Illicit Attraction

23: The Offer

Era

Mixed emotions came twirling inside my chest. I was happy. Very much happy. But also, I couldn't control my mind from brooding. Hesitation was consuming me when I accepted Olivia Hane's offer.

As I walked through the lobby of the building where I live, I found Henry standing in front of the reception. He turned around and smiled when the receptionist motioned his hand on me. Still, in his black suit, he looked like a bachelor attending a prom. He was holding a bouquet of roses and champagne on his other hand, waving it.

"Hey," I greeted.

"Hey." He kissed me on my lips, ignoring the people's gaze towards us. "I think these flowers are for you." He said, winking.

"Thanks. These are lovely." I laughed softly as the bunch of blood-red roses landed on my arms. "Wait, you've been standing here for how long?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I just got here too. Sorry if I didn't fetch you. I wanted to surprise you and deliver my gift personally."

My forehead creased. "What gift?"

Henry flashed that captivating smile. "You'll see. Come on," he said, grabbing my hand.

We went to the building's parking area. There were a few cars here. Maybe seven to ten including the owner. Most of the borders here were walkers. Not walkers in The Walking Dead but walkers meaning they walk going to work like me.

"Why are we here?"

"To give you that." He pointed at the car one meter away from his maroon Ferrari.

My eyes widened at the sight. It was a hell Porsche for God's sake - lustrous, classic, and sexy. I turned my head to him. "You're kidding right?"

"Definitely not." He pulled the keys out of his pocket and chimed them in the air. "I don't want you walking anymore so I provide that for you."

"You're giving me a car, for real?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Car's too much as a gift."

"Don't you like it?"

"It's not like that, Henry." I lowered my face, staring at my feet. "I love the car. Really. But I think I won't be able to use that."

"Why?"

I bit my lips. My eyes still shut. "Henry, can we talk?"

"Of course, baby." Henry held my hand and pulled me gently as we headed towards the elevator.

The next hour, we shared dinner prepared by him. Two reasons kept me quiet the whole time of dinner. First, the stake was awesome. Henry was really a beast in the kitchen. That's one reason I fell in love with him. Second, the interview moment was flashing in my mind like a non-stop TV commercial.

"Baby, are you listening to me?"

I blinked, raising my head. "Oh, I'm sorry. What's it about?"

"I said I'm one of the hotel's board members now."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and we're gonna be working together because I'll absorb you in my department."

My mouth zipped, keeping myself silent for a minute long.

His brows contracted. "What's the problem? Did you fail the interview?"

I shook my head. "I passed the interview."