Chapter 18 Matt
"Working overtime?" From being busy with the paper works on her office table, she heard someone talked that caught her attention from what she's doing. Her face automatically brighten up when she saw Matt's face in the half-opened door of her office.
She just summoned a late meeting with her designers on the new big project so she was hands-on with this big project they will have. After the two-hour meeting, she went straight to her office to check some paper works to deal with when Matt came.
"What brought you here?" She said giving him warm smile and stood up motioning him to come inside.
"I was actually waiting for you outside when I saw some employees going home expecting their boss will come out soon. But it seems like the lady boss has no plans on going home or take a rest so I bother to come inside and take her home." He said smiling while eyeing those papers and designs spread all over her working table.
She checked her wristwatch and gasped when she finds out it's already ten-thirty in the evening. She got stunned she didn't even realize she got too engrossed in her work. She didn't even notice time flew that past. There are usually some instances that she tends to forget the time and intentionally do overtime but it was the first time she worked in the office until 10:30 without even noticing it. She even wonder what time did she dismiss the meeting she just had with her employees earlier.
What if Matt didn't come and she kept on working? She will surely work until dawn without noticing.
"Sorry, I kept you waiting. Liz never informed me you were around." She stated apologetically pertaining to her secretary. Now she remembered telling Liz to not accept visitors or calls before she started the meeting with her designers.
"You should've texted me. Oh, I'm really sorry. Did you wait too long?"
"It's not your fault. I chose to wait though. Makes me wonder how long you will still work if I didn't come. Are you always like this?" He asked looking so worried.
"Or you should've called me that you will come. I hope I did not waste your time in waiting for me." She worriedly stated.
It makes her wonder how long did he wait in the lobby. He must be nuts, he probably waited for her a long time before he decided to went to her office and announce his presence. That's the usual Matt he knew, he was patient and considerate. She suddenly felt guilty and opt to make up for his efforts. Matt is really taking pains in winning her heart, she could see it in his actions and efforts. He's kinda stupid sometimes but he was really sweet and very thoughtful which she likes the most about him.
"It's okay, I did not wait that long. Enough with office works, princess. Come on, I'll take you home." He said thoughtfully.
She smiled at his endearment to her. He usually called her princess even before they used to be friends and she loves the way he called her that way. Matt is such a great guy. He almost has everything a girl could ever ask for. He's good-looking, kind, thoughtful, sweet and a sensible man not to mention he was rich and came from a prominent family. He owns a huge ranch and a lot of businesses. He was rich and successful not because he came from a wealthy family but he earned it because of his hard work.
Well, she's not actually a type of girl who comes after the money when dating a guy but the fact that Matt can stand on his own and he can make money without the help of his family is the thing that she admires the most in him. He's a responsible and splendid person. He was indeed dedicated to courting her for he never stop wooing her even though she never gave him a definite answer on how he stands in her life. He always finds time to give her surprises like taking her out on a romantic date and fetching her after work if he has time. Send someone to give her flowers and sweets and texting her thoughtful and sweet messages that warmed her heart. Surely the man is drop-dead serious in winning her heart.
"How long you've been waiting for me after you decided to come inside my office?" She asked him while he drives her home. She had a feeling that he wanted to say something because he seemed preoccupied along the way. He was not usually silent, in fact, Matt is a person who talk too much and he was funny too. Something telling her she has something to say and only waiting for a perfect timing.
"Not too long. Come on, why do I have a feeling you're bothering yourself about this. Don't feel guilty, you're right I should've called that I'll come." He answered sincerely.
"Don't tell me you waited that long just to fetch and bring me home?" She started asking.
"I was actually planning to ask you out for a dinner but it's already late and you need to rest. I understand that you're busy with your work so I won't take too much of your time. Better luck next time, I guess..." He stated then pulled out a laugh.
"I'm sorry--"
"Hey, it's fine. Enough with the apologies okay? At least I got a chance to be with you even for a short time."
When they reached the building of her apartment, he parked the car and thoughtfully unfastened her seatbelt.
"Here we are..." He stated.
"Thanks. You wanna go inside and have some coffee?" She invited.
"No, thanks. I-I had this early appointment with a client tomorrow. So as much as I wanted to grab your offer, I have to decline it though it's kinda tempting." She chuckled when she heard him say it in a teasing tone.
"What? You have an early meeting with your client yet you waited too long and fetch me at this time? I mean, what's with the waiting, Matt? " She said in between laughter.
"Actually, my plan is to invite you this Saturday night on my parent's anniversary and I intend to talk about it over a dinner date but you see I never had a chance to for it's late already and you have to rest. My close relatives and friends are coming and I want them to meet and introduce you." He stated seriously this time.
She got stunned by what he said. The thought of meeting his close relatives and friends suddenly made her feel nervous. She was close with his family and his parents but meeting his relatives and close friends were like taking their relationship to a different level. Is this some kind of a formal declaration to his relatives and friend? But she never gave him an answer yet? She suddenly felt pressured upon the upcoming event they will attend to.
"M-Matt..." She stuttered feeling so alarmed.
"Please don't be pressured about this, princess. It's just that they demanded to see you. Well, it's actually my fault, I've been telling them stories about you and all that and it turned out they were so eager to finally meet you. I told them you're not my girlfriend yet and I'm still courting you but you see, they are so eager to meet you so bad. I hope you will come with me?" He asked her then afterward.
Hearing his explanations, her heart suddenly mellowed. She never thought she was that too special for him, she finds him really sweet and romantic. She was lucky for she was the one he chose to dedicate his heart with. That night, she made Matt happy before he left. She accepted his invitation to come with his parent's anniversary and meet his close relatives and friends.
That same night, she had decided to end his long wait, and this time she was sure with her decision. She was rest assured that Matt will love her and take good care of her without expecting something to return and this time it's her chance to make him happy. Realizing that started as friends and been known each other for quite a long time was quite a good foundation of the new level of relationship they will build. Matt is a good person and he deserves to be loved back. She had finally decided to accept him and make him her boyfriend and she was planning to surprise him over his parent's wedding anniversary.