Laurice stopped on her tracks the moment she saw the man who was sitting rather indignantly but elegantly with his hand supporting his chin, while the other sprawled across the armrest as he lean behind the sofa.
Their eyes met.
Laurice felt she was entranced by the man's bewitching deep earthy brown eyes which seemed to have darkened a few shades while gazing at her.
It was reflecting the warmth of the sun setting on true west. His usual brown eyes with hints of golden rays, a deeper cognac were sexy enough as it is, has now turned even darker, as if absorbing her own light instead of reflecting it back, making her completely drawn to him.
Laurice could not avert her eyes from him as if spellbound.
Then she gulped.
'Damn! She remembered she could not even handle her own liquor whenever she was asked to drink on certain events, in fact she doesn't even drink at all! and yet she was feeling drunk all of a sudden!
" ... "
No one knew how long they have been staring at each other's eyes as if time have frozen and that it was just the two of them that were present at that moment.
Laurice could not move a limb.
As if suspended in space.
She stood there wondering.
As if she was waiting for something to happen.
And waited some more until she saw the man finally stood up from his seat and walked towards her.
'What was she even anticipating?'
Her heart started pounding as he drew closer.
His eyes never leaving hers.
It seems like the man's gaze held so much emotion inside that she could not comprehend but she ... A part of her wanted to know.
She wanted to know this man.
...
Her heart fluttered with the thought.
...
Was that reason enough then that she did not avoid his gaze, and his arms as he held her to his embrace?
Yes, the man actually hugged her.
...
Laurice inhaled sharply. She instantly caught a whiff of his woody and earthy scent. The man seems to be wearing some fragrance which was subtle yet luxurious. As if teasing her senses.
Her mouth was gaping when she realized the man was really holding her in his arms, her neck stiffened, her waist felt burning under his huge palms.
" ... !"
Laurice could feel Sid's lean and tone body. He wasn't muscular at all which she likes. Sid's body mass seems perfectly balanced.
Her own body jolted as if urging herself to touch the man's chest, to run her fingers down his abdomen. To feel him with her own palm. And then drape her arms around his neck and pull him closer.
She felt her body was in flames.
Her throat was running dry.
She shuddered.
'Wait, what?! Was she in heat?!'
Panic suddenly pulled her from her fantasy.
'What the he*l am i thinking?!'
She was about to pushed him away when she heard him speak, her ears flushed red. He just spoke so softly near her ears. His breath was warm and heady.
"Are you cold?" He said in a deep low voice. He sounded hoarse too as if clearing his throat.
Laurice: " ... ?"
'Cold? Certaintly not, in fact I'm hot sir!'
She shook her head vigorously.
'Too stimulating! Too stimating'
Laurice felt she was burning from head to toe already. She could not take it anymore.
'Damn! It was only a hug and her head was already spinning. She was even ... she was even aroused for goodness sake!'
'This man ... !'
Finally, her senses was coming back to her.
She calmed herself with all her might and pushed the man gently away her body, it seems the man misunderstood her back when she shivered from his embrace.
Laurice: "No. I'm not cold."
She tried to the avoid his gaze but could not ignore him completely.
She was still pondering why the man acted that way.
'Why did he hug me in the first place?'
She peeked at the man standing in front of her.
Wait ...
'Why does he look horrible now? He was so gentle like literally seconds ago?!'
Laurice was getting all the more confused with the man. But she did not have the guts to ask him for answers or she'd probably die from embarrassment if she has ever misunderstood any of his intentions.
He was probably just worried about her.
'That's just about it.' She resigned with that thought in her head and sighed.
...
Sid: "Good. I worry you might be sick again."
His face turned back into it's usual calm and placid state. His eyes too were back to normal.
Laurice took it as a chance to tell him about her leaving.
Laurice: "Ahm, Mr. ..."
She cleared her throat and said,
"Sid, I have to go."
Something flashed in Sid's eyes after she spoke.
The man was expecting this outcome but he still hoped that she would actually stay a bit longer which was obviously impossible.
'He has no right to make her stay. Not even with his son as an excuse.'
Sid: "Alright, i'll send you back."
Laurice was shocked.
Laurice: "You don't have to. I can manage."
Sid frowned.
Sid: "No, you can't." As if he was so sure that she could not go home by herself.
Laurice: "... ?"
She spoke after a long pause,
"I'll be fine Sid. Really. Besides, i have caused you enough trouble already my conscience could not take anymore than that but thank you for your offer. I appreciate it."
Sid: "There's no trouble. Accept the offer Laurice. I am free anyway."
Laurice: "Are you sure? Then, just ask someone to drive for me back at my place."
Silence.
Laurice felt something was amiss.
...
Sid: "You don't want to be with me?"
Her eyes widened.
Laurice: " ..." 'This man's words are really twisted. Every single time.'
Sid: "I mean, would you prefer my driver than myself?"
'Now, why does that sound even more twisted?'
Sid: "I'm a better and a safer driver. I'll send you back in one piece."
His words were final.
He just made the decision himself.
Conversation ended.
Laurice: " ... "
Laurice was still dazed when Sid called for the butler to settle the arrangements.
Soon, the two of them were already on their way to City B.