章節 14: 13. Other man
Oliver looked at me with malice. "Do you have a meeting with Florida INC. or just a personal meeting with the owner?"
"Knock it off, Ol. Let's talk later."
"Wait," he interrupted and turned to my secretary. "Please, let him in, Paula."
"What? Wait—"
I didn't continue what I was about to say because Oliver quickly walked out of his office. I noticed Isabella standing up and approaching me.
"So, you're hooking up with him again?" She commented with disgust.
I looked at her. "What?"
"You're hooking up with Arik again? After I told you that you have no place in his life before? Is that how desperate you are to get everything you want? The Fuentebellas, and now the Riofloridas." She accused me confidently, almost making me laugh.
I sighed, "If you only knew, Isabella, you can't say that to me now." I whispered as Oliver and Arik arrived.
I gasped when Arik's radiant and handsome face greeted me. That tattoo on his neck was peeking out even though he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt today. He's so hot with that look! His man bun added even more appeal to him.
"Arik, you're here!" Isabella immediately approached him and hugged him.
I raised an eyebrow and turned to Oliver. "Why did you let him in?"
"I just wanted to."
I glared at Oliver and nudged him.
"I didn't know you'd come here. I'm sorry I couldn't inform you last night, I was in a hurry," Isabella explained to him while staying close to him.
I raised my eyebrow. They were together last night? Maybe that's why he didn't reply. It's okay. What do I care?
"It's fine, Isabella. Your secretary informed me. The meeting last night wasn't important anyway," Arik replied coldly to her, quickly shifting his gaze from her to me.
"Celeste," he muttered and approached me. Before I could react, he kissed my cheek and shook hands with Oliver.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were at the office. Fortunately, I bumped into your secretary," he said, looking at me softly.
"It's okay. I was heading back anyway."
"Do you have any plans today? Celeste is free until lunch. You're joining the conference later, right, Arik?" Oliver asked him.
Arik nodded quickly and glanced at me. His eyes were captivating. They were sharp yet lively.
"We can just go together to the conference together," Arik suggested. I noticed Isabella approaching us.
"Arik, I thought I could go with you to the conference later. We talked about this last night, right?"
I cleared my throat. When I looked at Arik, I noticed a frown on his face directed at Isabella.
"I don't recall saying that to you. Why? Don't you have your own car?"
Oliver almost burst out laughing at that, so I quickly pinched and nudged him. We moved away from there. I signaled to Oliver that I was leaving, while I could still hear Isabella making sarcastic remarks to Arik.
When I glanced back at them, I caught Arik stealing occasional glances at me, so I immediately averted my gaze.
"Are you going?" Arik called out to me before I could even leave Oliver's office.
I nodded and looked at Isabella, who had a scrunched-up face.
"Yes, Mr. Rioflorida."
Arik furrowed his brows and licked his lower lip. "What's with the formality, Celeste?" he asked softly as he approached me. "Don't you like me calling you by your first name? Should I be formal with you too?"
His words didn't escape the ears of those present in the office, and I immediately felt embarrassed. I almost wanted to sink into the ground. That was the name I should be calling him!
"Uh... It's not that. If you're coming with me, just follow along," I said, quickly passing by him.
I walked briskly back to my office, hoping to avoid him. But before I could reach it, he intercepted me. I swallowed hard as he gave me a piercing look. I was sure we were attracting attention from the employees on that floor.
"What?" I asked.
"You didn't answer my question," he insisted. "Should I be formal with you too? Should I call you Ms. Fuentebella? Would you prefer that?" he asked softly, his gaze roaming over me.
"It's up to you, Mr. Rioflorida," I replied and entered my office. He quickly followed.
My heart continued to race as I felt his eyes on me with every move I made.
"So, can I accompany you to the conference later? After your meeting with the Sy Corp."
"No, Mr. Rioflorida," I replied promptly.
"But why?"
"I don't want any trouble. Your girlfriend might freak out and come after me."
"I don't have one," he said, causing my gaze to quickly shift towards him.
I stood up straight, concealing the trembling in my knees due to the tension from his intense gaze. Why was I reacting like this?
"What did you really come here for?"
His brows furrowed with concern. His jaw clenched as he observed my every move as if he had an idea that I was trying to distract myself from my nervousness. When I was about to speak again, he approached me directly.
I found myself leaning back against my table as he walked straight towards me. Both of his hands rested on either side of me on the table, and his lips almost grazed my nose.
Arik towered over me, and my knees began to shake uncontrollably.
"I want a date with you, Ms. Fuentebella," he declared as if he wasn't giving me the option to refuse.
His breath was brushing against my face, carrying his intoxicating scent. His entire being exuded an alluring fragrance. His scent was so familiar to me. After all those years, it remained the same.
"W-What? No," I stuttered.
"I'm not asking for your permission. I said I want a date with you, Celeste," he insisted, leaning in even closer.
I gasped as his lips lightly brushed against my nose. I felt like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment. I couldn't even move, fearing that we might come into even closer contact.
God. This is the reason why I approached him that night at the bar. Not because I thought he needed help getting away from the woman who was bothering him, but because I wanted him. I wanted to taste those lips of his.
"I... I'm taken," I lied.
He stiffened, but only for a second. When I glared at him, a smirk formed on his lips, revealing his perfect, white teeth. He clicked his tongue and stared at me intently. I felt his hand on my back, causing me to almost lose my strength.
"Then I can be your other man," he suggested.
"I said no," I stubbornly replied.
"How about breaking up with him and playing with me instead?" he suggested again, causing my mouth to gape open in shock. His gaze lowered to my lips, and he slowly licked his lower lip. His jaw clenched.
"Close your mouth, Celeste, or do you want me to kiss you? I wouldn't mind," he said confidently.
I quickly shut my mouth. Before I could react, the door suddenly opened.
"Ma'am Celeste—aw! I'm sorry! I'll come back later!" Paula exclaimed hysterically and quickly left.
That's when I regained my composure and quickly distanced myself from Arik.
"So, let's start our meeting, Ms. Fuentebella," he said, uttering the words as if nothing had happened, and he took a seat in the visitor's area of my office.
I rolled my eyes and cursed under my breath, trying to regain the strength that he had melted away just moments ago.
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