"I would like to take responsibility for that night."
The moment I stated my thoughts, her casual temperamental was long gone. She seemed alert. Hell, no way it was another woman other than her. Otherwise, she would not have reacted this way.
I was nearly convinced, but the waver through her eyes for a few seconds was not vague enough to avoid my attention. She was hiding, she was hiding something.
I thought about many possibilities behind her reluctant behavior of hiding the incident as if she felt incredibly guilty about it.
Guilt? For what reason that was? Wouldn't it be better if she could clear out why she was even feeling guilty or the necessity to hide anything, to begin with?
"What night?" her sharp, cool glare can make anyone easily waver at their ploy. But unfortunately, it was not dangerous enough to make me lose interest in the story.
I did not know how much I needed to push her just to get the truth, but even if it meant playing a little, I gladly accepted the deal.
"The night we spend together."
"The bullsh*t you are spewing!"
It took her less than one second to lose all her reasoning for acting composed. Her reaction felt genuine to the point of doubting whether I was making a mistake thinking she was the same woman from that night. But then again, I do have much more solid reasons for not listening to her denial.
"Mr. Lee," she took a long breath before calling out my name. So formal.
"Miss Bennett," I returned her energy.
"I do not know what exactly you are talking about but it must have been a mistake on your part as I can ensure you that you got the wrong person."
She put on her business smile as the waiter came to the table and served the food silently before leaving us alone. I hated that smile because it was an insult to her beautiful face. Only a genuine and carefree smile can be paired with those rosy lips.
"Did I?" I asked, sounding more amused.
"That you did," her comeback was confident.
But I have so many tricks upon my sleeves yet to show.
"I thought you would be among those who are responsible for their actions but looks like I mistook and overestimated you," I started with a fake sorrowful tone to gain a confused look from her.
"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.
"Well, I thought I should be the one taking the responsibility but it looks like the person who wants to run away without taking any responsibility is not me but you, Miss Bennett."
I did not show my smirk while delivering it, did I?
A smile of satisfaction was almost forced to come out when I saw Miss Rose Bennett having a huge plight on her mind. She nibbled on her steak a little. How can someone eat so little?
I dragged the plate towards me and swiftly cut the steak into small pieces to give back her plate in the next second. She was a little dazed, but she did not find any reason to object to the gesture which made me reach my satisfaction yet once more.
"I don't know what you are implying but it's nice to see that you do have a gentlemanly conscience to be the one taking responsibility. It seems maybe you experienced a one-night stand. But I would like to add something, as likely one-night stands are supposed to be like this. Maybe the person you had the night with wasn't interested in getting your concerns," she shrugged, or she pretended to. But it's not like she has the cards to herself for winning the game.
I smiled, it was one of a kind smile I learned to give after finalizing a contract. A business smile to be precise. It made my company a bit distant but only for now.
"Looks like I really got the wrong person. I apologize for those weird questions. I just hope you forget about my embarrassing personal experience as it is."
"I'm not the type to gossip. Don't worry, Mr. Lee."
Maybe it was to get revenge for my previous action, she gave her iconic business smile she has been offering me since the beginning.
"Enjoy your meal," I got up simply sparing a side glance at her plate which was still preoccupied with the meat pieces I cut for her to eat.
She is not a foodie. I couldn't help but get reminded of my only crazy best friend who likes to fill her tummy to the end of its capacity as she never seemed to gain much weight even considering her gluttony habits.
As soon as I was out of the restaurant, I called my secretary to provide me with all the information about Rose Bennett. From the part of her stepping into this earth to becoming such a charming woman at present.
Charming? I don't remember complimenting any woman in my mind other than my mother. I love her, so it was natural to do so. But to be able to feel this way for Miss Bennett was something new to me.
Well, even my brat-like brother accepted a new life, so I don't think that's wholly a wrong idea.
I was going to put the phone inside my pocket after finishing the call but another call interrupted the action. The caller is someone I didn't expect to be heard from right now and not that I am very pleased to do so. Not that I have a choice.
"Vin."
"I told you not to call me that."
"Do you hate it that much?"
I paused a bit. Of course, I hated it. It could have been better if I did not need to explain every time how I hated being called that way by someone like her.
"No, I just prefer my full name."
"It's not like you are not being called this way by anyone. Maybe the problem is me, isn't it?"
If you know, why do you bother?
I tried to calm myself down as fast as possible since this was the only picture she got out of me.
"I do not want to argue about silly things. Tell me the reason for calling."
"Ah, right! Don't you think we should clear our schedules to meet next weekend?"
"Let me confirm it with my secretary," my voice chilled with discomfort enough to pass the energy over the cellphone.
Just a moment ago, I was having a good time engaging myself in an argument with a lady I barely knew. And here I am being all irritated just from talking to a woman I have known for a decade. It might sound funny to other people, but was pretty exhausting for me.
"Why do you have to be busy on weekends too? You are not as busy as me, are you?"
I felt speechless. Business always does not wait for me to relax on weekends. I might not be as busy as a doctor, but I am the CEO. I do not have another person to take shifts in my absence. The argument was futile from the beginning and I do not know why I seem to continue it as if there ain't another way.
"I'm running for a meeting right now. I will continue this conversation later, alright?"
"Alright, alright! As you wish!"
I pressed on my car accelerator as soon as the call was cut. In a moment like this, I always wonder why I keep bothering to be a gentleman to those who do not really deserve kindness.
But it has become an unspoken rule for me to act properly around a bunch of people. She was one of them though I do not find any reason to continue to act like so. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been going through problems like trust issues.
Yes, I have that. To be precise, I even forgot how to trust my instincts. I had a cruel brother who has turned into a tamed puppy and acts much more brotherly recently by the influence of his wife and here I am, wondering, what has happened to me after a few betrayals and unsuccessful attempts in love and relationships.
Truly, genuinely, unadmirable.
Suddenly, a face popped into my mind. It was the face of the mysterious lady who kept my thoughts occupied for quite some time.
People might mistake her for Ice Queen as her eyes are devoid of emotions, more like, she trains them well not to show any kind of emotions. If Anna knew what was preoccupying my mind these days, she would call it my new muse.
Alas, Rose Bennett isn't a muse to me, she is much more than I think she is. More meaningful. And somehow I do wish to witness her resolve to crumble when I show her all my cards like a pro poker player.