"I don't remember saying any of those flowery words. If I did say them, I must have been out of my mind. You would do well to forget them. It didn't mean anything." Duke broke free from her embrace and stood up swiftly. Rachel was nearly knocked to the floor as he steered away from her.
Duke, the more you deny your feelings for me, the more it means you care. You just wait and see. I'll prove who is the ideal woman for you." Rachel watched him intensely, with her chin up.
"Whatever. Get out," Duke spoke sternly. He wasn't interested in what she wanted. He wouldn't accept her, no matter what happened. He was sure about that.
"I won't give up." Things hadn't gone well in Duke's office. But Rachel felt that she still had a chance. Belinda couldn't hold a candle to her, Rachel believed. She was positive she could find something against Belinda that she could use.
"You won't get your wish. There's the door. You can leave on your own or I'll call security to escort you. Your choice." Duke grimaced, wondering if her barging into his office would be a common occurrence in the coming days.
"I won't give up until you come around." Rachel looked back at Duke again, before leaving reluctantly.
Duke closed his eyes and sighed. He wouldn't come around. That was as certain as the sunset. He was married and Rachel wasn't his type. She must be insane to think that Duke had any lingering feelings for her. If she persisted, all she'd get would be disappointment.
Duke sank back into his chair and was ready to resume his work when the phone rang. He picked it up immediately.
"Hello, Edward. Are you back?" Duke answered, remembering Belinda's joke that Edward was his boyfriend. He couldn't help but snicker. Only Belinda could come up with something so absurd. He didn't understand where she got that idea, he was definitely not gay.
"Yes, I came back yesterday. Long time no see. Care to party?" Edward asked, handing Daisy a glass of milk. His attention was still on Daisy as he talked on the phone.
"Okay. Where? I'm in my office. Tell me a place and I'll meet you there later." Duke looked over the data on his computer. Finding no mistakes, he saved the file. Edward's call was right on time. He could take this opportunity to mend his relationship with Belinda.
"Westin Western Restaurant. I haven't been there for a long time. Bring Leena. It's been a while since I last saw her." Edward intended to take Daisy to Westin Western Restaurant, because he wanted her to taste their sensational food. He didn't know that she had been there before.
"See you then." Someone was buying Duke lunch. That was good news. And it was in Edward's own restaurant. There was no reason for Duke to say no.
"Okay. See you." Edward hung up the phone and noticed that Daisy was scowling at the milk. "Don't you want to drink it?" he asked.
"I don't like milk. Can I have a glass of water instead?" Daisy pouted like a child. She felt sore all over.
"No, drink it, and have a bath. Then I'll take you and Justin to someplace nice for lunch." Edward was also worried that Daisy had gotten slimmer. So he had allowed his mother to cook tonic soup for her.
"But I don't want to." Daisy issued orders for a living. She wasn't used to taking them from others. She found it hard to comply.
"No? Are you sure?" Edward smiled at her sinfully. It might have made some people nervous, but Daisy wasn't one of them.
"I'm sure. Why don't you drink it?" Daisy smiled sweetly, unaware that the last thing she liked was about to be handed to her.
"Well, then I have no choice but to get my mother's herbal soup." Edward stood by the bed, engrossed in Daisy's dove-like face, which immediately went pale on the mention of the soup.
"What? Herbal soup, again? No, I'll drink the milk." Daisy felt like puking each time she smelled the herbal soup. She gulped down the milk quickly, scared that Edward would begin to have second thoughts.
Atta girl! I have already run the water for you. Go have a nice bath. I'll be back later." Edward stifled his laughter. He took the empty glass from Daisy, with the expression of triumphant. He seemed to have gotten the hang of making Daisy listen to him. If she got to know he was bluffing, she'd go ballistic. He didn't care. He had succeeded in his purpose and that was what mattered.
"Where are you going?" Daisy looked at him in confusion, trying to get to her feet. However, her legs were too weak. Edward caught her before she fell.
"Do you need my help with the bath?" Edward smiled, gently placing a small kiss on her lips while pushing the stray hair strands out of her face. When he saw the hickey on her collarbone, he grinned.
"No. I'm not silly enough to deliver myself to a predator." Daisy rolled her eyes at him, mulling over how this well dressed man could be so untamed in bed.
"Am I the predator?" Edward wasn't mad. He wasn't ashamed to show his passions either. He considered it natural for a husband to be lustful towards his wife.
"I didn't say that. But if you want to jump to the conclusion, feel free." Daisy slipped from his embrace and walked slowly toward the bathroom. She felt more exhausted than usual after last night's sex. That man had too much energy. Edward shook his head, walking toward the bedroom door, then he saw Justin rushing downstairs.
Justin, slow down. Be careful. What's the hurry?" Edward frowned. He was going to look for him. There he was.
"Daddy, Uncle Luke and I are going to the taekwondo gym. You don't have any work for him today, right?" Justin asked as he smiled at Edward sweetly.
Oh. You are going out with Luke! Does that mean you aren't going to the nice restaurant with your mom and me?" Edward sighed, pretending to feel pity for him. Justin was caught in a dilemma.
"Is there going to be good food? Can you reschedule it tonight? It was a hard choice between gym and food. Both of them appealed to Justin.
No, I can't. You'll have to choose one. Edward knew Justin would choose the restaurant. Food was his weakness.
Give me a minute. Justin thought hard and arduously, as if it was a decision of life and death. At lonv last, he made his crucial choice. I'll go with you and mom. The taekwondo gym can wait until tomorrow.