Chapitre 17: The Intensity Between Us
*Jenny*
"You're going to what now?" Ebony responded to my unexpected news. I just forced out an apologetic smile.
"It's just for a few months until they find interested and suitable adoptive parents for them.".
She sighed but before she can say anything else, Chloe suddenly hugged her and exclaimed, "Thank you! Pretty big sister! We'll be good kids!".
"Oh! Really?", she said while eyeing me, I just giggled and discreetly shrugged at her. Clay then added, "Don't worry Miss, we can do chores, we won't be a burden.".
"Ahuh...", Ebony then placed her hand on her side waist, "Fine, you two can stay..." The kids expressed their happiness through their smiles while Ebony pointed at me, "But they're sleeping in your room.".
"Of course, of course.", I replied. Clay also gave her a hug, it was their way of saying thank you to my roommate. Ebony doesn't like to admit it but she really has a soft spot for kids. The small smile on her face didn't escape my eyes. I am sure this is totally fine with her.
Olive, the woman I met a few days ago while I was in the hospital arranged this setup for me and the kids. Considering their recent experience with strangers, Clay and Chloe are best to be in the care of someone they trust and feel comfortable with as Olive explained to me. She helped me with registering as their foster guardian and also guaranteed me fostering allowances for the children. She was so cool and pretty, with her beautiful long silver hair and chocolate eyes, it puzzled me why she married Noel's brother, that person gave me a not-so-good impression.
Then a knock on the door came, "Hello? Is anyone home?". I went and checked who it was. Well, it's actually the very person I was thinking about. I opened the door and greeted her, "Hey, hi there Miss Olive.".
"Just Olive is fine, are the kids ready?".
"Ah, yes, yes. I was just telling my roommate about the, you know, arrangement.".
"Oh, you must be Miss Olive that I was being told about." Ebony popped out behind me, "Why don't you come in for a minute? Coffee?". She invited her in but Olive politely declined, "Thank you, just Olive is fine, but I'm here to pick up the kids.".
"Right, their clothes and stuff. Another time then?". Olive smiled and replied, "Of course, that will be great.". Ebony smiled back and whispered to me, "Damn she's hot!" And then said, "I'll go get the kids!". I chuckled at her then back to Olive, "Sorry about Ebony.".
"Oh, it's fine. My hubby is as lively as her... if you know what I mean.". Her playful grin had me laughing, I imagined that CEO being overly involved with her, that must be interesting to see.
"I'm ready!". "Good Morning, Miss Olive.". Chloe and Clay greeted her at the door. She squatted down and said, "Good Morning to both of you too, let's go?". The children nodded. "We'll be back after dinner time if that's okay with you?". I smiled and nodded. "Alright kids, say goodbye to them for now.". Clay and Chloe waved goodbye to us. Of course, we waved back and waited for them to be on the elevator before I closed our door and said to Ebony, "We should get going, too.".
When we arrived at the office, our manager quickly checked in on me, "Jenny, are you doing fine now? You don't have to push yourself to work, you know.". I smiled and assured our manager that I am well enough, "I'm good Mr. Walter, I appreciate the concern though you don't need to worry, I'm fine to work now.".
"Alright, if you say so. And about the counter-proposal, I've already signed it. Though Mr. Locke came earlier to personally check on it.". Which Locke though? And as if reading my mind, Mr. Walter said, "He's still in my office right now, if you want to talk to him. There's something that I need to do first, you go and I'll catch up later.". He briefly tapped on my shoulder and went on his way.
Before opening the door, I took a deep breath. Whoever is in this room, I surely need to stand my ground on my proposal. But I slightly hoped it would be Noel, I haven't seen him since I got discharged from the hospital. Though I still dream of him, seeing him in person was different, satisfyingly different. I don't know what's happening to me but ever since that 'promise' he made to me I couldn't stop thinking about him.
Ah! this isn't the time to be thinking about him. I touched the knob and took another breath before finally opening the door. And there he was, just reading quietly in front of our manager's table. He was also wearing eyeglasses, an accessory that overly fascinates me, and which really made him more attractive in my perspective. The glasses' frames fit perfectly with his face, I wish I look that good when I wear mine. After fixing up my glasses, I closed the door and cleared my throat a little. It was faint but it was loud enough to gain his attention, and damn he looks hot with those glasses and was looking at me.
I got a little disappointed when he removed them when he stood up and greeted me, "Good Morning Jenny". But it helped me not to tremble while conversing with him, "Good Morning Mr. Locke, please continue with your work.". I went closer to him.
"What's with the 'Mr. Locke'?".
"We're at work, I can't just call you whatever I want, can I?".
I must've said something that made him smirk and commented, "You can call me whatever you want when you're with me". Oh God, that meant so different in my mind. I forced out a cough to hide my embarrassment of thinking differently, "H-how was our c-counter-proposal? Is it good?".
"Well it's acceptable," Luckily my change of topic worked and he looked at the papers again. Though it was brief cause he focused on me again, "Thursday to Saturday, huh.".
"What? I allotted more days to Wolfeland Industries than the rest of my current clients, though Saturdays might be a problem since, you know, the kids.".
"Just bring them along." I got kind of surprised when he said that. "I'm sure Clay and Chloe won't be a bother.".
"Oh. Okay", was all I could say. He started staring intensely again. I couldn't help to look away and tucked my hair behind my ear. I'm confused as to why I'm feeling tense whenever I'm alone with Noel. My heart can't seem to calm down. It was dead silent until I heard him walk closer to me. I looked back at him and he was just inches away from me. We've locked eyes and then he brought his hand up to stroke my hair. He gently held a lock of my hair and sniffed them while closing his eyes. That gesture made me blush, I don't exactly know why but I just did.
"You smell so good..." He murmured huskily before opening his eyes and resumed staring at me intensely. I don't even know how red my face is right now. Something inside me started burning and my throat felt dry. Everything was so quiet, but the intensity that is building up between me and Noel was definitely getting louder...until someone opened the door.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone