Nicole
No matter how hard I tried to avoid this man, he always found a way to be around me. It was infuriating how determined he was to "protect" me. All he was doing was making me hate him even more.
At least that's what I kept telling myself.
I stood up from my chair when Blake opened the door and greeted an older lady. He took the bags from her before guiding her into the lobby. "This way, ma'am." She followed him towards the elevator and I smiled at her when she looked my way.
"Good morning, ma'am." I greeted with a small wave.
"Good morning," she replied, holding onto Blake's arm when he offered his elbow to her. "Oh, my. You're a strong one." She squeezed his upper arm and he glanced over at me as he awkwardly thanked her. I stifled a laugh with my hand.
They both stepped into the elevator and Blake smiled when my eyes met his. I quickly looked away, because I hated the way I reacted to his smile now.
I watched the number above the elevator, going up and up until it reached the twelfth floor. The door swung open again and I pushed back my shoulders as I turned towards our new guest. Except, instead of giving the usual greeting, I froze. Because a handsome man just walked in. He looked rich. Like... rich rich. The type of rich that wore suits and ties and expensive dress shoes wherever they went.
I didn't know what to say.
He turned towards me and grinned, showing off a perfect, white smile. A smile that had my knees buckling. "Good morning, young lady."
"Good morning, sir." My voice sounded breathless. Useless.
Instead of acknowledging how embarrassing I was being, though, he walked past the desk I was standing behind and waited for the elevator to come down. The elevator that was already arriving at our floor.
The doors opened and revealed Blake, who was grabbing his shoulder and rotating his arm to release some tension. He'd been carrying bags all day, so he must've been exhausted.
When he caught a glimpse of the man now standing in front of him, whatever pain he was feeling must have vanished because the next thing I knew, he was beaming. And I felt the same butterflies I felt every time he did that. Showing off his perfect, straight teeth.
Fuck me.
"Good morning, kiddo." The man said as he patted his head. His smile widened like a child looking up at their hero. It was actually quite adorable to witness. He looked proud to be in his presence.
The man stepped into the elevator as Blake stepped out. But instead of walking back to the entrance, where he was paid to be, he turned around. I could no longer see his face. "Good morning, dad." Blake finally said as the doors started closing.
His dad's smile widened before it was hidden behind the closed doors of the elevator. Blake spun back around and even started whistling as he walked over to his position by the door, his hands clasped behind his back. He caught me staring and had the nerve to wink at me.
"Like the idea of me potentially looking like him when I grow up?" He asked as he removed his hat, combing his fingers through his hair before placing it back on his head.
I shook my head and busied myself with the computer. "You wish you looked like him."
He chuckled, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Well, I obviously can't look exactly like him. I'm a mix of him and my mom after all."
"Wow, you actually understand the concept of genetics? I'm proud of you, buddy."
"Yeah, and I'm a pro when it comes to reproducing..." he paused to think his words over. "Except, without actually reproducing. Want me to show you?"
