Chapter twenty

Nataly 

I know my day had started on a very positive note, but this? It's certainly unbelievable. Is this the same guy I've been fighting with for the past two days? 

What's gotten into him. Or who finally put some sense into his stubborn head? 

"Hi Maria," he says as he calmly walks towards my desk. I can't help but glance at him with unending amusement. I almost smile when I remember he just greeted me. 

"David, what brings you here? Are you lost or something?" I inquire. Those flowers are definitely not for me. 

"Uuuum, can I sit?" he asks, pointing at the visitor's seat, which is directly opposite to where I'm sitting. 

I don't know why but something about him feels so odd this morning. It's not just that humbleness but it Looks like there is something eating him up that I can't quite place.

Under Normal circumstances we would have already started fighting. What must have happened to him overnight? 

"Of course you can." I decide to go with the mood and vibe.

He places the flowers on the table, "These are for you." 

You've got to be kidding me. David Delavega, bringing me flowers in my office. What's today again? Oh it's Friday. What's gotten into the Delavega men today? 

I try to recall the events of the previous day. Our talk during the drive from the warehouse couldn't cause all of this.

He spent the whole day working and then went home. Whatever happened from there, I don't know.

I eye the roses on the table and they are pink with some white patches .From where I am seated I can feel their sweet smell but I can't tell the type. Why did he choose Pink? 

Though they have been wrapped in a colorless flower wrap paper, it still doesn't hide the beauty there. Quite a charmer huh? 

I pull my mind back to the situation. 

"For me?" I ask, placing my hand on my chest. So what am I supposed to do now? Open my eyes in disbelief? 

Run from my chair and embrace him? No way. 

I'm starting to think that the Delavegas have grown soft or that they have a soft spot for me. Which would be so advantageous if that's the case. 

"Look, Maria, I know you and I have not always been on the right foot with each other, but…" He puts his right hand on his hair and slowly ruffles it, as if searching for more words to say.

I can't ignore the fact that just doing that makes him sexy and seductive. 

I don't realize that I've been staring at his slight curly hair as he does that until he goes on speaking. Jeez! I hate myself. "Okay this is me, trying to make a mence, " he adds. 

"Hmmm," I lean back in my chair, "Making a mence huh?" I don't know why, but I'm somehow enjoying this. David, humbling himself. 

"That's right. I know you weren't expecting this but I don't see why we shouldn't be on good terms. I'm sorry for being a jerk. I don't see the reasons for the silly fights."

Did he just say sorry? 

I don't know what's happening in my life but..

I try to say something and fail. He saves me by speaking up again," My dad was right, we're on the same side here and we should be a team, "he shrugs his shoulders," maybe be friends. "

Friends huh! Yeah maybe. 

I couldn't be friends with a Delavega, but yeah I could make some pretense here, after all that's who Maria Banes is, right?

Thinking about it, there's no denying that I'm already on good terms with his father, his cousin and some of their workers.

Besides, what's the best way to take down your enemy than being an inside person and having them put their complete trust in you? This is the next best thing. I'm fully in now.

So I smile and simply say, "It's fine David. Besides, your father is right. Why should we be the ones to destroy the relationship between our families which has stood for so many years?" 

I can feel my heart beating in some joyful rhythm. That's a step closer. 

"Sooo," he raises his bushy brows and I notice it, "Are we friends now?" 

I smile and he smiles back and for the first time I notice how cute that smile makes him. Making his cheeks appear charming. 

'Focus, girl.' The inner me snaps me back. So I don't dwell on it. 

Before I know it, he's offering me his hand.

" I think we need a do over for our first encounter. Hi I'm David. David Delavega.But you can call me Dave." 

"I like David more," I smile as I put my hands on his and at that moment, I notice how soft they feel. It's hard to ignore. Just having his hand touch mine, sends shivers inside me.

And I can feel my blood run cold. Again. Gosh! Does he have some kind of spell on me or what? 

I'm lost in the moment again until his voice draws me back."And you are?" 

"Maria Banes. But you can call me.." I smile again when I realize there's no nickname to that. "Ooops, just call me Maria." 

"Or should I call you Mari B? Ooh Miss B?" 

"Absolutely not." I take my hands off his, which he's been holding for a while now. 

"So, miss B," he says knowing I just said no to that. I look at him with raised brows. "David I swear." 

"Sorry," he grins. 

"Banes is our family name and you just can't go around calling me that." 

Just saying that statement, my mind shifts. I never thought this could actually happen. David and I, chatting, as friends. So miracles do exist. Or magic. Or whatever.

Well, at least now I don't have to worry about having an encounter with him. 

He could be useful in some of my plans. 

"So Maria," he puts some stress on the name,"As an apology gesture and to a new beginning, I'm taking you out for a drink tonight."

Before I can think of an excuse he already has an answer to it, "It's Friday and there's no work tomorrow, so no excuse." 

Drinks? I'm not about to go out with him. No. It's not part of my plan. I just wanted us to be on good terms. That's all. Not to create something between us. Something that I can't define. 

"I have plans David." I know I have the Ivan project but I can't tell him that. We just started being on good terms. Besides, this project is a part of my plan here, so no! 

He gets up from his seat, "That's great, but I won't take no for an answer." 

He winks and then turns to give me his back. 

What the hell? He opens the door and before he closes it to leave, he leans on it and looks back, and then gives me a glance, "7:30pm, I'll be at the Banes' mansion.

You should be ready by then. See you soon." Then he leaves. Just like that. 

I'm left feeling his scent in the whole office area, even though he just stayed in one place. It's amazing. I can't deny it. I let in a long breath,with my eyes closed. What am I doing again? 

This is the son of my mortal nemesis and I'm doing what exactly? Getting lost in his scent. I beat my forehead as I remind myself that I should focus on what should be focused on. But again a night out with him? 

Just yesterday he saved me and today he's asking me out for a drink. 

What am I getting myself into? Just a drink and then we will be normal workmates right? Just like Cole. It won't hurt. Maintaining good relationships to make my work easier. I remind myself a million times. 

He's hot though. 

________

During the day, I pretend to drop some files at Cole's office just to inquire if everything is okay with David. But he confirms that he arrived home from work, left for a drive and came home late. That's all. 

I head to my apartment after work, making sure I'm not being followed. I clear out a few things and when I'm done, I head to the Banes mansion. I don't know why I saw the need for this, but if he's actually picking me up, it can't be at my apartment. 

I find Lilith in the living room, watching some TV show.

"Hi," I greet her and she is just as surprised to see me.

"Hi," she answers. I know we're supposed to be mother and daughter in front of everyone else, but no one is watching. So why go through the trouble? 

"I wonder what's going on here but David left a package for you. It's in your room." She says. 

"Did you allow him in that room again?" I ask 

"Do you think I'm that stupid?" 

"I don't know Lilith, I found him there last time and I specifically locked it." 

"I didn't. And I don't want to get into an argument." She goes silent for a while and then speaks up concernedly, "I really hope you know what you're doing. One wrong move and we're dead."

"I know." I answer. 

"He said he'll be here at seven thirty.Which is not so long from now." 

"Okay Lilith, I mean, mum." 

I rush upstairs and open the door to an amazing package on the bed. It's a gift box. A larger one. 

I open it and there's a note on top. Underneath is some pink cloth. What's wrong with him with all these pinkies? To be fair, Maria Banes' favorite color is pink. How the hell does he know that? I don't dwell on it. I read the note first. 

[Get ready In time] 

I open the clothing only to find it's a plain pink straight dress that looks exactly my size. 

What now does he think it's a date?or what?

"Hmmm," I shrug.

Still in the same mood until I actually try it on.

When I first looked at it, I didn't expect it to look this way on me. It fits perfectly well, hugging every part of my body. Revealing my small figure.

The V-shaped neck reveals my cleavage perfectly well. I can't deny the fact that I look like a snack. Though I haven't said that in a while. 

So when Lilith informs me that David is waiting outside the gate I heave a long sigh. 

Twenty four hours ago when David and I were having our usual fights, I never thought this would be possible. This easily. Just like that.

But since it has happened, it's definitely good for my plan. I walk past the gate and I notice him standing outside his car.

The security lights reveal just how handsome he looks in that expensive tux.

I walk towards him, not knowing I'm also walking to a trap that has successfully been woven for me.