Chapter 4: They're twins

LEAH

“Thank goodness we’re finally getting a break!” Jenny exaggeratedly let out a sigh as she leaned on her swivel chair. I chuckled at her reaction.

It was past four o’clock in the afternoon now and we were having an early dismissal from the company. Compared to the past few months when we had to work overtime as we were aiming to land a partnership with The Finance, things at work now weren’t as hectic as it was before.

“We better savor this moment. I heard that hell weeks are coming soon.” Kevin, who was sitting in front of his desk just across Jenny’s suddenly rebutted.

“Oh, stop killing the fun.” Jenny glared at him. “We’ll only be having a team building next week. That’s not considered a hell week you know.”

“And what’s so fun about those?”

“Says the person who hasn’t even participated even once in our team buildings.”

Once again, I chuckled at the two’s bickering. There were only three of us inside this room. After becoming one of the persons in charge in our company’s marketing team, I have been working with them for almost four years now. Bickering was a normal occurrence for the two and I’ve long been accustomed to that.

“Why not just go together this time?” Stretching my arms on both sides, I casually eyed the two of them.

“NO WAY!”

I blinked my eyes innocently at them seeing how they both reacted at the same time.

“What? Did I say something wrong?” I raised my brows at them. “We’re all going together anyways.”

“You… stop that!” Jenny narrowed her eyes at me, while I heard Kevin’s awkward cough.

Shrugging my shoulders, I placed my phone inside my handbag before finally standing up.

“Anyways, I’ll be heading out first.” I hung my coat on my arms before winking at them. “You guys take care, alright?”

I could hear Jenny grumbling as I walked out of our office. Slightly chuckling, I entered the elevator before pressing the button towards the ground floor. But just as the doors started to close, a strong hand came to stop it.

“Wait a sec.”

It was a man with a tall and strong stature who came to stop the elevator. I wasn’t paying attention at first, but a light bulb suddenly seemed to be lit inside my brain when I realized how his voice sounded so familiar.

At the same time the elevator closed, my eyes met a beautiful pair of green orbs staring right back at me.

“We met again,” I could see how his lips slowly curved up as he stared back at me. His voice carried a husky playfulness.

I blinked my eyes before immediately looking straight at the closed doors of the elevator, trying to compose myself.

“Yes, what a coincidence.” Thankfully, my voice didn’t waiver and still sounded normal even though I could hear my own heart beating loudly inside my chest.

“Hmm…” He only made a nasal sound, but why does it still sound so… manly and sensual at the same time?!

Get a hold of yourself Leah! Meeting this handsome yet annoying guy once again doesn’t mean you should lose all your composure!

I mentally scolded myself. My palms were sweating as it feels like an eternity to be inside this lift… Damn, why did it even suddenly feels too stuffy inside here?

“I’m Brixton.”

My eyes snapped towards the man beside me. It was only now I realized how close we were to each other. The space inside this lift was just big enough to at least cater four people inside. But with this man here, there seems to be no space available already…

“What’s the name of the beautiful lady?”

I removed my gaze from him, slightly pursing my lips hearing his cliché words. But I couldn’t get myself to ignore him. He had such a strong sense of presence. His whole being seems to be screaming some aura that it was affecting me. And his piercing gaze made me more unable to ignore him.

“Leah Knight.” I manage to maintain my sense of formality and slightly shifted my body to face him. “You’re Brixton…”

“Brixton Alistaire.” He flashed me devilishly handsome smile in front of me that I almost got blinded.

Wait, blinded? I, Leah Knight, has remained indifferent to all those suitors after all these years. No matter how charming or handsome they were, my heart has remained unmoved. How could I possibly get affected by this man whom I’ve only met twice?

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He stretched out his hand to me. His words were exactly the same words Hudson used as he spoke with me last week.

In fact, they do have a lot of similarities. They have the same surname. Their voice, their build and stature, and even their hair are almost identical. If they weren’t twins, then there’s also a huge possibility that they’re brothers.

I hastily placed my hands on his for a handshake, only to feel the heat oozing off from his large, calloused hand that was grasping mine. My hands were incomparably small compared to his, and an unknown sensation crept up to my skin at our sudden contact.

Weird, this was also how I felt when I shake hands with Hudson… Goodness! Why am I also even thinking about that man?

“Have we met before?”

Snapping out of my thoughts, my eyes met his dark green orbs once again. His gaze was so deep and piercing, as if he was trying to see my soul which made my breath hitch. But soon, my brows furrowed realizing his question just now.

“Before?” I cleared my throat, slowly withdrawing my hand away from his as I tried to step back. “Do you mean last week?”

“Not that one,” He deep gaze remained on my face. “You just feel familiar... I feel like, we have already met before.”

My heart skipped a beat from hearing his words. Although the words he spoke just now were one of the most common lines used by womanizers out there, the tone of his voice evoked an inexplicable feeling inside me.

Why is he flirting with me?

“Sorry to disappoint you.” I took a deep breath before flashing a professional smile on my face. “But this has only been the second time we met. Perhaps, due to my common appearance, you’ve mistaken me for someone.”

Just after I finish speaking, the door of the elevator suddenly opened. Fortunately, we have already reached the ground floor after what seems like an eternity inside here.

“If you’ll excuse me.” I didn’t spare him any glance anymore as I rushed out of the elevator.

I could hear him chuckling behind me which made me fasten my steps.

“People from this company really like to humble themselves.”

His words echoed throughout the hallways. Luckily, no one was around as it seemed like everyone had already took their leave or maybe, the others were still staying inside their respective offices.

“Pardon?” I halted on my steps after hearing his statement just now.

He tilted his head, still wearing a smirk on his face before he slowly closed the distance between us.

“I said…” In a flash, he was already one step closer to me. “Why can’t I remember encountering this ‘common appearance’ before? Why did it take me a long time to find someone like you?”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes in front of him. This man sure was a sweet talker. Why did I even wait for him and give him the opportunity to sprout nonsense in front of me again? I find his smirk annoying, yet I can’t deny to myself that he really looks handsome… But that’s all!

“And why are you so different with Hudson?” I sassily snapped back at him. For a moment, I saw how he was slightly taken back by my words, but I paid him no heed as I turned around and finally walked away from him.

“You already met my twin?”

I was right. They were indeed twins… With two different personalities. I shot a glance at Brixton who was already walking beside me with a casual pace, as if we were two acquaintances catching up with each other.

Moreover, the heat oozing off from his body was making me uncomfortable. I was feeling giddy, the nerves on my skin were tingling, but I know that I shouldn’t display such a reaction in front of this man.

“I get it, it was also last week, right?”

I didn’t respond and only continued walking. But no matter how much I get faster on my steps, he was immediately catching up with me with his long strides.

“Damn, he’s kept this from me!” I could hear him lowly spoke in displeasure beside me. Meanwhile, I couldn’t even get myself to focus as I was distracted by his presence.

I don’t even know what’s wrong with me or why is my whole being was being affected by him. He looks like a playboy. Well, with his appearance and probably status, he’s probably one. But why is he wasting his time on a person like me?

“Why are you following me?” I stopped on my tracks and stared at his face with a deadpanned look.

He only stared at my face, before chuckling. “We’re on the same way.”

That made me stop. I was heading to the parking lot and he was following me – or I really got it wrong? Damn. I can feel my cheeks heating up from the embarrassment.

I didn’t bother to talk with him again and only continued to walk faster. He lagged behind me, but I can still hear him chuckling again.

What? Does he find it funny? I was slightly fuming as I finally reached the parking lot. Spotting my car, I searched for my key inside my back, not daring to look back again.

I was annoyed, embarrassed, and at the same time, there was an unknown feeling that was budding inside my chest. And that’s all because of that man.

“Lay,”

Brixton’s voice made me pause for a moment before entering my car. I was not sure if I was the one, he was calling, but as I looked back at him, I realized that he also staring back at me.

The previous playfulness on his face has been replaced by a deep and serious look as he stared at me. Slowly, his lips curled up, flashing me a gentle smile. His eyes carried an unknown glint. He was a very fine man. His looks were enough to send girls lining up in a very long que.

I was speechless, even breathless. I could not even get myself to ask him what he wanted.

“See you next week.”

~~~~

“MOMMY, can we go swimming too?”

Clyde was jumping on the hotel room’s bed; his face was showing an excited look as he stared at the glass wall on the left side of the room which gives off the view of the beautiful beach below.

Today was the last day of our team building. We were currently staying at the hotel resort our company had chosen for this event. We were initially staying for three days here, but I extended our stay as I had brought the kids along with me.

I can’t bring myself to leave them at home. I haven’t even made up for the cancelled trip we were supposed to have before. That’s why I decided to bring them along with me.

“For now, mommy still need to attend an important matter for our company. We can swim tomorrow, is that alright with you?” I crouched down to pinch his cheeks, and his eyes immediately lit up.

“Yes, mommy!”

“Beach… Swim!” Bella was giggling on my lap as I was trying to fix her ponytail.

“Yes, brother will take you to swim.” Clyde held Bella’s hand and kissed her cheek.

I smiled at their cute interaction before my eyes fell on Calvin who was trying to set up the dining table with the food that was just sent by the hotel attendants.

“Look, big brother is preparing the food. Let’s eat first, alright?”

Bella and Clyde jumped off the bed and immediately tottered towards the dining table.

“Good job, darling.” As the eldest, Calvin was the most sensible among the three. I gently ruffled his hair, smiling gently before I urged the three of them to take a seat and start eating.

~~~

“And it’s a wrap! I hope everyone had a good time during our three-day event here.” Marina spoke through the mic as she ended the closing program of our event.

Some colleagues approached me for a some small talks before each of them also bid their goodbye. One by one, everyone left the conference hall.

“Send my regards to the kids.” Marina and I engaged in a talk for a moment. She often pays visit towards the triplets and had also grown fond of them. She initially wanted to join us for an extended stay here, but she needed to attend another urgent conference at S City.

Walking out of the hotel, the fresh sea breeze immediately embraced my whole form. I smiled, closing my eyes for a moment. The environment here is indeed relaxing. As I hear the soft sound of waves meeting the sand, my smile grew deeper as excitement filled me.

I can’t wait to see the kids enjoy for their much-so anticipated swimming.

The hotel resort composed of three huge buildings. The one I had exited just now was intended for formal occasions and such, while the other two hotels where tourists rent rooms for their stay. That’s where we were staying.

As I finally walk back, a stall by the beach selling some trinkets and other souvenirs caught my attention. But before I could take a few steps further, I suddenly felt a familiar presence behind me.

“Leah,” a deep, husky voice called out.