They had been sitting on the terrace enjoying the morning breeze and the green view of the forest. Avril had said he wanted to talk but didn't say a word.
Lina turned to him, "Is something wrong?" she asked.
Turning to her Avril finally spoke, "Come live with me"
"Huh?"
"I can't protect you if I don't know where you are," he said.
"Protect me from what exactly and why do I have to stay with you in the first place," she asked.
"Because it's the only way I can watch you," he said.
Lina scowled, there he went again with his weird habits confusing her even more...
"I know am careless sometimes but I have been living like this for a while and am okay" she let out.
Avril leaned back, "I know but now that am in your life I don't think it will work anymore. And can you stop drinking, maybe do it at home with me around," he said.
Lina laughed but stopped when her wound hurt, "Mr. Alexander, yes I know you saved me more than once now but that doesn't mean you own my life. And drinking is something I enjoy doing I can't stop doing it just because you asked"
He frowned, "I don't want to own your life but protect it and drink I said you can only do it with me around"
Lina's eyebrow raised in awe, "Drink with only you? Is this part of your plan to make me quit the company? Try to control my life until I give in and leave"
Avril blinked, "What?"
"Excuse me sir but that won't work on me. We might have gotten close a few days and you saved me again but that doesn't me you can do all this, it is making Mr uncomfortable" She tried to stand up and leave, but Avril held her hand pulling her back.
Lina dropped right into his lap, Avril's hand slid to her waist holding her in place. Lina turned to face him with anger in her eyes.
"That hurt" she cried.
He flinched remembering she was hurt, he instantly softened holding her gently, "am sorry" he muttered.
Lina sniffed glaring at him, "Be gentle will you, that bear didn't show any mercy on me last night"
He nodded seeing the tears start to form in her eyes, "Why are you crying now?" he asked sliding his fingers to touch her face.
"Cause am in pain and you're giving me a hard time with all these things your saying" she cried.
"I didn't mean it that way, I... I just want to be close to you" he said.
Lina snuffing replied, "But you are, we are friends now and we are always next to each other during the day at the company so why are you saying all this"
Wiping her tears he sighed, "Because it is the only way I can feel at peace. After last night I realized how important you are to me now and I don't want to let you go no matter what"
She noticed pain plastered on his face as he spoke and she leaned forward to his face, "What's wrong your in pain, should I get up" She tried to but he pulled her back down. Holding her hand he led it to his chest and Lina stared into his eyes.
"It has been so long since this part hurt but after last night I was in so much pain I thought I was losing you. So if you keep doing careless things and getting into trouble then it will keep hurting... and...."
Her fingers covered his mouth, "Don't say it, I don't want anyone to be in pain cause of me especially those close to me. You saved me and been nice to me..mean mostly but I still care about you so I promise to be careful"
Taking away her hand, "Then come stay with me, that way I can make sure you are".
She chuckled but shook her head, "Still a no, you won't be everywhere I go. And at the company, you can keep an eye on me is that fine"
Avril seemed to think about it then turned to her, "No still not enough"
"Huh, didn't know you were so greedy," she said.
"If you can not then I can come live with you"
She laughed, "I know you own the university but that's a little too much, your, not my boyfriend or guardian just my boss so let's not go too far"
"Do I have to be your boyfriend for you to live with me?" he asked.
Lina giggled, "Are you seriously considering that, it was only an example".
"But right now, I don't care what I have to be to get close to you. I will do it".
Lina fell silent and gaped back at him, what was going on with him?
"You're confusing me now" she let out.
"How?" he asked.
"You were so rude to me the first time we met and even when I stayed at your place I had to pay for the things I used. Then all of a sudden you started to care and it was sweet but then....".
Then I thought about it who am I to be treated so nicely by you when the only history to have with your interns is nothing but hateful stories? Then that night... Am not sure if was still sleepy but you moved so fast that I thought I was seeing things. And then we share the bed more than once and you never touched me inappropriately, maybe apart from the kiss but maybe you're not that type of person or am just not good for you. But I don't mind cause I know am no match for a woman of your status.
She breathed glancing at him, he held a worried look on his face staring back at her.
"Then when I think it was my imagination of you liking me after leaving me behind, you appear and save me without any care of yourself. I was so scared when I saw you all stained in blood just for me. You keep confusing me, it's like you have a switch, sometimes your emotions are on and high then later your cold when off...."
"But I do" he answered.
"Do what?" she asked.
Avril's hand on her waist pushed her closer to him, Lina felt his other hand hold the back of her head leading her to his face. He seemed to hesitate like he was waiting for her approval. Lina moved meeting his lips.
He chuckled when she pulled back, "My apologies for last time, I promise this time I will do it right" she heard him say before taking her lips.