"Leaving so fast?" Alexander asked, his eyes still closed. He had felt her movement when she wanted to roll off the bed but he remained still, wanting to know what she would do next. When she lifted his hand and placed a pillow under it, in her stead, he knew she was about to run away.
Isabel's steps halted on their own at the sound of his voice. She turned slowly to look at the man who had taken advantage of her last night, but what she had met left her in shock.
She knew he was handsome even with his eyes closed, but looking at him now, she is tempted to call a historian to come see a walking Greek god.
Her eyes met Alexander's, and for a moment, she was dumbstruck by the intensity of his gaze. His eyes were like the darkness of the night. They were the kind of eyes that could make a person feel like their every secret was laid bare for the world to see.
She could feel the blood rushing through her veins, and her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst. Those eyes were making her feel like her secrets were out. Her eyes fell on his mouth, they screamed perfection. Isabel could swear that someone like this only existed in one's imagination and novels but not in reality.
Alexander's lips moved, but Isabel was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear him speak. All she could do was stare, her mind racing, her heart pounding. She was lost in a trance, her body and mind numb, her senses overwhelmed. She didn't know how long she had been standing there, staring into his eyes, but it felt like an eternity. All her instinct screamed at her to run away but her feet seemed cemented on the floor.
Her senses returned when she noticed a movement from his side, he had rolled to the end of the bed and sat up. Immediately, his feet touched down, and Isabel bolted towards the door. For a moment, Alexander was speechless, why was she running? Most ladies will want to come closer to him but here she is, running away from him. He chuckled softly and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
Isabel, who had just bolted out of the door, was also surprised at herself. Why was she running? He didn't threaten her, nor did she steal anything from him, but her survival instinct had told her to run. She shrugged it off; she couldn't blame herself. He looked dangerously handsome, and his black eyes lacked emotions. She sighed and brought out her phone and turned it on while walking towards the elevator.
She bumped into someone and hissed, and her phone fell. "I'm so sorry," she replied and frantically bent down, picked up her phone, and ran towards the elevator. She didn't even make out the face of who she just hit.
"Excuse me, Miss," the man she bumped into tried to stop her before she could get into the elevator, but it was too late; she was already in the elevator, and by the time he could come closer, the elevator closed. Isabel sighed, almost.
She had seen his face when she was in the elevator and she could swear that he was handsome. Very handsome. Why is the universe tempting her with handsome men today? She has seen enough. She slightly shook her head and sighed. Deeply.
Ring. Ring. Ring…
The sound of her phone ringing jolted her back to reality. She glanced down at the phone in her hands. Ava. She had hung up the phone on her last night and here's her, calling again.
Isabel gathered herself together and picked up, "hello Ava," she said, trying not to give herself away.
"Where the hell are you, Isabel?" Ava screamed, already frustrated from not getting through to her yesterday.
"I'm coming over right now," Isabel responded.
"Just tell me where you are, and I will come pick you up"
"No need, Ava. I will be there soon," Isabel politely declined and hung up the phone. Hurriedly stepping out from the elevator, as she walked towards the exit door, she could feel people's eyes on her. Why is everyone looking at her? She thought.
"She's not even ashamed of herself. Look at her neck. What's she trying to prove?"
"Look at those hickeys. Who knows which old man she sold herself to?"
"Girls of this generation have no shame. She can't even cover it properly before stepping out."
Isabel's heartbeat increased, and her legs wobbled at the gossip going on behind her. Hickeys. In her attempt to run away from Alexander, she had never thought that there would be an aftermath of what they did. She hurriedly left the building and flagged down a taxi, heading towards her home. She can't let anyone see her like this.
…
In the presidential suite.
P.A. Ivan had just walked in when Alexander came out from the walk-in closet looking refreshed and ready to start his day. P.A Ivan was slightly taken aback because for the first time since he started working with Alexander, he woke up late. Maybe there was a change in his hormones today. What was he even thinking? He shook his head lightly which didn't go unnoticed by Alexander. But who was that lady and why was she on the last floor? He was tempted to ask Alexander, but then he felt a chill down his spine; slowly, he raised his head, and his eyes met the dark eyes of Alexander on him; he swallowed hard and bent his head.
"What's the report?" Alexander's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"The A.R Corporation has finally merged Golden Couture clothing with the company," Ivan began as Alexander left the suite with Ivan trailing behind. The A.R. Corporation is the Ross family Company, which has been passed down for generations. Alexander had taken over the company when he was 23 years after his father's death and within seven years, the company had hit the pinnacle of the business world, going international and globally, dealing in every field.
On the other hand, Golden Couture Clothing is a small fashion company that was barely making waves in the country before it hit bankruptcy. The owner had pleaded with the A.R. Corporation to intervene and Alexander, being a businessman who doesn't indulge in a profitless business, bought it off, now under the umbrella of A.R. Corporation.
"Any other thing?" Alexander asked as soon as they stepped outside of the hotel.
"Grandmother Ross sent for you. She asked that you come home for the family dinner tonight, or she will come visit at the Night Snow Villa." P.A. Ivan reported hesitantly.
Alexander already knew what the discussion would be all about and he had run out of excuses as to why he won't be getting married any time soon. He was about to decline the invitation when he thought of her – the girl from last night. He would have thought that all that happened was a figment of his imagination but he could still feel the changes in his body.
Who was she? Why was it hard for him to resist her? Why didn't he push her away just like he did with the other ladies who tried to seduce him? He stopped abruptly and Ivan, who was still trailing behind him, almost bumped into him.
"Who is she?" He asked P.A. Ivan.
'I should be asking you that boss. Where did you get her from and why was she in your suite last night?' Ivan thought but he couldn't speak that out unless he no longer had use for his tongue.
"I have no idea, boss, but I will get you all the necessary information about her before today ends," he said, buying time for himself.
"Mmmmh. Have the car ready by six," Alexander said and walked into his Rolls Royce car which has since been opened by one of his bodyguards. P.A. Ivan nodded and opened the front seat of the car, settling himself down.