"How-?"
"She has made her decision, William. Leave her alone already." Alexandra suddenly appeared beside him, tearing my gaze away from William.
I watched her with almost hate on my eyes. I can't believe she told him. I told her to keep it a secret, but she told him. Why did she do it? What does she want from this?
I couldn't help the sudden rage that consumed me. I abruptly stood up from my chair and walked towards them. I stopped a foot from the siblings and glared at them in rage.
"I don't know what you two want, but I have had it! I tried to be reasonable with you and not quit the job in front of your face as I did with him," I paused and pointed at William as I turned towards him. "And I have had enough of your excuses already! It's not like I wanted any of this!" I snorted in disbelief and glanced back at Alexandra, then slowly back at William. "You two have a meeting in an hour. I'll call Mark and Kevin to ready the car," I continued in clenched teeth before I slowly turned back around to my desk like I hadn't just blown up in front of two Maxwells.
"Thank you, Andy," Alexandra replied softly. Her voice had an amusing tone to it.
"I'll have my resignation paper when you get back from your meeting, Ms. Maxwell," I stated before I picked up the phone on my desk to call Kevin.
"I'll sign it when I get back," She nodded and slowly walked towards her office. "Call me when the car is here," she added before going inside.
I nodded in reply as the phone line got through. "Kevin, Ms. Maxwell has a meeting at two," I stated softly.
"Got it," Kevin replied abruptly before ending the phone call.
"Are you going to sit there and pretend like this didn't happen?" William asked in disbelief as he suddenly slammed his hand on my desk.
I jumped in surprise at his outburst. "Yes, didn't you see me just now?" I asked him in the same tone and looked at him like he just asked an insane question.
He stared me down as he gritted his teeth together. "Just tell me the truth, please," he commanded angrily.
"Why are you so desperate about the truth? Why do you really want to know?" I asked and gestured at his unprofessional manner.
He only continued to stare at me when I didn't go straight to the point. "Okay! Fine! You want the truth," I started in defeat, almost yelling the words aloud. "I quit this freaking job because of you! I don't want you in my life anymore or anyone that can be linked to you. I have had enough! I don't want to see that stinking, dead blue eyes, and your slick dirty blonde hair. Plus, how you wear that weird suit every day, and that inhuman, earthy cologne, what is with that?" I paused to snort and catch my breath. "And then, there are those awkward greetings, and your shitty smile. And then, you have this weird way of staring at me like I'm some- See! You're doing it now!" I continued breathlessly and paused to gesture towards him in emphasis.
He kept his eyes on me. It was hard, yet soft at the same time. Then his face suddenly softened. And like time had stood still, he slowly reached his hands out to cup my face, catching me off guard. I didn't have time to react or gasp as his face closed in. The next thing I felt was his warm lip on mine.
"Please don't leave," he whispered in desperation as he let go of my lips and pressed his forehead on mine. His warm breath fondled my face.
Then, I knew he had me. This is not how I wanted things to play out.
Thirty-Eight
When I regained my consciousness, I quickly pushed away from him. I was glad that there is a table between us. "What are you doing?" I whispered in shock.
"I'm asking you not to leave," he replied without shame.
"You're not asking me to … " I started but trailed of when he cupped my face again for another kiss. But this time I was prepared.
I ducked my head down, making the kiss land on my forehead rather than my lips. I dodged his next assault. The situation wasn't anything better. My skin tingled as my heart raced from the contact of his lips on my skin. When he let go of me, I quickly pushed myself away from him.
"Would you stop doing that?" I grumbled breathlessly.
"Are you sure you want me to stop?" he asked smugly as he stared me in challenge.
I pursed my lips and glared at him. He continued to stare at me with that smug look when I didn't give him a reply. From my lack of words, he found leverage in the situation. I watched his eyes glint in hope. He was about to say something when Maggie interrupted us. If she hadn't spoken, I wouldn't know she was present.
"Mr. Maxwell, your car is ready downstairs," she said calmly, like she hadn't witnessed what happened a few seconds ago.
"Thank you, Maggie. I'll be right down," he replied to her, but he kept his eye on me. "Don't go anywhere. We aren't finish yet."
"Yes, we are," I countered in annoyance and kept my eyes on him.
He walked backwards towards the elevator as he continued to keep me under his gaze. I didn't let those deep, tantalizing blue eyes affect me. So I continued to stare back. I didn't know how long I was going to hold it until Alexandra's office opened. He looked startled at the sudden sound of her door closing.
"Are you going? I had Kevin do an errand. I have to ride with you to the meeting," Alexandra said as she walked passed William towards the elevator. "Come on, Mark is downstairs waiting," she called when William didn't follow her.
I didn't glanced in their direction. In my peripheral vision, I felt his eyes on me. I didn't bother checking when I heard the elevator door closing. I let out a huge sigh of relief like a thick cloud had finally vanished around me.
"Are you okay?" Maggie's voice me jump on my seat.
I looked up and felt my face flush in embarrassment. "I'm okay."
"When did you and William … I'm sorry for asking. It's not my place to ask," she started but paused out of shame.
"Oh no, it's okay. We are not really in that kind of relationship. I mean we aren't intimate. We aren't in any relationship whatsoever."
"But you two are seeing each other?" she probed shyly
"We were … We had a few dinners and stuff." I admitted and looked away from her amused expression.
"Right," she snickered in understanding. "A word of advice. Let him fall for you first before you fall for him," she whispered in enthusiasm as a smile plastered on her face.
I turned towards her in wonder and smiled in reply. I didn't know what to say to her after that, so I kept my mouth shut and turned back to my work.
We were both silent until we talked about preparations for the event this weekend. It would be my last formal job before quitting. I had at least done a great job. Since Maggie had taken the desk job, I was left to do the errands. Maggie had given a few meetings to attend today.
The first on the list was something I didn't expect. My face broke into a smile when I realize who I would be meeting. I was to discuss with the owner of the bar Blackjack about the drinks to be served at the venue.
It was noon when I reached the bar. I was hesitant when I stood outside the entrance. All of a sudden, a wave of nostalgia hit me. It had held some fun memories, especially when I had bartended for a few days.
"Andy? Why are you standing there? Come on in," Jack suddenly appeared behind me, making me jump in surprise.
"Jack! Hey! I didn't see you there … " I gave him an apologetic smile when I regained my composure. "I just got here, actually … "
"Right, I watched you stand here for at least five minutes now," he snorted but his face didn't have a hint of humor.
My silence confirmed his words. I didn't know how to approach him again when I hadn't seen him for weeks. I avoided Terry's offer for weeks. I thought an apology would clear that tension.
"If you're going to apologize about not coming here often, don't. Terry told me everything," he stated in conviction. I looked at his back, eying him in shock. I can't believe he read me without looking at my face.
"That silence only justifies that my thoughts were right," he added after a short silence on my part.
"Sorry," I whispered shyly in reply.
He led me to the back room to his office. The last time I was in this room was when Alexandra had offered me a job. It was the day when all the decisions I've made backfired. I grimaced from the memory as I sat down on the same chair that I sat on when Alexandra talked to me. The sense of nostalgia was slowly giving me a headache.
Jack was very professional the whole time we were inside his office. We talked about the event and every detail that Alexandra had instructed me to tell him. The whole time his face held no expression other than to crunch his eyebrow together.
"Well, I think that's about it," Jack said in finality.
"Yup, that would be all," I nodded in reply. I glanced at my watch and slowly stood up, ready to say goodbye. "I think I should be going. I have another meeting."