Immediately, she was subjugated, as every time she saw him, because of his tall stature of one meter ninety, and this almost ferocious animal side that he emanated.
My... sieu Dantes, what the...
"Hello Miss Brok.
Unexpectedly his voice was warm and courteous.
"May I come in for a moment?"
Emma slammed the door against her, so he couldn't see her apartment.
Why ? Listen, Monsieur Dantes, I don't have the slightest desire to be your attraction of the month, you've made me pay enough for my crime, haven't you?
The man looked almost sorry.
Exactly, let me in please.
He was so enigmatic that she couldn't control his mind anymore. Against her will, she pushed open the door to let him into her modest apartment. She had to raise her head to maintain contact with his eyes, which were studying her with a disturbing intensity.
Emma broke the contact and it's embarrassed that she took the bars of her future baby's bed which were lying on the floor.
In reality they had been on the ground for three days.
"It's not completely over, I...I..."
She interrupted herself by picking up the bars to put them in a corner of the living room.
When she sat up, Emma felt his gaze on her.
The man entered his living room, bending down to pass through the two swinging doors. He swept around, expression impassive. But deep down, Emma knew exactly how he felt about this place.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Dantes?" She managed to ask in a detached voice.
"I came to apologize to you.
From his icy voice, Emma knew he wasn't used to apologizing, but he sounded sincere.
So I accept them...
Might as well get it over with quickly, thought Emma, cursing the unlucky fate that brought them together each time.
He walked over to her and gazed into hers. All her senses were lost in front of this implacable man, she stammered a few unintelligible words and took a step back.
Here, it's for you. He said as he took an envelope out of his inside pocket.
Emma takes it, brushing her tanned fingers.
What is that ? she asked as she opened the envelope.
She discovered a beautiful card with golden engravings.
An invitation for Christmas.
Incredulous, heart pounding, she raised her head. And before her incredulous gaze, the man sighed, suddenly nervous.
Every year, I organize a reception for Christmas Eve. He explained making his jaw twitch.
"I don't understand sir.
He narrowed his eyes, a strange gleam in his eyes.
"Can't you read Miss Brok?"
Of course I can read, but why invite me?
"To make me forgive my mistake towards you...
Stunned, Emma blinked. She had to find an excuse to refuse.
I can't, I already have plans.
You have no plans Miss Brok. He replied as if he knew her agenda even though she didn't.
Of course yes ! I'm spending Christmas here, I've already planned everything!
He raised an eloquent eyebrow and walked over to his tree.
Not that ! She mentally screamed at herself when he pointed at her.
"Is that what you call a project?" he suddenly asked with a gloomy face.
He touched one of his Christmas balls and it swayed in despair before a handful of needles fell at his feet.
Emma twisted into an awkward grimace as he pulled away.
You mustn't touch him, he's not in good shape!
The man watched her out of the corner of his eye before returning his attention to her.
I think especially that he has a good attack of liver. he remarked in a deeply hoarse voice.
Not at all finally!
But the man's remark got the better of his tree which, in slow motion, in front of his wide eyed eyes, fell backwards right next to the man, with a creak that signaled his death. Emma, her mouth hanging open, watched in horror as a yellow ball rolled up to the dreaded billionaire's foot.
"You killed my tree!" She said with a breath.
'I didn't kill him, he died on his own. He corrected, picking up the yellow ball with a smirk.
Emma ran to the disaster and tried to pick it up.
"Leave him, he can't stand up anymore," he ordered, grabbing her arm.
A shiver ran down his jaw as his fingers closed tighter around his arm.
"So you have no heart?"
The next second, a hard crease formed on his lips.
Of course it is, since I invite you for Christmas! He growled releasing her.
Emma swallowed.
"And you will accept. He added imperiously.
Appalled, Emma let out a strangled laugh.
You can not force me to come!
You no longer have a Christmas tree, you are alone and pregnant, no one would like to be alone on New Year's Eve.
Well if, me for example. She replied stubbornly.
Without her expecting it, he gently grabbed her shoulders to force her to sit on her sofa. From there, in a situation as unexpected as it was embarrassing, he crouched down in front of her.
Come, Emma, there will be a delicious meal, pastries, a beautiful tree... He said in a softer voice.
Suddenly the idea of eating delicious quality products seduced her for a moment.
You don't have a Christmas tree.
A slow smile appeared on his hard lips.
Because I put it at the last moment and you should take example. he said, glancing at his fallen Christmas tree.
Emma began to run away from his gaze, she couldn't look him in the eye anymore. She would have liked so much to go back and never make the decision to meet him.
"Why did you despise me?"
He exhaled slowly.
'Because I'm coming out of a bad period, add an already cold character to that and you'll understand why.
He paused in which his eyes fell to the carpet.
"And sometimes I recognize my mistakes when I deem it necessary and then… I owe you an apology.
In the silence that followed, the man with the still impassive gaze became sad. He got up.
You should think about my invitation, I promise you that this ball will be pleasant, magical...
From there, he walked towards the tree to raise it, with particular ease and determination the tree remained upright, and did not move.
Everything is marked on the map, come miss Brok.
On those say, the man tilted his head imperceptibly and left his apartment.
Emma caught her breath and ran her hands over her face. Despite his departure, she had the impression that his presence was still there, as if he had left his mark. Emma took the invitation card to read it again.
Should she accept?
Torn between reason and what her heart was telling her to do, Emma, lost, remembered the man's sad face.
What had happened to him? What had made him so angry? If homebody? So contemptuous?
Should she accept his invitation to find out?
His tree gave him a clear answer by collapsing a second time...