“Thank you Mr. Yang!” I said taking the manila envelope and heading out after my goodbyes. Assistant to Mr. Watson? Me? This is too good to be true. I couldn’t wait to tell James.
As I was walking back to my desk I saw Jennifer looking at me again. I rolled my eyes, she’s lucky I can’t press charges of some sort. I felt my phone vibrate and I jumped forgetting it was in my blazer pocket.
I smiled when I saw that it was James, Good news?
Still freaks me out that he could feel my emotions. Great! Can’t wait to tell you <3
He quickly wrote back, Then tell me know *impatiently taps fingers on desk*
I laughed out loud at his cuteness and looked around to make sure I didn’t get any unnecessary attention, You’re just going to have to wait :P
He still demanded that he had to pick me up from work. Even though I told him I would be fine. Collin was the one that was doing the attacking before and he’s obviously not crazy now. But I’ll take what I can get with James, I loved seeing him anyways.
I looked over the papers. I would have to go and see Mr. Watson today before work finished and have a talk with him before though.
A few hours later I noticed I could start packing up to leave. I stretched as I turned off my computer and took my bag. I’m tempted to just go in and tell him I accept the job now, but I want to talk to James about it first.
I was about to walk out of the elevator into the lobby when I saw James talking to Collin. I hesitated going forward but James looked at me and smiled reassuringly.
I quietly walked to James’s side and barely mumbled a ‘hi’ to Collin. I noticed his eyes were red and his sharp teeth were out. Why is he like that? Is he permanent too?
He noticed me looking at his teeth and smiled. But it was forced. He looked at James who also looked worried as his arm went around my waist. What did they talk about before?
“Nice seeing you.” James said as he shook Collin’s hand like guys always do before Collin dashed off. I looked around making sure no one saw him and looked back at James.
“What was that about?” I asked taking in James’s worried face.
“Nothing… he’s just being paranoid about something. Let’s go.” he looked around and took me to his car. He quietly drove us in the direction of his family’s home and kept glancing at the rearview mirror.
“Did Collin say something?” I asked, “Is he bad again?”
“Hmm? No Collin’s fine. Actually… if I’m not around and you see him….and he tells you to go somewhere with him or something… go.”
“What? Are you kidding?”
I noticed his grip on the steering wheel get tight, “Nothing. Trust me he’s the last person I want to trust… but I trust him. Just know you can trust him now that’s all.”
“Okay…” I agreed reluctantly. He’ll tell me when he wants to.
He cleared his throat, “So…tell me, what was the good news.” He said trying to change the subject.
Deciding to just let it go since I trusted him, “I got a promotion.”
He looked at me with a wide smile, “That’s great! Tell me about it!”
“Well… you know the building we’re in, Dash & Watson, the CEO Mr. Watson, wants me to be his assistant. I’ve seen him sometimes around the building and he’s kept a tab on my work and he thinks I have potential. He wants me to be his assistant!”
“That’s great!” he said smiling then serious, “Do you know this new boss?”
“Yes.”
“Will you be…far from W-Ads?” He asked.
“Oh yeah. And I start on Monday.”
“Where?” He asked furrowing his brows.
“A few floors above.” I laughed.
The line between his brows smoothed and he smiled, “Oh.”
“Yeah… what were you thinking?”
“I… thought that that maybe Watson might just own the building and work somewhere else. Far maybe…”
“Then I wouldn’t accept it.” I said simply and took his hand before looking ahead too.
“So you’re telling me if your dream job was offered to you in New York, you wouldn’t take it?” he asked surprised.
“My dream job is just to have a good job. My real dream has always been just finding a good guy and being happy. Which I got.” I looked at him and smiled. He tried to hide his smile but failed. I smiled in a response and leaned out of my seat to kiss his cheek as he drove.
We had lunch with his family. I didn’t fail to notice that when Jenny was talking to me James discreetly told David and his father something in Gaelic. I caught a few words that I had learned thanks to the internet a few weeks ago, 'dangerous', 'okay' and ‘here’. The rest I had no idea. I really needed to find an intro book to learn more.
I looked at James and gave him an ‘I know you’re keeping something from me’ look. But he just shook his head and proceeded to eating. After dinner James took me to his room, I hoped he’d finally talk to me and tell me what happened since Collin.
We sat back on the bed with our back against the headboard and cuddled. A few weeks ago we were in this room where he ended our relationship and now we were together. Closer than ever. Except he was still keeping things from me.
“James why won’t you tell me what Collin said?” I asked and he tensed up.
“Because…it’s probably nothing and I don’t want to scare you.” He said as he ran his finger down my ring finger.
“You not telling me anything is making me more scared. I won’t be scared…just tell me.”
He hesitated and sighed, “Well… Collin said he noticed someone following him around lately. He said it was a man. He thinks he even saw a flash, like a camera. It could be anything or nothing at all…but he warned me just in case.”
“Why would he warn you if someone was following him around?”
He sighed, “Because… there was a picture left in his mailbox. It was of when he and I were fighting…you’re in the picture too.”
I sat back and looked at him, “And you didn’t want to tell me this?”
“I’m sorry I just didn’t want to scare you. I figured I could protect you without you having you worry…”
I groaned, “Ugh James…we’re in this together. Will you thinking for me? I’m getting really tired of being out of the loop. Especially if my life is involved.”
“Don’t be mad baby,” he said grabbing both my hands as I faced him, “I really didn’t think much of it…I still don’t think much of it. It’s just pictures. That’s why I didn’t want you to worry. I’m sure it’s nothing…”
“Who do you think took them?” I asked forcing myself to not be mad.
“Don’t know... I mean who would? But what’s bad is you can clearly see what we were doing…hopefully with all the movie and book trends these days people will just think we’re acting out something for a play or something.” he said pulling me back into his side, “But…I really want to keep an eye on my family for the time being…”
“So you’re staying here?” I asked feeling sad and selfish for wanting him with me.
“Yeah…well…you too.” He said suddenly shy, “I really want to keep an eye on all of you…and it would help if everyone was in one place.”
If he’s not taking the picture so seriously why does he want to keep an eye on everyone?
He tilted my chin up to face him, “I’ll never let anything happen to you. You know that right?” I nodded and caught glimpse of his lips. Suddenly feeling like I hadn’t kissed him in years I missed those soft, full but not too full, lips. I held in a sigh and he leaned in and kissed the left corner of my lips, then the right. I could feel that he was forcing himself to stop as he rested his forehead onto mine. His control was getting harder lately and it was hard on me too. I could only imagine how bad it could before him.
Feeling frustrated, and a little naughty for always being the one to want to go forward, I pulled him closer and kissed him for real. I ran my fingers in his ha
ir as he held me close. I felt myself smile as I noticed he was kissing me without wanting to bite my neck off. His hands went down to my hips and he pulled me into his.
I accidently let out a moan against his lips and I felt him smile as we pulled away. He looked at me in my eyes before gently pushing me on the bed and continued our little make out session. It felt naughtier being in his childhood room for some reason. I felt like we were going to get caught and in trouble by his parents.
I heard an annoyed groan and someone laugh making us stop and snap our eyes to the door. David and Chris stood there watching us. David looked annoyed but Chris had the biggest grin on his face.
“Finally.” Chris said grinning even bigger.
James leaned to get a pillow from behind me and threw it at Chris making David finally crack a smile.
“What do you guys want?” James asked irritated pulling me up with him.
“Seriously, at your parent’s house James?” David said and preceded coming in and sitting at the chair next to the desk.
“James, sorry to … kill the mood,” David started awkwardly only adding to my mortification, “But… what do you plan on doing now… you know…”
“Now that I am like this forever?” James asked bitterly.
“You don’t know it’s forever…” Chris said hopeful, “Maybe you two will find something. You still have a long way to go till your thirtieth birthday.”
I smiled at Chris, I always liked him.
“Well I’m not getting my hopes up…” James said pulling me back loser to him. I’ve noticed he does this subconsciously whenever he talks about something he thinks is going to have me running.
David eyed us curiously then looked at me, “So you’re okay with him being like this forever?”
James tensed waiting for my answer, “Of course. He’s still the James I fell in love with.” I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder to show how comfortable I am with him. He snuck his arm around my waist and squeezed me even closer before he kissed the top of my head.
David cleared his throat, “I’ll just go to the guest room… come on Chris.” He said and pulled Chris away from us.
“Guess we should go to sleep too,” James said, “But I was thinking. Tomorrow… want to go on a date? Celebrate your promotion?”
“A date? An actual date?”
“Yes an actual date…” he said pulling my back so that I was lying in his embrace.
“Are you sure you can’t read my mind?” I said looking up at him.
He laughed, “I promise you, I cannot read minds. As much as I wish I could.”
“Me too… But yes, I’d love to. What are we going to do?”
“You’ll see.” He smiled and pulled me down next to him before he closed his eyes.
“What should I wear?” I whispered.
He opened one eye and peaked at me and closed it again, “Anything.” He smiled showing his sharp canines. I cuddled into his side some more and soon fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The next day I convinced him to let me go back to my apartment so I could get the new maroon dress I bought a while ago. I guess it’s not new anymore, but I haven’t worn it yet so it’s still new in my opinion.
Jenny had pulled me aside in the morning and told me to dress as she said, “Hot!” So this dress will be perfect.
After taking a shower I slipped on the knee length body hugging cleavage loving dress and smiled in my reflection. It hugged me in all the right places, meaning everywhere, but it was slightly conservative by not showing too much skin. Just in case. Since all I knew was ‘dress hot’. The dark red tone brought made my skin glow and hair look extra dark and sultry. I hoped James would like it.
I did my hair in loose curls and smoky makeup with a touch of shimmer. He said he’d pick me up at eight. He had told David to be by my apartment just in case and he didn’t want me to know. But David didn’t feel like walking around outside for nothing so he ended up just knocking on my door and I let him in. I ended up finishing way too early and sat with him to watch television. It’s only half past six.
I groaned and remembered I hadn’t talked to Tiff in a long time. I texted her and told her to come over if she was in the area. Knowing her, she was because of Daniel’s coffee shop.
David rolled his eyes and was about to leave but he stood and turned to look at me, “I… I’m happy my cousin found you.” He said awkwardly and didn’t let me answer before he left. I smiled and waved even though he wasn’t looking back.
Tiffany arrived a little before seven and hugged me hello. “You look hot! What’s the occasion!?”
“James and I have a date.” I smiled, “But it’s not till eight so I figured we could do a little catching up. Want anything to drink?”
“Tea would be great!”
I served her tea as she caught me up on her and Daniel. “I really like him! He’s so sweet and he’s such a hard worker. He wants to open two more locations by the end of the year. Oh and he’s been going to some auditions. Apparently acting is his secret passion.”
“Oh really? Hope he gets some!” I said and sipped on my tea.
“How are things with you and James? I feel like I haven’t seen him in months. Or you in that matter.”
I almost choked on my tea, has it been months that she’s seen him? “Um… yeah” I laughed, “He’s just really busy with work and stuff.” I glanced at the clock and noticed that James would be here in thirty minutes. “It feels like a first date for some reason.”
“You look nervous! How cute!” she said.
“Yeah…” I laughed as the butterflies increased. Why did I feel so nervous?
After chatting some more she left right before James came over. “You look so beautiful.” He said lifting me making me squeal as he twirled me. He gave me the most passion hello kiss yet as I wrapped my arms around him. He handed me the flowers that were now squished because of his dramatic hello and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Thank you, you look handsome and hot.” I said and checked him out. He was wearing a black on black Armani casual suit. He looked beyond hot. If he was a celebrity, I’d be totally fangirling at that moment.
“Want to come in while I put the flowers away?” I asked looking at the squished roses and laughing. He nodded and came in with me, the butterflies increased by the minute. “They smell so good.” I smelled it as I put them in a vase.
“Want anything before we go?” I asked and he shook his head. I noticed he had been quiet this whole time.
“Why are you so quiet?” I asked while he put his hand on the small of my back and led me out the door.
“I’m just nervous. It’s been a while.”
“It’s just me…” I smiled. I noticed we were heading up the stairs. I gave him a curious look but he only smiled.
“You’ll see…”
We made it to the rooftop door. He took a deep breath and my butterflies were now piranhas. I still don’t know what I’m so nervous about. Or him. His nervousness is only adding onto mine.
He opened the door and the scene was spectacular. There were white Christmas lights hanging from the trees and wrapped around their stumps reminding me of the trees in Paris. There was a small white table in front of a bench, the bench that we got back together on.
“Whoa… it looks so beautiful! Did you do this?”
There were candles and roses on the table that he led me to. The table had soup already, it looked like miso soup. There were no chairs so we both sat on the bench and cuddled as we ate. James lifted the silver lid of the food and I smiled at the takeout box from Lotus Dragon in it.
“Lotus Dragon?” I asked.
“It’s where we met…” he smiled.
James’s phone rang and he hesitated, “I told Chris to call only if it was an emergency.”
“Go ahead.” I smiled and looked down at my now clammy hands.
“I told you to call only if there was an emergency.” He mumbled. “
Only call if there is an emergency Chris!” he mumbled and I heard Chris yell a ‘good luck’ before he hung up.
“Idiot.” James mumbled. “Sorry about that.” He opened the boxes and set up our plates. It was the same order from that day. I knew that because it’s the same thing I always order from Lotus Dragon but I’ve only been there once with him.
“I remembered your order… monster brain has good memory.” He laughed nervously.
I elbowed his side, “If you’re going to keep referring to yourself like that, at least make it vampire. Sounds less…mean.”
“Sorry…vampire brain.” He laughed.
We fed each other each bite of sushi and had small chat since we were both unbelievably nervous. And as we took our last bite, I felt even worse.
“I don’t know why I feel so nervous…”I said and laughed timidly.
He eyed me curiously, “You feel nervous?”
“Yeah like I’ve been having butterflies like crazy… I sometimes have them when I’m with you but it’s like constant today and it keeps getting worse.” As I said that it stopped and James smiled. “It stopped.”
“I know because I don’t feel nervous anymore.”
“What?” I eyed him.
“I think you’re starting to feel what I feel too…” he said shyly and looked out to the city lights.
“How is that possible?”
“You’re blood is in my veins baby. We’re like one.”
I smiled at the thought, “So you’re nervous?”
“Yeah…”
“Why?” I asked.
“Um… let’s have dessert first.” He took another silver tin and opened it revealing some fruits. Starting to get the nervous feeling again I decided to help him stop being so nervous. I took the grapes and started to feed him. After feeding each other fruits he stood up and the piranhas were back.
He grabbed his phone again and texted someone or checked something. Before I had a chance to ask him what he was doing he held his hand out to me indicating that I stand up.
I stood up and looked at him hesitantly. He pulled me into his embrace. He threw his phone aside after pressing something and I realized he was using it as a remote. Suddenly a voice and music surrounded us. I knew that gorgeous voice anywhere, Michael Buble. “My favorite singer.” I said.
In My Veins Page 20