Chapter Twenty Four

Daniel

"I feel like there's something you're not telling me, but you know that sooner or later, I'll find out whether you share it now or not. So, how about you do me a favor and be honest with me? Tell me about your relationship with this Bella and why you suddenly took such an interest in her," Ariana repeated once again. Her persistent questioning was starting to wear me out.

I wasn't sure how to respond because I was torn between revealing my genuine interest in Bella or keeping it to myself and seeing how things unfolded between us.

I knew Ariana would react dramatically if I told her anything at this point, and I wasn't prepared for her constant interrogation and intrusion into my personal life. If I shared anything now, she would undoubtedly pry into every detail and make a big deal out of it.

"Ariana, for the umpteenth time, there's nothing romantic going on between Bella and me. The reason I supported her is because of my connection with Mary and because I believe she's talented. I genuinely want the best for her. She's a good person, and I wanted to show my support. That's all," I replied, hoping to put an end to her questioning.

Judging by her expression, my response didn't satisfy her, and I expected her to continue pestering me until I gave her the answer she wanted.

Another reason I hesitated to confide in Ariana was that I had a suspicion she had feelings for me. While I had always ignored it because I didn't share the same sentiment, I didn't think discussing my feelings for someone else with her would be appropriate.

However, I couldn't be entirely sure if my suspicions were accurate. It could simply be a misunderstanding based on her behavior or habits. Nevertheless, to remain on the side of caution and maintain the current state of our relationship, I tried to be cautious with my words and actions around her, so as not to be misunderstood or cause her any pain.

"Daniel, we've known each other for years, and I can read your emotions just by looking at your face. Last night, I observed how you interacted with that girl, how you introduced her to the other guests, and the way things unfolded. I immediately sensed that you were interested in her. That's why you went to great lengths to organize an event that wasn't originally planned just to make her the center of attention and help her make connections," Ariana replied, causing a slight frown to form on my face.

"What makes you so sure about all of this?" I asked.

I wanted to question why she was paying such close attention to Bella and me instead of simply enjoying the party, but I held back because I didn't want to upset her or make her uncomfortable with my inquiry.

"I'm sure, because I know you very well. I can recognize the look on your face when you're interested in a woman. You even went as far as inviting David Ketch to the event, despite your previous disagreements. That's when I confirmed that you had a genuine interest in her," she responded, and I found myself at a loss for words, as she had a valid point.

David wasn't originally supposed to be present at the event, but when I learned that Bella was a huge fan of his work, I decided to invite him, despite our past misunderstandings.

"Alright, fine. I admit that I am interested in her, but it's not exactly what you're thinking. I find Bella genuinely fascinating because of her personality, and I'm curious to know more about her. However, it's not as serious as wanting a romantic relationship with her or anything like that. I just want to explore what draws me to her. That's honestly the extent of it," I confessed to Ariana.

I observed Ariana closely, searching for any change in her expression. To my relief, she remained unfazed, showing no signs of being bothered. Ariana was not only my secretary but also my best friend, and I valued our relationship too much to let anything come between us and create awkwardness.

"So, you're not saying you have romantic feelings for her. It's more of a curiosity about her as a person, right?" she asked.

I took a moment to consider my response. I couldn't claim to have feelings for Bella because we hadn't shared any significant experiences or moments that could have sparked such emotions. However, I didn't appreciate the way Ariana phrased her question, as if my interest in Bella was trivial.

"I won't say I have feelings for her yet because I'm still getting to know her. You know I don't develop feelings easily, but I'm undeniably attracted to her in ways I can't explain. For now, I want to take my time to understand why I'm drawn to her and focus on getting to know her as a person before determining how I feel," I replied.

As I spoke, I noticed a subtle change in Ariana's expression, although she quickly concealed it.

"I feel like you're trying to say you like her but aren't ready to pursue anything with her just yet. So, do you think she's interested in you too, or do you anticipate difficulties in winning her over?" Ariana inquired.

I debated whether to continue engaging in this conversation with her. It felt as though her questions were aimed at confirming her suspicions, and I didn't want my responses to give her false hope or make her feel disheartened.

At the same time, I considered that being open with her about my feelings might help her understand that she and I were better off as friends and that pursuing a romantic relationship would not be ideal.

Confronting her about the situation crossed my mind, as I preferred resolving matters promptly to avoid misunderstandings. However, I hesitated because I wasn't entirely certain, and she could easily deny any romantic interest and dismiss it as my imagination.

Remaining silent and acting oblivious seemed like the better choice. Ariana wasn't typically expressive about her own feelings, and I had always known that about her. Confronting her would only make her uncomfortable and trapped, and I wanted to avoid putting her through that.

"I don't think she has any feelings for me. We started off on a bad note, and she was the one who reported me to Mary and accused me of disrespecting her just because I wanted to buy one of her paintings," I responded, causing Ariana to let out a short laugh.

"So, let me get this straight. You developed an interest in a woman who accused you of disrespecting her because you wanted to purchase her painting. I don't know about you, but that sounds peculiar. What exactly attracts you to her, especially after such an incident? Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing your interest or anything, but I'm genuinely curious about what drew you to her and pushed you to impress her," Ariana commented, and I could understand her perspective.

I, too, found it peculiar that I was attracted to Bella despite the initial rude and disrespectful encounter. Even considering the incident at the hotel six months ago when she snatched my cap without knowing me, I shouldn't have any reason to like her.

Yet, strangely, those unconventional incidents were what initially caught my attention and piqued my interest in her. I couldn't dislike her for it; instead, I found her intriguing and unique.

"To be honest, the incident with the painting made her even more intriguing to me. Her unique thoughts and reactions were genuinely amusing, and it was something I hadn't expected. That's one of the things that drew me to her and why I'm interested in getting to know her," I honestly confided to Ariana. She let out a sigh as if she had heard enough.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck in getting to know your new lady, and I hope things work out between both of you. But putting that aside, I need you to prepare yourself because we're going to the Philippines in two days. The university has invited you to speak with a few students, and I've already agreed on your behalf," Ariana informed me, causing my jaw to drop in disbelief.

"What do you mean you agreed, Ariana? Shouldn't you have consulted me before committing to something without my knowledge?" I hissed in frustration, and she sighed in response.

"I agreed because I thought it wasn't a big deal, and I believe it's something you can easily handle. It's just a 30-minute lecture, so don't worry too much," she replied nonchalantly, fueling my anger.

I couldn't tolerate it when Ariana made decisions on my behalf without informing me first. It felt as if she no longer respected my authority and believed she could do as she pleased, assuming I would always comply.

"Ariana, I need to remind you that I am responsible for making decisions about what I want to do and what I don't want to do. You don't have the right to make such decisions on my behalf. I understand that you're acting based on your perception, but I would prefer it if you ask for my permission directly before agreeing to anything. If this happens again, I will be extremely upset with you, so please refrain from making decisions on my behalf," I firmly warned her.

I always tried to choose my words carefully, aiming not to offend her or make her feel bad. However, her recent behavior had crossed a line, and I felt it was necessary to remind her that, besides being friends, I was her boss, and she should never forget that.

"I apologize, Mr. Russo. I assure you it won't happen again," she replied before leaving my office. I let out a frustrated sigh, watching her walk away.