by Gray, A L
"You finally seem at ease around me, Anile." He says in a soft voice.
"Really? You are obviously lacking your usual observing trait. Inside I still feel." I think seriously about how I feel around him before I answer.
"You feel what?"
"Nervous, your very unpredictable."
He smiles mockingly pleased at my observation.
"You are not the only person, I can assure you."
I stare down at my knotted fingers wondering how we got here. I also wonder why we are not really talking about anything.
"How do you like living in London?"
As I stare up at him, I notice he's leaning closer to me, looking extremely curious - this causes me to naturally examine his words.
"I like London, love it in fact. Why?"
"Do you miss your parents? I know you now live alone."
"How on earth do you know that?"
"I have my ways to find out exactly what I need to know, Anile."
"That is, invasion into my privacy." I almost snap with a stark expression.
"It is necessary knowledge."
"What? That doesn't even make sense - why would you want or need to know if I live alone? You're not a murderer are you?" I joke sarcastically.
"Answer the question, Anile." He forces as he crosses his legs - not in frustration, in a tranquil manner. How the bloody hell can he be so at ease when I'm almost a blubbering mess? And annoyingly, I cannot talk about my parents, I know better.
"Mr. Darks, sorry but my parents are off limits. What is the reason for my being here?" I ask hoping to disarm him, and in hope that I can change the conversation.
"Answer my question, Anile."
No such luck, this could get messy!
I stare him hard in the face, annoyed that he keeps ignoring my question.
"I just told you, I cannot discuss my parents. Why am I here?"
“You are a very hard woman for me to read, Anile.”
"Sorry?" I say, double checking I just heard him right; I think he's talking about himself!
"You heard me." He says.
“I can assure you I'm not hard to read - it is you that has an unreadable personality."
He stays quiet, looking at me like I'm something to devour. His demanding eyes force me to answer him. I *sigh* before I start talking again, insuring he knows this is getting tiring.
"There is nothing to read; I'm a law graduate. I live alone in London, and I have very limited hobbies, Sir.”
“You are very reticent.” He mutters trying to suppress a laugh.
Cheeky Bastard!
“And you are loquacious!” I snap.
His gorgeous blue eyes shoot open in amusement. He laughs low, covering his mouth with his hand as he tries to contain himself. Really, I'm not that fucking funny!
“Look Sir, I'm not on trial today. You relinquished your rights to interview me when you only asked me two questions. If you are in need of more personal information, I would recommend reading over my Curriculum Vitae or the magic of the internet has been known to be useful.”
Yes, I have again found my balls. I don't like people blatantly laughing in my face!
“Were they not good questions?"
"What do you mean?"
Crap, he's caught me off guard again! What was his question?
"Your interview questions, were they not good enough for you? I found out everything I need to know about you. I found out that you are a smart mouthed woman with more than a degree. You want to challenge yourself on a daily basis and you like winning. These are all qualities I like in my women, not that I have ever had the pleasure of my desired woman - until you.”
Oh my! His answer pools around in my head on repeat, ‘these are all qualities I like in my women’, wow!
He likes my smart mouth? Well here goes.
“With all due respect, I'm not your woman; I don't even know you, Sir.”
“With all due respect Anile - it is not about knowing someone immediately. It is about gaining trust in the right respect. I interviewed you quickly to insure I kept you on your toes and also to insure you were not bored to the brink of death. I waited outside for you today on your first day of work. I have made the effort to interact with you; I have also made time in my busy schedule to see you alone, and shockingly, I have not laid one finger on you - considering I am now struggling with myself and showing immense restraint - I think I deserve a few minutes of your time, and also your trust - would you agree?”
Oh my God! He wants me, the same way I want him! His confirmation makes my ego balloon - I cannot believe it! Okay, be cool, you own this.
“What do you want? Why did you call me into your office?”
“I have a charity event that I am hosting this Saturday and I request that you accompany me.”
“Is that a question or are you telling me?”
“Neither, all my employees attend these events so you will too. You can either come with me or I will meet you there.”
I'm astounded at his use of words - the audacity of him! Derek was right, he's smart. I think for a while before I answer him. I distract myself by eyeing our wine glasses on the beautiful mahogany coffee table. They are now chilled from the wine and water is generously dripping down the sides of the slick crystal. I smile to myself as I notice the glasses are also touching - a small gesture on his behalf I'm sure.
“Okay. I will see you there.” I reply as I get to my feet.
“Leaving so soon?” He asks with a smile dancing around his beautiful pouted lips.
I pick up my wine and take a huge gulp - holy shit, this has to be the best wine I have ever tasted! Its fruity taste explodes in my mouth as I savour the chilled sensation running down my throat. Hmmm, not only does he look good, but he has great taste too. Bastard, how can he be almost perfect? The immediate rush of alcohol gives me the courage I need to start questioning him, let's see how he likes it!
“Why do you have every Olympian Greek God painting in your reception area and all the Olympian Greek Goddess paintings hidden away in your office?”
“And you are observant, another trait I like about you.” He replies, but still doesn’t answer my question.
I look at him and raise my eyebrows, noting he has not met me on my feet; he's still melted in the huge red leather sofa. I never noticed his sofa before; it looks new, like it has never been sat on before us. He heeds my gaze, his eyes are ablaze.
His disarming beauty and lack of answers are annoying me.
“I bet every woman, even the clever ones surrender to your commands. Asking ‘how high’ when you say ‘jump.”
He bows his head smiling to himself.
“Never underestimate the allure of darkness Anile, even the most pure hearts are drawn to it.”
Fuck me! His words affect me more than I realized! My heart pounds faster, sweat pools in my hands. I need to get the hell out of here before I do something I will live to regret. I lick my lips trying to digest everything that has happened in the last half hour so I can hopefully leave here without feeling haunted by him.
“I have to leave now. My friend Derek is waiting for me.”
He nods his head with another question playing on his mind - I can tell by his outlandish expression.
“He's not my boyfriend.” I confess - I have no idea why.
“I know he isn’t.”
His quick reply to my answer gets my back up.
“How do you know?”
“I know everything I need to know about you, Anile.” He replies sombrely.
“So why get me here and ask me tons of questions if you already know the answers?”
“I like your voice, I like your smart mouth, I like the way your mind works quickly, and I now also like it when you get annoyed. The way you stormed out of your interview was very thrilling.”
Is he actually taking the piss! I desperately want to smack his face!
“Is this how you get your kicks Mr. Darks? Controlling people
, situations?” I almost shout.
“A little.” He mutters amused as he leans forward.
He gently takes his glass. He takes a small sip of his wine and peers up at me looking delighted. Is there no end to his audacity? Repeating my answer to his earlier question, ‘so I make you uneasy’. He has really pissed me off. I want to teach him a lesson. I aim to snatch his wine from his hands but in a nanosecond, he grabs my arm and effortlessly pulls me beneath him on the sofa. He cages me in with his legs, forcing mine open - my skirt rises up my thighs, leaving me exposed to him. He firmly holds my hands above my head, straddling them against the cool leather. I pant, forcing air into my deflated lungs - they feel collapsed because of his sudden attack. How the hell did this happen? I honestly thought I was gaining control but again, I have failed. His face is practically touching mine. His shockingly harsh breath thrashes into me, forcing me to indulge in the fruitiness of his intoxicating scent, along with the smell of the wine. I gasp for air, knowing I'm suffocating. I stare down towards his lips knowing he's going to kiss me, and knowing dreadfully that I want him too. No, no, no, this was not supposed to happen!
“Is this what you want Anile?" He whispers.
"What, you? Isn't that what every woman wants?"
"Yes, until they know me."
"Why - what's wrong with you? Besides the obvious."
"Listen to me very carefully - once you work your way through my dark layers, you will trick me into losing you, having me unknowingly carry you home in a basket of gold."
What on earth does that mean? His earlier eerie words come rushing back to me for some reason and pool around in my mind like they are some kind of an unexpected clue; Fitchers Bird. I blink in rhythm with my heartbeat. I sense something sinister from him; his essence changes so rapidly, like our conversations.
Suddenly his hand is no longer pinning both of mine above my head. I pull my arms down flush against my sides, vividly feeling the remainder of his grip. He snakes his hands around my waist, slipping them beneath my shirt. His frosty cold fingers send shivers rushing through my veins, causing a sense of euphoria to linger all over my body. I close my eyes, trying to accommodate the arousing sensation of his touch, not knowing if I can control myself. To my surprise - he doesn't kiss me - he gently puts me on my feet, lifting me as though I'm as light as a feather, hardly affecting his muscles. He stares down at me while he affectionately straightens out my suit jacket. He tugs on the hem of my jacket, and slides both his hands over my sides, cupping me in his grip, overly working out the creases - my jacket is not creased, what's he doing? I wonder as I notice his harrowing expression. It's only now I notice his height - he literally towers over me. I wonder exactly how tall he is?
“I will see you Saturday Miss Gooden.” He unexpectedly says.
What? No! Why is he now acting so formal?
“Won’t I see you before then?” I ask as I wobbly stand before him, worried I won’t see his beautiful face for almost a week.
“I will not be at this office for the rest of the week Miss Gooden. Please see yourself out.”
Wow; this situation has done a massive one-eighty on me. I'm star struck, but manage to grab my briefcase off of the hard floor. I slowly walk away from him - forcibly clutching my tummy muscles as sadness washes over me. I feel this ache in my chest where my heart is, this plague like sensation affects my system as I fear I won't see him for almost a week.
“Please be safe on the underground.” He tells me.
I don't reply, nor do I look back at him. I open the door with every bit of dignity I have left in me and I leave.
As soon as I shut his heavy office door, I lean back against it, trying to gather myself as the ill like feeling quickly leaves my system. I have to get out of here, I have to leave now before I feel sick again. I rush through the hall, feeling confused as to who he is - he seems to possess numerous personalities and each one grips me when I'm in his presence.
As I walk through his reception area, I eye every Greek God knowing who they are and what they represent. He holds more of the Greek Goddess traits as appose to the Greek Gods if you ask me - Athena, Goddess of intelligence, skill, warfare, battle strategy, handicrafts and wisdom - fill my mind representing him. I wonder why the Greek Gods are separated from the Greek Goddesses? And why the Gods are in perfect order as appose to the Goddesses being all over the place? Maybe that is how he sees the world, through only a man’s eyes, believing men are the ultimate power, but secretly threatened by women. That's probably why he keeps the Goddess paintings separate and hidden. The realization makes me shiver, and so do his words that have been specially placed into my mind. ‘Never underestimate the allure of darkness, even the most pure hearts are drawn to it Anile’. I shudder at the memory as I press the button to the lift. It instantly pings open and I step in, turning to take one last look at Mr. Darks' reception, knowing it's his personality on show for only a special few. My body freezes in place as I catch Mr. Darks standing in the centre of his hall. He's staring at me with his hands placed neatly behind his back. He half smiles - I think - and as the lift doors close, I fall against the walls, desperately trying to gather myself. I'm finally able to think, breathe, and come back to life. I *sigh* feeling perplexed.
"What the fuck just happened?"
Chapter Five
I ARRIVE HOME in anxious buckets of sweat. Today was a head fuck to say the least! As soon as I walk through my apartment front door, Derek's on his feet. He starts bombarding me with questions.
“Right Sweetie, how was today? Did you enjoy it? Did you meet anyone nice? Did you see Mr. Dark and dangerous?” He finishes laughing.
I drop my briefcase on the carpet in the lounge and fall into my sofa.
“Derek, oh Derek! Ugh, you have no idea what the hell has happened today.” I squeal as I grab my favourite netted pillow and stuff my face into it trying to figure out the last nine hours.
“Well? Tell me Anile, I'm dying here!” He forces.
I spend over an hour explaining everything to him while we sit facing one another on the sofa. Legs crossed, coffees in hand that Derek so kindly made. When I'm finally finished, he just stares at me dumbfounded.
“Anile, I am utterly speechless.”
“Please give me some feedback Derek, I'm struggling to understand today myself.”
“I think - I think Mr. Darks is an overpowering control freak with way too much money. I think he's used to controlling women but he knows he cannot control you and it mystifies him. I don’t think he knows how he feels about you and he's trying to work out his emotions - that might be the reason why he asked you into his office alone."
"Believe me, he probably thinks he can control me more than any other woman that has ever graced his path."
"You might think that, but trust me, you ooze independence. You are so young and yet you live alone in such a huge City. You also come across extremely aloof but I know you don't mean to appear that way, you're just suffering with your over bearing imagination."
"Aloof! That's not very nice!" I snap childishly.
"I mean it in a kind way Anile."
I *sigh*, wondering if his observation is true.
"I also think you should listen to Hester and stay away from him Anile. If he's in politics and higher power, he's probably part of the enlightened ones - I know you understand who I mean - and if this is the case, he will be working on another level which you will not be able to handle. I don't want you to be seduced into the darkness, I care too much about you.”
“I think Hester just means he's a control freak, which he clearly is.”
“Why don’t you leave that job and find another one Anile, Sweetie?”
“No damn way, I deserve this job, and anyway, Mr. Darks will not be there anymore."
"I know you deserve it, but his perplexing ways must get to you?"
"His cryptic ways don't bother me much Derek, but do you know what does?”
“What?”
"I read up that Elijah Darks is retired, yet he was clearly at work. And I also remember meeting him in the cafeteria when I had my interview, but he didn't buy anything, apart from my coffee. Do you think that's strange?”
“Yeah that is strange, it's like he targeted you.” He replies staring at me questionably, “or you are just over analysing this like you do everything. You should be called Pandora with your curiosity young lady.” He finishes teasing me with a sharp poke to my ribs.
I throw a pillow at him and get up to run. He lunges at me play fighting, knocking my coffee everywhere, but I don't care - although I should, my sofa is pastel cream and coffee will stain it. He takes my coffee and puts it on the side board. He pins me down with one hand and pulls my jacket off with the other - to gain easier access to my rib cage so he can tickle me endlessly. I try to stop him but he's much, much stronger than I am. Once my jacket is thrown onto the floor, he forces my hands above my head with his tight grip. He childishly tickles me, everywhere from my sides to my armpits.
"Derek stop!" I beg in fits of giggles while he continuously tickles me. I cannot contain my laughter - I'm on the verge of wetting myself!
"No, sorry Sweets, not until you listen to me." He jokes.
"I will, I swear!" I scream between giggles.
"Okay, okay." He jokes as he pulls me close to him. He pulls me into his lap and wraps his legs around me from behind me.
"Just please be careful and listen to the ones who know him Anile; that's how we people understand one another, sometimes through others in their inner circle."
He's right and luckily for me, there is no shortage of people at work who have been around Mr. Darks for years, knowing him on a personal level.
My phone pings with a text message - I'm on edge. I don't usually get texts from people. I communicate mostly on Facebook and through e-mails. I have an itching feeling it's from unknown - how right I am!
From: Unknown
Your presence still lingers in my office.
Holy fuck! It's Mr. Darks! My mouth is agape. Derek eyes me wryly.