SHE (Book #1)

14

***Malachi POV**

This is probably the most annoying thing I have ever experienced in my entire twenty years of life. I finally understand how women feel when I don't answer their calls.
I have been calling her for days ever since we saw each other that night.
The night I was out with Margo, for a friendly dinner. My father was the one who initiated that I ask her for dinner because he is making deals with her father, things he wouldn't clarify and I had to argue that she isn't my problem blah blah blah. Of course, I had to do what he said in the end.

Now, because of him, I seem like a douche.

I know she isn't busy, because she and Liv have been shopping for Liv's upcoming birthday. I also saw her out with her bodyguard at the mall. When I tried to get her attention, she didn't even look my way. I would have approached her if her bodyguard wasn't death glaring at me from beside her.

I am conflicted.
Is she jealous?
If so, that's a win for me.
But she doesn't seem to care for me at all, so I don't think she would be.
But she is showing jealous tendencies.

Cute. Very cute, but it's getting in my way. I need to be able to communicate with her.
So here I am, at the front of her door, with a gift, I think she would admire.
A book.
She seems like a book lover anyways, always in and out of book stores. I also want to discuss with her our plans for tomorrow. I am supposed to be giving her a tour around my "shoe store" if you would even call it that, and the underground building.

The door opens, the light from the foyer streams out into the dark night. I smile and enter, following the helper to the living room.
Then my smile drops.
Someone is already here.

"Oh, Malachi. I didn't expect you to be here," he stands to meet my height and extends his hand.
Donovan Blackwell, a promiscuous and scandalous man, and in my opinion, a man unworthy to be in Tempest's presence.

What shocks me is... he is Margo's brother.
Tempest saw me with Margo the last time we were together.
This cannot be a coincidence.

I shake his hands, "I just came to discuss something with her," I look at where she sits, taking a sip of her coffee, so late in the evening.

I look at the table, where a small Gucci box sits, clearly a gift from Donovan. He is known for his bribery and expensive presents, always saying it is the best way to a woman's heart. Disgusting. I want to obliterate him from existence.

Tempest stands up, "Would you please discuss the matter with Frank. I was just about to accompany Donovan out,"

Donovan looks between me and Tempest.
I try my best not to hurl him out the door myself.
I hide the book behind my back, slightly embarrassed at the difference in presents.

I watch them walk out the front door, as the man who is known as Frank walks in. I realize he is the bodyguard that is always with her. They seem to have such a nice bond for employer and employee. He is always doing more than he should, like pulling her jacket up when her shoulder is slightly exposed, laughing at her words, and I even saw him tie her shoes the other day even though she was clearly embarrassed to have a grown man do it for her.

I might seem like a stalker, but I have always seemed to be around whenever they were at the mall. I was intrigued by her, but seeing their dynamic also amused me.

"Mr. Stone, how may I help you?" he asks as he peeps at my arm that is hidden behind me, "You're not hiding a weapon, are you?"

I almost laugh as I reveal the book in my hand, "No, Sir. I- I was going to give this to her, but she seems to have received a better gift, I suppose," I turn to the box that lies on the table.