Chapter 10 - Play Tug Of War

"No, thanks," Serena replied firmly.

Vernon frowned when Serena refused. He thought Serena would find it easier to say 'yes' to him than to reject him because he knew how much Serena liked him from her gesture. Turned out she refused his offer directly.

"Why?" Vernon asked.

"Because what kind of woman comes to a man's house without any status? What if your tenants find out that you brought a woman?"

"I'm alone. There are some servants but they don't stay overnight, just come to clean until I get off work. The rest are just the security who stay behind."

Serena was surprised by his answer. Vernon was even willing to explain as if to signal that she had nothing to worry about if she came to his house.

But no! Serena deliberately played a tug of war because she also did not want to be considered a cheap woman by Vernon.

"Just take me to my apartment," Serena replied, refusing to change the subject.

"Another time, would you like to?"

"We'll see, Vernon," she replied with a smile.

Vernon felt he was wrong to offer Serena a visit to his home. He felt that perhaps it was too soon to bring her to his house when he felt that it would be more relaxing to chat at his house.

After being shown the address of Serena's apartment, Vernon quipped, "Who do you live with, in your apartment?"

"It's just me. I could have stayed at my parents' house, but I'm too independent to depend on them."

"Since when do you live in an apartment?"

Serena chuckled and sighed. "You know the answer, Vernon."

Vernon swallowed and stared at Serena for a few seconds until he refocused on his driving.

They arrived at the apartment and Vernon even entered the car park even though Serena had not offered him to stop by.

"Here we are," Vernon said looking at her.

"Okay. Thanks for the ride."

Then when Serena was about to get out of the car, he suddenly boldly grabbed her arm. Serena turned her head and glanced at his grip.

"You didn't offer me to stop by? Drink or eat something?" Vernon asked, looking hopeful.

As she pondered with a smile, Serena gestured for him to come in.

"Since you sound pity, then stop by my apartment," Serena said mockingly.

Serena got out of the car smiling happily while Vernon cursed himself the moment he heard the word 'pity' escape the woman's lips.

-I'm not that pity, damn it!- he thought.

Vernon followed behind her, staring at Serena's gait that showed so much class and grace. Compared to Cherry, of course, Serena was everything. Like a beautiful and charming Moon Goddess. And, Vernon was indirectly crazy about it.

He then matched her steps at her side and became the center of attention of the people in the apartment. Until they finally entered the elevator, it was cramped for Serena and Vernon until finally Vernon who was not happy to see Serena being touched unintentionally by everyone who was crowded, shifted her body to the corner and he was in front of her while staring at each other.

Serena confessed that although she was mesmerized by the CEO, her heart was pounding at the moment she got this close to him. Despite her excitement, she felt much more nervous. But Vernon ... even she could see differently, so charismatic and dominant even if only from the expression that spoke.

DING!

The sound of the elevator where Serena's apartment floor was dinged. Droves of them got out and finally, Serena and Vernon arrived.

"There are a lot of people on this floor, well a lot of celebrities like you," Vernon said appraisingly.

"Yeah. Some floors are reserved for celebrities, Vernon."

The apartment door opened as Serena touched her hand to the sensor lock on the door. She walked in while she thought Vernon followed her.

But when she saw she realized Vernon was still outside, waiting to be invited in by her.

"Come in," Serena said finally.

As soon as his feet stepped inside, he was surprised to find that the entire wall inside Serena's apartment was covered with a combination of pink and sky blue colors in the daytime, something different, which he had only noticed this time.

He was still in awe and even as a statue stood still and watched.

"What?" asked Serena after she tied her hair.

"Your life is full of pink and sky blue, huh?"

Serena laughed as she brought two cans of beer and placed them on the living room table.

"I like those colors anyway," said Serena.

"I see."

"Please, sit down and drink this beer. I don't have anything right now because I haven't done my monthly shopping."

Then as if he had an idea to linger with her, Vernon said, "Do you want to do the monthly shopping with me for your apartment? I'll cook for tonight. Let's have dinner together."

"You can cook?" Serena asked in surprise.

"I'm home alone, Serena. What man wouldn't be able to cook if he was home alone?"

"Well," Serena inhaled and exhaled, "there are many who can't cook even if they are independent but have bought food out."

Vernon felt he had succeeded in at least making Serena admire him. And he would not tire of explaining everything that sounded reasonable to her.

"Cooking by ourselves makes us know our portions, what we consume is good or not, then it's definitely more hygienic, right?"

Serena nodded and smiled. This was the first time a man had explained something so clearly even though it sounded so unimportant.

"I'll change my clothes then, but choose one that you think will fit my body. Wait here."

Serena picked up two casual clothes for shopping and started telling Vernon to choose for her. She was very excited just by showing him the sexy model of the clothes, and of course, she really wanted to look sexy in front of Vernon.

"Which one?" asked Serena in front of him.

Vernon stared and chose the right and left in Serena's hand. Just by imagining Serena's face in one of the outfits, he felt Serena fit perfectly in anything.

But of course, he had to choose.

"That tank top with the short skirt suits you," he replied.

Serena smiled as she approached him. "Do you want to put this on me?" Serena asked, teasing him.