Chapter 33: Inhale To Exhale

Ricardo's POV

With great hesitation, I went up the stairs. I knew who and what awaited me in my bedroom and I wasn't looking forward to another argument with Penelope.

Reaching my room, I pushed in the door and entered. She was laying on the bed, reading a magazine quietly. She looked up from the page as I stepped deeper into the room.

"Is she upset with you about what I said?" she asked, flipping one of the pages.

"What did you really want to accomplish down there?" I asked her, "On second thought, don't even answer that question. I'm exhausted and I don't want to get into it again with you."

"Ricardo, you can be so crass at times. You need to get over yourself."

I exhaled loudly. I've been doing that alot lately and ever since our paths crossed again.

"I can see that I'm annoying you and lately, you've been pushing away everyone close to you. And for what?" She got up from the bed, "I'll be occupying a guest bedroom until you come to your senses!"

She walked out of the room, slamming the door on her way out.



Adani's POV

Although he wasn't holding me anymore, I felt his arms and his hands trailing me still. I couldn't shake the jubilant feeling as I walked back into my bedroom and locked the door behind me.

"Oh my goodness. I can't believe I made-out with Mr. Parriston," I told myself as I threw my body face-down to the bed where a comforting sleep welcomed me shortly after.

~

Taking time to myself, I tried my all to avoid running into Mr. Parriston on the following days.

On Tuesday, we were heading in the same direction to the entrance but I caught wind of him first and slipped into one of the living room area until he passed by.

On Wednesday, I avoided him at breakfast in the kitchen.

But it all ended on Thursday when I was called into his home office.

"Miss. Prime, please have a seat," he said.

"Thank you. And I think we've outgrown  the formalities. Please call me Adani. Save the 'Miss. Prime' for my mother" I said as I sat down across from him.

"I'll be meeting her?"

I flushed.

"I couldn't help but notice you've been avoiding me. Look, if I've made you uncomfortable, I sincerely apologize."

"You haven't, but I thought it would be best to put some distance between us out of respect for your relationship."

"I see."

" Mr. Parriston, I.."

"Call me Ricardo when we're alone," he said with a smirk.

"Okay. Ricardo. I know what it feels like to be a woman scorned and I don't want to be the cause of this happening to your fianceé."

"Mmm. Anyways, that's not the reason I've called you. As you know, Mavielle is still recuperating. In the meantime, I've hired someone else to take her place. I want you to provide her with a tour and show her what is required. She's only temporary. I've decided you and Mavielle are all this mansion needs."

"Okay. I'll do that."

"Expect her in the morning."

"Would that be all?"

His eyes twinkled and a mischievous smile spread across his lips. He bit the bottom of his lip as he locked his eyes on me as I stood up from the seat.

"You really want me to answer that question?" he asked me.

"What I would like to know is where is all of this coming from. You're a successful business man. I'm just your maid. Is it because I'm vulnerable or...."

"Adani, no. I would never prey on you. What happened, it happened because I have feelings for you. "

I scoffed. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Feelings? Yeah right!

"I don't believe you."

"Why?"

"You can have any woman you want. Women have literally thrown themselves at you. I've seen images of you with actresses, designers, models and successful business women."

"So?"

"So why me, what is it about me?"

"Your smile makes me smile and it betters my day. It's something I admire the most about you. Your shyness intrigues me and makes me what to know more about you. Your hair reminds me of a crown and it tells me that your head should always be held high. That's why I don't want to see you lower your face and cry. You take pride in what you do. You're respectful even when your buttons are pressed beyond limits. Believe, I've noticed. When you told me about your past, it makes me want to be around you twenty four seven to ensure he never gets to hurt you again. That's why it's you, Adani."

The words flew from his mouth with ease as if he has been waiting to say this to me for weeks. My heart tugged with happiness and I cussed myself mentally for how much of a softie I can actually be.

"Ricardo.. I don't know what to say. That was the nicest thing a man ever said to me.. I.. I'm flattered."

I watched slowly as he stood up and walked to me. He cupped my face in the palms of his hands.

"I meant every word," he said sweetly. As if put under a trance, I looked him in his eyes and couldn't shake myself this time.

Closer, inch by inch, his lips moved to mine until they met. A wave of warmth enveloped me as he wrapped me in his arms and deepened the kiss. My hands reached out for his chest and trailed downwards, lower and lower, until I touched him.

The bulged in his pants was on steel mode.

I pictured the ways I wanted him to have me on his desk but reality slapped the shit out of me.

"Ricardo.. we can't. Not this again," I said and recoiled.

"You're right. And I'm sorry. You made it clear before."

He stepped away with an expression I didn't know he would have showed. Feeling torn between having my way with him and decency, I did what I felt was right.

I left the office.

~
The next morning, I was up early. I made my breakfast and was looking forward to meeting the new maid. She was scheduled to arrive at 8:00 am and silly me didn't even inquire her name from Mr. Parriston.

At ten minutes to eight, I was notified by security that the maid had arrive and she was waiting in the foyer.

I went to meet her.

"Good morning, I'm Adani and you must be..."

"Hi, Adani."

"Adonna?"

~

Mr. Parriston entered soon after.

"Ah, Adonna, you're here. It's been ages, how are you?" Mr. Parriston asked and they exchanged hugs.

Ages?

Hugs?

"Adani is going to show you around and take you underneath her wings. Have yourselves a wonderful day, ladies."

"Thank you," Adonna and I answered and we watched him leave before I turned to her.

"I have questions," I started.

"I bet you do."

"Please, explain."

"I quit my evening job at the restaurant and my boss at the office got on my last nerves two weeks ago. I cussed him out and walked off."

"Okay. That explains why you are available for the position. But what did Mr. Parriston meant by 'its been ages', how do you know him personally?"

"I didn't tell you everything that evening, you know, when Destiny helped with you getting the interview."

"What didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"Ric and I were once upon a time..."

A fear rocked my core. I hoped she wasn't going to say what I thought she was going to say.

"Neighbors," came her full sentence.

I exhaled with relief but another thought filled my mind.

"Wait.. He was the rich neighbor your ex was jealous about and accused you of sleeping with?" I asked.

"Yes."

"You had a crush on him, I recall. Do you still like him?" I asked again.

"Yes."