MY HEART BEAT

Chapter 3

Smith’s Pov

I watch her as she leaves. She shuts the door and I bend my head to peep into her office. I let out a deep breath. Stealing glances. Scarlett, her name, calling her name. Being close to her. She has no idea what she does to me. She smells like jasmine, her beautiful amber eyes make me want to just stare letting her see through me, her soft auburn hair, her voice. I want to touch her skin again but I won’t. When I saw her upstairs at the party, I watched her as she watched everyone else and I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking.

Nancy got on stage and I knew she was going to say or do something stupid. Who better to avoid it with than the alluring woman on the stairs. I ran up fast enough and ‘mistakenly’ hit her glass. I managed to persuade her to go with me and there we were, in the laundry room. I didn’t expect her to laugh, but she did and I was happy I was the reason. When I was done zipping her top, I wanted to hold her, kiss her neck, stay, just be around her. But I couldn’t, the last thing I need is romance, too soon for a scandal, I already have enough attention.

After meeting with Bill, the lawyer, he told me that my father had given me everything and while going through documents in his office, I found a picture of her and my father at the office. Avoiding an office romance didn’t stop me from thinking about her through the weekend. But on Monday, I had to make her think I forgot, make her think I want nothing to do with her. Her boss and nothing else. I’d rather she repulse me than for us to be in the same room yearning for each other and have to restrain ourselves. I can’t stand being around her, I can’t think about anything else. I need to finish, find a replacement for me and go back to San Francisco. I can’t do this.

During closing, I spot her packing up, I stop to admire her but I’m interrupted by my phone ringing,

“Hello Spencer,” I greet, trying to hide my annoyance.

“Hello Sir. We got some investors despite our situation and they would like to meet. When will you be back?”.

“I may not be coming back soon Spencer but I’ll send someone else on my behalf,”.

“When’s the meeting?”.

“In 2 weeks,”.

“Okay Sir. Have a nice day.”

This is good. I may not have to use my money to save my company after all.

By the time I’m done with the call, she’s gone.

* * *

The next morning, I show up early at the office and Scarlett is there. I mumble a response to her greeting as she follows me to my office.

“Sir, I’ve already set up profiles for the job positions and we should be expecting applicants today,”.

“Okay. So arrange discreet meetings. You and I will interview them after office hours,”.

“Sir, I think that…”

She’s doing it again, making suggestions I didn’t ask for. I don’t like it. I turn to look at her almost immediately and she knows, she stops talking. Making her think I feel nothing is working just fine.

She finishes talking, leaves and shuts the door behind her. I wish she had more to say, I’ll have an excuse to be around her much longer. I settle down and get my work done.

* * *

Dinners are usually quiet. Blair doesn’t speak to me much but Nancy always asks how my day is and gives a weird chuckle when I tell her it’s okay. Every single time. I try to ignore her but she just won’t stop getting in my way. She’s never in the kitchen but once I’m doing something she’s around, making snide remarks about me not knowing how to do anything but insisting on doing most myself. I make the best ristretto I’ve tasted and I’ve tasted many made by very reputable people, so what does she think she’s saying?

Applicants have increased in number and instead of reviewing them after each meeting, to avoid getting involved with Scarlett, I leave when we’re done. Tonight, we started reviewing and it’s getting very late. I watch Scarlett, she’s paying keen attention to the file we’re sorting through, but she’s tired. I want to make her juice and massage her shoulders till she’s calm and relaxed, but I can’t. So I'll savor what I can.

I clear my throat.

Scarlett’s Pov.

What kind of employee would I be if I complained how tired I am and how I can’t wait to sleep? Smith clears his throat and I flinch.

“Let’s take a break,”.

A break? Let’s call it a night please.

“ Yeah, Sure. You eat Mexican?”

He doesn’t reply, he just keeps on with his documents. Such a workaholic. I bring out the food, open mine and leave his on the table as I eat. We’re alone again, just the two of us. If he remembered me and wasn’t such a stuck-up boss, we would've been eating and talking, maybe more, but he doesn’t so I won’t bother myself anymore.

“You said Mexican?,”.

“Yeah,”.

He walks to where I’m seating, drags a chair beside me and opens his food. I start breathing hard.

“Ugh, it’s cold,”.

“You can warm it up in the lounge,” I say breathlessly.

He turns to look at me carefully and he puts his hand on my shoulder, oh no.

“Are you okay?”, he asks with so much concern , I shudder.

“Yeah, Yeah, I’m fine,” I stammer.

"Good. Since you're done eating come with me to the lounge,".

He gets up and walks out to the lobby. That thing in his voice that makes me want to do things without question, makes me stand up and follow behind him.

He stands with his back to me and we're both silent. The silence is awkward but this could be my opportunity to make him fond of me. I decide to break the ice.

"I think Cole is a good choice for a technician." it comes out like a whisper.

"What did you say?" he turns his face to the side.

"I said I think Cole is a good choice for a technician, ",

He turns to me and I can't have his eyes freeze me again so I look away.

I feel his eyes linger over me for a while.

"Scarlett?" he says very slowly and knowingly.

Ugh, There with my name again.

"What exactly makes you think I would remember let alone discuss one out of all the people we've interviewed for a random position?".

He walks toward me slowly and stops directly in front of me. I'm almost startled when I look up at him.

Yes, my attempt at small talk was quite careless but I got his attention.

His body is inches away from mine and he's staring into my eyes, the same way he did the other night, he remembers. He's teasing me, he likes this. But he's still so serious, why is he playing games? My heart beats fast, but I keep staring because I'm searching. Why is he doing this?

He inches closer and asks,

"Scarlett, Can I trust you?"