With A Ghost

13. Discovery

Sang

Mr. Blackbourne picked up after one ring. I called him in the number only Academy members were allowed to have.

"Owen Blackbourne speaking."
"Mr.Blackbourne, this is Sang Sorenson. Good morning." I'm glad my voice came out smooth.
"Good morning, Miss Sorenson," he was his usual stoic self. I couldn't read him at all.
"I apologize for not providing you with my phone number before now."
"That is alright. It was not according to your choice, was it?"
I smiled. He knew I had circumstances. He was incredibly sharp. He could have laid his hands on any information he wanted, but he refrained from doing so.
North gave me a curious look, asking why I was smiling, especially while talking with the ice-cold Mr. Blackbourne.
"I called to let you know that I won't be coming today. I have already informed the Academy," I paused, hoping he won't be thinking of me as an irresponsible manager. I cleared my throat, "In any other situation, I would've apologized for any inconvenience, but I'm sure it will be a relief break for the boys not to have someone following them around all day."
North rolled his eyes at me and shook his head. I raised an eyebrow in return. I only spoke the truth, North.
"Actually, Miss Sorenson, you should apologize. The boys look forward to seeing you all the time."
I could feel a blush staining my skin. North stared intently at me. I blushed more under his gaze. There's no way they'd miss me. Mr. Blackbourne is just being nice, like the rest of his family. But Mr. Blackbourne isn't really the type to flatter anyone.
"Miss Sorenson?"
"So-Sorry. Um. Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow."
I quickly hung up. What is wrong with me? Why am I getting so worked up about these guys? It's a bit like what Luke and North make me feel, but they're not Luke and North!

"What did he say?" North asked, pulling me up from the sofa to make me sit on his lap. He rubbed the outer side of my thigh with his hand in a soothing motion. Because I was wearing a pair of denim shorts, I could feel the warmth of his skin as he moved his hands up and down my thigh, and it was sending shivers throughout my entire body. How does he affect me so much while he remains so unfazed?

"Baby?"

That is the second time someone addressed me for an answer this morning. But I was distracted. His intense dark eyes were pulling me in.

North didn't seem to want the answer as much as he seemed to want something else. His consuming stare told me he desired something from me. My mind became a bit more daring as it boldly thought that he desired me.

Shh.
Don't go there.
I'm very messed up in my head.
I already have a problem.
Two problems, actually.
And I have a feeling that there may be more than two.

"Sang," North cooed, bringing his face closer to mine. I could feel his breath on my lips. Why was this always happening? I wanted to kiss him. And it looked like he wanted to kiss me. I knew him so well, but it was always in times like this that I seemed to misunderstand. He'll pull away again. I'm sure of it. Both of them are always leaving me in anticipation, torturing me. They always pull away; I know that, but my chest seem to forget this fact. It always picks up that strange rhythm when one of them comes this close. It's doing that again, now.

Like I expected, he pulled away. His expression was strained. He was troubled.

I looked away. I understand. He must be thinking of the consequences. A lot can change. And maybe he just doesn't want to kiss me, after all. I guess it doesn't matter. We're family. I'll stay with them forever, whether I get to kiss anyone or not.

But, oh boy, my heart was still so troubled and my face is flushed. A part of me is relieved that it didn't happen. I'm disappointed, but relieved. I let out a breath. We didn't kiss. He would've if he really wanted to. Get over it. Right now, I'm just really happy being able to spend time with him. We've been so busy lately.