CHAPTER FORTY THREE

DALLAS


“I know I've probably said this like a million times since the airport but I'm so glad you're here.” Lisa squealed and threw her arms around my neck.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

“Just a million? Pretty sure you've said those exact words a billion times already. And each time, you squeal and throw your arms around me.”

“I just can't help it. You have no idea how sad I got when I thought you wouldn't come. I can't imagine anyone else being my maid of honor.” She beamed with smiles.

We were currently at the mall, shopping for a few things. With the wedding in just two days, Lisa was getting very paranoid. She kept coming up with new list of things we need to get. She dragged me to the mall with her.

I didn't tell her that I almost couldn't make it to her wedding. She might be understanding but I know deep down, it'll hurt her. Especially when she once offered to pay for my flight, but I declined.

I knew she already had enough responsibilities with the wedding planning and all the other expenses. I didn't want to be an additional burden.

I was certain I'd find a way before the wedding. Until everything became almost impossible. Then Oliver happened. A smile etched on my face as the thought of our last encounter flashed across my mind.

“What's that smile for?”

I flinched as I suddenly heard Lisa's voice close to my ear.

“Jesus, Lisa, you need to stop sneaking up on me like that.” I said as I placed a hand on my chest.

I pushed the shopping cart forward.

“Did I just startle an Olympic-medal fencer? Today must be my lucky day.”

She pretended to get teary and took a step back.

I threw her a smile.

Like Atlas, Lisa didn't judge me for the Olympic mistake. She believed that I would have won the Olympic that day. She understood me and even consoled me.

She didn't think I was selfish like everyone else did. Only Lisa knew how hard it was for me to make that choice. With her and Atlas's constant reminder, I managed to convince myself that I won that day. It made me get rid of the sadness faster.

“So, are you going to spill it, or do I have to force it out of you?”

“Spill what?” I asked

“Oh, please.” She gave me a knowing look, raising a brow. “The way you walked in here like you’ve got some serious tea to spill. I can see it on your face, Dallas. You’re practically bursting.”

I sighed, trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably as my lips twitched into a smile. “Fine… fine. But you have to promise you won’t get all weird about it.”

Lisa’s grin stretched wide.

“Baby, you know I can't make such promises. Now, spill"

I drew a long sigh. This isn't going to end well. I can already feel it.

I told her everything that happened since Ethan's last visit. Oliver's one week disappearance from the mansion, how I found the ticket, and what transpired between us while I was drying his hair.

I left out the part that I hadn't even purchased a ticket yet. I also didn't tell her how Oliver knew about her wedding, because even I don't know that information. I just assumed that I must have let it slip sometime and he took nkte of it.

Lisa’s jaw dropped, and she smacked my arm. “You are killing me, Dallas! Are you serious?”

“It’s… complicated.” I shifted, my pulse picking up just from thinking about it. “He’s always doing these things—getting close, saying these suggestive things—but he never actually does anything. It’s like he’s… testing me or something.”

“Dallas,” Lisa said, leaning in with a mischievous grin, “it’s obvious what you need to do.”

“Oh no. No, no, no.” I laughed nervously, shaking my head. “I know that look, Lisa, and I am not—”

“You need to just sleep with him!”

I gasped, feeling my cheeks flame up. “Are you crazy?”

"He left you a ticket, and then gave you a hair-drying session where he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Come on, this is beyond obvious. I know when the universe is playing matchmaking and it's totally shipping you both together."

“He isn't interested in me like that, I'm sure of it. You haven't met this man.” I said.

She stared at me for a second and shook her head.

“The fact that you think he isn't interested in you, is more reason you need to get laid. You're getting rusty.”

“I'm not getting rusty. I have a very active sex life, thank you very much.”

That was a big lie. I couldn't remember the last time I got intimate with a guy, but it was definitely years ago. Probably when I was still in Korea. All my recent orgasms are stimulated by my fantasy of getting intimate with my boss. I wanted him. Badly. But it's not the right time. He is still getting used to being touched. Sex would totally freak him out.

‘His words and actions didn't imply that he'd be freaked out by sex’ a voice said in my head, but I quickly shut it out.

Lisa's raised an eyebrow, catching my lie.

“Give me one good reason why you wouldn't sleep with him.”

“Because he is my boss.” I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. Even that sounded stupid in my ears.

“I think we already established that won't be a problem. He had his hands on you. Trapped you in so many intimate positions. That is so not work appropriate. Give me another reason. And it'd better be legit.”

She leaned on the shopping cart and angled her hand on her hip. I let out a sigh. There was no talking her out of it.

“He has a long line of girls, wishing to be his wife. I have no interest in joining that group.”

“I'm asking you to fuck him, Dal, not fall in love with him. Unless you're willing to,” she raised an eyebrow.

“Of course not!” I said, a bit sharper than I intended.

I darted my gaze around to see if anyone was looking. Lisa has a bad habit of spilling crude words in public. I'm no different from her and wouldn't normally be this embarassed. But strangely, I am.

Lisa let out a sigh and placed a hand on my shoulder. I was still a foot taller than her despite her heels.

“Listen Dal, you've been through a lot, and it's been a while since you had fun. This man is clearly attracted to you just like you are to him. He is not married, neither does he have a girlfriend, so you won't be hurting anyone. You don't have to be hard on yourself all the time. I'm telling you this as your best friend..." she leaned in and whispered into my ears "you need to fuck him out of your system."

I sighed.
"You do realize you're encouraging bad behavior, right?"

"That's what best friends are for, babe!" She squealed.
"Now let's go shop some badass dresses for the bachelorette."

"But didn't we already get dresses for the bachelorette?" I raised an eyebrow

"Well, those aren't badass enough. Let's get another one. And I decided to have my bachelorette at a club. Just with you and Ari."

She stalked off towards the counter, swaying her hips.

I sighed as I followed her.

I remembered something Lisa said and chuckled. Fall in love with Oliver Kang? Please. That was almost as impossible as getting him to eat ice-cream. Oliver Kang isn't capable of falling in love. He made his stance clear from the beginning. He wants to own me. I was his cure. An ordinary means to an end.

I wouldn't be so stupid to hand over my heart to someone that doesn't care about emotions. Lisa was right. I need to fuck the attraction I felt towards him out of my system. That's the only way to get rid of it.

Because I would never fall in love with Oliver Kang.