Chapter 31 Chapter 31
Roman's POV
The moment I stepped out, the clean air first hit me. Land, wide open. Clean lawns, stone paths, water features, everywhere spotless. Manicured to perfection, very suited for the sophisticated bearing the environment should give.
The building stood at the center.
In front of us. I took a quick scan, proud of the excellence despite the fact finishing touches had to be concluded on over the weekend.
"Now where is she?" I muttered, putting my glasses on. A smirk on my lips at the thought of her stunned self checking it all out.
A few scans to the left searching for a body, another scan to the right, and...viola!
Found her.
Exactly where I'd expected.
The stone paths leading to the outside. But of course she'd paused halfway, partly stunned and this was no ordinary place she could just run out and get a cab.
This place was different.
My domain.
And unless I gave the order, she wouldn't even make it past the first gate, talk more of the second.
"Can you come back now?" I called out, "Just turn around and come right back, Alina."
She didn't respond. Didn't move for a moment. But then slowly...she obeyed. A shaky skeptical look on her face, a smile coming on. That fake ass smile of calmness! Why does she feel the need to constantly dish that out?? Especially right now.
It didn't hide the fact she was truly anxious about her environment. About facing me right now, so why?
This woman was simply comical.
"Y-you called me,sir?" She inched forward, seemingly innocent. Heels clipped on a straight line, posture erect. Solid. Her purse out in front of her, bringing attention yet again to the curvaceous arch of her hips and thighs. Everything swaying softly as she walked towards me. Closer.
I couldn't hide the fact the dress she had on, although professional looking, it still did seem quite scandalous the more you looked at her.
"You brought me here for a reason, sir? I'm assuming." She spoke when she reached me. Not calling me by my name or attempting to cuss me out.
Playing the innocent employee card, huh? Smart.
This way she had all the proof she didn't do anything and I was all out to do something to her. If I wanted. That way she'd be safe.
Smart again.
I couldn't help a chuckle. Taking my glasses up to my hair, her head cocking slightly to the side. To Jordan behind.
He didn't utter a word. Didn't seem as amused as I was either.
"Well," I cleared my throat, getting serious. "Since you've finally decided to end your little safety display, let's get on to why we're here. Shall we?"
Her eyes drifted shut for a bit. A silent calm. Then they opened back up, flashing another dashing fake ass smile.
"Yes, we shall, sir!"
"Lovely," I stepped forward, heading for the building. A chuckle on my lips, her heels behind me. Jordan silently coming of course.
Once we were in, every inch of the sophisticated and grand interiors welcomed us. I used to think it was too much. I mean it was supposed to be a home not an elite events centre, but now, seeing how a certain someone was practically eating up every angle. s
Starstruck, lips parted... it all seemed worth it right then.
Maybe it wasn't so bad to be designed in such excessive luxury. Plus it felt pretty good too knowing your house is admired.
Greatly admired even.
"Hey," Jordan called, clearing his throat loudly. Startling her from touching the walls at some point.
"Sorry," she mumbled, standing straight right back.
"This is the main foyer," I explained, Jordan standing a step behind me. Both of us in the elevator. She outside. Looking.
"Main foyer..." I watched her mumble, taking it all in again with a subtle smile. A real one this time. One she tried to hide.
"Boss,"
"She's going to get it, don't worry." I hushed him, both of us waiting. Watching. Up until her eyes found us again. Staring for a bit, her brain taking a moment to boot up. Then eyes widening, blinking, understanding as she realised where we were and where she stood. Outside the elevator.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry!" She hurriedly said, rushing forward instantly. Joining us at the elevator. Pushing herself to the corner. Away from Jordan cause he didn't seem impressed at all with her. And she noticed it.
Soon the elevator dinged open. Presenting yet another spectacular view. Everywhere all white and round. The walls glass and see through, allowing sunlight while electricity hummed silently around. The floors were not left out too, every inch covered in white marble. Clean and spotless. Elevators in front.
"Wow," I heard her gasp before I felt or saw her movement. A second and she was out of the elevator. Openly smiling and taking it all in.
"Oh my God, Cleo would die when I tell her this!"
"Cleo? Who's Cleo?" I stepped out, hands in my pocket. My voice instantly forcing her back to comportment. That plastic smile on her face.
"Just a friend," she said, shrugging. "But what is this place? Is this a house? Someone's?"
She turned around again, smiling. Then paused.
"Wait, I'm not working on this too, right? I mean, it's already incredible but that will require another set of fees arrangement. For my services I mean. Creative services."
Creative services?
Oh I see we're specifying now, huh?
"That's alright," I shrugged, "But we don't necessarily need your services. What we do need is your selection."
"Selection?" She stepped closer, curious. "What kind of selection?"
"Well, you see here is called the circular hallway." I explained, "You might not really see the full circle from this point, but it goes all the way backwards. And at some points backwards, you'll find stuff like this."
"Elevators?" She answered, gesturing to what I pointed at.
"Exactly," I confirmed,
"You know I want to ask, why are there so many elevators? We used one just now and there's already two here. This is a residential building, isn't it? Why so many elevators?"
The exact same thing I said back then. The exact same thing. It was too excessive and frankly pointless. To think there was more behind as well.
Two on each side.
But good thing now, I'll be putting it to good use.
"They're more elevators down too," I said,
She blinked, surprised.
"More??"
"Exactly same way as this."
"Leading to where? Why??"
"Jordan?" I called, he stepped forward. Pulling out the envelope I handed to him this morning. The documents inside.
I stepped towards her, ripping the envelope open. "Behind these elevators are units. Homes if you may."
"Homes?"
"Vacant ones." I pointed out, reaching her. "And you're here right now... to pick one."
Silence.
Pure silence. My hand hanging in the air as I stretched out the envelope to her. She unmoving. Not frozen. Not surprised. Not overjoyed or any kind of emotions you must've imagined by now.
She was just quiet. Staring at me. Like I had more to say and hadn't just uttered the words that left my lips. Offered her an apartment. A full apartment.
"What are you doing right now?" I asked,
She blinked, clueless. "What, I'm- I'm listening to you."
"You're listening? Sure you're listening? Cause you don't seem like it at all."
"I-
"I said I brought you here to pick an apartment. An apartment."
"Okay, I will. But for who? I need to know what kind-
"You dummy! You! You're not listening." I flicked her nose before I could stop myself. Surprising us both.
Still, I covered it up. "Here's the document. Read it."
She collected it slowly from my hand, turning to the side a bit. Knowing what I just did.
I knew it too. I so knew it, it was a habit.
A really terrible habit now I was thinking about it.
"You keep flicking my nose or forehead all the time. Ro, stop it!"
"I'll stop if you give a kiss."
"If I did every time you flick me, then we'll be constantly kissing."
"And who says that's not my initial plan?"
The memory played out. Sounds of her disbelieving laughter ringing in my ears, young.
Jordan stared at me. As though knowing what was going on, and I straightened out. Clearing my throat as I looked at her. Just in time to see her flipping over pages.
It was just three pages, so you can have much she was flipping.
"Is there a problem?" I called out, hands in my pocket. She turned, speechless. Stunned.
"I can't...I can't believe this."
"What part?" I probed, seemingly uninterested. It was the surprise drama I expected.
"Is this real? Like really real?" She held out the documents. "I can't... How is this possible? It says I get an apartment as part of the benefits for accepting the creative consultant role at Oxygen."
"Along with other entitlements listed." I added,
"Yeah, I can see it but why? Why's it coming now and not earlier?"
"We had to make sure you knew what you were doing before pulling out benefits and stuff." I said, shrugging.
Her face twisted, "oh, so I had to 'prove' myself. All of that, everything from the past weeks have been about 'proofing' myself?"
"Pretty much." I confirmed, shrugging. Jordan too. But she only rolled her eyes, grumbling under her breath.
"Bastard,"
"What's that now?"
"Nothing."
"You just-
"I said nothing," she cut me off, packaging back the documents. "Thank you sir for "approving' me. I'll do my best, 'sir.'"
"What's with all the multiple 'sir'?"
"I'm giving you my respect," she answered, sass. "Don't you want my respect anymore? 'Sir'?"
Jordan scoffed behind me, I stared at her. Disbelief. Amused.
But she stepped forward right then. Head high in the air. No more conscious or trying to play the good employee card now she knew for sure she was safe and was within her bounds to be present here.
"So," she smiled subtly, "Which apartment's mine? Which 'elevator' is mine?"
I could literally feel her sass roll off each and every word right now. Her subtle smile could hide nothing!
But I wasn't offended.
Instead strangely, I felt pretty amused. Watching her slowly relax and get excited.
It felt good.
"Go on," I said, urging her. "Make your pick."
"Are you serious? You're not taking that back."
"Boss," Jordan stepped closer. Surely to remind me of the master elevator not properly indicated yet.
A flaw I had seen during the weekend.
But still, "Go on!" I urged again, "You have 30 secs to make your pick."
"30 secs?? Shouldn't I at least get to see them all for myself? The vacant ones?" She complained, finding it unfair when I should be worried she'll pick the master bedroom instead.
"28 secs!" I called out, walking away.
"Hey! It should be 29 secs!"
"27 secs!" I called instead, vanishing into one end of the circular hallway. The left. Leaving her there. "You have less than 27 secs now, Alina. I suggest you make good use of it."
"Such a bastard," I think I heard her grumble out. Right after sound of heels rushing filled the entire place.
I just headed straight for the master elevator. Jordan behind me, full of words.
"Boss, this isn't - you shouldn't...ugh."
Smart man.
Just swallow it all down. We weren't going to use the building yet anyways. She was out of town, the wedding next year, whereas the Seraph wing at Oxygen was to be opened in 4 months from now. Alina working there, meaning only occupying a space for the same duration of time.
What was the harm is putting to use before the set time? It was ready after all.
"10 secs!" I called out as I reached the master elevator. Not exactly hearing the sound of heels anymore. But right after my yell, I heard it.
I smirked.
"9 secs!"
"No way the clock moves that fast!" Her words reached us here, I laughed.
"7 secs!"
I could imagine her cussing and glaring already. Storming all over the other hallway.
"5 secs, Alina! You make a pick yet?"
No response.
I waited a moment. Another moment,
"3 secs!"
"0 secs!" Her voice called out, close. Loud. Making me turn to the end of the hall, very amused. Especially as I spotted her missing a heel. The kneel point assessory resting in her palms.
"Oh? Running around were we?"
She only scowled. Matching to me. Or at least tried to while missing a heel. The contrast between her actual height and the heel totally sending me.
"2 secs more," I still said to her. Watching she stoppe
d right next to us.
"1 sec," I said, "Did you choose yet?"
She looked at me, then Jordan. Then the elevator in front of us.
"Yes!" She declared, "I choose this. This one."
I turned to it. Watching where her hand landed, indicating.
The very elevator right to the master elevator. The elevator right next to mine.
Meaning we were neighbours.
Now that's something, isn't it?