28

I stared at the box; it was screaming for me to open it. Curiosity got the best out of me, and I picked up the box which was meticulously placed inside.

Squinting my eyes, I analyzed it, running my fingers over the velvet surface. It was the same box that he snatched from my hand and hid it that day.

My mind raced with questions about what could possibly be hidden inside. It seemed important to him. He didn't even let me see what's inside that day.

Shall I open it?

No, it's his personal stuff.

I quickly put the box back in the drawer and started searching for the ointment, trying my best to ignore it.

Once I was finally successful in finding the ointment, I pushed the drawer to close but paused midway as that box peeked at me from the corner.

It was begging for me to open it.

Pursing my lips, I pulled open the drawer slowly and picked it up.

"Do you really want me to open you?" I asked the box like it would answer me back. It just stared back at me, but I knew the whisper of its heart, which wanted me to see inside.

"If that's what you want," I muttered, and my fingers carefully lifted the lid, my eyebrows raising at the sight in front of me.

Inside, resting on a soft bed of silk, was a silver bracelet. Its diamond sparkled brightly in the noon sun streaming through the windows.

The bracelet looked pretty old like it had been worn before.

I pushed back my urge to touch it. Thousands of questions ran in my mind.

It looked like a female bracelet.

What is it doing in his drawer?

Perhaps it belongs to one of his girlfriends.

The thought made me feel a pang of sadness in my heart.

I closed the box shut, pushing back the wave of disappointment that washed over me. Despite the beauty of the jewelry, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy it anymore, the thought of it belonging to one of his girlfriends made me feel strangely betrayed.

Don't forget he has a sister, maybe it's her? The little voice in my heart whispered trying to give me hope. But I knew better, the possibility of that thing was only one percent.

Dear heart, don't give me empty hopes.

I must prepare myself for the worst.

But you know what? No matter how much I prepare myself, something more than worse always happens.

Don't be too dramatic. My brain spoke, and I came back from my thoughts.

Gazing at the box, a lump began to form in my throat.

Are you really playing with my feelings?

Hearing the door of his cabin open, my heart leaped in my throat, and I quickly hid the box behind my back.

It was Mr. Rude.

He entered the room, glancing in my direction. I just hoped he wouldn't notice me standing awkwardly. I attempted to casually lean against the edge of his desk to hide it.

"Didn't you find the ointment?" He asked, taking slow steps towards me.

I gulped, "I.. I did. I was just going to my cabin." I shuttered as he stood in front of me. My heart started racing more under his captivating gaze.

He glanced at the ointment lying on the desk, and then back at me, "Didn't you apply it?"

"N..No. I was just going to do it." I shuttered, my voice betraying my nervousness.

He nodded his head slowly and picked up the ointment, "Give me your hand. I will help."

My eyes widened, and the grip on the box tightened, "No. I can do it myself."

He sighed, "I know you can. But let me help."

"No. You must be getting late for your work."

I spoke, shifting the box in my other hand while hanging down the burned one.

He looked at me for a long moment, his expression calm. After what felt like an eternity, he took a step closer and gently took my hand as he murmured slowly,

"I dealt with it. There is no need to visit the site. The manager was just wasting my time."

As he gently applied the ointment on my skin, I could feel the coolness of the cream, providing instant relief. I stared at his face; his eyebrows furrowed as he concentrated on the task, his face held a calm expression. The long lashes hid his eyes from mine as he looked down.

Every touch of his fingers on my skin was gentle as if he was afraid of causing me any further pain.

Clearing my throat, I spoke, "I'm wasting your time too."

I tried to pull away my hand, but he held my wrist and locked his gaze on me.

"Being with you is not a waste of time. It will never be. You are more important than my work. More important than anything in this world."

My heart skipped a beat at his words. I looked away, feeling a rush of warmth spreading over my chest. His voice sounded sincere.

Did he really mean it?

No. It's been only 3 months since we met. How can he develop a sudden interest in me?

Maybe Just like you did. A voice came from my heart, and I shut that irritating voice down.

I looked at him again, who was closing the lid of the ointment.

How do I believe you are fake?

When every time I look into those eyes, I see nothing but affection, care, and concern.

"Thanks," I spoke, passing him a small smile.

"You should stop making coffee for me. I will tell Kevin-"

I interrupted, "No. That's not needed. I will be careful."

I hope I didn't sound desperate.

The corner of his lips turned into a small smile, and amusement glistened in his eyes.

Feeling the box in my hand, I realized I had to place it back without getting caught red-handed.

I cleared my throat, "Can you find me the Capital budget report from the shelf?"

He blinked, and instead of walking toward the shelf, he took a step closer to me.

"You know...You don't have to distract me to keep it back." His amused voice reached my ears making my eyes widen at his words, my face flushing slightly. I stared at him dumbly.

"What?" I murmured.

He chuckled, stepping closer and reaching around me to take the box from my grasp.

"I'm talking about this," he said, holding it before me.

I tried to maintain my composure, and cleared my throat, "I wasn't hiding it."

"I didn't say you are hiding it."

I looked down, closing my eyes in embarrassment. I'm making the situation more awkward.

"What's inside?" He asked, looking me straight in the eye.

My brain told me to reply with 'I don't know.' or 'How am I supposed to know.' But before I could do anything, the words rolled out of my tongue.

"A bracelet."

"What else did you see?" He asked, tilting his head, his voice laced with little panic and worry.

I blinked twice, and asked, "Was there something else?"

I watched as his expression changed to relief after hearing me. Averting his gaze, he came closer to me. My breath hitched and I was almost going to ask what he was doing but stopped myself as I watched him putting the box back in the drawer.

Then, he created a good distance between us making me release a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"It looks really precious to you," I spoke out, trying my best not to sound bitter.

The corner of his lips turned into a small smile. And I knew I sounded more bitter than a bitter guard.

His reply came, "It was."

Was.

Past tense.

No. Don't be too happy.

"Um...Is it one of your ex girlfriends?"

Wait. Why did you even ask that question?

It will make him think I'm jealous which I'm not.

Definitely not.

He looked at me like I had told him I am a Spiderwoman.

Then, he came out of what I assume to be a shock- and leaned on the edge of his desk.

I waited patiently for his reply as he studied me. Then, his answer came.

"No."