บท 15: Doyle: A Difference in Personality
I walked to my desk as I thought about Doyle inviting me for dinner. Was he going to continue lecturing me for earlier?
But it's dinner... Maybe he was simply inviting me because he felt bad for the action he did earlier... But still... Earlier that was... a kabedon right?
My heart was really beating in my chest! Probably more so because I was paranoid he was going to hi-- no he wouldn't hit me... but... he had looked really angry earlier.
I shook the thought away as I stared at the documents before me. My thoughts drifted back to the cup of coffee he had prepared for me. It was sweet... bittersweet, really. But... I felt happy he knew I liked sweet things... I wonder how he knew...
I bit my lips as I realised I had been thinking so much about Doyle and shook my head vigorously. I cleared my mind before staring at the documents and filling them in.
I need to remain focused now! If I don't, then I won't be able to grab dinner with Doyle! W-wait... I didn't mean it that way... Now I seem unusually eager! Uuuuhhhhh.... It's okay... Nobody can read my mind. I'll be fine.
"Are you alright, Lenford?" my colleague in the cubicle next to me asked as he leaned in his chair to glance at me, catching me off-guard.
"Ah?! Y-yes! Nothing to worry about!" I said as my voice broke and went a pitch higher. Oh my goshhh! What's wrong with me?
"You sure? Your face is awfully red. Do you have a fever?" he asked as he was about to touch my forehead.
"I-I'm fine! Thanks for your concern! It just feels a little hot in here." I said as I leaned away and started fanning myself.
"O-okay then." he said before turning his gaze back to his work.
I have no idea why I did that but I felt a heated gaze on my back for that whole duration we were talking. I dared a glance behind after the gaze stopped and saw Doyle walking off in the distance.
Must have been my imagination... right?
***
"Lenford. Doyle is calling you. Did you do something to get on his bad side? Is he taking out his anger on you from this morning? I mean... he got punished for being late while you weren't." my colleague whispered as I glanced at the glass door where Doyle stood.
"No. You don't need to worry about that. Thanks for your concern." I said quickly as I tidied my suitcase and hurried for the door after waving goodbye to him.
"D-Doyle... I'm here."
"Hmm. Follow me."
I followed after Doyle as he pressed the button of the elevator to go to the basement. I stopped outside the elevator door as I felt my face burning. Memories of what we did in the elevator at his place plagued my mind before I felt Doyle's hand on mine.
"Are you scared? Don't worry, I'm here." he said as he broke into a gentle smile.
My heart fluttered before I nodded and stepped into the elevator. Even when the door shut, he didn't release my hand and instead held it firmly in his hand.
When the elevator dinged, Len stepped out with me following after. He exited the door and stopped at the basement. I never came here because I seldom drive to work. However, the basement was vast and I had no idea how anyone could navigate through it.
"Why don't you wait here for a few minutes? I'll get the car." Doyle said as he released my hand.
I nodded and watched him leave, but glanced at the hand which now felt cold from the lack of his warmth.
"Oh! Lenford, was it?" a voice so familiar yet distant called out as I turned around to find Rayson exiting the elevator.
"Ra-Rayson!" my voice was up by several pitches. Even I cringed at it.
"You heading home now? I didn't know you drove."
"I-I uh... I'm waiting for someone."
"Your girlfriend?"
"Girl--! N-no... Nothing like that."
"Oh. My bad. I know you liked guys. Anyways, I'll catch you later." Rayson said as he walked off into the distance oblivious to the stinging words he said.
I lowered my head as I found my face flushed and tears prickling my eyes, thinking about his words. He was right, but hearing him say it like that sounded hurtful. It felt like he was judging me.
A long moment passed before a black car stopped before the door. I stared at it but didn't move to enter it. I was still waiting for Doyle.
The door on the driver's side opened and I pulled my gaze up to find Doyle smiling at me. He held my hand and led me to the passenger side as he opened the door for me to get in.
I entered the car and blinked several times while Doyle shut the door and walked in front of the car, back to his side in the driver's seat.
I touched the smooth leather of the seat before glancing at the four rings on the steering wheel. A-Audi?!
Doyle entered the car with a smug grin as he leaned my way and pulled the seat belt over me. My cheeks flushed from our close contact but he didn't move away right after.
He touched my cheek and stared at my face for a long while before smiling and pulling away. I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding but felt disappointed at the same time.
"You look sad. Did something happen when I was gone?" Doyle asked making me flinch. How did he know? Was he a psychic?
"E-eh... Uh... No..."
"If you think you can't talk to me about it, it's fine. You deserve the right to keep secrets of your own. Even I do." Doyle said as he buckled his seat belt and set the car for 'drive'.
"R-right..."
"Len, do you mind Chinese?"
"P-pardon? I-I'm fine with anything."
"That's good then. I was worried I had to cancel my reservation."
"H-huh?"
"It's a pretty long drive from here. You can take a short nap. I'll wake you up when we get there."
"A-alright."
I glanced at Doyle from the reflection in the mirror. He seemed pretty excited and had a confident look on his face. His fierce and menacing demeanor was replaced with his current elated one.
It was reminiscent with the Doyle I knew from yesterday... It can't be... does he have... split personalities? Oh my... His childhood must have been awful... I suppose I'll do my best to keep him happy in the few moments we hang out together.
I sniffled a little at the thought earning Doyle's worried expression. He rummaged through his pocket and handed me a packet of tissue. I accepted it and stared teary eyed at him.
He had an unreadable expression when he looked at me but patted my head before he turned on the music. His attention was then focused back onto the road while I found myself soothed by the calm lullaby of orchestral music.
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