Chapter 56
Song: ' No Promises' by Shane Ward
Hey baby, when we are together, doing things that we love.
Every time you're near I feel like I'm in heaven, feeling high
I don't want to let go, girl.
I just need you to know girl.
I don't wanna run away, baby you're the one I need tonight,
No promises.
Baby, now I need to hold you tight, I just wanna die in your arms
Here tonight
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ELIJAH'S POV
"Send in the last intern, Hann... Ms. Evans," I called my secretary to send her in for the interview.
This is the first time I'm conducting interviews of interns myself, otherwise, it's Margaret who does it but I had to conduct this one personally. I can't trust her judgment.
I was meeting her to discuss the new project's details when she told me how she should have set a bet with me because her intuitions were right about Hannah. To be precise, her exact words were "She's better than you". And how resilient, brilliant, and diligent she is with her work and what a natural talent she is.
Of all the people, I never expected Marge to say this.
Will you accuse Hannah again of flirting with Margaret too because her judgement is similar to others?
Anyway, I had to take matters into my own hands and do what needs to be done.
She can't stay here and work.
She's too much of a trouble already.
As I said, her fate is in my hands and this is me twisting with it.
She goes today!
"What are you doing here in the middle of the interview? I called for Ha... Ms. Evans," I said when I saw Marge entering my office and sitting on the sofa instead of the chair.
I really need to stop calling her by her name, especially in the office. I don't know why it's slipping out so often.
Probably because you like calling her by that, it's so personal.
"HANNAH," she emphasized on her name, "will not be coming for the interview, you're all done for the day," huh?
"What do you mean, did she leave by herself?" if only she was that sensible.
"No."
"Did you fired her already as you should've?" I knew she was smart, she could call out her façade.
"Nope," she said popping the P a little more than I liked.
"Then, where is she?"
"You're rather curious to know. Mind sharing why?" she leaned back on the sofa and took her shoes off to relax.
"Why would I be, I was..." she cut me in the middle and dropped a bomb on me.
"I hired her as my assistant," I gave her my death stare giving her a chance to take her words back.
"You did what?" I got up from my chair and walked towards the sofa.
"You heard me. Hannah is perfect for the job, she's smart and talented, a little immature but that's fine because she's exceptional at her work. I needed a new assistant and since she's trained here it was easier to hire her than to go through the same process all over again. Andddd," she dragged her words, "thanks to you Daniel is leaving, you threatened the poor boy so much. What was that about?" she stared searching for answers.
"I didn't do such a thing,"
"Don't lie, sweetie, this office catches gossip like fire. The whole parking lot scenario made quite a stir you know, poor Hannah became quite the talk of the town. That reminds me, what's this sexual tension between you two? Just fuck it off and be done with it, family friends!" she teased.
I didn't know all this had happened. But why didn't she tell me?
Really, you're still asking this question.
"Are you hearing yourself, Margaret? Think for once before speaking."
"Can't do," she shrugged, "Pregnancy hormones," she caressed her belly and gave me a cheeky smile.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds trying to practice patience before I strangled a pregnant woman and went to jail for it.
"Just fire her, okay? That's an order," as if pulling rank on her will do something.
"I will do no such thing."
"You had no right to hire her in the first place."
"Of course, I had, I'm the head of the design department, and I get to hire whoever is good for the company. And she's good," She said with a serious tone this time.
"Not when I've specifically told you not to,"
"And I specifically told you that I won't be unfair," she reciprocated my glare, "Now, please, end this conversation, I'm already tired because of having one baby in my belly," she pointed at her belly, "I don't need another on my back," she pointed at me.
"You know I can fire you for disobeying my orders, right?"
"You can, but I know you won't," she stood up, "And even if you do, which I doubt, I'll go home with a clear conscience that it was for the right reason."
"You have created such a big problem for me, you have no idea," I said in frustration.
"But she's very tiny, pal, I'm sure you can handle her," she patted my arm, "Also, give her a chance, as I said, she's good."
...............................................................
I reached home earlier than I usually do and saw her sitting on the sofa.
My heart skipped a beat as I was seeing her after a couple of weeks. She is wearing black yoga pants with a grey zipper hoodie, her radiant skin lighting up in the dim light.
I had a very busy day full of meetings and calls but whenever I had a few seconds to myself, I spent them on hating her and somehow failing at that too.
But what I'm feeling now at the first glance of her is quite the opposite.
I feel calm.
I feel delightful.
A feeling of finally coming home after a long exile, a feeling of belonging.
I stared at her for a while, my eyes taking in every inch of her and refusing to turn away.
I guess, she sensed my presence too because she looked at me and her eyes lingered on me for a while but she went right back to using her phone.
I waited for her to look back at me but she didn't.
"Well played," I said as I tucked both my hands in my pants pockets.
"Thanks, I learned from the best," her words were sharp meant as a taunt.
"Enjoy while you can, it won't last longer," that caught her attention because she finally looked at me for good this time.
What I saw in her eyes wasn't the joy of victory but instead they we filled with anguish and tiredness. I thought she'll be over the moon today and will get on my nerves but what I'm seeing isn't what I expected.
What's wrong with her, is she okay?
"I can't, now, can I? Because you damn well wouldn't let me!" I was taken aback by her outburst, "No matter what I do, how much I try to prove myself, I just always, FUCKING ALWAYS fall short somehow," she screamed.
"Are you alright?" this is the first time I was concerned and not angry at her.
"How can I be when you won't let me be?" she accused, "the minute you came into my life it has been anything but alright,"
"You signed up for this," I tried keeping my nonchalant façade intact.
"No, I fucking did not! And I clearly did not sign up for being bullied by you. I thought you'd have a spec of commodity in you. But what was I thinking that you'd honor our deal just like you've done along?" she came and stood in front of me with her arms folded.
"You didn't think I'd make it easy for you, did you?" I maintained my stance.
"No, I don't live in such fantasies, but I guess I expected basic human decency from you. Now I know it was too much to ask," she began moving away when I held her hand and pulled her back to me.
The pull was so instant and unexpected for her that it made our bodies collide. When the sudden shock waived off of her face, she looked up at me and found me already focused on her, our eyes locking in to see nothing else but each other.
I can feel the surge of her heartbeat, and I guess she can feel mine too.
It feels good having her so near to me, I didn't know I was missing this touch for when I was gone.
This time I was not gone to avoid her but was genuinely out for work.
But having her in my arms now makes me think of why I felt lonely this time. Oftentimes, the thought of her crossed my mind, far too much than I feel comfortable admitting. In the middle of the meeting or during the site visit, her face would pop up in my mind reminding me of the night when I had her in my arms just like this, how her lips molded with mine, how the whole moment felt intoxicated without being drunk, just the sound of our breathings entangled with emotions and want.
"What fantasies do you live in then?" my words came out as a whisper on their own, "Is this what you fantasize about?" I slid my hand down her arm and entangled her fingers with mine.
She tried shaking her head but couldn't do as her body betrayed her.
"Or this?" I slowly put my other hand on her neck just barely making contact and pulled her closer to me. The shaky sigh that left her mouth was permission enough for me to go further.
"Or this?" I bent my head down a little and put my forehead over hers making her close her eyes.
She didn't make any attempt to get away and that was the only encouragement my body needed.
"You smell so good," I never intended to say that out loud but the light natural scent of her body wash hit up my senses in ways that no expensive perfume could. I can tell it's not just the fragrance of the ingredients but it's hers because no product has ever smelled so exhilarating.
"Stop this," if we weren't standing so close I wouldn't be able to hear what she said.
"Make me," my thumb made small circles on her neck as my face went near the crook of her neck knocking out every sense of control out of my body.
"Th... this is not right," she gasped with vulnerability as I leisurely unzipped her zipper a little revealing her tank top from underneath.
"Then why does it feel so right," I peppered light kisses on her neck and removed her zipper just enough from her shoulder to get more contact with her soft skin, making her weak in the knees while doing so.
She feels like she is made of clouds or the softest of feathers.
I continued placing small pecks of kisses around her neck and bare shoulder.
The very visible shudders of her body and soft moaning encouraged me to keep going.
I like the effect I have on her, the way her body reacts to my touch, so submissive yet so demanding.
"We should not be doing this," her words are trying to resist but her body is saying otherwise.
Letting go of her hand, I held on to her waist and pulled her closer if that was even possible.
Moving up from her neck, I slowly made my way to her face. Continuing the same pattern as before, I made a trail of feather kisses all around her face, allowing myself to enjoy what I never knew was possible. Each kiss made me forget what life has been like so far and showed me the promises of what it could be.
When the craving for her lips became unbearable, I tightened my hold on her waist and finally went for the lips surrendering to the temptation that's been building up for a while now.
Just as I was to seal our lips, I felt a push.
A hard push!
"STOP FUCKING PLAYING WITH ME!" she screamed on top of her lungs while still panting from what we just shared.
Shit, not again!
Did I lose control once again?
What the hell was I thinking?
Why the hell was I not thinking at all?
Was rejection of that night not enough that I needed a reminder once again?
"Who do you think I am, huh? I'm not your slut to toss and turn whenever you fucking please," I had no answer to her accusations.
Now completely out of the daze as I was a few seconds ago, I went back to myself.
My ruthless, restrained, and heartless self.
Self that doesn't feel anything.
Self that doesn't want to feel anything.
A self that I locked in a cage a long time ago.
"Then who's slut are you?" I made my face stoic and clenched my fists hard.
I've never faced rejection from a girl and to get it from someone I don't like at all makes it even worse.
I saw hurt struck her immediately.
"No one's, for God's sake, Elijah!" she called up my name in despair, "first you wanted to ruin my career and when you failed in that, now you're hell-bent on fucking up my life and mind. Tell me, are you that petty?" she shrieked.
"Do not raise your voice at me," I took a step forward.
"Why? Because you'll throw me out of this house too just like you wanted me out of your company for not dancing on your tunes?" I didn't answer.
"I'm sorry for everything that happened to you because of me, I wish I could undo it but I can't. But please, don't make it harder for me than it already is. My life is already pretty messed up, I can't afford more" her voice broke in between, "just please," she folded her hands dejectedly and ran upstairs to her room.
After she left, I sat down on the sofa where she was seated previously, closed my eyes and pulled up at my hair with frustration.
What the hell my life has become, what am I doing?
Why am I stuck in this confusion?
Hating her but also unable to see the pain I cause her.
Hurting her but then regretting it.
Knowing her truth but still can't hold back whenever she's close to me?
I've never felt such annoyance at myself.
I guess you feel more irritated now too because of some unfinished business. Don't enjoy being left on hang, do you?
Urgh, such a little girl and she has had me up in a frenzy.
What is it about her that I can't think straight when she's near me? I don't even like her.
Are you sure?
I was still deep in my thoughts when the vibration of a cell phone caught my attention.
I looked around and saw her iPhone next to me. Unlocked.
I tried to ignore it as one should not prey on someone's privacy.
When ultimately I couldn't any longer, I picked it up.
There was a snapchat notification flashing on top.
But what caught my attention was the open WhatsApp chat.
Of her father.
There were multiple calls made from her end but none of them received, I scrolled up and again, just some unanswered calls from time to time.
What caught my attention was the single PDF file she sent on Friday.
The PDF file of her appointment letter.
And the caption read:
I did it, Dad, I'm just a few steps away from my goal.
My grip tightened on her cell phone to the point that I was afraid I might break it.
I'm such a fool to get tricked in her game.
These acts of innocence and sadness, being nice and charming to everyone is just a ploy.
I was right about her all along.
She's nothing but a con.
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Author's note:
Phew, it's getting hot in here!
Guess who is back earlier than ever. I and Elijah, Both.ð
Things are getting hard to resist for Elijah and Hannah, who knows how long they'll let misunderstandings get the better of them.
How do you think both will get on good terms?
Will working together bring them closer or rip them further apart?
Stay tuned to find out.
Please, please keep liking and commenting. It'd mean so much to me if you could share the story with your friends and family.
Counting on you all to make it a success!
Much loveð