Business With Pleasure

Chapter 17

India

Things between Michael and I have been a bit intense. We barely said anything to each other and all morning, I have been trying to not even look at him. I was hoping he would forget about last night, after all we were just caught up in the moment. It was just pure and lust, nothing more. I joined Ava and Michael at the table and started eating. Michael kept sneaking glances at me and when I caught him staring now and then, he would quickly look away.

After breakfast, once Ava left the table, I started clearing it up when suddenly Michael grabs my  hand and turned me around. I looked him in the eyes and felt so weak and nervous. I couldn't stop staring into his eyes as hard as I tried to look away, I just couldn't. I then blink my eyes a few times, bringing myself back to reality.

"What is it?" I asked, pulling my hand away from him. He looks down then backs away a little.

"I just wanted to talk." He replies. I looked away and continued clearing the table.

"Sorry, I can't right now, I have so much to do--" He grabs my hand, cutting me off.

"India, stop."

I stopped and looked up at him. "What Michael?"

"Why are you pushing me away? You said we can talk about this in the morning."

I looked away. "I don't want to talk about it."

He furrowed his brows. "Why?"

I sighed heavily and looked up at him. "Because I just don't, okay?"

"We both felt it..." He trails off.

"So? We we're just caught up in the moment."

He shakes his head. "No, it was more than that."

I rolled my eyes as a sigh escape my mouth and picked up the dishes. I then carried them over to the sink and started washing them.

"Michael it was nothing..." I trail off.

"Stop saying that!" He said, raising his voice a bit. I turned around to face him.

"Michael there will never be anything between us."

He shakes his head. "Don't say that, you know and I know that we both felt it last night. We fell in love. Why can't you just admit it? Why do you always have to push me away?"

I fold my arms and shake my head. "Michael I'm doing this for your own good. I'm not someone you'll be happy with, and you deserve happiness."

He scoffs. "You're only saying that because you think that I will hurt you. Well I wouldn't do that to you, and not all men are the same. You need to get that through your head already. What's so wrong with giving love a chance, with getting to know each other more. All I want is to mend your broken heart." He says as he steps closer to me while staring into my eyes. I looked away and he turns my face to his.

"India, I know that you felt the same, from the first time we met. There was this spark between us but I didn't quite understand it, and I know you felt it too but you keep denying it. You keep denying your true feelings for me. What's wrong about falling in love with someone who feels the same way?"

Suddenly, tears are streaming down my face. I then pushed Michael away from me and shake my head.

"No. I don't want to get hurt again."

"India, I won't you, just open up to me. Let me in please." He pleads to me. I shake my head.

"No..."

He then grabs my arms and stare into my eyes. "Tell me you feel the same, and I will leave you alone."

I shift my eyes across his and swallowed hard. "I-I... can't do this."