Chapter Eleven

SHE put her laptop on the center table and caressed the sides of her neck. Roeden stepped out of his office to buy coffee because he forgot to order. And that was a good idea because she has time to breathe to relax. Avon slouched on the couch and looked at the ceiling, still caressing the sides of her neck. She will probably suffer from a stiff neck, and Roeden was to blame.

Why does he have to stare at me like that?

Avon fished her phone from her pocket. She got a message from V, the guy she had been chatting with for five years now. They were good friends since he was her cousins’ maternal cousin. She could see the potential of a romantic relationship building up between them before, but now it vanished into thin air. Roeden was back in her life now. She knew very well that no matter what happens, her heart would still choose him. He was her heart’s one desire. And her life would be ruin forever if she would not win his heart this time around.

She opened V’s message. As usual, he was asking where she was for the past days that she did not go online. She started typing her reply.

“I thought you’re busy doing the characters’ profile. But here you are, busy chatting on your phone.”

Avon flinched and lose her grip on her phone. Thankfully, it landed on her lap, not on the floor.

“Goodness gracious, Roeden. You startled me!” She turned on her back with her eyes firmly shut.

“Didn’t your parents teach you not to chat with strangers?”

She opened her eyes abruptly. “W-what did you say? Stranger?”

“That V you’re chatting with. He is a stranger you met online, isn’t he?” Roeden sighed exasperatedly.

“V’s not a stranger, okay? He’s my—”

“He’s a stranger because I don’t know about him,” Roeden cut her off.

She noticed that his tone was at a high pitch. How dare he raise his voice at her like that when she was not doing anything wrong? Avon scoffed.

“You have no right to tell me whom shall I chat.” Her lip twitched. “Since when did you have interest in my personal life? This is my love life so—”

“Love life?” Roeden’s eyes grew wider. And she could not believe his expression at that moment. He looked like he was threatened.

“Yes!” she exclaimed. Avon did not care if his employees outside his office would hear her voice.

“How could you say that when you’ve been wanting me all your life? You belong with me—” Roeden froze for a moment. His mouth closed and opened again, but no words came out. Perhaps he knew that it was too late for him to take it back.

And Avon was beyond shocked. She did not expect that kind of reaction from Roeden. It was hard to believe that she would hear him say that, not at this rate. Ah, now her heart was beating like crazy, and she was sure that her cheeks already turned red. All she could do to calm herself was to fan her face with her hands as she stood in front of him, waiting for his explanation if there is any. But there was none. Roeden just stood there and smiled awkwardly.

And if not for his ringing phone, maybe they would stand there face to face like idiots.

When Roeden turned around to answer the call, she immediately gathered her belongings and stormed out of his office.

She was already in the lobby when she heard Roeden calling her name.

“Avon!”

Roeden suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her way.

“Move.” She pushed him to the side.

“Where are you going?” he asked breathily.

It seemed that he ran down the stairs to follow her.

“I decided to finish my work at home. I’ll send it to you via e-mail. Okay?”

Avon flinched when Roeden grabbed her by the wrist. There goes that electrifying sensation that sent tingles running up and down her spine.

“Why are you leaving just like that? Did I say something wrong?” he asked somberly. Ah, even his eyes were sad too. “S-stay… Please?”

He was asking her to stay. But why?

Damn it, Avonlei! You better pull yourself together, girl! She shook her head.

“If you leave now, then that means you’re mad at me. And in return… I will unfriend you, in real life. Do you want that to happen?”

Her eyes narrowed. Was that a threat? Emotional blackmail? Ah, Roeden must have known her better than she thought.

“That’s too childish.” She flicked his forehead. “Ah, I think I better stay. It looks like it’s gonna rain,” Avon said even though the sun was scorching hot outside the building.

“Good. Let’s get back to my office.” Roeden tugged her in the direction of the elevator.

She smiled when she saw his hand still holding her wrist. He was holding her as if he was afraid that she would run away from him and go home. But if truth be told, the real reason behind her smile was none other than the realization that their relationship was slowly going back to the way it was before.

“It’s Merc,” he when they got inside the elevator.

“Eh?” She turned to Roeden, who was literally looking down at her. When did he become that tall?

“The one who called a while ago.”

“And why are you telling this to me?” As if I thought that it was your clingy girlfriend who called you.

“He’s checking,” Roeden continued.

Her forehead creased. “U-us?”

“Hm, us.” He stared at her intently.

If Roeden’s gaze could melt, Avon was probably liquified now. Darn, when will this freaking elevator reach the eighth floor?

“W-why ask about us?” She swallowed hard.

“Merc thought you got mad at them last time because you never talk to him after that. He said he felt guilty for letting us trapped in the bathroom until morning.”

“I’m not mad at anyone. I have my reasons why I stayed silent for days.” Avon sighed.

“What’s your reason then?”

Avon summoned all her courage and asked, “That girl you’re with in that photo that you posted a couple of days ago… Is she your girlfriend? If yes, well… I’m jealous of her.”

She immediately looked away, but Roeden moved in front of her.

“Would you believe me if I say that she’s just a friend?” he countered.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I trust you.”

“She’s a friend.”

“And I’m your friend too.”

Avon was the first to step out of the elevator when the doors opened.

When she got back inside Roeden’s office, she immediately plopped down on the sofa. She put on her earphones, pretending that she was listening to music while doing her work.

Roeden seemed to understand and decided not to bother her.