Still Into You

Twelve

Twelve





When I woke up the next morning, it was silent. I let out a huge sigh, feeling contented with the silence. Then, like someone kick me in the gut; I turn towards my bedside table looking at my clock. I got alarmed when I saw that it wasn't there, and then I remember yesterday morning. I forgot the buy a new one. I feel angry at myself for beating the thing to death. So, I grab my phone under my pillow to check for the time.



"Oh Sh*t! I'm late!"I exclaimed with alarm, jumping out of bed and run to the bathroom for a quite wash.



I got out of my apartment in records time, running towards the elevator in my black Jimmy Choo pumps. I didn't notice the other person inside the elevator with me as I patted down my messy hair, combing in with my hand to settle it down. I check my appearance with the reflection of the elevator door as I tuck my white, silk polo shirt in my black pencil skirt. When I'm contented with look, the elevator opened, revealing the lobby. That was when I finally notice the other person beside me.



"You look fine, Ally." Logan said with a soft, smile; his eyes glistening with amusement. "Ladies first." He added, gesturing outside the elevator door when I continued to stare at him in shock.



"Uhm... Thanks..." I stated as I gather back my composure. I turn and walked out ahead of him, keeping myself from looking back at him. I could feel his presence as he trailed behind me towards the door.



When I got outside, I stopped for a second, thinking on how to get to work. I look down at my watch, hissing as I look at the time. I am already fifteen minutes late for work. I'm in deep sh*t right now. Then, a light tap in my shoulders, I was reeled back to reality. I turned around and met Logan's sympathetic look.



"Do you need a ride to work? I could drop you off... It's just near the hospital." He offered his voice light and velvet.



I stared at him, stun slightly by his words. I do need a ride. The only problem to this situation is the one who was offering is someone I'm trying to avoid. I was torn in two, but the more I think about it and contemplate, the more late I would be in getting to work.



"Okay." I answered him, my voice almost a whisper.



"Good. The car is park right around back in the parking lot." He said, smiling brightly in satisfaction.



My heart suddenly stops for a second; so, I turned away from him to hide my blush, my face heating up. I think I just made a major wrong decision. I walked silently behind Logan as he guided me to his car. I didn't know that the apartment has its own parking garage. It is two story high which maybe why they didn't connect it with the main apartment. As we entered the main entrance, there was a security guard sitting down by a small booth. Logan greeted him warmly as we pass him. The security guy greeted Logan back warmly, giving me a small smile before he went back to reading a magazine.



We continued to walk for a few steps from the entrance before Logan stops and turn towards a shiny, silver Chevrolet. My jaws drop as my eye widen in shock. He drives a Camaro. This is a total chick magnet ride; even though I've already seen the car, I'm still in awe that he owns it.



"How many girls have you picked up with his car?" I asked him, still in a daze from the car.



When he didn't reply, I snapped out of my ogling and turned to look at him. Then, I finally realize what I asked him. I blush scarlet red in embarrassment and turn my gaze away from him. For the moment that our eye met, he looked amused.



He got inside his car without answering my question. I silently follow through, still not meeting his gaze. He started the car as I've buckled myself in the seat beside him. There is another wrong, stupid decision. I've deliberately put myself in the path of temptation.



"So, how many girls?" he asked as he turned the car towards the main road, his voice teasing.



I blush again and turn my face towards the window across from him, hiding my shame.



"In truth, I never pick up girls. I asked them nicely for a ride. It gives them a chance to refuse the offer or not." He continues his voice now light.



I stiffen at his words, my heart beating fast again. What is he implying? Does he mean me? Is he trying to get me to admit something here? That I may have fallen for his charms or something? These thoughts only made me angry and confused.



I didn't say anything to him after that and kept my face away from his view. I heard and left his frustration as he sighed. The tension inside the car increase as the silence grew. And, for some unknown reason, there is a different kind of tension in the air. Through the silence, my senses became more acute, making me more aware of him.



By the time we reach my workplace, I was ready to get out of there and not look back, but I'm not that much of a b*tch and not thank him for the ride. So, begrudgingly, I turn around and meet those eyes again on mine.



"Thank you so much for the ride. It really means so much." I said as calmly and friendly as I can, yet I still feel my face flush as I gaze at those blue eyes.



He smiles lightly, his eyes gleaming with delight. "No problem. If you want another ride to work, I would gladly take you." He offered his voice sincere.



I stared at him, wide eyes, shock at his words. I restrain myself from getting sucked in with his charms and regroup the small shred of sanity I have. "Thanks for the offer, but no thank you." I replied with a small smile, trying not to be rude.



My reply slightly faced his smiling face, cracking a little on the edges. "Well... Uhm..." he started, stuttering as he thought of a reply.



I felt bad for making him feel uncomfortable and beat him to it. "Thank you so much, again. I've got to go since I'm really, really late." I interjected, turning around and opened the door. As I stepped out of the car, I was pulled back forcibly to my seat. I glance down and saw that the seat-belt is still buckled up. I turn back around in embarrassment, my head down, and unbuckled it.



I heard Logan's soft chuckled at my stupidity on display. I turn away from him so that he wouldn't see my face go tomato red in embarrassment. As I walked a few steps away from the car towards the main door of the building, I turn around slightly to check if he already left. And to my surprise, he was still there, his eyes glue at me. I gave him a last friendly wave and half run inside. I was sure I saw him grinning, but I shoved that thought away. I don't want my already ruin morning to be filled with distracting problems.



When I reach my office, I didn't feel anyone's wrath for being late. I got inside and mostly lock myself in my office and work on the early stages for next month's issue. By lunch time, since I didn't grab anything to eat that morning from the rush, my stomach and adrenaline caved in. I gave myself a break and went out for lunch. Since I didn't still celebrate, with myself, the success of finishing a major project, being that I was interrupted on having a one-on-one celebration from last Saturday night's get together, I went to my favorite restaurant for lunch.



As I sat alone on my window seat-table, I was preoccupied with my phone to notice someone's presence, standing in front of me. I notice his gray suit after he cleared his throat to get my attention.



"Is this seat taken?" he asked, his British accent, deep and prominent. He looked amuse, his lips twitched into a sexy grin.



"Andre. Hi." I said, startled by his sudden surprise appearance. He looked sophisticated with his blond haired styled slickly back, his deep blue eyes twinkling. I couldn't help but ogle at this sexy creature in front of me. I know I said I won't go there, but that doesn't mean I would sacrifice my freedom to look at this man.



"How are you, Allison?" he asked, taking the empty seat in front of me, not waiting for my invitation and my answer to his previous question.



"I'm doing well, thank you. How are you?" I asked, refining back my train of thoughts. "What are you doing here? Are you here with someone?" I added, not waiting for his answer.



"I'm fine. I'm here for lunch, actually. Just by myself. And then, I saw you seating here, alone. So, I came." He answered, eying me intently, but keeping the smile on his face. "So, are you here to meet someone?" he asked, before I could interject.



"Oh... Uhm... No. I'm here for lunch too. I'm celebrating for the success on the project I lead for this month's issue of FACE." I replied, giving him a small, shy smile.



"Oh, just by yourself?" he asked, shocked.



"Yes. I love to do that for myself... from time to time..." I admitted, my voicce low, feeling shy.



"Is it okay if I crash your celebration and join you?" he asked, his face looking hopeful.



Is he asking me to have lunch with him? "Oh. Sure. I don't mind." I replied, my voice almost a whisper. I felt myself slightly flush as he beams at my reply.



He called for the waiter and gave his order. After that, as we waited for our food to arrive, he kept on asking me about my work, making conversations. When the food arrives, we were silent for a few minutes as we ate. I felt self-conscious as we ate since he kept on glance my way as I glance at him. He looked elegant and sophisticated even though he was using chopsticks. I almost choke on my dumpling when he caught my eye as I chew on my food, giving me a sexy smirk and wink.



"So, what did Stanley want for you last Saturday night?" Andre asked suddenly, catching me off guard.



I stopped chewing, and swallow my food down in one gulp. I grab my drink and took a sip to sooth my dry throat. "Oh. He was just checking about my arm." I stated nonchalantly, rising up my casted arm, which grew on me for the past week. I hardly even notice that it was there.



"Oh... If you don't mind me asking, what happen?" he asked hesitantly, eying my arm.



"I got into a car accident a few weeks ago... It's not something I like to relive." I said my voice low as a whisper.



"I'm so sorry, Allison. I didn't mean to let you remember that hard times." he apologizes sincerely, suddenly reaching for my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.



"It's okay. I'm fine now."I replied with a small smile, slightly stiffening from his hold.



After eating, as Andre asked for the check, he insisted on paying for me. Of course, I refuse his offer. It would look much like a date if he paid, and I don't want to give him any ideas that this was in anyway a date. But, in the end, he won that battle. As stood up silently and walked out of the restaurant, Andre didn't seem to look like he was going anywhere yet. I glance down at my watch, seeing that I'm almost going to be late for work again. I don't know why men today have been a roadblock for me to go to work. That it one sign I should consider later.



"So, where do you work?" Andre asked, reeling me back from my thoughts, as we step outside the restaurant.



"It's quite near here." I replied hesitantly, having a gut feeling he was about to offer to walk me there.



"I'll walk you back." He stated with a smile, gesturing his hands forward for me to lead.



I stifle a smirk, my prediction being right, but kept my cool. I gave him a small nod and walked on ahead of me as he trailed beside me. We were walking silently for a second before he started another conversation. The guy is starting to get annoy somehow, but as I turn towards him, stealing a small glance at his face, his sexy grin banishes that feeling of irritation.



"So, would you call that lunch a date, or...?" he asked, trailing off, and he smirked at my stunned expression.



I eyed him sternly for a second, trying to waiver his sexy grin, and failed. "No. That was just lunch with a friend." I stated coolly, rearranging my expression and looked at him in a calm, sophisticated manner.



"Ouch. Friend zoned even before I got a chance to make my move..." he said, refining hurt, but his lips twitched into a smirk.



I didn't know how to reply to that, so I kept quiet and walked on. "So, would you refuse me directly if I asked you out to dinner this weekend?" he asked after a few second of silence, making me stop on my tracks. His voice this time was serious, no more of the friendly-teasing manner.



I turned and faced him, my eyes wide at his forward approach. I couldn't help but smirk at his serious expression. It was like he was asking someone who's cold-hearted out. I'm hurt that he may think of me as such, but I couldn't help feel smug about the situation. Here is this one guy, who is obviously drop-dead gorgeous, and very well dress in a suit - which is very James bond-ish, and he want to take me out to dinner.



"Andre... That's very... I don't know." I finally said after a few moments, stutter to find my words to reply to his question.



"Don't answer now, Allison. I can see that you are busy at the moment. But, think about it though." He interjected, slightly faltering in his calm, serious façade, but he gave me a small smile. "Come on, let's get you to work. I think you're late." He added, smiling broadly this time, back to his fun, charming self.



The walk to my work was silent after that. When we reached the threshold of FACE magazine's building, I turned around and paused for a second to gaze at him. He looks nervous for a moment as he refused to look my way, but then he glance at me and smiled.



"Thank you so much for walking me back and for lunch." I said, taking the initiative on breaking the silence.



"You're welcome. It was my pleasure." He replied, bowing down like an old English man.



This gesture made me blush and giggle. "Andre?" I called, getting him to stand up and look at me. "Yes. I would love to go to dinner with you this weekend." I said slyly, smirking at his stunned face.



He was silence for awhile before his face turned up, smiling brightly like he just won a jackpot prize. "That would be lovely. I'll pick you up in your apartment around six. Is that okay with you?" he asked, all smiles and charm.



"Six it is." I replied, smiling shyly.



He lingered by the door for a minute, his eyes on me as I walked inside. When I almost got to the elevator, I glance back to his direction, looking at his retreating back. I couldn't help but smile goofily at him. I mean screw the rule I made for myself about not dating, it wouldn't hurt to have dinner with a gorgeous guy. As I reached my office, the first thing I did was call Annette. At first I thought it was a good idea, but as the conversation progressed, I don't think so anymore.



"We have got to go shopping and prepare! I'm calling back up for this one!" Annette exclaimed, her voice ringing with excitement over the phone.



"No make-over, Anne. You know how I feel about people, doing lots of stuff, on the upper portion of the body." I scolding, making myself stern and clear.



"Oh my god! So, tell me about him? You said he is like Ryan Gosling... How much of Ryan Gosling are we talking about?" she asked excitedly, ignoring my previous statement.



I sighed in defeat, shaking my head in disagreement. Since she got married with my brother, she had been keen on whenever I got dates. As what she had told me, being that she was married, she didn't anymore have that spark on meeting other people and the thrill of dressing up for someone to impress. When she told me that, her eyes were slightly teary and almost pleading, I comforted her after and promise that I would let her help me on my first dates on any guy I meet. Now, I've regretted and felt cheated by her tears for agreeing with her. But, I love her and I can never say no to my pregnant best friend/ sister-in-law.



"Well, since it's this weekend, how about you take a leave for a whole day for the make-over?" she asked, though from her tone, I think there isn't any other answer but yes.



"I said no make-over, Anne." I said sternly, sighing again.



This is going to be one hellish weekend, I'm glad that it's still Monday, so I have at least five day to prepare myself mentally, emotionally, and physically - if you know what I mean.

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A/N: Hey Mel here. So, it's been a long run for this story. I know it's been a drag with the weekly updates. Thank you for putting up with it. I'm still in the process of writing the story, so please bare with me.

Thank you for those who have followed this story. You have been the backbone on giving me the will to write.