Restart

Chapter 19. Suprisingly hot

I am standing at the door waiting for Claire, feeling a little nervous. Tonight's dinner is really important and can play a significant role to our company's future. When I told my father to fix things with Mr. Yang, even if he needed to 'blow him', was something that I guiltily regret. My father's secret sexual preferences may not be understood or accepted by me, but he definitely doesn't deserve my degradation for them.
He is after all, a hard working man who achieved so much from climbing up his way through the company that he was once only an employee, back at the beginning of his career, spending most of his salary buying stocks and reaching step by step, on top of everyone by working hard and efficiently, so for that I admire him, even if it's the only thing I admire him for. I never forgave him for all the lies that led to my mom's death, but nothing can bring her back, so there is no point of me hurting him and making him suffer over it any longer that I already have, through all these years. I think his conscience has been tormenting him enough. Sometimes I even feel sorry for him and his pathetic way of living hidden and repressed like that.
The elevator doors slide open and there she is, a vision for sore eyes. My mouth slightly opens from the surprise and admiration that her appealing plainness is generating. I stare for a couple of seconds, before responding to her beautiful smile, appearing on those red lustful lips. God, she looked absolutely gorgeous in that knee length black dress, that was like a second skin to her slim figure, highlighting her ample breasts and causing me a feeling of sexual longing for the first time. Looking at her, being so hot and desirable, I imagine bending her over the diner's table and popping her brains out right there on the spot. There was enough time for what I had in mind, before my guests showed up.
Well, obviously Bella didn't help me in the way I hoped she would, by distracting and clearing my thoughts towards this woman, as they seemed to have escalated instead.
"Well, do I look ok?" She asked me in anticipation, pulling my mind out of the gutter.
"You look stunning! Aren't you full of surprises?" I respond and I reach for her hand to kiss her in a formal way and I hold on to it to guide her around the apartment, but only long enough for her to gracefully remove it a few seconds later. I don't give up and I place my hand on the small of her back, directing her through the spacious areas while leaving my bedroom last but not least. I loved feeling the heat emerging from her body on my hand, but again she smoothly slides away from my touch.
"This is where we could end up after the dinner is finished, since today you have caused me a heart attack with that dress of yours." I say laughing quite stupidly and feeling unexpectedly uncomfortable.
"Ha, ha, very funny, NOT." Now she was laughing as well, but once again there was no mentioning of a husband.
"Ok, it's a little funny, when you know that's never going to happen. Oh my gosh! Do you find my dress too sexy for the occasion? The saleswoman from that store, said it was appropriate for a business dinner."
"No it's not, it actually looks amazing on you. And by the way, you should never say never. Hasn't life taught you that already?"
And there I go again! How stupid can someone be. Just minutes before my guests arrive! I should have known better, about bringing up her life teaching her lessons, as obviously it hasn't been treating her very good so far. I realize that by saying something so inconsiderate, I stupidly manage to take away some of her light that was shining brightly today for the first time since I met her and I immediately react by grabbing both her hands, facing her and looking at her straight in the eyes.
"I am sorry I said that. Obviously, life hasn't been treating you the way it should, but I know it's neither the time, nor you are ready and willing to discuss this. Also I know you lied about being married, or if you are, then you should seriously consider couples therapy or a divorce, because if I was your husband I wouldn't abandon you like that, when you obviously shouldn't be left alone."
She nervously rotates the ring on her finger, looking out of place and extremely awkward. Way to go Alex! Could you possibly be a bigger jerk and make things any more awkward?
"I also get the impression that you like me too." Oh my God! I need to shut the hell up!
"Like you TOO? What do you mean by that? Do you like me?" She asks, looking a bit intimidated.
"Don't go running for the hills, I said I like you, I didn't say I'm in love with you or something."
"Well, I don't like you. I mean...I do like you, but as a kind and caring person that helped me a lot, not romantically."
"I never said I liked you romantically either. I only said I liked you. I like spending time with you, because you make me seem like I am some kind of a super hero, coming to your rescue all the time, which is new to me and I am beginning to like it" and once again I burst into laughter. I know when to take a step back and this was definitely the time to do so.
"It's addictive you know." she says
"What is?"
"To help others and have people being obligated and thankful to you."
"Don't you start acting like a shrink on me now, trying to perform your medical evaluation and give me a psychological profile! I know exactly what you are doing, Miss Claire Fay."
She has yet to react on me revealing her non existent husband, which makes me feel so relieved and hopeful. I purposely use the noun 'Miss' to force a reaction, but I satisfyingly get nothing in return.
"I am most definitely not." She makes a lousy attempt to defend herself, but it comes out all loud and squeaky, with that hoarse voice she's got from still not completely recovering from that cold, showing her uncomfortableness of being guilty as charged.
"After tonight, you and I will be even. I don't know if you understand how important this is to me and my future. It's not only the company's future that is at stake here, but also my own personal life, as they both expect from me to agree to this transaction deal that includes marrying Mr. Yang's daughter, because it's good for business. Anyway, I just want to point out the fact that we will both be equally thankful to each other after this" and I smile letting her know that although she will not be obliged to me in any way, she won't be completely off the hook. I feel more attracted to her by the minute and I've decided to claim her, after this night is over.
"Agreed." She says and she blinks at me. How can she be so genuinely innocent looking when she surely isn't? That's exactly what excites me and attracts me to her.
We continue the casual talking and I gladly absorb all the shine that has thankfully returned to her. No darkness, no nothing. She seemed content with my jokes, quite relaxed and comfortable being around me. She has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen in a woman and I enjoy generating it. I think this night will turn out just the way I want it to.