LOVING THE REJECTED BILLIONAIRE

He takes a sip of his coffee, and another, and another, and then he gulps the third sip, looking up and wiggling his head slowly from side to side.

As he faces up with his eyes closed, I steal the chance to study him. I hadn’t had time to have a close look at him since I met him. He leaves early in the morning and comes home late and exhausted. Even now, his face looks so tired, and the way he is twirling his head is a result of somnolence.

Why does he overwork himself like this?

“Don’t stare too much.” He says as he peels his eyes, his hand grabbing his mug of coffee again, not looking in my direction.

Shit! How embarrassing! I know my cheeks look like an overripe tomato right now. He caught me staring at him. I hope he doesn’t think ill of me. I take my coffee and sip slowly, enjoying its taste down my throat.

“Where did you learn how to make this?” He breaks the silence.

Looking at him, I realize he is taking the last sip of his coffee. That was fast!

“My mom did teach me. She also taught me how to prepare different kinds of dishes. You like the coffee?” I respond, hugging my cool so tight that it doesn’t slip away.

“It’s the best I have had in my life.” He says this, and for the first time, he gleams at me.

Adrian, smiling? He must have had a very beautiful day at work to act like this. Or maybe he went on a one-day stand that turned out well?

Damn!

“There is more. You want some?” I ask, shyly grinning. His smile must have gotten deep into me.

“Sure,” he says.

I bring the remaining coffee, pour him a full mug, and fill mine too. We drink until the jar is empty, and I am glad that he at least looks a bit glossy in the end. There was nothing much said, and that puts me at ease.

“Thank you for the coffee,” Andy says as he stands up to leave.

“Welcome.” I take the cups and walk to the sink to wash them while he starts out.

“Aah, Tania?”

I snap at him as he towers before me, dwarfing me under his gloriously tall contour.

“Yes, Andy?” Now, that name, huh? Wait. Is it how that name sweetly rolls out of my lips or the almost zero distance between us that is making me tremble?

I swallow hard! And dry! Even my throat is lamenting the torture I put it through. There was nothing at all to swallow. Still none, but I still feel the dominant urge to keep pushing something down to my guts.

“Can you make some for Angel tomorrow after school, please?” He softly asks.

Ooh! It’s that!

Why is he requesting it? I thought bosses were meant to give orders. To demand. But he is… kind of different. I am not saying he is a softie. Far from it. If you want to experience real hell, mess with his daughter, and he will bring down flaring hell on you. That I know perfectly, but this other side he has shown today is new.

“Of course, Andy. I will gladly prepare it for her. I hope she likes it.” I respond.

“She certainly will. I’m sure.” He adds it with certainty and pats my shoulder. “Goodnight.” With that, he marches out of the kitchen, leaving me here blushing like an idiot and struggling to recall how to breathe.

I didn’t know this side of him, but I like it already. When I am stable enough to do what brought me here, which is work, I embark on cleaning the dishes, the picture of him winking and grinning roaming through my mind.

Don’t get me wrong, okay? This is simply so new to me. Anyone would be acting this way, or even worse. Sigh!

I finish washing the utensils and drying up the sink, hoping that I will see myself cooking in this kitchen someday. There is no harm in keeping hope alive, is there?

No!

Just as I am about to lock the kitchen so that I can retire to bed, I hear Adrian’s phone buzz from where we were seated. He forgot his phone. I saunter to where it is ringing from.

I didn’t intend to, but I happened to see the caller. I swear, it wasn’t intentional. Ambrose. Andy’s PA is the one calling. Well, at least it’s not this other gender. Sigh!

What’s my problem if it was some bitch? I mean, lady?!

I grab the phone, lock the door quickly, and run upstairs to Adrian’s room on the right, next to Angel’s. I knocked three times, and I was about to leave when the door opened, and Andy was standing in front of me with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His other body parts are dripping wet. My jaw drops. Men, doesn’t he look so damn hot? So hot and cute. His tight muscles on display and his flat, broad chest are bewitching my mind. And those wet lips, ooh gosh!

And this…

“You brought more coffee?” He speaks when I start ogling him down like a piece of meat that I can devour in a flash. It must be the effect of seeing a man like this for the first time. Yeah? Yeah. And the coffee, too. The effects of hot coffee on such a cold night fussed with seeing a hot guy almost naked for the first time would definitely blow anyone’s mind. I am innocent here.

“Tania?!” One wasn’t enough. He really had to snap my mind again.

Damn me!

“Coffee? Y… e… s… I mean, coffee! Aah… no, sorry! I mean, phone. Yes. I brought your phone because you forgot it in the kitchen and Ambrose was calling. It was there ringing, and I didn’t know.” His eyes and cocked eyebrows stop my nonsensical, nonstop rants, making me feel like a really confused idiot. What is wrong with me?

“Oookay… Thank you. Can I have my phone now?” He says this, stretching his hand out to me.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

I hand him the phone with a trembling hand. Well, everything in me is in motion, and God knows how much I want to disappear from his face right now.

“Aah… I’ll go now. Bye… I mean, goodnight, Andy.” I say this as I walk as fast as I can towards my room.

I can’t even be beguiled to look back because I know I made a total fool of myself back there. Jeez! What is he thinking of me right now? And what the heck is wrong with me, huh?