After an arranged marriage to seal a business deal at 18, Evelyn lives an almost perfect life with Daniel Beckett, whom she grew to love. Two years after their marriage, on her 20th birthday, Daniel got shot by drunk police officers. Meanwhile, the...
“You’re talking to me directly, so I’m assuming you don’t have any problem with Beckett's property. “I said over the IP office phone. Oaklyn was standing beside me while I was making a call with a customer. Trying to convince him to buy our properties. You’re already here. The first one is 42. We still have that if 92 as well. I pointed out. We are talking about premium, right?
‘Ring-Ring-Ring!’
My vibrating phone on the table caught my attention.
‘Ring-Ring-Ring!’
“Please, give me a moment to call you back.” I said over the phone to the customer. “Its just for a moment and I’ll be back shortly.” I ended the call immediately and answered my mobile phone. It was Adam.
“Hello.”
“Hello Eve, I just drove into your company.”
My heart sank at his voice over the phone. It’s his first time calling.
“Oh, really?” I cleared my throat, trying not to stammer. Wait, why would I stammer? “Okay.. I’ll infirm someone to direct you upstairs.” I cut the call and turned to Oaklyn, whom like a statue, had been staring at the laptop on my desk.
“Please help me direct a guest from the reception. His name is Mr. Adam.”
She pulled back and smiled, adjusting her black pencil skirt.
“Why do you act funny these days?” my eyes rolled at her change of mood. “I just sent you an errand.”
“Ma.” Oaklyn smiled. “That’s because you’ve changed a lot.”
“Is that so?” I blushed from the withheld smile. “Then get used to it if I’ve changed, okay? Go bring my guest up here. He must be waiting." I reminded her.
“Okay.” Oaklyn bowed and walked out. Watching her leave, I adjusted my hair, making sure that I was as good as I was before leaving home.
Raising my skirt a little higher to my waistline so it exposes my knees, reaching my mid-thigh level. There was a framed photograph of Hazel on the wall just before my desk. I looked at her and I knew for sure, wasn’t ready for this. I was always ready to dive into any relationship without thinking, but this is so out of it. Falling in love with Adam would shatter out the image. I should have cut him off already. I reminded myself.
Just then, I felt someone walked in. Without turning my back on him, I knew it was Adam.
"What are you doing, Eve?" His baritone voice broke the silence.
"Thinking about you." I replied and he gave an half smile.
"Thinking about us."
"It's impossible." I completed the statement.
Adam placed his hands around my waist, kissing me on the trapezius, the back of my shoulder. He wasn’t as tall as I was. Although I was in heels, he barely reached my jawline. It was with him. I knew a guy didn’t have to be taller than you to be attractive. Adam is a charm that caught my eyes. And soul. Holding me tighter and pulling me closer, Adam wrapped his arms around me. The volume of his breath made my heart sink into the depth of my chest. It confused me.
I gently faced him, taking his hands away from my body.
“What’s wrong with you, Eve?” A frown formed between his thick eyebrows, and I let out an exasperated sigh.
“We shouldn’t be doing this.” I said, catching my fluttering breath.
“Why?” He stared at me as if he had just realized what love is.
“It’s not right. You’re like a son to me, Hazel mustn’t find out. No one must.
“I never knew you to be conscious of what others think about you. I thought you were a boss lady. A straight-up boss.” he quoted from how I introduced myself on Hazel’s birthday.
My dark brown eyes blinked a few times, settling into his blue eyes. I think I just had goosebumps. They might be permanent.
“I’m still on my words.” I insisted.
“Why?” he asked after looking at me.
“Because it’s not just right.” I pulled away.
“Okay, what exactly is not right about us? That I kissed you or the fact that I love you?”
“You’re my daughter’s friend. It feels like I’m with my daughter.”
“Oh, excuse me? You’re talking to a 26-year-old master’s student. May I remind you I’m an adult, darling?”
I rested a hand on my hip. “And do you know how old I am?”
“Shock me.” He rolled his eyes with a half-smile ripped on his lip.
I huffed. “39.”
“Fine, 26, 39, what’s the difference?” He said with an amused smirk.
“Gosh!” I gazed up, rolling my eyes. “Adam, it can’t work.”
“Baby...” He pulled me closer to him, with just an inch between us. Staring into his eyes, I could perceive the volume of his breath against my face. “Age is just a number, and there’s nothing else to understand.”
I clenched on my Jaws, with held breaths trying to focus on one thing at a time.
“I love you.” Adam’s words came as a whisper. “I swear, I really do. And I could say a lot of things right now, since you stole my heart, but backing up is not one of them. I know you’ve got the power, fame and authority to get me out of your way, but let me stay a little longer with you.” His words sounded like a plea, but he held so much control over me.
With his arms wrapped around as if he’d never let me go. Looking over at me with the rim of his thick eyelashes, lacing his steady eyes that were focused on mine as if reading them. Studying the playing lines in my mind, Adam brought a hand up to my jaw with his thumb caressing my lips. The pressure was light, but it was enough for me to know what he wanted.
“If in another life, we met again by some miracle. Fall in love with me, Eve.” He pulled forward, tilting his head a little.
My heart stopped at the feeling that he was going to kiss me and swiftly pulled away.
“Um...” A blush creeped unto my cheeks, I just cut him off. “I need to be alone.”
A little disappointed, he nodded, as if he could read my mind one blink at a time. “I just came here. You’ll miss me.”
“Adam, please! I’m at work. You’re distracting me.”
I took my seat, and he raised both hands above him in defeat and understanding.
“Okay, I won’t bother you. This might be too soon, but I’m not letting go of you. Never. Don’t forget that.” He fondled with his clean shave, walking to my desk, halting right behind me. He leaned closer, his lips by my ears filling the space between us.
“You don’t know me.”
“I want to, though.” Adam planted a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll chat you up.” He said and walked out. Listening to the awkward silence that followed, he closed the door. I let out my held breaths in relief, with both hands against my head in the puzzlement.
“I think I’m in love.”
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