Always Yours

Chapter 8

I enter the boardroom and immediately everywhere is silent. I take a deep breath as I make eye contact with him. It's always like this, that stare which pierces deep into my soul. He looks at me everytime I walk to my seat and it's no different now. I clear my throat,hoping it clears the tension in the air

"Good afternoon. I'm sorry I was late. I got occupied with somethings"

"You can't just keep us waiting Miss Birlem. Some of us have more important things to do" his deep voice booms through the room without him shouting. His sentence sparks a form of anger in me

"Well, if I remember correctly you're the one who insisted on the annual meeting even after I said it wasn't necessary"

I could feel the discomfort from the employees as they try as hard as possible to sink into their seats.

We both stare at each other, none of us wanting to be the bigger person and give up.

Finally, after about 2 minutes, he continues the meeting.

I let out a sigh as I exit the boardroom after talking with some of my managers.

"You have an meeting in the next 2 hours,ma'am" Aria informs me

"Alright. Thank you Aria. Buzz me when it's time"

She nods and walks towards her office.

I enter my office and I stop in shock when I see Ryan sitting on a chair in front of my table.

I clear my throat, hoping to sound like I'm not affected by his presence.

"What are you doing here, Mr Harlton?"

A scoff makes it's way out of his throat. I cross my hands together as he stands up and faces me. Piercing blue eyes stare deep into me. It's not fair how much control he has over me.

"Let's drop the formalities Dorothy"

There it is. That sound I like saying my name. I always wondered if it'll have the same effect on me for the past 2 years and now that I know, I'm scared because it has more effect on me than it ever did. It's like we both knew what saying my name did to us because neither of us said a word, only looking at each other. The emotions pour through and our eyes becomes a mirror where we could see everything we kept bottled inside.

I suck in a breath as he walks towards me, only stopping 2 feet away. I breathe in which causes me to breathe in his musk scent which sets my brain in chaos.

"I've been pretending for 2 years. Pretending like I don't want any other thing apart from business from you. Pretending like I don't want to be involved with you anymore. I'm tired of pretending, Dorothy"

"So what are you saying?" I whisper

He moves a step forward and I hold my breath

"Dinner at 7?"

Maybe it's my imagination but it sounded like his voice got deeper. With the remaining consciousness in me, I nod a yes to his question.

He looks at me for a while before nodding

"I'll text you later"

With that, he leaves my office but of course I still felt his presence even after he had been gone for 30 minutes.

* * *

"I'm panicking, Fiero"

"Okay calm down. I don't know what's happening but just calm down"

I fall on my bed trying to take deep breaths as I hold my phone tight to my ear.

I met Fiero at a bar 2 years ago. After everything that happened, I couldn't bear dealing with it sober so I went to a bar to get drunk for the night. I planned to wallow in my sadness alone but then I met Fiero. Her boyfriend had broken up with her and she wanted to get drunk too. We clicked immediately and have been inseparable since then. I told her all about Ryan. She became my emotional support and I became hers.

"Ryan asked me out on a date"

"What?!"

I sigh, knowing if it was the other way around I'll react the same way

"What do you mean he asked you out on a date? I thought you guys weren't on good terms?"

"I thought so too but then he wanted us to start over"

"Oh Dorothy"

The way she says my name makes tears rush to my eyes.

"Do you need my help in choosing my outfit? You have to look drop dead gorgeous"

We both chuckle. After telling her to come over, we ended the call and I walk to the dressing room to start on my makeup before she arrives.

"Wow"

"You think it's not too much? I mean. What if it's not a date and I'm just misinterpreting it?" I panic

"Oh c'mon babe. You look simple yet classy"

I did a light makeup not wanting to look too heavy. I wore a backless long sleeved gown. It hugs my body in all the right places and cover my legs up to my ankle. I match it with a pair of silver heels and accessories.

I take a deep breath trying to push out the nervousness. Fiero comes over and hugs me. I hug her tightly, wishing she could be there.

"Alright. It's time"

Dum