Chapter 8 Dead End
1092 Words
My heartbeat increased even more when my eyes made contact with his. His eyes were so green, shining like emeralds.
He walked to me and offered me his hand. I took them hesitantly, glancing at Mr. Layne.
I thought it would be inappropriate for the meeting but he showed no reaction.
He kissed the back of my palm slightly as he spoke in a low yet heavenly voice.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Beth. I am Lucien Layne. The marketing and promotional manager of this campaign and of course, the photographer."
My eyes widened in shock as I questioned, "Layne?"
"My twin brother."
Mr. Layne replied from behind, in an uninterested tone.
I turned back to Lucien, feeling strangely good, his smile was the most attractive part. Seems like both brothers were an epitome of beauty.
I shook hands with him and replied, "Pleased to meet you too.. Uh.. Mr. Layne."
He chuckled and said persuasively, "Just Lucien."
“Can you sit down now, Lucien,”
“Sure, Mr. Workaholic,”
Lucien chuckled at his brother’s frustration, taking a seat right in front of me, setting his eyes on me that sent butterflies in my stomach.
During the meeting, I wrote down all the important points until.
“Dream-”
“Dream?” I asked,stopping for a second.
“That’s him, the renowned photographer, Dream,” They said and continued to which Lucien smirked at me, stiffening my whole being.
“He owns a whole section in the biggest magazines. He is the highest paid photographer plus an efficient promotional manager.” Mr. Bangs’ assistant informed me in a low tone.
How talented!
I never knew it was him, I had seen his work, his skills were immaculate. He was just amazing!
Everyone was suggesting models for the photoshoot for the promotion of our new beach resort.
During all the meeting Lucien's eyes were fixed upon me which made me so nervous. A skillful man like himself seemed interested in him.
My hand hurt a lot while I was writing but I didn't show it, since I didn't put a band-aid on, blood flowed out again although the meeting soon ended fortunately.
I was grateful that I wrote with my left hand or else it would be difficult to shake hands with a bloodied one.
"I am looking forward to working with you, Garnet Beth." Lucien said with a smirk, making me feel weird.
"Wait, how do you know my full name?" I asked.
Lucien stopped in his tracks and turned to me, his compelling smile growing wider, softer.
"I am having a feeling that we had an ancient relationship, Garnet." He winked which made my heart skip a beat.
A shiver went down my spine, he gave me a satisfactory sensation in the first meeting.
“What?”
“Your one sight evoked this thought so I said it.”
He smirked, lifting his hat a little to look at me properly, sly expression not leaving his face. Before I could say anything he left, leaving me in a daze.
When he left, I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart as I put my hand over my chest, failing to suppress my smile.
One meeting with him and I was experiencing an ancient connection.
And how could it go unnoticed by my boss?
"He is surely enticing, isn't he?" Mr. Layne taunted with a hint of rage.
“What?” I turned to him, realizing I swayed for a moment.
Blinking when everyone was gone as he was leaning on the table, one hand over my notepad while his other hand was in his pocket.
He was giving me an unfathomable look which left me dazzled.
"And here I thought you would slap him for kissing your hand." He mumbled and ridiculed me, that was something he did from time to time.
‘It depends upon the person and the situation.’
I truly wanted to retort back to him but I remained silent. He straightened his back and closed the gap, hands in the pocket.
He leaned down to my level as he began to say scornfully.
"It depends upon the person and the situation, right? Isn't that what you were thinking?"
“How do you-”
I opened my mouth, left baffled how he knew. He took out his hand from his pocket having a handkerchief in his hand.
He held my left wrist without asking and yanked it to him.
My heart skipped a beat when my boss was holding my wrist, immobilizing me while towering over me, probably not realizing how close he was.
“S-Sir?” I asked hesitantly, startled at his action.
Before I could say anything further, he spoke softly, "If you are hurt you better apply an ointment on it."
"I-I don't have one." I reasoned, he wrapped the handkerchief around my palm.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to.”
I raised my gaze and looked at him, devoid of emotions, noticing his enticing features from up closer, moving his thumb over my small bruise.
“Unhealed bruises leave a mark and marks taints one’s skin.”
He was bewildering me, holding my hand in a firm grip that stunned me before making a keen eye contact as he whispered.
“And I hate scars,”
“I don’t understand. What do you mean?” I asked, confused. It was going to heal anyways.
“Leave it. It’s useless to speak of a thing you cannot understand.”
He tied a knot and looked at me blankly, noticing my discomfort. I realized we are a bit too close and took a step back.
"T-Thank you." I said, sincerely but looking away.
His talk made me vexed as I rested my hand over my chest, not meeting his gaze because he was right.
Scars truly taint you but not your skin- your soul… just like mine.
“Are you sure about Lucien?” He asked out of the blue.
I blushed, “What?”
Was it that noticeable? Was it because of his stares or my shyness?
“Don’t,”
“I don’t understand… what do you mean?”
“Just, don’t, stop right there, don’t go further,”
“Sir, I-”
He took a step toward me, dangerously closer causing me to flinch and left before saying that; looking deeply into my eyes.
"You will find yourself at a dead end, Garnet. He will block your path… Watch your every step."
Before I could ask what he meant, he left.
- Writer
