First, when she walked barefoot on the grass on their way here. Then, eating the sandwich without caring if the few juices were dripping on her lips and into her hands.
And when she started licking the side of her lips and her fingers, he knew he had to look away. The thought of his lips doing that for her was too consuming. He was afraid that he might do something that would scare her off.
“If you don’t mind, I just need to make a phone call.” He made an excuse to leave her side before he did something that he might regret. No, he would surely regret it. He corrected himself.
“Who are you going to call at this late of the night?” She did not realize that she uttered the question loudly. She suddenly bit her tongue for the slip-up.
“It is not any of your concern.” He had no explanation for it. He was not expecting that she would be asking him that question.
“I’m sorry. I did not mean to say it, or ask it, or to pry.” She started mumbling as she chastised herself internally for being so nosy.
“Don’t worry about it.” He suddenly felt guilty that he was making a big issue of this. In the first place, it was him who was acting weird around her.
He only made that excuse because he was afraid of what he was thinking. If there was someone who should be sorry, it should be him for his unwanted thoughts. “I’ll be back.” He immediately left before he worsened the situation.
She took her last bite and decided to clean up while he was away. It was only fair since he was the one who cooked. If they were staying under this roof, they should learn to work together.
She could not help but noticed the way he was looking at her earlier before he excused himself. She wished to ignore it, but her brain seemed adamant to remember every bit of it. If her mind was correct, she had seen that look before, and she wished she did not recognize it.
She shook her head, hoping that she could erase it from her memory. But just like before, the new memory took residence in her brain.
“You can leave it there. I can do that later.” He offered when he got back and found her back turned on him as she stood in the kitchen sink.
“No need. I almost finish anyway.” She did not want to turn around, knowing that her mind was still replaying all her vivid memories.
She was afraid that if she did, he would see it in her eyes. He would know what she was thinking. She was not ready for that scenario.
“Well, I’ll be waiting for you in the study. It is just on the other side of the stairs. The first door.” He instructed, moving back to the direction he went to earlier to hide from her. It would seem that he could not stay in the same room as her tonight.
“Sure.” She responded without looking back. She was sure that she could easily find the room. She just needed a few more minutes to recompose herself and cleansed herself of her naughty thoughts.
After a few minutes, she felt that she was ready to face him again. She went to look for him and found the room as per his instruction.
“Let me show you to your room.” He said when he saw her knock on the door.
He quickly guided her to the second floor of the house and into the room to the right. “This will be your room.” He opened it to show her. “It had been a long day, so I better not keep you.” He told her as he stood not far away from her.
“Yeah, it had been a long day.” She seconded his observation. However, instead of moving away, he kept rooted on the floor next to her, staring into her eyes. “I guess I better get inside. Good night, Alex.”
She quickly moved inside the room and closed it behind her. She was glad that she was able to control herself, not waiting for a reply. Proud of herself for walking away. She was terrified at the way he was looking at her. It was all too consuming.
“It would seem that your date is a no-show.” Lance once again came to her side.
Observing from afar the foreign beauty drinking alone on the other side of the room would seem not enough anymore. Lance thought that when Jacky dismissed him earlier, she would be reuniting with her date. However, seeing her still alone was an opportunity he would not let go to waste.
His date was a no-show too, but she was genuinely sick, so she had an excuse. He did not mind since he met Jacky, who seemed more interesting than the girl his parents wanted him to date.
“Well, I’m sure he is just busy.” She tried to defend Marcus, who was still missing in action.
She was glad that Evan was there earlier, she had someone to talk to, but eventually, he too found someone he was interested in, leaving her alone again. But now, it would seem she would not be alone anymore as Lance was back to bother her.
But she was beginning to wonder where Marcus was. It had been hours since she last saw him with the girl he was dancing with earlier. Her mind was debating whether Alex was still making Marcus work or if he was already working on the girl.
Either way, she had no right to get mad at him, she thought. But then again, her brain insisted that she did because he was the one who invited her to be his date. He should be giving her some attention and not just left her to deal with the party alone.
“Then, if you don’t mind, I can use some company. My date also was a no show.” Lance finished the drink in his hand and looked at her. “Another one?” He indicated to the empty glass on her hand.
If it were not for Alex, he would not have attended this ceremony at all. He only wanted to support his friend on his birthday and his fight against their tradition. Anyway, at least something good happened as he looked at the girl at his side.
“Sure, why not?” She answered both his question. “I don’t mind another glass and your company.” She was not going to end this party alone. She thought. She was not a girl who liked to sulk around. She was no loser that Marcus could discard when he found something better.
“Good,” Lance said as he signaled the server for a fresh drink. “How about I tour you around?” He offered as he handed her the glass of champagne.
She knew she should not be drinking more. She already had several, but she was still mad at Marcus for abandoning her, so she took the glass and drank it in one go. “Ok. Lead the way.” She gave the empty glass to the passing waiter and waited for him to do the same.
He led her out of the party and out of the palace. They waited at the footstep of the front main door as one of the valets retrieved his car from where it was parked.
“Where are we going?” She asked as he helped her in his car.
It was a fancy-looking car that would have probably cost more than everything she owned. She sat on its plush leather seat, contemplating why she always ended up with these rich kids.
“I want to show you around, but if you have a request, I am more than happy to oblige.” Lance started the engine and let the engine roared as he waited for her answer.
“You decide. Surprise me.” She said since she had no idea what she wanted to see at this late of the night.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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