Tulip's Destiny

IX - Up To You

The doors slammed shut, keeping the scorching heat wave from getting in the office lobby. Raine walked in the halls in a hurry, her hair all over her face. "Well, that's new! " Khalil said, still looking at his computer screen. "I woke up late!" Raine let out, chasing breaths one after another. "And you're a mess!" He laughed, looking at her in disbelief. "Yeah, tell me about it." Raine sneered, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "You'll have to clean up, young lady."

"And for what?" She asked, before shrugging off her heels to the side then plopping down on one of the chairs in front of Khalil's desk. "He's coming in 10 minutes." He smiled cunningly. "Who? He? He... Mikhail? I mean Mr. Bruxen?" Raine asked wide-eyed, frantically running towards a mirror. Khalil shook his head and began to laugh. "He makes you  crazy, admit it."

"No, he doesn't" Raine denied with a high pitched tone. "Now, how do I look?" She asked. "Oh, he surely does!" He teased, rolling his eyes. "Tell me about it... how did you meet?" Khalil continued, putting the computer off to the side. "Well... at the gallery. A friend I met in Holland introduced him to me."  Raine recalled, smiling uncontrollably at the thought. The thought of last night's events kept rewinding in her mind. Everything about him spiraling out of control.

"Boring!!!" Khalil yawned, getting up his chair. "Edi wow! You!" She hissed, turning to him. " And let me guess. You're eyes locked. There were sparks. Butterflies everywhere. All that fairytale thing, huh?" He said dramatically.

"You're just jealous!" Raine said proudly, raising a brow. "Why would I be?" Khalil asked, crossing his arms. "Why would I be?" She mockingly repeated. "You snitch!" Khalil sneered walking towards her. Raine immediately backed off while making a face. "You coward! You can't even get yourself out of the friendzone!" She grinned taking three big steps backward before she hit what seemed to be a wall... or not.

"Pleasant morning, Raine." A soft velvet voice pronounced. In shock, she turned around to see who it was. "Bleu? Ah— Mik-k- Mr. Bruxen! Good morning!" She greeted with an awkward smile before looking at Khalil with a playful glare.

He was wearing a gray suit with a black inner blouse. A smile quickly grew on his face as he took Raine's casual attire. "You should have at least told me you're going to wear patterns. We could have matched!" Mikhail chuckled. "Yeah, maybe next time!" Raine snorted, realizing how funny she must be looking right now. She just wore a cheetah print turtleneck with jeans and red heels. "You're beautiful..." He whispered, as their eyes locked with each other. "Thank you." Raine said shaking her head with a soft smile

"So, do we just stand here? " Khalil politely interrupted. "Of course... lead the way Khalil." Mikhail nodded, allowing his thoughts to settle.

"Coffee, Mr. Bruxen?" Raine asked, holding a cup of freshly brewed coffee. "Yes, please." Mikhail smiled while sitting himself on a chair. "Black, no sugar." Raine continued, placing the cup gently on the coffee table in front of them. Khalil went on and on, discussing the different clauses of the contract. Raine was attentively taking notes of all points both men had been going over. Although Mikhail had been actively responding, he couldn't help but take glances at her from what seemed like a magnetic field pulling him closer to her.

"Any questions?" Khalil asked, finishing the last page. "I have none." Mikhail replied in a stern voice. "So, what do you say we visit the sites tomorrow?" Khalil continued. "I was just thinking about that. We'll need to take a more strategic approach for our customers." Raine started. "You mean?" Khalil said, scrunching his brows. "Wouldn't it be lazy to just pick a spot? I mean, surely our client here knows the hotel industry as much. Let's let him choose." Raine said. "Now, wouldn't it be lazy to let me do it? You know your home country more than I do. I'll leave it to you. And we aren't really in a rush so take your time, it'll be fine. You can also consult to our marketing department if you want." He smirked, while his eyes drifted back and forth from Khalil to Raine looking at her distinctively. "Okay." Raine shrugged off, smiling at Khalil. "Sure." Khalil confirmed.