I Need Your Warmth (Original, English Version)

Chapter 4 - Clara Regan

I managed to do my work the following week even when thoughts of Allen invade my mind. He wasn't my first kiss, and I've gone on dates with other guys before... but I've never felt the same way with him. He's different. Completely different.

Work in the office is still the same. I still get blamed here and there when issues arise in the projects I'm involved in. Normally, the menial tasks get assigned to the younger members in a team, and I'm pretty much the youngest, if not one of the youngest, in the teams I'm in. I understand it's how office politics works but it gets tiring sometimes. It lowers my morale when I'm not in the mood. I think I prefer working on site, where I can see how the projects get developed according to plan. Seeing the improvements and the eventual completion gives me a sense of achievement and satisfaction.

I feel a bit jumpy because of Allen. Up until now, I'm not sure if he's serious. He hasn't contacted me since last week, when I swooned over him. I still grimace every single time I remember it. It was very embarrassing.

Oliver called me to his office on Friday to tell me that he won't be giving me any more projects in the company. Instead, he wants me to collaborate with AES Constructions as a favor to Lee. I agreed to his arrangement.

Currently, I only have one project I was leading, the one with Allen's property. As for being a team member, I have three of those. Two will be completed in a few months and there are others who can take care of the rest. I welcomed the change, maybe I'll like it better.

That same day, right before I get off work, I received a message from Allen. I checked myself. I even get flustered with just a text message. I'm hopeless. He was asking if I'm available to have dinner with him tonight.

"If it's a simple restaurant with simple food where I can wear casual clothes, I'm available." I'm not being presumptuous but I've been on dates before where the guy asked me to wear uncomfortable formal clothing. I only wear those when highly necessary. On dates? Definitely a turn off for me.

"I'll pick you up." He replied. I thought he meant from my house. I was surprised when he showed up at the lobby of the company. Casual clothes look good on him.

We exchanged pleasantries as we walked to his car.

"I forgot to ask... you must have a car, right?" He asked, but I understand what he meant.

"It's currently in the shop. It broke down a couple of weeks ago."

"Oh, that's good then. I'll drive you home. You can rest first."

I hummed my agreement.

I managed to stare at him this time without getting flustered. During the drive, I only stared at him. He only glanced a few times, but he's smiling. I expected him to start a conversation but he didn't. Suddenly, I thought it's unfair how much flustered I get because of him but I can't even make him blush.

I invited him in while I change. We didn't go out immediately, though. We rested for half an hour before going out. He only held my hand while we were resting.

He brought me to a local restaurant serving food like home-cooked meals.

"I didn't think you would come to a place like this." I stated as soon as we occupied a table. We sat across each other. Someone brought us the menu.

"I normally don't. But I've been to places like these when I was younger."

"And these days?"

"I'm too busy. I usually ask my assistant to order delivery."

I didn't expect that answer so I laughed.

"Nooo... you do?" I was thoughtful for a second. "I guess it makes sense when you're too busy."

"I'm normally very busy during weekdays. I make it a point to own my weekends, though. Sometimes, I get Fridays off, too."

"That's good. You need to rest and take breaks, too."

"You don't take your work home? Sometimes, when I'm resting at home, I find myself thinking about company issues." He related. I smiled.

"That happens, too. I have my laptop for work with me all the time, but I don't use it at home." I explained. The lady came back to take our orders. Each of us chose a few dishes, drinks and dessert.

"I like how you're no longer flustered." He smiled widely and I can't help but grimace at his statement. He chuckled after that. He sounds really nice.

"You've liked me even before, didn't you?" He got me. I bit my lip.

"Since when?" He asked, smiling genuinely as if he's really interested and he's not offended.

"College? Senior year. That would be three years ago. I wrote a term paper about you and your company. You look better in person." I admitted sheepishly.

"I see." He nodded and we were silent again, just stared at each other. I smile when he smiles.

"Did you really ask me out on dates? I still think I might have only imagined it." I tried to confirm.

"Isn't this our first date, though? There's something different about you that makes me interested." Hearing his statement made me smile.

"I've thought that, too. I've dated and kissed other men, but you're the only who made me flustered to that degree. It was terribly embarrassing. Didn't it turn you off?" I was curious.

"It made me want to tease you more, and protect you when you swoon." He just had to tease me about it. I rolled my eyes at him. The food arrived and we enjoyed them together. We bantered while eating. He focused on teasing me, but he also mentioned that he simply wanted me to feel comfortable. Soon, his teasing words doesn't have that much effect on me anymore. I still feel a fluttering in my heart when he says something sweet, though.

I've imagined meeting him, but I've always thought he'd be cold and arrogant. He'd totally ignore me and not even spare a glance. I'm more than glad to be proven wrong.

"Is that a prejudice against male CEOs?" He asked when I mentioned it to him.

"I think it was influenced by novel plots. That's how majority of them portray male CEOs." I explained to him.

"You've read such novels?"

"A few." I admitted.

"Didn't you make a term paper on me and my company? What did you write about?" He asked.

"It's about management and company growth. It's on a minor business subject. I haven't found personal information, then. Or anecdotes. I figured you're a very private person."

"Would you like to hear anecdotes, then?" He offered, and I found myself smiling widely at him, a little speechless.

"Hmmm...? I'd like to hear one." I asked after stopping myself from chuckling.

He was thoughtful for a moment before he told me a couple of stories he did when he was just starting out. He can be animated when he needed to. It's fun listening to him. He's really talkative.