The morning light had stretched out into Rey's bedroom through the large wall windows when left his room for breakfast. He stared at the message for a while in deep thought before flipping his phone over as he continued sipping his coffee.
Now leaning on the banister, He peeped into the kitchen as he watched Mia, listening to the sound of her footsteps and the clinking of the plates ring out like music to his ears.
For the first time, he noticed how sexy she looked in the staff uniform. Although he had been watching her a few times from a distance as she cooked, it seemed her beauty grew by the day.
Bathed in warm sunlight, her hair took on a lustrous, silky sheen. The skin burned a little redder and she picked some dishes off the cabinet. Her lips were plush, velvety softness that begged to be kissed in the scrutiny of his gaze.
As though she felt his gaze pinning her all over, she turned swiftly towards him and caught his eyes. Their eyes locked for a heartbeat, and he blinked away, working back up towards his room before the loud slam thundered into the hallway. Mia was still frozen to the ground, lost, trying to recall and understand what just happened with a confused stare beneath her brows.
"What in the world just happened?" she muttered beneath her breath, blinking in shock.
By the time Rey was back downstairs for breakfast, the whole table was already set waiting to welcome his eyes. The strong, sweet aroma of pancakes or Waffles with Fresh Fruit, Syrup, and Whipped Cream had haunted his growling stomach so much that he could not resist facing Mia any longer.
He ate quicker than he usually did because he was already late for work since he disappeared into his room away from the air-borne awkwardness of the morning.
"Sir," Mia spoke as Rey ate, his pace a little slower in order to listen to her.
"I'm sorry about yesterday. I should have known better what my duties were as a business partner in this contract's agreement," she said, hoping he'd at least nod to show he was listening, but he didn't budge.
"I should have known better what to do and the right time to do it. It was my mistake," she bit her lip in embarrassment as he remained silent, eating slowly.
"But, Sir, if you don't mind me asking, who was she?" She blurted.
Shit! She had thought aloud. The question had been biting deep, leaving its venom planted in her mind as it killed her slowly since she left the restaurant that evening.
"I'm sorry if I am invading your privacy right now, but I think I need to know certain things about you if I am to appear in the presence of your parents," she said, trying to validate her question that felt seemingly too intimate for her to know.
When he finally turned, casting his gaze on her, she couldn't withstand the slow torture of having them burn into hers, and he smirked, watching her look away shyly.
"Get ready, we'd be out by ten. Your outfit is upside down," he said, standing up as his messy hair fell a little over his dark eyes.
"To where," she asked innocently, feeling her skin tingle as he leaned into her with an intense look, searching her eyes.
"To my room, for dessert," he responded in a husky voice, smirking as he watched her eyes widen in shock.
"See you at ten, little kitty," he said, ruffling her hair before leaving, but Mia froze to the spot slowly raising her hands to the spot he ruffled.
"What is he doing to me?" she said, as her hands fell to her side.
"God! I'm getting traumatized!" She cried, fetching the plates and hurrying away into the kitchen.
The traffic jam grew intense as Rey got to the center of the city, and he was pretty late for work that morning. Arriving at the office, he recalled his conversation with Mia that morning, and he grinned, though trying to maintain his tough facade as his employees wished him a good morning as they walked past him.
"Good morning, Young Davies," Andrews said, entering the elevator horridly, breathing erratically.
"Can you stop?" Rey retorted. Andrews knew Rey hated it when he was called Young Davies.
"I'm sorry, Sir," Andrews laughed.
"You seem quite happy, though," Andrews smiled at him as he turned back, staring out of the glass elevator over the busy city's view.
"I seem? I'm always happy, so that's a misconception," Rey's voice filled with pride, as he slid his right hand into his black trousers.
"C'mon man!," Andrew rolled his eyes, "I know this isn't you," he added, as rolls of curiosity formed in his forehead, scanning Rey's expression.
"I definitely don't know what you're talking about," Rey said, looking away from him.
"Are you sure you aren't hiding something from me?" Andrews asked, squinting his eyes.
"Stop trying so hard."
"Rey, you shouldn't do this. Friends tell each other everything. You are keeping a secret from me, and that's unfair."
"Nothing's unfair, Andrews; you're my secretary, remember? And I'm the boss. You better watch your words if you intend to keep your job," Rey teased, in mock seriousness, biting back a smile.
"All right, boss," Andrews said, giving him a pretentious quivering plea.
"Fuck you, sons, a' bitches," Reynold said, chuckling, punching him hard in the shoulder as the elevator door arrived, opening on the top floor.
"Ouch, Boss! Ouch!" Andrews laughed hard as he winced in pain before Rey vanished into his office.
Rey and Andrews were so close that formalities felt awkward between them.
It was 6:30 pm when Rey clocked out of work for the day. He left earlier than usual, remembering his date with Mia.
Some minutes later, his car jerked, pulling up at Luxxe One store. He had come to get an engagement ring that he'd present to Mia if his father asked him more questions about the sham he was building up.
His phone beeped in his pocket as his footsteps strode into the store, and he reached for it. It was the same unknown number again. He read the message in confusion and curiosity.
Today, 6:54
"Can't wait to meet you."
With so much love, C
The cryptic C.? Again? What the hell was going on?