Chereads / I'll Tame You Darling / Chapter 10 - Chapter 9: Panic Attack

Chapter 10 - Chapter 9: Panic Attack

"You said you're a busy man. I don't think you have much time to waste staring at boring me."

"You're darn right about that. I'll get straight to the point then."

"It's about time," Andrea said.

"I need someone who's talented, principled, hardworking and trustworthy. For some odd reason, I see those qualities in you...hence why I came to propose," he said and rose to his feet, walking over to her side.

"HUH?!" Andrea blurted out. Her startled little body jumped out of her seat seeing him approach. Antonio who's side was now facing her seat, turned in shock at her reaction. "Wh-What are you talking about? And what are you doing? Why did you get up?" she rattled panting.

He looked at her with a lifted brow and chuckled, crossing his muscular arms over his clearly broad chest. "You're crazy, you know that? Don't get ahead of yourself. Why on Earth would I propose marriage to such a pain like you? It's like sentencing myself to insanity. I bet you're even single," he said, walking over to the window, peeping through the curtains, as he already intended do.

Andrea sighed with relief as she sat back in her seat. "Well, marrying you would be like a death sentence," she murmured, not low enough to escape his ears. She turn around to meet his glare and immediately looked away. "First of all, I do have suitors and a date after here," she said, causing him to roll his eyes. "What's the proposal?"

"A life changing proposal, a job in my company...as my advertising manager," he said.

Andrea turn around in confusion and was startled to see his dominating stature towering her. "Geez!" she exclaimed, jumping out of her seat. "Quit doing that!" she whisper-yelled, clenching the portion of her shirt over her chest.

"It's not my fault you're now smart enough to be afraid," he said nonchalantly, with his hands in his pocket. "I don't have all day. I'll send you the contract so you can go through it. I suggest we finalize this before the festive season is ov...."

"Woah woah woah, pump your breaks right there champ," she said with a chuckle.

"What?!" he said through gritted teeth, getting irritated.

"You don't like me and the feeling is mutual, we already established that. So why would you offer a job if it's the opportunity of my life, hmm? What's in it for you? Be honest," she said, finally taking off her coat. She hanged it over her seat and leaned against it, standing right before Antonio.

"First of all, you'd be flattering yourself if you thought I hated you. You'd have to matter for me to hate you and you don't," he said, still with his composed demeanor. She scoffed. "Now, as I said earlier, you possess the qualities I seek and before you interrupt like I see you're about to," he said when she opened her mouth, about to cut him, "...I've watched your videos so I know what I'm talking about. However, once you start, you'll have to prove yourself, just like everyone else, nothing special."

"You have the power to higher people with better credentials that mine, people who actually specialize in this field..."

"I don't need theoretical professionals. I'm not starting a school. I need practical ones..."

"And why me?"

"Gosh, you're so annoying," he said, massaging the bridge between his eyes. "Are you retarded?"

"I'm realistic and practical, as you said. That's why I think that you picked me because, yes, you believe I'm capable and you're right. I actually am," she said with a cheeky confident smile. "But I know, you can get others, people even better than me in this field because I don't have that kind of experience." She started to pace around him slowly as though thinking hard. "So I ask myself, why would he choose me when we don't get along? Then it dawned on me, he wants to have me in his palm," she said and stopped in her tracks, standing in front of him, "...in order to make me regret our first encounter and tame me to his pleasure. I'm right, aren't I?"

"You're an over thinker. That's what you are and I don't have time for your games Liliana Cabre..."

"Andrea, call me Andrea. I don't even know your name by the way."

'She really doesn't know who I am?' he thought with a lifted brow. "I'm Antonio Robles."

"The business tycoon?! You're the Antonio Leonardo Robles?! How is that even possible?! I thought you'd be old by now!" She was amazed. Then suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. "It's such a pity such a great personality known to the world is in reality such a jerk," she thought out loud, analysing him from head to toe.

Before her eyes could meet his, he swiftly wrapped one arm around her slender waist, leaving no gap between them. "I suggest you really watch your tone Liliana," he said intimidatingly. Andrea's arms were arrested by his tight grip. She couldn't move and started to panic. He emitted an aura of authority and aggression, reminding her of her mother. Suddenly, she began to have flashbacks of times when her mother would lift her little body by gripping her arms and throwing her aside. She would usually call her Liliana at that point to fuel up her hatred for Andrea. Her mother never liked the fact that her husband named the 'demon child' after her.

Her eyes suddenly became teary and her body, shaky. "I'm sorry. Don't throw me," she said shakily and shut her eyes, repeating her words over and over again in a murmur, as though praying.

Antonio was confused and wondering why she'd think he would do that. He then realized she was having a panic attack. Gently, he lifted her in his arms in a bridal style, sitting her on the table. She was now breathing heavily through her mouth as tears ran down her face. He brushed his fingers over her face, wiping her tears and using his other hand to rub her trembling hands in order to calm her down. "No one is going to hurt you. You're alright. Calm down Andrea," he said soothingly and took out a handkerchief from his pocket. He wiped her tears and the little sweat that was beginning to form on her face.

Andrea began to calm down, now aware of her current surrounding. She looked at Antonio who was no longer giving off that traumatizing aura. His gaze was a bit soft for the first time she had seen, bringing some form of comfort to her. Suddenly, it hit her that it was Antonio, the Antonio she refused to look weak to. She took a deep breath, calmed herself and took the handkerchief from him, gently.

"I'm sorry," Andrea said softly as she got off the table, avoiding eye contact. "I need to go now."

"Let's go then. I'll drop..."

"There's no need. You'll attract unnecessary attention and I'm not interested in that. Thanks for the purse," she said picking up her coat and the paper bag, all the while, still avoiding his gaze.

Antonio stood back, watching her every move. She still seemed shaken. 'All the toughness was apparently just a cover. I wonder why she had a panic attack,' he thought, watching her as she made her way to the back door. Antonio took out his phone and made a call. "Detective, find out everything you know about one Liliana Andrea Cabrera. I'll send you all I have so I want an accurate report."