Chapter 8 Roses from the wolf

“Some girls have always had a thing for the wolf.”- Unknown

Arabella POV

It has been a week I keep receiving white roses from my so-called wolf, Mr. Persistent. I wanted to ask him to stop sending all those roses but I don't know any ways to contact him. He turned my office into a garden full of white roses. I admitted that I love white roses but this is just too much for me. I don't like to be a hot topic in the office. Everyone starts to talk about me since every morning the delivery guy will call out my name for the bouquet.

"Ara, time to go back home," I heard Lucy shouted in front of my room. She is one of my teammates that always reminded me not to overwork myself.

"Soon, Lucy. No worries, I will make sure no overtime for today," I smiled to convince her and waved my hand at her before I turned my attention to the digital clock display on the laptop's screen. I looked at the time and it showed 6 pm. "30 minutes more," I muttered to myself and continue with the unfinished work.

"Finally." I dropped the pen from my grip and leaned towards the chair. Ended the day for today. I spun around on my rolling chair facing the big window that shows the view of the city.

"Oh, again.." I saw the night view of the city which means I already exceeded my 30 minutes. I turned to look at the time-9pm. I facepalm myself.

I turned off the laptop and grab my handbag from the desk getting ready to leave the office. It was dark outside. I guess I'm the last one tonight, as usual. I turned off the light and closed the door. I was shocked when my head hit someone on the chest. I twirled my head to see that person's face.

"Gosh, you again! What are you doing here?" My eyes enlarged due to the shocking effect. I never expected he will show up in my office.

"To see you," he said with a smile on his face. I rolled my eyes at his answer. I pushed him away when I realized we are standing too close to each other. He didn't budge instead he lowered his head to meet mine and I heard his whisper.

"Don't you miss me?" I can felt his breath fanning on my neck as he whispers the question to my ears. He pulled my wrist and brings it closer to his chest. He gazed at my face. Gosh, too close. Too close. My inner voice rumbled. I bite my lips nervous with the close distance.

"Beautiful," I looked into his eyes when he said that and I can see his eyes are fixed on my lips. I immediately release my lips and pushed him again. This time he takes a step back and released the grip on my wrist.

"I don't miss you and I don't want to see you," I said firmly crossing my hand on my chest.

"Ouch, so painful." He placed his hand on his heart gesturing a heartbroken action. I almost laugh at his action. Well, it looks cute. I suppressed my laughter and walk away from there headed to the lift. I heard his footsteps trailed behind me.

"Dinner with me?" He asked while I pressed the lift button to the ground floor without looking at him. The lift door opened after a few seconds, I entered while he follows from behind.

"No," I said when we entered the lift and pressed the close button going to the ground floor.

"Please," I heard his pleading voice.

"I'm not hungry," I refused and turned my eyes to him that standing next to me.

"Please," he pleaded again but this time with a pouting mouth. Oh gosh, what a sudden attack and it almost make me burst out laughing. How old is this guy? Like 5 years old?

"I said I'm not-" I stopped my words as I heard my stomach growled as a protest. The growling sounded like 'you are lying' to me.

"Damn," I closed my eyes and cursed my tummy.

"Seriously? You need to betray me now?" He clutched his stomach as he burst out with laughter. I shoot him an annoyed look and he raised his hand as a sign of surrender.

"Ok, I know. You are not hungry," I can still see he tried to hide his smile.

"But, I still want to have dinner with you," he said looking at my face. I feel his finger pressed on my lips shushing me not to reject him. Did he just touch my lips? My inner voice asked.

"Say one more word I will seal your lips with mine." This time I saw him step forward leveled his face to mine. I step back but my back touched the metallic walls of the elevator indicated that no more space behind me. I avoided him by angling him to the side and immediately nodded my head as a 'yes' for the dinner and this time the lift open widely. Sighed, wrong timing lift. You should open earlier. I scowled.

"I hate you," I said while my leg immediately moves few steps further from him to avoid him seal my lips with his. He hollered a light chuckle behind me and in no time he walked right next to me while his hand grips my waist tightly.

"It's exceptional this time," he snickered as he realized I covered my mouth with my palm.

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Dinner

Less than 10 minutes walking and we arrived at the nearby restaurant. I purposely suggested the nearest restaurant to avoid spending more time with him. Luckily, he agreed without any protest. If he disagreed, I can foresee that we will have another round of argument which again will end up with him warned me with 'I will seal your lips with mine'. 

After returned the menu to the waiter, I turned to look at him that keep smiling in front of me. I folded my arm on my chest and shoot him with annoyance. 

"What is your name?" I asked when I recalled that he never tell me his name. I saw he grinned at my question.

"Ah," he moves forward, leaning his chin on his hand. "Now you are interested to know more about me," he winked.

"Gosh, you are so annoying," I rolled my eyes which only caused him to chuckle. "Why you keep sending me those flowers?"

"Because you loved it."

"Yeah, I do but you don't have to keep sending it to me. My place looks like a garden than a workplace and everyone keeps gossiping about me."

"Isn't that good?" He asked nonchalantly.

"Good?" I looked at him curiously.

"Yeah, so they know you are taken." He grinned.

I didn't realize the waiter is on his way to send our order. "I'm not taken," my words caused the waiter to look at me. I look at him and smile shyly. I heard someone clear his throat to distract my attention.

"Enjoy!" The waiter said and left the table.

"I do not belong to you," this time I said in a low tone and he just shook his head.

"Soon," that is the only word that came out from his lips. I'm tired of arguing thus I decided to enjoy my food and gave him the silent treatment.

After done with the dinner, he accompanies me to the parking lot where I parked my car. I tried to refuse him but as always I never win and this Mr. Persistent will never leave me until he gets what he wants. I pressed the alarm and ready to get in the car when he helped me to open the door.

"Thanks for accompanying me for dinner today," he said standing beside my car.

"Unfortunately, I'm being forced," I answered him directly but he laughed.

"Oh yes, to answer your question just now," I narrowed my eyes on him tried to recall my question.

"My name," he solved my confusion. "I will let you know when the time comes," I rolled my eyes again to him as I thought he will tell me his name.

"Fine, Mr. Persistent," I take my seat in the car and about to close the door but he stops it.

"Bye, Ms. Stubborn," he smiled. "Night and see you again, soon."

"No," I protested but he closed the door before I can continue with my words. I gritted my teeth and I saw he waved his hand to me. I revved up my car engine to life and drive away leaving him behind. I saw he waved his hand again through the side mirror.

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