A bet that changed their lives

Part 21 - Some fries and burgers

Derek didn't know what came over him. His plan was to spend time with Arya at McLaren's and not sneak out with her to some place else. And for the very first time, he regretted not getting his own car. However, Arya was too happy to be out of that atmosphere, suggesting that they walk to a nearby diner and gorge on some junk food before going back to their friends. Her smiling face was in complete contrast to the hesitation that was permanently etched on her face at the club. Seeing her this happy with him warmed his heart, although he knew she was not her usual self, the alcohol that she was sipping had something to do with the way she was interacting with him. Not that he had a problem with it. In fact, he was still trying to control his racing pulse. Standing so close to her, smelling her intoxicating scent and feeling the slight contact of their skin at the club was enough to make him think that Arya was nothing short of an enchantress, that too an unintentional and effortless one.

***

Arya hadn't realised how awkward she was feeling until she stepped out of the club and deeply inhaled some fresh air. Ah! Freedom at last, she thought. She was happy, a bit too happy in fact. Was it because of the alcohol in her system? She didn't care because she intended to enjoy her night out, although the plans had slightly changed seeing that she was with her boss and not Lana and Mason. She didn't even know what made her say that they should head to a diner that she had seen on her way to McLaren's. Yes, she was a bit hungry but why did she invite her boss? As it is he had done a favour by 'saving' her from that awkward situation with Mark and now she had asked him to accompany her to a place that she was sure would not really meet his standards. After all, she had noticed where he would conduct his lunch meetings and that diner was hardly close to what he was used to. Still, she was grateful for his silent company and maybe, just maybe, thankful that the alcohol in her system had dispelled whatever awkwardness she would have brought into the situation had she been her usual self. Still deep in her thoughts, she discreetly looked at her boss, to see if he was hesitant or frowning at her choice of place for some food. If anything, Derek's expression was calm, and reassuring, and she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

***

Mark was now seated at their previous table on the upper deck, with a brunette who was talking about... well, something. He wasn't really paying much attention to her, just the occasional "hmm" and "okay" to keep the conversation going. He couldn't wrap his head around what he was feeling. Having Arya that close to him was unsettling as well as calming. He knew he should have taken her comfort into account but the bet and the feel of her body against him had made all sense fly out of the window. He knew he shouldn't have touched her like that when what appeared to be some sort of disgust made its appearance on her face.

As for Derek, that was an extremely sly move on his part, something that Mark didn't think Derek was capable of. He took a sip of his beer as he wondered how Derek's proximity hadn't bothered Arya as much as when she was with him. Did she feel something for her boss? Or was it just familiarity considering that they did spend most of their waking hours together? He emptied his glass in one gulp and tried to look around, failing to find them both. That cunning bastard, Mark murmured with a faint smirk as he looked towards the brunette next to him and kissed her senseless, cutting her mid-way through her talks. He hoped that this kiss would drive the thoughts of a certain someone out of his mind.

***

"Here's your cheeseburger with fries and green apple iced tea. Enjoy," a waitress placed the order on the table and politely smiled at Arya and Derek, before leaving to tend to another customer. Arya was starving as she bit into her burger, moaning in delight. As if appreciating her beauty this close wasn't enough, her soft moan upon biting into her burger was igniting desire within him and he had a hard time resisting his intense urge to hold her close to him and kiss her, even a slight peck on her lips would do. He marveled at this extremely attractive lady in front of him. How different she was now, compared to the uptight Arya he was used to seeing in the office. The neckline of her dress was quite bold and he could see the slight mounds playing peekaboo with him. But he dared not linger his gaze over there as he felt it would be too disrespectful. She was someone special and she deserved every ounce of admiration and respect he had for her.

Her hair was not in a bun, cascading curls till her waist, appearing like a soft velvety blanket; though he couldn't have guessed that Arya had such lustrous long hair. He took his time to let his mind register and admire all details about her. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he saw her waving her hands in front of him. "Aren't you going to drink your iced tea?"

"Uh... yeah... sorry, I zoned out. That was rude of me," he sheepishly replied as he took a sip of his iced tea and extended his hand to eat a couple of fries.

"Hey! That's mine, order another one for yourself. Fries aren't meant for sharing, I don't share what's mine," she playfully swatted his hand as she gobbled a few fries and grinned at him.

"Me neither, Arya, me neither," he mumbled as he looked at her with pure adoration and... love?