Without a Shirt

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming. Pablo Neruda.

                 Chapter 20.

"I have an offer for you Kourtney Conner" Blade said. Kourtney raised her eyes in surprise. "I will send your assistant to my new project, and you choose what you want" he offers.

My sensational feeling of falling off this chair might be right. I haven't heard someone speak this fluently about someone else's life.

He doesn't care about hurting the next person's feelings.

I never thought meeting Alex's father would be unpleasant. I know Alex and his father aren't in good terms but I didn't expect his father to be so Proud, conceited,immodest,Superior loud. Adding to it His so jugdemental, Alex's father can be described in so many words but the only word I could use for him is 'arrogant'.

I have no right to open up in his presence cause it could cost me my one surviving job, if it won't be taken sooner.

Taken this insults might be like, a bee having a stink on me without my reaction, but anyways am getting used to it.

He gives Kourtney an offer that has everything to do with me but he still acts like am not seen by any in this room.

Don't want to judge but I get why Alex might hate him so much.

Hearing Blade's offer got everyone in this room present to be confused, I am also confused myself.

I kept my head down for a while but I raised it when I sense that, the attention on Blade have shifted to my direction.

Where they staring at me.

Not possible.

"Gela is going no where!!" I turned my head to what got everyone one surprised that was totally not me. It was Alex! he had stood up from his chair as his hands fisted on the table with venom.

He glared utterly ridiculously at Blade.

I shifted my gaze slightly from Alex to Blade. Blades jaw was about to drop. He stood up with that same pride he will forever have.

Why does he have to call me Gela here?

I simply watched everyone's expression and I could hear whispers "Who is Gela?" The lady that has a wierd husband commented.  "Does Alex Know her" One of the girls from the three said.  "I think he likes her" another of the girls says.

I blocked my head from hearing any of those.

My pulse where weak at this point.

"Alexander! you finally spoke, it might not be something good but I liked it. If you don't want her in our new project. Fine!" He exclaimed.

I twisted my jaw.

I turned my head to Alex again to hear his comment."Can you fucking shut up,Blade. You know what I mean." He said.

Everyone present got interested but I didn't want any arguement. Mostly why is Alex arguing over this.

He also treats me like trash.

"Highlight me" Blade said and raised his brows to Alex.

Alex fist was being tightened again on the table. Since he was really close to me I could see it.

I nodded to myself. This isn't going well, it was never.

"Am just excited, my son is back from being an outsider " Blade exclaimed again, making sure his arrogant voice is being heard.

I felt an urge to stop this.

What would I have to say, anyway.

I was quitely sitted watching this display.

"I love having you around Son. You may seem turf but is fine by me. I haven't forgotten the day you asked your Cousin..what's his name again oh yeah Kayden for a vacant space in the office" Blade paused, as Alex kept an annoyed yet surprised face. He added "Don't look surprise, Kayden tells me everything like a loyal dog, well I thought it was for you Son but I never knew it was for an ordinary lady named..Olivia"

What! My mom?

Alex's fist was about moving from the table, apparently he was about heading to give Blade a punch.

Immediately I held his fist steady. He felt it and flinch a little.

I didn't mind if that was seen by any I just didn't want this argument to end up becoming more than ghastly as it seems.

"You know you always have a place in my company" Blades still acknowledged Alex.

"I would never become part of this" Alex said it in a whisper.

The whisper he gave, might be heard by someone else apart from me but am precisely sure Blade didn't hear it.

I wondered what happened between this two.

Alex seemed more quite even though he has a thousand words to say, was it written somewhere that the appealing's talk less.

My hands where still on Alex but my gaze where directly on Kayden.

Blade has once talked about him in this conversation but how is Kayden really connected to all this.

First of all Kayden is Alex's Cousin but speaks Spanish and surprisingly Alex hears it.

Kayden was also the same guy that attended to Alex when we arrived at Enova and the both don't get along. Kayden also looked like the boss at Enova.

Precisely Enova belongs to Blade and Kayden manages it, would it be.

"Alexander, you'd not be up set if I tell you to sit. Would you" Kate try's to mix, when she founds out the glare Alex had on Blade where not going anytime soon.

"Kate, stay out of this" Alex snaps.

I raked my eyes, I could see how worried Kate is. She probably is tired of always seeing Blade and Alex arguing.

This is my first witness and it turned out to be my topic in front.

"Alex, please don't" I whisper slowly to him. If he could understand that the problem with his Father shouldn't reflect on his mother.

"Sud, I don't like how things are going here" Carson blurt and I raised my gaze to her. She added "You should clear up your desk"

Ignoring her spicy comment.

I raised my gaze again to Blade and Alex, neither of them where ready to cut this out. They where still not stopping their glare they had on each other

I grimaced.

"Angela Sud, is just an employee. Don't you find it strange how you defend her?" The lady that has a son about 10 or 11year old said.

She was clearly talking to Alex.

I guess they put together, Gela is Angela.

For the first time, Alex removed his glare from Blade and faced it on the lady.

The grimace on my face changed to a surprised expression.

He stated "Is strange huh?" He answered her question with another question.

Without thinking about his recent statement he turned his glare back to Blade and added "Like I said Blade, Gela is really going nowhere"

My jaw twisted again.

My hands that where on his were being replaced as he took my hands in his palms.

I didn't notice how snug and homely his palms where until he held my paw.

He brought his gaze down to mine as he made me stand.

I was completely shocked by Alex's frame of mind today. I tried holding back but his hands that where wrapped around mine where wholly brawny.

He led me through the hall out.

With a Zero option I followed.

***

Arriving few steps away from the  dinner room, Alex drew me out even more.

His hand's where totally on mine that I had the urge to slit it out but I couldn't.

When we reach the sitting room downstairs, a familiar voice said "Alex!"

He stopped when I did. He turned backwards to have a look at person calling him and it was Kourtney.

What!

"Can we talk" She gestured, I could feel she didn't want to look at me but it's completely okay.

"Not now" Alex snaps back. He didn't say it with the nicest tune. I   raised my gaze to his as he also stares back.

What is wrong with him.

"It would just be for a minute" Kourtney back up. I removed my gaze from Alex and raised it to hers.

She wasn't looking back. What would I say. She is totally my boss but I feel she is avoiding me for the main time.

"Can't you say it here" Alex replied.

"It's personal" She said.

"Okay" he replied.

I believe it must be for his health. I haven't had anytime to discuss that with Kourtney because is really wierd talking about it.

What is he really sick of.

He lets go of my hands and gestured for me to wait here.

Should I.

I waited anyway but it was taking too long so I decided to move around. This house is so big that where ever my foot too me had a corridor of it's own.

Anyone could get missing here, I would need a map to move around.

I entered a little room beside a corridor, this room was kind of different from the others. From the door handle to the inside is totally different.

I found something really attractive in here.

"Hey, little one...how are you"

It's a puppy that's completely familiar.

Yeah, now I know where have this little cute pink puppy from.

Was it really Alex's own.

The day I went for a run I found along the streets but Alex just came along and claimed it.

I held the puppy as she tried to taste me. I laughed slightly and shifted my face backwards a little.

"You should not be here" A feminine voice snapped.

I spun around.

The lady from before. Precisely the maid.

"Am sorry, I jus-" I said

She cut me off "This room is really private, so please head to the sitting room" she said.

I nodded slightly as I carefully dropped the puppy from my hold.

"Have a nice evening" I said to the lady. I smiled nervously and walked out.

I couldn't wait for Alex anymore and I decided to leave.

When I arrived outside of the mansion I tried texting Isa if she could come pick me up.

She promised she would come.

I didn't like the way the dinner had gone down.

Mostly I didn't expect my night to be so soon. I had a plan to attend this dinner and get back home but on the other hand.

I got a text from Kourtney to wait for her and that turned out to go wrong. I had to witness the insult tonight from Blade obviously Alex's father.

For some reason Alex bringing me out was the bes-

"Leaving so soon" I turned my head to whoever had snapped me from my thoughts.

Kayden?

"Yes, You?" I asked back.

"No, just around" he said. I noticed him for probably a second and found out he has a problem which I can't put together.

His totally not this cool.

"My uncle has a huge mouth, sorry for the insults." He said and took few steps close. He was a bit far before.

I nodded slightly.

"How are you both related" I said and blinked a little. He raised his eyebrows in confusion. I clarified "Alex" I added so he wouldn't be any more confused.

He grimaced immediately.

I didn't expect him to answer that but if he did, great.

"I should ask that question to you, don't you think so?" He blindly said.

I was left completely speechless.

Am I meant to answer that.

His eyebrows where still raised and eager to hear what I had to say. If only he knew that we weren't even friend's.

Am not sure.

"Let's keep it that way, I don't answer your question you don't answer mine"he snaps.

I bit my lips a little.

"Yeah that would be okay" I said.

"Gela!"

I was shocked as Alex came from behind and held my hands tightly with his strong hands.

I flinch a little.

"Alex, didn't know you followed her around" Kayden commented.

"Stay out, dickhead" Alex curse.

"It's obvious, haven't you known her name yet its Angela not Gela" Kayden clarified.

My mouth was actually turning into a smile. He totally deserve that.

"Maybe you can say the same for yourself" Alex stated bluntly.

What did that mean.

Kayden was left speechless and I had no choice than to drag Alex out of Kayden's view.

He took control and forcedly led me. He stopped and faced me.

"Why do you let them treat you like trash, Gela?" He asked and my confusion just began.

I don't let anyone treat me like trash.

He must be talking about his Father.

"Why do you always say nasty things to people" I quitely said and avoided his recent question.

He was clear on this one that I wasn't going to answer then he said "You should learn how to handle your own sh*t Gela, never let anyone trash you!" His voice came out annoyed this time.

"And I don't say nasty things, I just describe it" he answered to my question.

My jaw dropped.

"You also drop nasty comments on me, so you just describe them!" I said. My voice where a little low before but hearing Alex's comment I raised it high a bit.

"That was then" he said bluntly.

"What happened now" I asked and watched all his movements.

He wasn't going to answer, I could see it in his eyes. His lips weren't planning on opening anytime soon.

"So why be an hipocrite, Alex"

He was now left confused.

I nodded slightly

"Your father also did the same and you get mad, why are you even mad?!" My voice came out very clear.

"Why do we always fight, Gela" He said and didn't answer to my question.

"Will you ever answer my questions directly?" I asked again.

He nodded and gave me a knowing smirk "You ask alot" he said.

I didn't want to smile at this point but when his on his smirk and my eyes is in his, I would always find my self smiling.

I didn't smile this time anyway I just rolled my eyes.

"To smile looks good on you" Alex commented. How did he know I was contemplating whether or not to smile.

I clenched my jaw.

"What did Kourtney say?"  I asked.

My eyes where completely not on him but I had to raise it up to meet his eyes.

"I was just saying you ask alot, and you confirmed it" He giggles slightly.

Yeah true, I ask a lot.

What was I thinking asking Alex, he wouldn't even tell me. He doesn't like talking much about his personal life.

"Let me take you home Gela" he offers.

I snapped immediately. "No, I texted Isabella and she would be here shortly"

He raised his eyebrows.

"Oh you found her"

"We are not discussing that"I said fastly and he smiled a not genuine smile.

"Doesn't this look too familiar?" He stated.

My face expression was left confused, does he mean the day I told him Isa was picking me up and she wasn't picking her calls.

Then I ended up going home in his car.

I raised my gaze to his.

***

Yes!

It turned out to be familiar, I sent her a text before and she wasn't responding.

I tried calling her line again but it was not going through.

Sitting in Alex's car and I have to view his annoying yet charming smirk.

The drive turned out to be quiet, the only thing that cut my attention was the romantic song Alex had played along the way.

I thought he liked hip hop but it turned out he didn't. It was also noticable the day we went to the club back in Alex's cabin and I had slip an earpiece just to listen to music.

I never had the chance to ask this question.

"Alex?"

He was on his serious face now and I could tell probably he might answer.

"Yes"

I swallowed hard and began.

"Why did you leave me back then at the club?" Oh no it came out really bad.

Anyways I just needed to know his answer.

He kept a surprised face expression but he wiped it off completely.

"Nothing" he said and I got really shocked.

That was it 'nothing'

I could tell that wasn't it. He is so mysterious. I can't even read him at times.

We parked at the drive way to my house.

My lungs where weak now at this moment. I just recalled last night when I left here crying.

I wondered how my mom is doing. She shouldn't be worried cause am completely doing fine.

I just need to tell her how sorry I am. I would have never judged her like that.

I headed to the door and Alex was surprisingly at my back.

What's he up to.

"I don't have the keys!" I announce to his hearing.

I could feel his hot cent at my back and I don't like the way it makes me feel.

"Should we break it down?" He jokes and he laughs slightly.

I rolled my eyes.

"I left my keys in" I replied.

He walked to my front and tried to unlock the door handle "And I thought you where smart" He giggles.

With a shock expression the door opens.

"After you" He demands.

I narrowed and walked in immediately.

He can be so unpredictable.

Walking in was really quite. I didn't hear any sound till my mom walked out from the kitchen.

"Angie?" She snaps.

I felt really quilty hearing how caring her voice is.

"Mom?" I said and fastly went to my point "I like Reid and I think I was really jealous seeing you with him. Your my mother and it has been long I saw you with someone"

"Angie is really oka-" she tries to snap, as I cut her.

"Is really not okay, can you forgive me mom" I said.

"I forgived you the moment you walked out that door yesterday, Angela" she said and I ran up to her and gave her a tight hug that got me surprised.

It has been long I gave her that type of hug.

"Am really sorry mom" I apologised again.

"Yeah, but I think brown haired Alex just walked up our stairs" she said.

Shoot!

I almost forgot Alex was watching all this.

I untangled myself from my mom and ran up the stairs.

Running up my mom yelled "Your keys are left on the counter in the kitchen" I nodded slighlty.

Reaching my room, i tried opening the doors quietly. I didn't see Alex till walked in completely. He was by the side probably looking at all the stuff I had.

I had pictures of myself when I was a kid, when I cut my hair with a scissors when little, when I also get dirty while eating. I also had different embarrassing pictures I would not let anyone see, especially Alex.

But here he his, the picture is really clear to his view.

He noticed I was in then fastly walked up to my bed and dived on it.

He first of all removed his jacket and went for his shirt. I had to shift from the view.

"You haven't seen a guy without a shirt on before" he said.

I looked back to his direction. He was totally shirtless and his body where displayed. Not caring.

He felt really comfortable on it, my bed..

What was his plan.

"Don't tell me, your spending the night here?"

He raised his eyebrows and a known smirk where displayed on his lips...

.....

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