Hope: Simple Love

Chapter 9

In fairytales, the prince was always the savior of the princess. He should be handsome, strong and wealthy to be worthy of the princess. In movies, the savior of the female lead character should have an extreme unordinary strength and always be around her to save her to any danger that may come to her way.

If someone will asked me what is my favourite move of all times, I would answer Pride and Prejudice released in 2005, confidently and straight. Why? Simply because the male lead, Mr. Darcy, is a dream guy of every woman. A classic undying love for his one and only Elizabeth melted my heart everytime I watched it. It is a very unrealistic love that only happens to every one of the ten couples in the world.

And from this day on, I think I found my Darcy.

"Right! You still didn't know about my cousin, Adaire. Well, Lynangel once met him overseas, I think she forgot about him already," Archius laughed that it echoes inside the moving car.

"Me? I met him? Really boss? Where? How dare I to forget that kind of face?" Lynangel waved her arm on her face while glancing at me and the cousin of Archius.

Now that he mentioned it, they slightly look the same. Their arrogant yet manly aura. Their strong and lean body built. And some structures on their face. Archius has this friendly smiles and face. His nose was short but proud. His lips is thick but has a visible curved. His eyes was black as the night and only twinkles when the chandelier's light hit his eyes.

Remembering the first time I met Alpheaus, he already gave an impression of authorative and powerful. It is like he will never listen to any orders. His cousin has gave a different impression on me though. I think he is a playboy and a happy go lucky type of guy. Even though they wear the same black Americana coat, black slacks, white long sleeves and a loafers, they wear different colors.

Alpheaus wears a black necktie and a black loafers. Simple but aesthetic. He was just looking a model of some clothing brand. While Archius wa wearing a dotted blue and white necktie and brown loafers.

I tilt my head and my shoulders flinched my shoulders when a firm and in monotone voice reached my ear.

"Alpheaus Tacios Ezquierdo," a long and big hand extended until the end of the table.

I looked at it. It has a visible veins that looks so manly. My fingers twitched as if it wants to trace his veins. I gulped once. I glances up to the owner of that beautiful hand. He leaned his upper body a little while his legs remain widely open. Lynangel nudged my arm but I didn't evem glance at her because my eyes are fixed on his deep blue eyes.

My right trembling arm automatically lifted and reached his hand very slowly. As if electrified, my whole body heated up at the touch of his palm. It was rough and almost cover my whole hand.

We both staring at each other's eyes. His deep blue eyes became darker as I keep staring at it. It looks like transferring heat from his stare to my whole body. I feel his thumb caress mine. I blushed furiously at that.

Archius whistled so I immediately released his hand and put my hand on my lap while looking down.

"Omg! So, it's really you?" Lynangel glances at my side with a cunning smile.

A smile that makes everyone nervous.

I gasped when I saw her smile. I widened my eyes to try to stop her for any ideas she have on her mind. She just giggles tha makes me more nervous! I pinched her exposed thigh. She just say 'ouch' in a teasing way. She then ignore me as she leans her body to her boss and signaled him to lent his ear. Archius, with a curious look, bend his head to Lynangel who has her hand covering her lips.

I glances at Alpheaus who was looking at me as if he was memorizing my appearance. His right elbow was resting on the arm rest. His index finger was on his cheek and his middle finger down to his pinky was on his strong chin, tapping it. I immediately look away before I got drown on his stare again.

They exchanged a conversation in their ears. I think they are so good at it that I can't understand what they are talking but they both have a smile and occassionally laughs. It's so awkward that I am the only one who's watching them because Alpheaus was still staring at me. It made me blush in nervousness and in embarrassment for my bestfriend.

I pinched at Lynangel's sidewaist to stop her but she just tapped away my hand. I smiled awkwardly when my eyes landed on Alpheaus' once again. I tried to open my lips to mumble 'sorry' but ended up biting it because I can't seem to talk to him.

Even though I supposed to be greatful to him because he saved me weeks ago, my heart and voice aren't in synced. I planned to call his office to a very minimal greatful greeting and to pass my gratitude on saving me even though through phone or through his secretary. I even planned to send some flowers and a letter. But, thankfully, I didn't try any of that because it will be really embarrassing right now.

After anothet minute of dubious laughter, they sit straight with both smile on their lips. I guess, they just don't have a boss and secretary relationship because of their closeness. It's not questionable tho. Lynangel always a friendly and funny woman ever since so it's not hard to get close to her. Plus, I think her boss has the same personality as her. They're both annoying.

Archius leans back on the backrest of his seat. He crossed his legs in a cool way while he plays with his lips while looking at Alpheaus who's not interested on his cousin evil looks.

Lynangel nudged my arm. I looked at her with a glare on my eyes. She leans her body nearer to me and whisper something.

"You keep on looking to your hero. I'll help you now, my dear bestfriend," her voice was so soft and ticklish on my ear.

She really sounds like an evil right now. I shakes my head in disapproval on her plans but she already leaned away her petite body from mine. When she was about to stand up, I tried to grabbed her arms but she immediately diverted her arm from mine. I almost stand up to run after her but she already passed Archius legs and sit beside him.

"Alpheaus, right?" she asked Alpheaus as soon as she sit down beside her boss with a playful smile, "Do you have a date already?"

I choked once at what she has said. I immediately extend my arms to get the wine glass infront of me and drink all the remaining wine in just one gulp.

Just how far is the event's place? I feel like I've been here for a whole year!

My heart beats louder. It made me concious if they can hear it but fortunately, they are all focused on Lynangel's cunning face. Alpheaus glanced at me once and tilt his head to Lynangel. My eyes noticed how his thin bone on his neck became visble as he tilt his neck. I also watched his angled jaw moved a bit. I saw his front tongue when he licks his lower lip and then bite it for one second.

I heard Lynangel's whispered voice earlier. I blushed furiously and bow down my head a bit.

"I don't have a date for tonight," his firm monotone voice makes me more nervous.

I hold on my purse that's been placed on my lap. I lick my lips once and gather all my confidence to look up. His deep blue eyes welcomed me with a warmth gaze.

He said he doesn't have a date for tonight? So I guess there will be no media around. Because if there's some media, he will be surely have a date like what I saw on some exclusive magazines. He was with some supermodels, a candidate for a national pageant, a daughter of some actress, or an actress itself. They are all gorgeous and in the highest level that even with my appearance is no match for them.

But...why am I even thinking on matching his dates? Why does it matter if his dates are on that level? I never wished to be on the high hierarchy. But being just an average, really makes my heart sting.

"Is it okay for you, Adaire?"

I blinked once and roamed my eyes to the three people who's watching me and waiting for me to answer. I don't even understand what they were talking about. I stares at Alpheaus' eyes. It was glowing like a sea at night. It's so beautiful and unreachable.

I nods my head once and lower my gaze again when after just ten seconds, Alpheaus was sitting beside me. I heard Lynangel's clap like she was enjoying what just happened. But my eyes was busy looking at the large stature of Alpheaus beside me.

"Great! Now, you and Ada are partner. I'm with my boss so the order is fine," she tilted her head and looks at me proudly.

Does she want me to thank her when my heart was beating loudly?!

My back automatically straightened. My shoulders squared up. Mhead feel dizzy for a moment because of his strong perfume, not because it's annoying but because my nose can't stop inhaling it. My whole nerves are unease but comfortable.

I flinched when he put his arm on the armrest in the middle.of our seat. It brushed off so little on my arm, giving me a goosebump for a moment. I look at his arm and tried to move my butt to the other side of my seat to avoid his skin. On my sudden move, the purse on my lap slides down. I was prepapring myself to squeal but he suddenly leaned his upper body to mine. My back almost touch the backrest when I back away. His long arm is extended and caught my purse just before it fall to the car's carperted floor.

Our face are now just inches away. I can hear and smell his soft breath. It tickles my face but it felt good. My eyes are fixed on his. In far, it looks like a calm sea at night, but in this distance, where his arm passed on my exposed legs skin, where his beautiful crafted ear is infront of my nose, I can say that his deep blue eyes are really amazing and mysterious.

"Kya-"

I heard a voice coming from Lynangel but my vision is block by Alpheaus' huge and closed stature. He moved a bit and my system panics.

"T-thank!--you..." I coughed a bit because of my sudden loud voice.

He glances at me and folded his arm to put the purse on my lap. He didn't moved his body back to its original position. I looked away but I can just see his very tamed pompadour's hair, forehead or his ears, or his staring eyes. I bit the insides of my cheeks.

What does he want? Why isn't he going back to his seat properly? Why...is he looking at me like that?

Oh, right... I am an ungrateful woman who didn't even say her gratitude to someone who saved her from a misfortune. If he didn't go there, I don't know what state I will be right now. I might go crazy if that bastard continue his plans to me. I guess this is my chance to say thank you to the one who saved me, Alpheaus. I'm sure there will be no other best time than this.

I inhaled an air abit but his perfume went through my nose. I tilted my head and move my face forward. Enough to my voice to reach his ear.

"Uhm.. thank you for this and, for...saving me the other time," I lowered my voice so Archius and Lynangel will not hear my nervous voice.

He tilt his head. I saw how his long eyelashes touches each other when his eyes naturally blink. It was in slow motion but a beautiful scene.