CHAPTER 8.
Dylan.
It worked. I couldn't believe it worked so well. I had gone into Michael's compound immediately I got a text from the man I hired that Sheila was already out of the house.
By the time I heard Sheila come in, I was already in the study with Michael, and he was looking at me warily before going straight to the point, "What are you doing here, Mr Knight?"
That was when I set my plans into motion and now it was all worth it. Stepping out of the study, I came face to face with Sheila. She didn't even bother hiding the fact that she was eavesdropping.
As soon as I stepped out, she looked up at me with teary eyes while I acted surprised to see her. I schooled my expression to look shocked and wet stood for a while just staring at each other.
I finally broke the silence. "Sheila…" I muttered. I wasn't even done talking when she launched herself at me, hugging me tightly.
I smiled to myself as I grunted like the hug destabilised me. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." She frantically mumbled, trying to extricate herself from my body but my arms went around her and I held her tightly to my body.
"Thank you so much," she whispered and I leaned down to give her a peck on the forehead.
Just then, Michael came out of his office from behind us. "Sheila," he started.
Before he could continue, Sheila stared up at me like I was her saviour and asked, "Wanna get out of here?"
I looked down at her and replied, "Do you need to fucking ask?"
Then I grabbed her hand and pulled her along with me as we made our way to the exit. We saw her mum sitting on a couch on our way out and Sheila went to give her a hug, mumbling something while I patiently waited for her to be done.
Finally, we got out of the house and into my car. By the time I reversed out of the compound, Sheila started laughing.
I glanced at her for a moment as I entered the highway. "What is it?" I asked.
"It's just funny, you know? The fact that it seemed like we were eloping. I mean, what else do we need? Just play cheesy romantic music and go through the whole thing in your head again, but in slow motion this time around. You'll understand what I mean then," she found it amusing, that's for sure.
And truthfully, by the time I did what she asked, I was also laughing along with her.
"You're right," I said between fits of laughter, "I see it now."
We fell into comfortable silence after that. Glancing at her, I became nervous. Turns out that not everything I did in her father's office today was for show.
I think I'm beginning to fall for this woman and it scares the hell out of me.
"Why are you glancing at me like that, Dylan?" she asked, a blush creeping to her cheeks.
I turned to face the road after that question, my brain working overtime to find an answer that would be fitting as well as indulging.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look today?" I turned the question around instead. She did look beautiful in a strapless summer gown that flowed freely from the waist to the knees. Not to talk of the sandals on her feet and the way her red hair flowed along with the wind.
She looked away as she blushed, then as if she just remembered something, she gasped. "I didn't see Lincoln today," she sounded appalled.
Lincoln was her younger brother and I met him the first day I came to have dinner with them. I tried to wrack my brain if I saw him today but there was no instance where I saw his face.
Sheila was already fidgeting in her seat. "Oh my gosh, do you think I'm a terrible older sister?"
"Hey come on. Why don't we do this? Call your mother and ask of him. Simple."
She immediately brought out her phone while I found a good parking space. As it turned out, Lincoln was just taking a nap and he was still asleep. Sheila sent her regards and I could see the relief on her face that her brother was okay.
I started the car and stopped only when I got to her apartment building.
"Well, this is me." She said and I smiled at her. But instead of going down, she turned to me.
"Thank you so much for today. For standing up to my father for me. It means a lot to me, more than you can imagine." Her eyes held unshed tears and my eyes dropped to her lips. Her perfect soft lips.
I dipped my head down a little and when she didn't rear her head back, I kissed her. And frankly speaking, it spun my world. As my mouth moved against her soft sweet mouth, I forgot everything.
Sensation chased sensation and it was almost too much to bear. Her slender hands moved over my chest until she buried it into the thick mass of hair at the nape of my neck.
After a while, I had to stop her. We were in the parking lot after all. Her swollen lips and the way she panted when we broke apart were doing things to my ego.
"Dinner tonight?" I asked and she nodded before fleeing my car. I chuckled to myself as I watched her flee. This was going to be fun.
On my way home, I called my grandmother to update her on the progress of the assignment but unfortunately she didn't share my enthusiasm.
"Just one word Dylan, don't fuck this up."
Of course grandma, you don't need to warn me that much. It's not like I'm the poster boy for fuck ups.
After that, I had Lucas my assistant book us a reservation at the Chinese Gourmet. And then, I took a much deserved rest.