Chapter 24 Chapter 24
ROMAN'S POV
A person never really changes, take it or leave it. If you think I'm wrong, then you'll learn the hard way.
Take this annoying character for example. Alina.
She'd been trying so hard to be different lately.Trying so hard to change, act different, take on a new behaviour different from who she actually is. She wanted to pretend she was all good and buff, but guess what?
Her old self still remains.
Her old cunning, deceiving, defensive, cowardly yet explosive self still remained the same! Vibrant and unimpressingly so.
She tried to be just calm. Be that soft, feminine woman, elegantly going about her business, but her true self just won't budge.
Her lips would be speaking peace, but her eyes would be spitting fire all at the same time! Leaving her so frustrated and ready to bite my head off. Especially tonight.
It was quite the amusement to be honest. Her behaviour so far has been very amusing and laughable. But there was nothing amusing about those words she said.
"Falling in love with you? Again?? I must be dead in the brain or something." She spat, "Not in this lifetime. Never in this lifetime."
Key word there was Never.
Never.
What did she mean by that? What the hell does Never in this lifetime mean? And the tone she used in saying it, so degrading, dismissive and highly taunting!
No matter how you looked at it, everything sounded like some sort of insult. I made a casual joke to reel her up a little but she jumped to insult me. How does any of that match?
What, she didn't think me on her level? She was better than me somehow? More 'pure' perhaps, since Oxygen was dirty and immoral??
"The nerves of this bitch," I muttered, partly amused at this point. The display she just made. Talking about truce and shit like we were playing a game before now.
I wasn't.
Why would I? With her.
If there was even a game going on, she wouldn't even be a player but a chess piece on my board. I merely used her for my satisfaction and amusement. No doubt enjoying every moment.
Funny how she thought herself important just because of that.
Saying I needed to be close to her. So delusional!
"You've become delusional over the years, Alina." I laughed, taking my seat back at the desk. The screen coming back on. Just enough for me to spot her on the second floor. Heels and coat doing nothing to hide the obvious curves of her short frame. Her every stride steady and firm, despite all the drink I'd watched her drown tonight.
Just what kind of life has she been living these past years? To become such a drunk.
Still, "She can't believe that, can she?" I murmured, watching her reach the ground floor. Leaving. "Unless you've become a brick wall now Alina, you can't survive my charm. If I should turn it on... you'll fall like a stick in drought."
I didn't believe she wouldn't feel anything. It wasn't possible.
In fact, maybe I should play her game a little.
Truce.
She wanted us to cease fire. To be 'nice with one another and not make people think otherwise.'
Fine then.
Let's do it.
"Let's see if you handle a little niceness," I smirked, "A little love and attention."
My attention.
Let's call it truce, Consultant.
The following morning was a workday.
Alina's workday, since the new wing was still underway and she was its consultant.
Problem?
She drank a ton last night, a total mess. Meaning a proper hangover, showing up late, dressing a mess, and displaying a series of absolute disorientation was bound to occur.
That's where I come in.
Normally, this was a set-up ripe for a thorough dissemination of her person right in front of everyone. Her entire team. Prove I was right about her capabilities.
But, since we were practicing the 'truce'. The niceness, showing of 'love' and attention, I would be taking another path today.
Reason why I was here.
Early.
Waiting for her.
"Boss, you don't even go check your own building the way you inspect this wing." Jordan commented behind me, voice low and steady but carrying every meaning.
I didn't even respond to him. Too minded in my 'morning coffee' to pay his taunt any mind.
He snorted as I took a sip, our environment bright and clear. Dust in the air, our set-up (table and comfortable chairs) clear from all the debris and sweat of crafting the wing. The workers serious than ever with me watching.
More minutes passed, leading us directly to 10am in the beautiful morning and finally, our Consultant showed up.
Hungover, late, dressed a mess and absolutely disoriented.
Just as I predicted.
"Looks like you aren't such a good drinker after all," I smirked, watching her bash in all wild, panting and in faded joggers with sweatshirts.
The annoyingly tight cooperate gown she usually wore, nowhere to be found this morning. Forget about her clothes, her hair. The damn brown strands were a complete curly mess sitting on top of her head. An attempt at a bun obviously, but completely failing.
In fact, looking at her right now... was a perfect replica for 16 year old Alina. The innocent Alina. The girl with the curls. The girl I fell in love with.
Only now, she was older. Features heightened. Chubby cheeks giving way to proper cheek bones, soft fat on arms and other body parts overtaken by muscles. Everywhere toned out and giving birth to a brand new Alina. A full blown woman.
But still... those eyes remained. The hair too.
As though hearing my thoughts, she turned in my direction. My feet rising on cue, glasses leaving my eyes to sit on my hair, a smile on my lips.
"I-I- Sir, I-
"Good morning, Consultant." I greeted, cutting her off nicely. A smile on my lips. "Seems you had a rough night. Sleep okay?"
"Err, yeah." She stuttered, destabilized. Her eyes scanning everywhere all at once, scanning me and issues that may have risen in her absence. Which would've been a definite if we weren't on our 'truce'.
"Are you okay?" I asked her, going even closer. My voice soft. Gentle. "Are you feeling good? You don't look quite alright."
I touched her forehead. Taking her by surprise, her eyebrows rising immediately as I felt for her body temperature. Her forehead, her cheek, then her neck. Which she immediately jumped away. Blinking repeatedly, stunned.
"W-w-what are you doing?"
"It must be the hangover." I muttered, shaking my head. "It's definitely that. Come. Come sit. We prepared something over here for you."
She remained standing while I moved. A couple of steps, and I turned back to see her gawking at me. Confused.
She was probably wondering if her brains hadn't permanently lost touch with reality I'm sure.
So ridiculous, this woman.
I let out a quiet chuckle, going back to her. Stopped in front of her, then took her hand. Gently, before pulling her with me. Taking her right to the set-up I had arranged this morning, ready for this.
She stared at me, speechless as I held out a seat for her. Even taking her hands and making her sit gently, since she was too stunned to do so.
It was pretty comical.
Jordan was having a field day. I could tell the moment our eyes met, amusement dancing in his depths. But I didn't pay him any mind. The play has just began. Couldn't wreck things before they started.
"Here," I handed her a mug. The brewing hungover tea steamed and ready for consumption as I poured from the bigger mug on the table and into her own mug.
"It'll help with the headaches," I explained, "Drink. It's sweet, I swear. If you don't like the taste, have some cookie. There's more here don't worry. I kept them so you can eat whenever you're ready for your morning coffee like I'm having mine right now."
I held up my coffee mug, smiling warmly as I sipped for emphasis. Her wide eyes following my every move, like a bomb waiting to explode.
Only that this bomb, it wasn't going to explode. Instead, it was going to melt her. Show her what she's been missing all these while.
I turned back to the wing, realising then everywhere had gone silent. Almost everyone's eyes fixed on us, surprised.
What, can't a man be nice to his consultant anymore? Give her coffee? Shower her with his attention??
"What are you all looking at?" I called out, smiling. "You want some coffee too?"
"Err, no boss!" Their voices filled the air, throat clearing as they resumed their positions. Back to being busy, whereas I sat proud of myself on my seat. My eyes turning back again to the main character of the show.
"You feel better now? Lighter?" I reached for her, hoping to touch her forehead again but she was quick. Leaning backwards automatically, going even further backwards the more I stretched to reach her.
"What are you doing?" She asked, features tight and alert.
"I'm just trying to check for your temperature to make sure you're alright." I explained softly, "Is that wrong? Are you mad? I'm sorry."
"S-sorry?" She choked, shifting her chair back. "What the hell is going on with you? What are you- w-what the hell?"
I sighed, releasing air from my nose as I took my hands back. "I'm just trying to do a nice thing. Chill out, will you?"
"Well, don't be nice. Be you."
Be me?
"Why? Why can't I be nice?" I asked, facing her. "You wanted truce, didn't you? This is truce. Have you had breakfast? Want anything?"
She opened her mouth to disagree but I didn't let her. Snapping my fingers immediately, calling for someone at the door.
"A full breakfast please. Eggs, suggages, milk, bread, toast, pancakes, the whole set! Our consultant needs to energy to work. Quick!"
"Yes, boss." The security left immediately, steps hurried like I wanted. My eyes returning back to the table. Her expression horrified, lips parted open. Confused as hell.
"Want anything else, Alina? A juice maybe?" I pressed, looking concerned. Pouring her more tea, and at the same time fighting down a laughter deep from my system. Her absolutely thrown off balance features making it worse for me.
She was confused, and grew even more confused and displaced as seconds passed by. Her fingers anxiously sinking into her mess of a hair, attempting to smoothen them out. Loosening the band and retying. Swallowing deeply, taking a chunk out of the tea I poured her. All in a bid to calm down and process what was happening.
But she wouldn't be able to. She wouldn't be able to proces
s a thing, because this was Charm Roman at work.
No woman thinks properly once that guy comes to play. And right now, he was seated in front of pompous Alina. The woman that said 'Never'.
How's that working for you now, huh?