Chapter 19: I shouldn’t have gotten close to him!
Julia’s POV:
Damon’s sudden demand took me aback, but before I could voice out my confusion, I was already being pulled by him towards the parking lot downstairs. All this time, he didn’t let go of my hands either, but being held by him, caused an emotional palpitation to rise inside my chest, making me feel giddy inside my tummy.
Soon, we reached his private Sedan and then he released my hand. Turning around with a confident smile shimmering on his radiant face, he asked me, “Miss Julia, do you know how to drive?”
His unexpected query startled me once again as I couldn’t help but gaze at his shining black car. I have my driving license and my fair share of experience of driving my small, ordinary car. But this car was crazy luxurious which must cost a fortune! Not even in my dreams I had ever imagined to get a chance of driving such a luxury car, but I was too shy to blurt my inner thoughts before him.
“Umm, well, yes…I do have driving experience—”
“Then it’s fine. Please drive the car for me.” Before letting me finish, Damon suddenly handed me the key to that car and walked past me to take the passenger seat next. I stood baffled and nervous for a few seconds, blinking at the keys he handed me, but at this point, there was no turning back.
I quietly stepped in and noticed the car had very different functions, compared to my small old car. It took a few minutes for me to figure out the process but when I started the engine, Damon tossed a confident smile at me once again, “Why do you seem scared, Miss Julia? Just drive it like it’s your car.”
‘My car? Is he being serious right now? I had never thought in my distant dreams that one day I would be lucky to drive a Sedan…so, of course, I am too nervous to even breathe!’ Though I sulked inside my mind, I tried to mask an amicable smile to answer him, “Yes…Sir.”
But my legs were shaking a bit too hard out of nervousness, which made it hard for me to focus on the driving. To take the car out of the parking lot, I had to take a U-Turn, but my hands on the steering wheel also started to quake which made the motion of the car a bit unsteady.
Right before the U-Turn, suddenly a big goods-bearing truck entered the parking lot and it made me panic a bit hard that I stepped on the brake and gear together all of a sudden!
But using his quick presence of mind, Damon took control of the steering wheel from my hands and turned it swiftly without making any bare minimum contact with that goods-carrier truck. I was awestruck by his excellent driving skills even though he was controlling the car still seated in the passenger seat.
His big body leaned closer to me while doing so, and the strong but sweet woody scent of his cologne prompted my heart to beat a little faster. At such a young age, Damon was Godly perfect in everything he did, and I couldn’t stop admiring the way how he smoothly handled the situation which could’ve gotten a lot worse if he wasn’t quick.
But after he managed to drive us out of the parking lot, he stopped the car and tossed a smug at me, “I wouldn’t have minded to die in the hands of your exceptional driving skills, only if I hadn’t recently taken over the company. So, I think until the right time comes, I should be the one to drive from now onwards.”
Even though he purely teased me, but I still felt very embarrassed to show such a clumsy side of mine to him. Fiddling my fingertips as I lowered my gaze from him, I murmured, “I am sorry, Sir. I should’ve told you the truth that I don’t have any experience in driving an…expensive car. I really mean it—”
“It’s fine, I still liked the way you panicked all of a sudden. It was cute to watch.”
Damon’s soft comforting words flinched me hard, as I could feel my heart getting uneasy inside. I had expected him to scold me instead, but how did he find my awkward behavior cute after all? Is he just lying to make me feel better?
Soon after we exchanged seats, he drove me straight into a luxury shopping district which was quite near to the office than I had thought. After we stepped outside, Damon appeared to be in a pleasant mood when he spoke to me, “The last time you had said that you’ll plan another date for me and my wife, right Miss Julia? I want to start proceeding with that plan. Please do help me choose some perfect gifts for her today that would make her really happy…okay?”
When we reached in front of the shopping district, I had my intuitions tell me it was about to happen. Yet still, hearing his intention directly from him didn’t make me feel pleased, just like I had thought so. Isn’t it bizarre how could this man lift my hopes up a little and crush them the very next second?
I was agitated with myself, thinking have I become too lonely and vulnerable that I had started to grow soft towards a man who was always sincerely devoted to his wife! But amidst that bitter realization, when I glanced at his dazzling bright smile shimmering under the sun, I realized…that charming face was the root cause of my trouble.
I know…I shouldn’t have gotten close to him in the first place.
We walked through the main door of the shopping district and everyone present there humbly greeted us. Damon instructed me to go visit the first luxury brand store we came across and asked me to check out some clothes, as he had something urgent to do so he would join me after a few minutes.
Following his command, I walked into the store and a beautiful red laced gown caught my attention as I grazed my hands against the soft fabric. My ocean eyes were mesmerized by the beauty of that dress, and upon noticing a salesgirl, I humbly asked her.
“Excuse me, how much does this dress cost?”
“Huh, more than your entire existence’s worth, I guess.”
But unexpectedly the young girl tossed that snobbish remark at me, which riled up my fury inside. I unleashed that dress from my hold and glared at the girl who seemed quite younger than me, “Excuse me? Don’t you know basic manners to deal with your customers?”
“If the customer was worthy enough to know about this dress’s price, I should’ve told her without a second delay. But…” She scrolled her gaze arrogantly on me from top to bottom, before she snorted, “The sight of your cheap clothes is already awful! Actually, I know people like you who can’t even afford to try such luxury clothes…yet brazenly come here just to waste our time. So, if you’ve looked around already, just get out—”
“RUHI!!”
Before she could finish her words, a loud fervent feminine voice from behind startled both of us, making me glance around. I saw at the entrance door of the store, Damon stood tall bearing a grimacing glare towards that salesgirl. He wasn’t alone, but there was also a middle-aged lady in formal clothes who had just shrieked aloud.