decaying piece of s**t from what I gathered. You sure?”

I was typing a response while talking “I am. The location is lovely. Besides we can do wonders with that s**t” David nodded.

I’m busy at the moment Knight.

Line up with my secretary instead.

That was a polite Go to hell!

Half an hour later, David finished updating about the potential locations and projects he had been hunting for. I concluded the meeting. No more disturbing messages.

What happened to persistence?

“that’s all for now I think. I’ll discuss the finance with Mark on this one. I’ll see what he’s got to say. I still think it’s too expensive.” I called Alicia to send for Mark. His response is almost immediate and he knocks in exactly five minutes at my door.

“right. Come in Mark. I need to ask you about this” I turned the file to him. We were in the middle of the discussion.

“—I told David this is gonna be …” I look up shocked as Zane enter the cabin ignoring Alicia whining behind him.

Zane stood by the door looking pissed. His arms crossed with ‘no-nonsense’ intimidating look on his face was radiating anger off his body.

Why does he have to be hot all the time? I shook the ridiculous thought out of my head immediately. Hot or not, he’s an asshole!

“Melissa I tried but this ass—…” she tried explaining as Zane shot her a dirty look. If looks could kill, Alicia would be ashes. I nodded saying its fine and excused Mark to come back later.

“why are you here?” I demanded. My sharp tone was dripping hatred for disappearing on me.

“I don’t need appointments to meet my fiancée” he said.

How dare he! “get out and come back when you have an appointment” I dismissed turning away.

“what are you mad at me for?” he demanded completely clueless. I thought he was a smart guy? Perhaps not.

“Oh, let’s see” I turned to him, seething, “for signing deals behind me back with my father FOR MY COMPANY, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, disappearing on me when you should have enlightened me the terms of merger or maybe for barging into my office uninvited and humiliating me for the piece of rock you tied around my finger!”

I turned behind my desk scanning the city outside from the floor-to-ceiling glass window. I was determined not to give him the satisfaction to see me hurt. He can go to hell!

Deep Breaths Melissa, deep breaths.

Hell! I hate that I’m affected.

Damn you Knight!

I was busy trying to contain my anger and cursing Zane when he snaked his arms around my waist from behind and turned me around. His pissed face had softened and eyes were large, bronze of lighter shade. I could see my clear reflection in his eyes. Drowning there again…He touched my face, tucking away my lose hair stands behind my ears.

“That piece of rock is my promise babygirl. I never meant to humiliate you. It pains me that you think this way” His voice and touch was so gentle and comforting that my anger evaporated in seconds. How does he do that? Make me forget my annoyance after annoying me so much? I failed to realize it was no longer the business reasons for my anger on him. It was something, everything more personal than that.

“I didn’t know what to think Knight” I whispered. I hate that you affect me so much…

He leaned in but stopped right before touching my lips with his, silently asking me if he could. Without thinking I closed the gap pecked his lips.

He kissed me back pouring in all of his feelings and sincerity. I could feel his passion saying everything I wanted to hear or he could say. Lost in our moment of passion, he held my face close and I wrapped my arms around his arms. This was the best I felt in last three days if I were completely honest with myself. This was the only time I felt myself at peace.

The office phone pinged, breaking us apart. f**k! Reluctantly relinquishing my hold on him, I answered.

“Melissa, your next meeting is in five minutes” Alicia reminded.

I look at Zane and he nodded. “I’ll be there in ten minutes”

“Dinner, tonight. I’ll pick you at seven?” he whispered, twirling his fingers in my hair.

I nodded and pecked his lips. Grinning, he kissed my head & turned to the door. His perfectly graceful steps halted by the door and he turned back to me.

“I like that you’re practicing being angry wife already” he winked.

My mouth gaped open at him. This man will the death of me!