TWO ODD PEAS
1757 Words
LIORAÉ
“Ms Alott, my office.”
I looked up to Soren standing by the doorway. He had a stern expression on his face. I cleared my throat and went up, pulling down my skirt that had somehow found a way to ride up. I slipped in and closed the door behind me, walking over to him sitting on one of the couches.
“You called for me, sir?” I asked, standing at a reasonable distance from him. He shifted, and the scent of his perfume caught my nose. He smelt so good that all I thought of in that moment was to bury my head in his shoulders and inhale.
“Are you free this weekend?”
“Sir?”
“I was asking if you were free this weekend.”
I knew what that meant; he didn't have to explain, so I pulled a professional smile. “Do you want me to help you out with something?” I asked.
I knew I should have just answered the question with a no to absolve myself from whatever was coming, but I still wanted to have a sliver of hope to hang onto.
“There is a trip.”
“A trip?” I repeated. He nodded with a head tilt.
“Just Friday through Sunday, I have a client who is only free on the weekends.”
“That is part of my responsibilities, so I guess I have to do it.”
“Right.” He got up suddenly and inched closer to me. I felt harsh lines run through my entire body, only stopping in my throat. “So pack a bag, nice things only,” he said with a wink.
“I will ensure I am packed for the business trip, sir,” I said and took a step back. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do?” I asked.
“Yes.” He walked over to his desk and came back with a box in his hand.
Black velvet box, laced with gold around the edges. He held it like it was a treasure he had acquired. He stopped in front of me and handed the box to me. My eyes blinked rapidly as my mouth opened.
“What is this?”
“It’s for you. Aren’t you going to open it?” He shook the box.
“It’s inappropriate for me to collect gifts for my boss; it can be regarded as…”
“You know a lot of rules,” he murmured, taking my hand and planting the box on it. The soft feel of the velvet brushed against my skin gently. “Open it first before you decide if you want it or not.”
I took a deep breath and pulled my hand out of his grip, snapping open the box. A three-piece set of necklace, earrings, and ring met my eyes. Soft iridescent blue gems shone as if they had been polished to perfection.
“Mr Vale…”
“Do you like it?” He cut me off. I snapped the box shut and looked up at him with a head shake. It wasn't that I didn't like it, but that this was probably too expensive and inappropriate to give to an assistant.
“You don’t like it?” he said, his voice falling with disappointment. “I could have sworn this was your style.”
“Well, it just isn’t,” I say, trying to return the box.
“What are you doing?”
“Giving it back”
“What do I do with it? ”
“I don’t know, maybe give it to your mom or Elara,” I said. I was the one who mentioned Elara, yet it felt like my heart was being pulled out of my chest.
“Why would I give them that when I bought it for you? ” He sounded genuinely confused, like.
“But I don’t like it.”
“You haven't even tried it on yet, so how can you conclude?”
“Because it doesn't matter if it is on…” The words stopped abruptly, replaced by a sudden gasp as he pulled me closer to him, holding my wrist and dragging me with him to the floor-length mirror in his office.
He turned me to it and held my eyes from heading. His hand rested lightly on my shoulder as he leaned in and opened the box. He took out the necklace, still holding my eyes.
“Your hair,” he said, like it was in the way. There was no way out of this now, so I took a deep breath and held my ponytail up so my bare neck was facing him. He gently placed the necklace on me, the cold metal sending a shiver down my entire body.
“See, perfect.”
I stared at it. I liked it and wanted to keep it, but if I showed up at home with the jewellery, my parents and sister were going to lose their minds over it.
“Thank you for the kind gesture, but…”
“Take it,” he said. He was used to cutting me off already. “Please,” he added, the plea soft and gentle, his hand returning to my shoulders and resting like it belonged there.
We stared at each other, his eyes steady and warm. I made a weird sound in my throat and nodded. “Okay, sir, but I hope you don't buy any more.”
“I will try my best,” he said. I wiggled out of his grasp and turned to face him. He let out a small whimper and pulled me closer.
“Lioraé, you are driving me crazy,” he murmured.
The tone of his voice dropped, and the atmosphere was charged; it felt like if I put my hand out, I was going to get electrocuted. He leaned in, his breath fanning my entire face; he stayed still for a moment before he pulled out.
“As much as I want you, I can assure you that I am not going to do anything until you beg me to.” He took a step back and threw a smirk at me.
That stupid smirk sent shivers down my spine and woke all the dead butterflies in my belly. That made me want to pull him by the tie and kiss him until we were both breathless.
“I was going to get you the chocolate cosmos, but it is quite difficult to find.” He didn’t sound like someone who was going to give up yet.
“It’s super rare.”
“I know,” he smirked once again.
“I'd better get back to work,” I said as I walked to the door. He had called me in here to ask if we could go on a trip together and to give me that gift. “But Mr Valw?” I called, and he turned to me.
“No more gifts.”
“Sure.”
I was not sure if I believed the words from his mouth. Adrian was standing at my desk with a smile.
“Hello, gorgeous?”
Was there something wrong with the Vale brothers? Or was this some kind of alternative universe I had gotten into without any clue?
“Mr Vale?” I tried to make my voice sound less surprised than I actually was. “How can I help you?”
I rounded the table to make sure I was on the other side. He pushed his hand into his pocket and swayed from side to side.
“You don’t sound too happy to see me.”
“I am just shocked, sir.”
“Call me Adrian.”
“And that would be inappropriate.” The words flew out of my mouth quicker than his landed. I was still trying to resolve the drama with Soren; I couldn't add him to it. “You are my boss and according to ethics…”
“I want us to be friends, Lioraé,” he cut me off. I stared at this man. Why did he want to be friends with me? He was too good-looking and would probably pull any lady he wanted as well. Was being good-looking a wealth thing, or did they just have extremely good genetics?
“It seems like you don’t want that.”
“It’s not that…”
“Good, then from now on we are friends,” he declared without allowing me a word in. He took my phone from the table and typed rapidly, turning the dialling screen back to my face with a smile.
“Why don’t you save my number?” he asked as he took a step back.
“Yes, sir.”
“Not, sir.” He shook his head, frustrated that I was being difficult with him. “Adrian to you.”
“I will try to keep it in mind.”
Arguing with men like this was a waste of time. I should just nod and move along, hoping they would someday get the memo.
He stopped in his tracks and raised his hand in the air, the other one still firmly placed in his pocket.
“Did you get the flowers I sent?” he asked, and I shook my head slowly, realising that the unsigned flowers were from him.
“The unsigned ones?” I asked, and his face brightened with a smile and nod. “I got them but…”
“Good, let me know what you like and I will send more of them.”
“Can you please not? ” My voice broke in panic. It was a lot having his older brother chase after me; now he was joining the queue? I don't think I'd be able to handle it.
“Why not?”
“I am in a relationship and my boyfriend doesn’t appreciate it.” Why was I lying? Why didn't I just tell him that I couldn't accept it?” He’s quite possessive.”
“I told you, I just want to be friends and nothing more.” He dropped his hand and then, in the same motion, pressed his hair gently backwards. “I will see you around.” He turned, waving until he got out of sight.
A long sigh escaped my lips as my phone began to ring – my grandmother.
“I am about to have an even longer day.”
- Writer
