Masked

CHAPTER 7 DUPE

“I want the sales report this instant on my table miss Ava, got it?”

“Yes ma’am.” Miss Ava has been working me for past two years. She’s in her early forties. She’s a bit timid, but it doesn’t gets in between of her work. She’s competent and good at her job. It’s already October, Christmas and New Year are around the corner, but our sales are not increasing! We even launched a new product a month ago, which is showing good results but it’s still not good enough.

A notification from my phone got me out of my stressing thoughts.

Its-Oh.

“Miss Alina, I’m sorry for last time that I had to leave you in the middle of our conversation. I would like to make up for it. Can we meet at seven?”

I accepted the offer without any second thought. Wait, did I just smiled over a text?

That depends on you. Do you want to spend your rest of the life with me and hear me taunting you, Miss Alina Alonso?

His cold, honey sweet voice echoed in my mind. Thankfully before drowning more into it, Miss Ava came with the sales report that looked nothing but like s**t. I think it’s the time for my employees to get an earful from me and start working their asses off.

At exact seven, I saw a black Mercedes parked in front of my office, waiting for me. A man in black suit, black hair, tall, handsome, with frames came out and opened the door for me. It was HIM. I never knew a small gesture such as opening a door could make the butterflies in my stomach fly, but they did anyway. At least now I know that they are alive, ‘cause after years of dating men, I thought they might have died because they never showed interest.

“Hello Miss Alina. May I do the honours?”

He took my hand and got me seated to the passenger seat. Soon he also took the driver’s seat and started driving.

“So are you ready for the date ma’am?”

“But I was told that it was a make-up dinner, not a date.”

“But would you have denied me if I asked you for a date?”

“Maybe.” I bit back a smile. I could feel my cheeks getting pink. I saw him from the corner of my eyes. He was also suppressing a smile. The rest of the drive went without any conversation. We reached a restaurant that I never knew even existed in NY. It was small and low-key, but it had that cozy vibe. Without even tasting I could tell their food was delicious. I don’t remember the last time I have eaten so much.

We talked about general stuff, like weather and favourite colour and all. I didn’t wanted to talk about family, and I think neither did he, so we avoided even bringing up the topic. He paid the bill, even when I insisted him that we should either split or let me pay. But he didn’t do either. We walked to his car and he started driving.

“So what are the plans now, Mr Joel?”

“First I think we should stop using miss and Mr.”

“I agree. So what are the plans Joel?” I emphasised on his name. I saw a dimple being appeared. I don’t know why but I that dimple did something to me. Something way wilder. I just wanted to lick that dimple. I wanted to taste it. Or maybe I could put some ice cream in it and eat it, better.

“I don’t know about me but you surely had some plans, don’t you?”

“And what makes you think that?”

“The way you are ogling me.”

I don’t know about this man, but my fantasies are surely gonna be the death of me. I forgot I have been staring at him, for a very long time. Worst, he caught me staring.

“I-I’m not ogling you.” I said and turned my head to see outside of my window. Unfortunately, there was nothing more interesting than the man sitting beside me.

He stopped in front of my apartment. I don’t know why but I was disappointed.

I get out and said him goodbye with a tight smile. I hope I’m not being that obvious.

“Wait Alina!”