I stood outside the room, my heart pounding in my chest. Did I really just say that to him? My cheeks burned with embarrassment, but there was also a sense of exhilaration. I couldn't believe I had the audacity to throw that comment back at him.
Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I walked back towards him, trying to regain my composure. Azriel was leaning against the wall, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"I didn't expect you to come back so soon," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Well, I couldn't let you have the last word," I replied, crossing my arms and mustering up my confidence. "But let's make one thing clear, Azriel. I may have blushed, but it doesn't mean I'm falling for your games or your charms. So don't get too ahead of yourself."
His smirk widened, "Okay." That was all he said before, walking to the room, and changing his clothes again.
That infuriated me so much. So fucking much.
He came out in formals? He wore a white shirt and Black formal pants. It was all his fault that I was again staring at him. He didn't have to be so gorgeous. Asshole.
I tore my gaze away from him, and wanted to punch that smirk from his face.
He laughed his melodious laugh.
I rolled my eyes, "Let's just get to the mall and finish our shopping, shall we?"
He nodded, pushing himself off the wall, leading the way. Since he couldn't fly, he took the car out of his garage and that was the first time I had seen it.
"Waah..." I mumbled. Chevrolet Corvette. This car was amazing and one of the sexiest cars. I watch him and the car together. The perfect combination his shadow gray and him. I was sure my cheeks would be heated up for the rest of my day.
As we drove to the mall in Azriel's sleek Chevrolet Corvette, my excitement started to overshadow my irritation. The adrenaline rush of being in such a luxurious car and the anticipation of a fun day ahead helped distract me from his infuriating charm.
We arrived at the bustling mall, and Azriel parked the car with a certain finesse that matched his confident persona. Stepping out of the vehicle, I couldn't help but appreciate the envious glances we received from onlookers, both for the car and for Azriel's striking appearance in his formal attire.
As we walked side by side towards the mall, a mix of anticipation and a hint of something more lingered in the air between us. It was going to be an unforgettable day. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of a rollercoaster ride with Azriel, where sparks would fly and emotions would unravel in unexpected ways.
"How do you suggest I work for you, y'know, to earn money?" I asked, as we stopped at a luxurious shop, filled with cool clothes.
"Hmm...let's think, what can you do?" He question, as if he was taking my interview.
"I cannot do much. But I'll learn everything you tell me to." And I hoped I didn't disappoint him later.
He checked out some of the dresses on me, pinning them to my collarbone, and then pushing them into my hands.
"Okay. I don't need anything, Ms. Selene. But I am in need of a manager, an assistant, a secretary." He spoke formally. "However, they should possess one quality which is to be confident in whatever they learn, and whatever they do."
As I held the oversized top in my hands, doubt and insecurity crept into my mind. Could I ever truly be the confident and capable assistant he was looking for? I sighed, unsure if I could live up to his expectations.
Azriel noticed my frown and the hesitation in my eyes. He stepped closer, his gaze gentle yet unwavering. "Fiery, confidence is not something that can be gained overnight. It's a journey, and I believe in your potential to grow and overcome your doubts. The condition I have for you is not to be perfect, but to build your confidence."
I nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "What is the condition?"
Azriel's expression softened, and he reached out to gently place his hand on my cheek. "The condition is simple, yet challenging. It is to believe in yourself, even in moments of uncertainty. To acknowledge your worth and strengths, and to trust that you have something unique to offer."
"That's scary. What if I fail?"
My words made him frown, as the warmth of his hand on my cheek went away. "You do it again," He spoke.
"Azriel, I am not worth that much. I have failed every single person that has come to me, I don't think I can do it."
"Well, suit yourself." He turned around, shuffling through the clothes while I followed him. "I don't want my assistant to be that underconfident."
As his words sank in, I felt a mix of disappointment and frustration with myself. I knew deep down that Azriel was right. My lack of self-belief was holding me back, and I was allowing fear to dictate my actions.
He spoke again, "Understand this, Selene, I am going to keep buying you clothes until I am full of it. And you can keep on feeling like a disappointment or actually do something about it."
That was even scarier. But scary is good so I chose almost instantly. "I'll do it. I'll be your assistant!" I said, before I could process. It was okay if I failed but I had to at least try to break this loop.
Azriel's eyes lit up with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction at my response as he turned around, "You've improved, if you haven't noticed, Fiery, and I want you to be proud of it."
I looked up at him, at his genuine smile. My heart skipped a beat. "Thank you." It was him. He made me improve. The words he said. He had helped me.
He smirked, "You're very welcome, Fiery. You've always had it in you."
I couldn't help but smile back at Azriel, gratitude filling my heart. In that moment, I realized how much his support and belief in me had made a difference in my life.
"I couldn't have done it with you, but." I spoke, averting my gaze from his amber eyes.
His smirk turned into a grin filled with tenderness, "Just a push was all I gave you." He turned around. "Now, Fiery. I love arcade too. So we'll go there afterwards, and then we'll get hungry as fuck, and we'll eat, it's your reward for choosing to get better."
My eyes sparkled. This was the very first time I was going to do all these things, arcade, shopping. I had always worn kind of torn and old clothes because that was all I had.
"Try the clothes one by one. Then, get out and show me. I'll judge."
I rolled my eyes but nodded.
I decided to try the white sundress first. "Oh!" It fit perfectly. I looked in the mirror but all I saw was, written in blood, that I didn't deserve this. I shook my thoughts away.
"Selene?"
"Yes, I am coming." I opened the door.
Azriel's eyes widened as he took in my appearance in the white sundress. He bit his lips, "I love it. You look tolerable."
I shook my head, "Thank you for such a pretty compliment, sir. That was very tolerable of you."
He narrowed his eyes at me, and I did the same.
"Next dress, Fiery."
I disappeared back into the dressing room, determined to find another outfit that would leave him lost for words. After trying on a few more options, I settled on a sleek black jumpsuit with a plunging neckline.
I smiled as brightly as I could.
He blinked, momentarily taken aback by my appearance. "Oh... um, that's... surprisingly tolerable."
I laughed at his reaction. "Surprisingly tolerable?"
"Hey, it's not easy to impress me, you know."
"Clearly," I replied, playfully rolling my eyes. "Next one, and you'll say wow for sure!"
"Challenge accepted." He beamed at me.
I disappeared into the dressing room again, and shuffled to the clothes he picked for me, I found a beautiful blue sparkling dress, it was bodycon. It looked like it was going to be tight, and it was very short. With a mix of curiosity and hesitation, I slipped into the blue sparkling dress Azriel had chosen for me. As I pulled it on, I couldn't help but notice its figure-hugging design and the way it accentuated my curves. The length was definitely shorter than what I was used to.
Wow, I really was getting out of my comfort zone.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the dressing room, nervous but excited.
I watched as his jaw dropped, his eyes taking in the sight of me in the dress. I guess the dress worked it's magic as I saw his eyes widen, "You look even more beautiful." He whispered.
What? I just wanted to make him say wow. God, even tolerable was fine because my cheeks blushed so profusely at the way he said it. He stood up, towering over me as he walked to me. What was his height? I know I was a little shorter than normal. I was 5'4'' but he looked like 6 foot and four fucking inches.
"We're definitely getting this," he declared, his eyes lingering on the me, my dress, and then my eyes, and lips?
"O-okay." I said.
As we made our way to the cashier to complete the purchase, I couldn't help but steal glances at him, marveling at the way his tall frame seemed to effortlessly command attention. We also bought a lot of clothes, a lot. A LOT. He was not kidding. He wanted to me wear different dresses, different night suits, shorts, jeans, top, sundresses. Fucking everything. I would not be surprised if he told me that we basically made all of the dress shops millionaires.
"So, how does it feel to be shorter than me?" he teased, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
"Almost everyone is shorter than you, genius."
"Touche, Fiery, touche."
I smiled, scrunching my nose slightly as he looked at me with a small smile playing on his lips.