Chapter 18

I woke up to almost a thousand missed calls and texts from Stephen. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but it's not far from the truth. The man texted me and called me a lot of times, but I couldn't respond because I woke up late, resulting to going to work late. Who sent me to drink wine? No one. Who could I blame? No one. Not like that would stop me from doing anything.

I wished I responded to him in the morning, but a girl had to get to work. Thankfully, I didn't have much work at the office; thank Jesus. By noon, I had finished my workload for the day, and I had no reason to be at the office, not when I had to see Reeves.

"You kept calling me. I thought you got into trouble with the government, and you were looking for someone to go down with you so I couldn't respond," I said into my phone.

"You're useless," Stephen huffed. I could tell he was rolling his eyes from the way he sounded.

"Meet me at Darcy's," I said and hung up. I grabbed my belongings and sped out of the office. Not like anyone could stop me from going out, but I didn't want unnecessary questions and answers.

Stephen arrived at Darcy's shopping mall before I did, which made me wonder if the man had a life. How could he be ready to meet me before I was ready to meet him. I mean I was the one who invited him out.

"How are you here this early?" I asked Stephen when I saw him sitting proudly on a sofa in the reception.

"I was around. I had some business to take care of before your call came in, plus I’m not sure I want to pay you for making you wait for me,” he smiled, got up from the sofa and gave me a hug. This stupid man knows me too much. Someone would think I’ve drained him of all the money he has.

"You good?" He asked me.

"I don't have a reason not to be. You good?" I asked as I pushed him away.

"I'm good. So, what’s the plan?" he asked.

"We're here to get a gift,” I smiled.

"For someone who's not in love, you're pretty excited," Stephen rolled his eyes, pursing out his lips.

"I didn’t say who the gift is for, but good guessing. As you know, it’s the money I'm gonna get that excites me, nothing more boo," I smiled.

“Now help me choose the best gift for my money bag?” I smiled sweetly at Stephen, pushing him further into the store.

Stephen rolled his eyes once more at me, and we went in search of what would serve as the perfect gift for Reeves. It was a hard task though, especially when I had no idea what the man liked and didn't like. I know I couldn't get anything edible; what if he has allergies? I couldn't get him a dress shirt; it would get lost in the hundreds he has. I could get him a watch though, guys like watches, right? Stephen confirmed it.

"He'd be a fool not to like this," Stephen smiled at the gold ticking machine. I agreed. Reeves would be a fool if he didn't like the watch, even I wanted to covet it, but I didn't, because I knew I could come get mine with Reeves money when the time came.

Stephen and I decided to get snacks since we were too busy to eat during lunch, during which we talked about my plan about Reeves. I had to let him know that while I loved that he was looking out for me, nothing bad could happen to me, not when it has something to do with the heart. I believed I lost the ability to feel anything for anyone a very long time ago. That part of my body or mind didn’t function anymore, and so I was left with nothing but money to keep me company during my cold nights and bad days. So, Stephen had nothing to worry about.

"Don’t worry about me baby, I’ll keep you updated on how it goes." I waved to Stephen as I made my way to my car. I drove speedily to Reeves company and of course I welcomed the stares I got. Wearing the lime green dress was really a good decision. It wasn't a body con dress, but it was almost close, as it accentuated all the right angles, the dress was short sleeved with little ruffles at the ends of it. I looked nothing short from a goddess in the dress; not that it surprised me or anything.

I didn't have to stop at the reception, because I was a familiar face, plus the people thought I was in a relationship with their boss. All I could do was pass a small smile to the receptionist, Stephanie, who retuned the smile with a small bow.

I looked down at the gift I got Reeves in the small gift bag and smiled. It was the first step to my plan. There was no reason why it wouldn't work like Stephen religiously believed.

Getting on the floor to Reeves office, I was met with a very anxious River. He always had similar expressions on his face. It was either he looked scared or surprised or very anxious.

“Miss. Melanie,” he forced a smile.

“I know he’s in. I just want to drop this,” I smiled and pushed past him, making my way into Reeves’s office.

Reeves was on a call when I stepped in. He looked tired and annoyed, but hot and very sexy in the jet back suit he had on. Stray strands of his hair danced loosely around this face, making him look ten times even more beautiful. No really, how good the man looked should be illegal, but then, that would make me illegal too because I know I look just as good, or even better.

Reeves turned to me with a “What the hell are you doing here” expression on his face. I smiled back at him in response, making myself comfortable on the sofa he had in the office.

“I’ll call you back later, I have a guest,” Reeves said into his phone; I increased the smile on my face.

“You can’t just walk in here whenever you feel like!” Reeves started.

“Can you go 10 minutes without finding a fault in everything I do?” I asked him. He took a deep breath and looked away.

I got up from the sofa and walked to him with the gift bag in my hands.

“Here, I got you something,” I gave him a small shy smile.

“The plan was to stop my employees from thinking we’re together, and here you are, bringing in gifts,” Reeves laughed.

“A gift doesn’t mean anything, unless of course you want it to mean something,” I bit my lower lip, adding a sly smile.

“What do you want this time?” Reeves asked, like he was bored of me or something similar.

“While I’m hurt that you think I’m here because I need something, I’m not surprised. I missed you, so I came to see you. I tried to control myself but here I am,” I let out. Ew, that didn’t sound right. It sounded like a terrible excuse.

Reeves didn’t say anything, he just kept his eyes on me like he knew I was spitting trash. What’s with him and not believing me anyway?

“Look, I know I have done a lot of crazy things to you, some I’m not proud of, and I know it might be the reason you might not believe me, but I’m serious about this. I thought I could be strong to guard my heart against feelings like this, but I’m not,” I went on. It was either I was too good of a liar and an actor or Reeves was stupid or he could see through my bullshit, and he was playing along. Reeves was buying everything I was saying too easily.

“So, you mean you have feelings for me?” Reeves scoffed. I took a deep breath, suppressing my urge to roll my eyes. Just who did this man think he was? Just because I was confessing my “feelings” to him, didn’t mean he had to be a dick about it. This is why men don’t deserve anything.

“I do,” I pressed my lips together, so nothing more would spill out of my lips and blow my plan.

“Reeves daring,” I walked over to him, turning his seat towards me so he was facing me.

“I’m not saying I want to be your girlfriend or wife. I’m just the type of woman that comes clean about her feelings, no matter what they are. If anything is to happen between us, it would have to be your decision,” I leaned in to whisper into his ear.

I smirked at Reeves frozen state. He was clearly attracted to me, as his frozen body wasn’t the only thing that was visibly hard. I smirked at his boner.

“Melanie,” My name rolled sweetly from Reeves lips, bringing my attention to them. His lips looked plump and soft, reminding me just how well they could work. While I was reminiscing on what Reeves did to me with his lips, Reeves wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me flush against his firm body, with our faces barely an inch away from each other, taking my thoughts from the past to the present.

I stared into Reeves beautiful orbs, waiting for his next move, the final move to let me know if he believed my lie or not.

“Excuse me sir, I—” River pushed open the door to Reeves’s office. I turned to the man with a knowing smirk on my lips.

“I’m sorry, I’ll come back later,” he rushed his words, closing the door behind him.

I noticed that Reeves didn’t take his eyes off me, not even once.

“Well, the mood has been ruined. I’ll see you around hotshot,” I flashed Reeves a smile, pushing myself away from his warm body.

“Send me a picture of you wearing the gift I got you, if you like it,” I said and walked out triumphantly our if his office.

I knew just how capable I was in doing what I knew how to do best, and even though this was the first time I had to blatantly lie about my feelings to someone, I had a feeling that Reeves didn’t completely believe me. I had it way too easy, too easy that it didn’t feel right, but I wasn’t worried though, with time, I would clear all the doubts Reeves had.