"Hi, Ryde!" I greet, standing near him.
He lifts his head and straightens his back. The other men, who don't look much older than me, continue with their work, and I sense their slight nervousness because of my presence.
Ryde's eyes are still as dark as I remember them.
In the past nights, I can't help but think about how menacing they look, and staring at them right now makes me feel something in my stomach. His darkness intimidates me, no doubt. The thought excites me even more. No boyfriend has ever intimidated me before.
"Last time, you didn't answer my question. I asked you if you'd be the one arranging the buffet here from then on. Now my question is answered."
I still keep smiling, not because I want him to see my pretty smile, but because I just can't help my silly happiness about him being in front of me.
"Why are you here again? I don't think you're here to offer assistance to the construction workers," he says.
"Obviously not," I roll my eyes.
"My father's office is on the seventh floor. He's the head architect for this project, and I'm here to pay a visit." I don't know if he is aware or not. Most workers here know about that, but I still want to say it myself.
Ryde glances at my head, and his face darkens further.
I feel a moment of confusion, but then it dawns on me. He had complained about me wandering around without a hard hat last time.
"Oh, right!" I look around and then see Adam walking in the distance. I call his name and signal him to get a hard hat for me.
Adam walks to me and places the hard hat on my head. I lock it myself.
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome. I'm about to go to the seventh floor. Shall we go together?"
I shake my head and tell him I'll be there in a moment.
I return my attention to Ryde the moment Adam walks away, and I see him working again.
"Do you work in the kitchen?" I ask, not minding if his co-workers are listening. "I went to Sky Pearl's restaurants a few days ago, but I didn't see you, so I assume you must be working in the kitchen. I was disappointed."
His lips twitch darkly, and my heart skips a beat. His smirk doesn't have any humor; his hostility drips like acid.
"Tell me. Why were you disappointed, Ms. Avory?" His voice is deep and formal, making me feel like a child about to be reprimanded by a strict adult.
One of Ryde's co-workers clears his throat. He tells Ryde that he and the others will get the rest of the food from the truck.
Ryde simply nods, and we are soon left alone in that corner.
I see Victor entering the building from the corner of my eye, but when he sees me talking with someone, he keeps his distance. He's professional and doesn't really involve himself in my matters; he only cares about my safety. So, whatever I do, if the situation isn't dangerous, he just stands somewhere nearby to observe silently.
With my head held high, I answer Ryde, "I was disappointed because I didn't see you. I was hoping to see you."
The way his eyes narrow viciously at me makes me want to cower and step back, but I stay rooted in my place, staring back at his midnight blue eyes.
He looks annoyed, impatient, and unkind.
"You thanked me for what I did during the yacht incident, and I accepted it. I thought that was all you needed, Ms. Avory. What else do you need, then?" His tone is icy, demanding, and serious.
"I want to get to know you," I say with all my courage, and I almost choke.
It's the first time I find a weak spot in the high wall of confidence I've built.
I smile to hide my nervousness. Get a grip, you flirty witch!
"I won't beat around the bush. That's not my thing. Since that night on the yacht, you've caught my attention, Ryde. I was happy when I saw you here last week, and I'm thinking there's no harm in wanting to get to know you. You seem to be an interesting person, and I… like you."
Straightforward and confident. That's me. When I like something, I say it, and when I don't, I don't pretend.
I like Ryde, and I'm hoping he will be my boyfriend, and I'm not ashamed to admit that.
Fortune favors the brave. That's my mom's motto, which has also become mine.
I've always been bold because that's how I was shaped.
"You like me?" he asks in a low voice, and there's a certain timbre in it that makes it sound so sexy to my ears. So dark and devilish.
"Yes, I think you can be my boyfriend," I say without hesitation.
His lips slowly curve into a smirk, then he chuckles quietly.
My heartbeat races all of a sudden. My grip on my designer handbag tightens. The way he chuckles at my confession feels like he's not taking me seriously, like something is so ridiculous about it.
"You think I can be your boyfriend, huh, little girl?"
"I told you, I'm not a little girl. I'm eighteen," I say and gesture to my body to prove my point. "Do I look like a child to you?"
I shiver when his eyes casually lower to my body, as if his gaze is caressing every corner of me. The action is brief, and yet it leaves me almost trembling. He's got this look in his eyes that can make any woman's knees weak.
"I am a grown woman, Ryde."
"Sure, you are," he says with a sarcastic tone.
I scoff. "Yes, I admit I'm young, but I'm eighteen. I'm considered an adult, so you should treat me as one."
"Of course."
It feels like he's only allowing me to win this argument so I'll leave him alone. I smile deviously at him, thinking about how to make him like me. I'm not Blair Avory if I'm not competitive and bold.
"So, will you mind if I get to know you, then?" I ask with a bright and hopeful smile.
"Playgirls are not my type, unfortunately."
My jaw drops. I'm shocked.
"Playgirls?!"
He looks at me grimly. "Don't be too surprised. Your reputation isn't a secret here in Raven Coast, Ms. Avory."
He tilts his head, his eyes taunting. "Bored with those boys now, so you've decided to play with me this time?"