I’m losing my mind, aren’t I? This sort of cheeky attitude shouldn’t have such an effect on me and yet, not only do I find him adorable, but also incredibly charming.
“I don’t understand you at all.”
“What is there to understand?” he asks, leaning his chin on the back of his hand and staring at me like I’m a priceless artwork. “I’m open about my feelings for you, and I don’t plan on hiding them. Not from you nor from anyone else.”
“That’s exactly what I don’t understand.” I sigh and drag a hand through my hair. “What kind of feelings could you possibly harbor for someone you don’t even know? Seriously, I don’t get it. Besides, if you knew me, you wouldn’t like me. I’m boring.”
Laughing at my self-deprecating words, he reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze before intertwining our fingers. “You’re far from boring, Aoi. You just can’t see yourself from my point of view. If you could, believe me, you’d be enchanted.”
Enchanted by what exactly? My stupidity? My perfect ability to remain an utter failure no matter how hard I try to be useful and good? Enchanted by an attention seeking whore?
He’s got to be lying. One way or another, I need to find out what he really wants from me—and whether he’s actually the mysterious one-night stand.
“No need for baseless flattery. I’d rather you made your true intentions clear from the get-go, so we don’t waste time running in circles.”
His smile falters, his brows furrow, and he heaves a sigh. “I already told you that I like you and I want you to give me a chance to make you fall for me. I don’t see what else you’d want me to admit. If there’s something specific you expect from me, you can ask me. I’ll be honest.”
Should I just come right out and ask if he’s the guy I hooked up with? The only reason I agreed to give him a ‘chance’ was to confirm my suspicions–but if that’s really all it is, why can’t I bring myself to ask?
“Forget it.” I force a smile, ignoring the tingles spreading under my scarred skin. “It doesn’t matter. Tell me about yourself instead.”
“What do you want to know?” he asks, the tension in my shoulders easing when he smiles.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I ponder about it for a minute. “What do you do for a living?”
He stiffens in his seat and scratches his nape, glancing around himself as if the other customers might have the answer to my question. “I work with my brother in the family business. It’s a tedious and boring subject, though. He’s the CEO and I’m merely his successor. He plans on heading back home to Montpelier once he’s done dealing with the succession then I’ll be the one taking care of the New York branch.”
“That’s…amazing.” I knew he was wealthy and influential, but I didn’t think he’d have such a high rank at his young age. “It must be nice to work in the family business. Are you two close?”
He chuckles but it’s not as joyful as it was before. “Not really. We tolerate each other, but we’re definitely not close.”
“Oh, sorry. I shouldn’t have probed.”
“Not at all. Ask away. I like seeing you being interested in me. What about you?”
I roll my eyes and suck in a deep breath. “What about me?”
“What do you do for work? Do you have siblings? Do you prefer bananas over strawberries? Tell me more about yourself. That’s what you’re here for, right?”
Getting to know each other so he can make me fall for him. That’s what he thinks we’re doing. Little does he know I’m using him to get answers.
“I’m not really allowed to divulge my profession, but I’m fairly content with what I do for a living. I…don’t have any siblings.” I avert my gaze, reminiscing momentarily about my sweet Maia and her soft curly hair tied with a bow that I used to tease her about. “A sister.”
He tilts his head, confused by my answer. “A sister? But you just said you don’t have any siblings.”
“It’s true. I don’t have any.” I shrug. “Although, I should’ve saidanymore. And I suppose I prefer strawberries. Should we order drinks?”
He stares at me, his expression bewildered, before slowly nodding and recomposing himself. “Absolutely. It’s on me.”
Way to make this awkward, Aoi. Good job. Some things just never change.
23
Visha
I want to ask about it–dig into his deepest thoughts and get answers to my questions.
Aoi has never spoken about his family or his past even while we lived together. It’s not like I never asked but he simply changed the subject every time. So, I can’t believe that the first time I’m hearing about him having had a sister, is while I’m basically a stranger in his eyes.
