CHAPTER 32

Awkward. Awkward.

This is awkward.

Yes, it's you. I remember him saying.



We are now sitting in his 2013 BMW 4-Series Coupe in silence.

"You know, we don't need to be this silent.” He murmurs. I shrug.

"I just don't know what to say," I replied.

"You don't need to reply anything. Just be the person you were before Martha came in and dropped the bomb." He said calmly.

When I look at him, he's so focused on his driving that you may not be able to notice the tension on his eyes. I don't know but it feels like I know him for so long that even how fast his eyes blink, I'll know if he's tensed or not.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He said and I calmly smiled.

"It costs more than just a penny," I said, teasing. "You know my work.." I continue. "I mean on Jems," I added.

He looks at me and oh boy! Those eyes, those eyes that are full of desire are now looking at me. He moves a little closer to me, still looking at me intently.

Red. Burn. Fire.
That's all I can feel. It’s like the car's air conditioner isn't enough.

It feels like the two God of fire meet. I swallowed. I tensed in my seat but still managed to look at him eye to eye.

My eyes even though they're looking at him, it’s blinking more than necessary.

This is what professionals do.

This is what professionals do.

I repeat the mantra over and over again in my head.

"Maintaining eye-to-eye contact when deep inside, you're about to explode. Impressing." He said looking away. Let's not forget the smirk he gave.

I gazed at him. Not being able to form a word. I was mesmerized. I can still see his eyes looking at me. Then reality hit me. I shook my head and he chuckled. "Bad boss," I whispered.

"I'm not that bad. It’s just that you used your smart mouth on me." He replied.

Again, he looked at me and for the second time, he got my attention. I may have to poke it out of him so he can't have that power over me. I closed my eyes for a second to feel my brain and tell it to think of a good response.

"My smart mouth brings any man on his knees,” I replied. Wait? What did I say? Shoot me.

He chuckled. "Right"

"You're supposed to be driving," I said, trying to avoid the continuation of our conversation.

"Actually.. You might have to stop staring at me so you would see that we're already at the hotel." He replied, smirking.

Oh.. My.. Goodness.I closed my eyes praying the ground to just eat me up so I would disappear from this awkward situation. I forced myself to look outside, and yeah, we were really in the hotel's restaurant. It looks like an expensive hotel. Those five star hotels you see in the magazines. Some parts of it are the same as the one we first dined.

Oh! He owned it. When I look at it’s name, that's when I assured that it’s his. I saw that name on one of the accounts that Jean and I arranged last time.

That's when the blue folder came again to my head. Why do I need to be so forgetful? The blue folder I saw Jean keeping and protecting when I asked her about it and the same folder that I saw on her desk a while ago.
When I looked at Emerson's position, I didn't notice that he was already outside and he opened my door.

"A teaser and a gentleman, I assume," I said as he offered his hand to me.

He smiled. "I can also be sweet when needed." He replied as he put my hand on his arm and guided me on the entrance of the hotel.

It’s one of those five-star hotels you may want to visit whenever you're here in New York.

The chandeliers are at the center of the lobby where there are sofas and chairs and the reception area. We just walk passed them and enter on the glass where we are greeted by a middle aged waitress I think.

"Good evening Mr. Emerson." The woman greeted looking professional to the man beside me. "Ms. Guildings," she said. I'm surprised she knew me.

"This way please."

Then she led us to our reserved seats. "Thank you, Margarette," Emerson said to the woman. Margarette just smiled and took our orders.

"So, about earlier" Emerson started but then I stopped him.

"No, it’s okay. You don't need to explain anything." I interrupted.

"Just hear me first." He said. He looks so eager. And. And intimidating.

"Okay. Shoot."

"I like you." Emerson stated. I like you. Did I hear it right?

I look away from him because that would create a lot of feelings. Feelings that I don't want to feel and the feelings I'm trying to avoid. Sebastian and Emerson, both confess me the same thing in a restaurant. The only difference is that this place is so much nicer than the place that I and Sebastian went.

"I pour out my heart on you and you just zoned out," Emerson said. When I look at him, his eyes are blazing and I don't know what it means.

"I'm sorry; it’s just that I don't know what I should say," I replied looking away from him.

Then he stood up and walked on my way.

"Dance with me," he said, offering his hand to me.

"But... there's no one dancing," I replied while looking around us. People are just eating, and no one's dancing.

"Yes, I see that. And yet, I don't care. We can initiate it. You'll see, they'll follow our lead." He replied, still offering his hand.

I sighed and took his hand.

He led me at the center of the Hotel's Restaurant and that's when the music started to fade in another song. I raised my brows.

"Did you arrange it?" I ask.

"Maybe no and maybe it’s just a coincident," he replied smiling.

Can you not smile at all?

Shaking my head "You do know how to dance." I teased.

"I may have been put in a dance class when I was a teenager," he replied.

I stopped dancing and grin. "Oh my gosh! You are?" I ask not keeping the glee I feel.

He rolls his eyes on me. "Don't talk," he said and I smiled.
While we are dancing I look up at him because he's way taller than me even though I'm in heels. "ahmm. Emerson?" I started.

Then he looks at me. "Hm?"

"I wanted to tell you something," I said.

"You like me?" he asks. "Is that what you'll say?" he added. I hear hopes.

This man! He's so arrogant. Well, it's still true. You like him.

I know I blush. "Red cheeks suit you," he said teasingly.

Then it’s my turn now to roll my eyes.

"What were you sa.." I heard Emerson say when someone interrupted us.

"May I cut in?" then both Emerson and I look on to whose voice it is.