BE MY OBSESSION

CHAPTER 49

•SHELBY•

Life has never really felt like smooth sailing for me. Everything seems to have a hidden agenda, and the people you meet often have their own motives behind everything.

 I rarely do anything off-script in my life. I always feel this pressure to get things right, and even a tiny slip-up can throw everything into disarray, making me start over from scratch to climb back up the ladder.

But this morning is different. It's like I'm stepping into a fresh chapter without fretting about the usual stuff or anticipating any major deeds.

My mind has shaken off work-related thoughts, and I'm all happy and excited to embrace the day with a grin.

This is an unfamiliar feeling, a new level of happiness. All I can hope for is that it sticks around.

I took a moment inside the car to steady my racing heart. There's an unusual excitement coursing through me, and I can't stop smiling to myself.

Once I finally managed to calm down, I grabbed my handbag from the passenger seat and got out of the car. Locking up, I hopped on the elevator and headed to the ground floor.

Before stepping into the building, I had to put on a poker face. I don't want people to start asking why I'm so happy today. I am a private kind of person, and I intend to keep it that way.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, everyone turned toward me, smiles on their faces, and whispers filling the air. I looked around in puzzlement.

What's happening?

I walked across the room, heading for the elevators, shrugging off the odd looks I was getting.

Inside the elevator again, doors closing, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. That was weird – why was everyone so smiley today?

And here I was, planning to keep my happiness to myself and treat today like any other day.

My phone started ringing in my bag. I fished out my sleek iPhone, glancing at Adam's workstation and noticing he wasn't there.

"Hey, good morning, Miss Falcon. Are you heading to work already?"

He asked with a strangely upbeat tone.

"Yep, just got in. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, uh... well, there's something you should know..."

I didn't catch the rest of his words as I walked into my office and saw William leaning casually against my desk, holding a huge bouquet of lilacs.

Oh my goodness.

"What... is going on?" I couldn't stop my smile from growing as I asked.

He pushed away from the desk, a smile playing on his lips as he approached.

"Morning." He leaned in and planted a warm kiss on my lips.

Then he passed me the bouquet, which I had to cradle with both arms due to its weight.

"What's this for?"

"They're for you." I chuckled, looking down at the lilacs.

They're really beautiful.

"Okay, but what's the occasion?"

He shrugged, slipping a hand into his pocket.

"No real reason. I just thought I'd bring you flowers to put a smile on that beautiful face."

I pouted, hugging the bouquet closer to my chest.

"Thanks. I love them, they're gorgeous."

"I know because you're not a fan of roses."

He smirked, and suddenly the memory of Michael showing up with a bunch of roses flashed in my mind. I had to accept them, simply because they were from Michael.

William knew I didn't like roses. There's no particular reason; they're just not my favorite flowers.

I walked over to my desk, carefully placing the bouquet down. Turning back to William, I looped my arms around his neck.

"Aren't you cutting it close for work, Mr. Fontane?"

He leaned in closer, his lips hovering just above mine, sending butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

"Doesn't matter. I'm the CEO, I can show up whenever."

I chuckled, tugging him a bit closer.

"Well, this CEO has a ton of stuff to do today, and your presence is a major distraction."

He leaned in even closer, lips almost brushing mine, and it set off a riot of butterflies in my stomach.

"Good. I enjoy distracting you."

His lips met mine in a gentle kiss, his hands around my waist pulling me in. But before we could even kiss for a minute, the door swung open behind us.

"Oops, sorry to interrupt." Adam's apologetic voice filled the air.

I shot him a glare over William's shoulder.

"Try that again and you're fired."

He sheepishly grinned before slowly shutting the door and leaving.

William turned back to me, and I was ready to kiss him again, but he pulled away.

"I guess that was my cue to leave."

I scowled, as his arms started to loosen from around me.

"Wait..."

He smiled again, taking a couple of steps backward.

Why's he giving me that look?

"Be ready around noon. I'll swing by to pick you up. I want to take you somewhere."

I smirked, twirling a strand of hair around my finger.

"Another surprise?"

He didn't respond, just winked before turning and leaving the room.

Goddamit. If he keeps this up, I'm going to fall even harder for him. This feeling is driving me crazy. I need to open up and let him know soon.

And today feels like the perfect day to tell someone you love them.