"All for you" He grinned as he handed me the roses.
This was such a wonderful gift for a first date.
I gladly took them from him while smiling like an excited teenager.
"They are lovely," I appreciated.
"I'm glad you love them. Are you all set?" He eyed me up and down as he asked.
"Uh…just a second," I quickly dashed in to keep the flowers and get my purse and put on my shoes.
It didn't take us more than ten minutes before we reached our destination. It was a fancy restaurant and it made me feel in the moment.
Actually, it has been such a long time since when last I went out on a date, so I was happy.
Once the waitress took our orders, we focused on each other.
"You seem tired, I hope this date doesn't add to it." He pointed out and I smiled.
"I'm fine."
"Sure?" He looked at me closely and I nodded.
"So, let's get into it since we're here now." He leaned forward while looking excited and it made me excited as well.
One of the things I enjoyed about this date was the way he made me feel even though I didn't like him romantically.
"Before you begin to ask serious questions, I would like you to know that I really like you…and just so you know, I liked you the day I started delivering stuff to you."
My eyebrows lifted in surprise but I remained silent as he spoke.
"I don't know if you noticed but I personally took that decision to deliver things to you. I wanted to get close to you." He further said.
Now this was really shocking.
"Maybe I might've been stalking you on some occasion but it's all because I can't get enough of you. I don't want to hide it anymore." His gaze was direct like his words and it made me speechless.
"Your boss doesn't deserve you," he finally ended with that line and it made me frown slightly.
"You know Mr Damion?"
"Yes, we've met a couple of times but he doesn't recognize me."
'Recognize me?'
How won't he recognize him?
At that moment, the waitress came with our order and we had to put our talk on hold until she left.
"So who exactly are you, Clifford?" This was the second or third time I was asking this question.
"A businessman." He simply said.
"Yes, I can see that but what business do you specialize in?"
"I don't specialize in just a business. I have many businesses, from tech to productions to breweries and so on…you name it."
I blinked at him because it only meant he was a really wealthy man. But why did he go into delivery? Making me think he was just an ordinary guy.
"So why do you deliver stuff?"
"I wanted to feel a connection with my customers. That's why I did that just for fun and luckily for me…I met you." He truthfully said and waited for me to ask more questions.
"Why are you telling me all this?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Because I want you for myself. You're the woman of my dreams."
Compared to how he behaved when he came to deliver stuff to me, he was very blunt now.
"What if I don't like you back?"
"I'll wait, after all, I'm good at that," he grinned and took a bite of his meal.
"Why me? I don't even own a business of my own."
"You don't need to own a business, Arleen. It's just you I need."
Now this looked really tricky and I frowned.
"What do you need me for?"
"I need you to be my woman, that's all." He answered.
"How come I've never heard of you?" I investigated him.
"I like to keep my identity private so that I can move around freely."
Now that sounded convincing.
"Here," he handed me his phone after typing something and I didn't hesitate to take it.
Looking at the screen, I saw he had searched something on Google and the results came out. It read; The Owner Of SHARES ENTERPRISE & HOLDINGS (SEH) is none other than Mr Clifford Edson who has refused to reveal himself to the public.
I gasped and clasped my hand over my mouth as I lifted my head to look at him.
He had a one sided smile as if telling me he told me so.
"You're the owner of Shares Enterprise and Holding?" I was bewildered.
Seated before me was a very popular and wealthy businessman.
"Mr Clifford Edson?" I couldn't help but call his name as I watched him chuckle.
"I've been eager to see that look on your face and it feels good." He said.
"I…. I'm…I don't…" I stuttered.
"Know what to say?" He helped me and all I could do was nod.
"This may be too much for me to ask but I want you to stop working at Drew Klazit." He looked very serious as he said that.
I blinked once then twice as I tried to register his words in my head.
"W-what?"
"I knew you would react this way but don't worry, I got that covered."
Dropping the fork, he slid his hand in his suit's inner pocket and brought out some papers before handing them over to me.
With reluctance, I took the papers while giving him a wary look.
However, once I began to go through them, my expression changed from one of shock to pure dismay.
"Oh my goodness!" I breathed in shock as I continued to go through them. When it was too much for me, I stared at him to enlighten me because I didn't want to believe any of it.
"This is why I want you to leave that place, Arleen. I don't want you to be caught up in all this while you're there." He had a look of pure concern and worry.
**
I sat in the car and stared into space as many thoughts ran through my mind.
I didn't know what to do anymore but I knew I had to do something…and that was to leave, but how?
"Will it be alright to leave you alone?" Clifford asked and I slowly turned to face him with tears in my eyes.
We were currently in his car which was packed by my apartment.
"Yes, I want to be alone." I said in a tired tone. I felt completely drained after what he told me earlier at the restaurant.
"Sure?" He searched my eyes for any reluctance.
"Yes." I nodded and got ready to step out when he held me by the wrist.
I faced him and saw so much concern in his eyes.
"Please be careful. I'll send some persons to keep an eye on you so nothing happens." He assured me and I nodded.
"Goodnight, Arleen."
"Goodnight, Clifford."
As I stepped out, it was then I noticed Damion's driver leaning against a car which was parked on the other side of the road.
My heart began to race for no actual reason but I maintained a good composure.
Heading inside my home, I took what I needed and stepped out so I could go to Damion's home.
However, as I stepped out, I found Clifford's car still parked by my apartment.
I crossed the quiet road and got inside Damion's car and so did Karl, his driver.
My heart rate heightened as if I was going to war and it made me afraid but I battled hard to remain calm. I wanted to cry.
As we drove off, that was when I notice Clifford drive out too.
It was past 11pm, almost close to midnight.
Once we got to Damion's residence and I stepped inside, I found Damion seated in the living room while seriously staring into space. However, when he saw me, his expression changed.
He slowly stood up with his eyes still glued to me and for the first time since when I worked for him, I was really scared.
"Why are you just coming now?" His voice was calm as usual.
I took a deep breath to steady myself before answering.
"I had a date."
"A date?" He repeated and I could sense irritation in his voice.
"Yes."
His gaze could pierce deep into my soul like he could see through me.
Was he pissed?
The more I watched him, the more I got reminded of the things I learnt about him and it pained me because I still loved him.