Chapter 32: Lunch with my mark

It was lunch time and another message entered my phone from Noelle to remind me of our lunch together. I wrote back to her to let her know that I didn't forget. I just have a few things to round up before I leave to meet the blonde at the restaurant she requested.

It hasn't been a busy day today like it was yesterday, and I am glad to have time for lunch, though my lunch partner still leaves me wry. I have never seen anyone want to be friends with me like the blonde. 

Maybe she is really just a friendly person and genuinely wants to be friends. Coming to that conclusion I decided to give the blonde a chance. 

I was just packing up to leave when Mr Valentine's door opened and he made his way to my cubicle. 

I was about to go to his office to let him know that I was leaving for lunch, but this saves me the trouble. 

"Mr..."

"Come with me," he cut me off flatly, his tone commanding

I opened my mouth to let him know that I have other engagement but he had already walked away. 

I lifted my bag and ran after him. Met him just in time to hurry into the lift before the door closes. 

"Where are we going sir?" I asked adjusting my bag on my shoulder. 

"For lunch," he said staring ahead. 

His words surprised me that it made me look up sharply but he had already gotten busy with his phone. 

My shoulder slumped that I have to disappoint the blonde, but again this lunch can be an avenue for me to get to know Mr Valentine better. 

My search at his office yielded nothing. Most of his drawers were locked and the ones that were empty had nothing inside. 

It seems that the man beside me is a very cautious man. Amelia did say he always has his guard up.

Does this mean he has something to hide? And if he does where will he keep his secrets? 

It couldn't be at his house, Amelia would have found it. Something tells me that the brunette would have turned the house upside down in search of what she wants. 

I stole a glance at him. Wondering what it will take for a man like him to trust. He didn't make it to this stage in his life by being stupid. 

"Is there a problem?" 

"Excuse me!" I frowned. 

"You are staring, not that I mind," he smiled but didn't look at me. 

I blushed and looked away. 

I remembered Noelle and took out my phone to send my regrets to her. I told her the real reason I couldn't meet for lunch. 

She was okay with it, and asked to have lunch another time. 

I nodded glad that she didn't pick offense. 

When we got to the underground parking lot made for the execs of the company, I followed Malcolm to his car. 

I wasn't shocked to find he drove Bugatti, I mean the man is fuckingly rich. He is in real estate for christ sake, and his company one of the best in the country. Most of the celebrities uses Dream when they want to sell or buy houses. 

I don't know much about cars, but the slick beauty in front of me could feed an entire nation for a month. 

Malcolm went around and opened the door for me. 

If I am being honest I was bubbling with excitement inside. I can't believe that I am about to ride inside a Bugatti. 

What the fuck!

I did my best to look composed and not like I am losing my shit or anything. 

"Thank you," I said to him with barely a glance at him. I must confess I feel a little shy. 

Malcolm is turning out to be what I didn't expect. I had expected some arrogant stuck up middle aged man from how Amelia talked about him, but he is far from it. 

He acts down to earth, and very gentleman in his character. Except for his sexual advances I haven't seen anything in him that could make his wife hate him the way she does. 

"You are welcome," he replied softly to my thanks and then moved around to the driver's side to join me. 

So where are we going?" I asked as he took us out. 

"It is a surprise," he flashed a cheeky grin that caused the little organ in my chest to jump a little. 

He is really the most handsome man I have ever seen, and his beauty untouched by his age. 

"Oh," I relaxed against the seat and decided to enjoy the ride. It doesn't matter where he is taking me. 

We were just leaving the building when I caught sight of a familiar blonde. I leaned closer to the side mirror to be sure of what I saw but the car have already passed where she stood. 

Was that Noelle? 

I relaxed back on my seat wearing a thinking expression. I couldn't be sure if the blonde was who  I saw. The person I saw was glaring in our direction but Malcolm had been a little quicker in his drive out that I didn't catch a real glance at her face. 

It will be odd for her to be here. 

We were supposed to meet for lunch at a restaurant a little far from the building. What was she doing here. 

"Is there a problem?" Malcolm asked with a fleeting glance in my direction. 

"No. Just thought I saw someone I know."

Malcolm nodded his head and returned his attention to the road. 

He turned on his music to drown out the silence and I didn't mind. 

The restaurant we went was very beautiful, with amazing view of the seaside. Malcolm opted for us to seat outside. The day was good for it. Sunny and bright. 

"There Sushi here is very good," Malcolm suggested as we perused the menu. "They serve amazing seafoods here." 

I nodded deciding to go with his choice. Something tells me that he has been here a multiple of times. The servers here surely treated him with familiarity and respect. 

I wondered if he took the other of his assistants here. I felt something dark inside at the thought of him bringing another woman here. I felt ridiculous inside at my jealousy. I was here to do a job, and the man is fucking married. 

Also aren't I supposed to be attracted to his wife. 

The confusing feeling inside me made me uncomfortable that I adjusted myself several times on my seat trying to be comfortable. 

"Are you alright?" 

I looked towards Malcolm to find him staring at me with concern in his gorgeous grey eyes. I was taken in by the warmth and kindness in his eyes that I didn't know when I blurted out the words that came from my mouth.

"Did you bring your previous assistance here too?" 

The bite in my voice shocked both of us. I knew that I shocked him because the emotion flashed across his face before he could hide it. 

Shit! 

What the fuck am I doing, acting like some jealous girlfriend. 

"I am sorry," I quickly apologized, looking down to the table out of embarrassment.

"You don't need to be, and the answer is no."

I wasn't expecting him to answer. Was his words true? He sounded sincere enough, and I couldn't think of a reason why he should lie to me.

I looked up at him to find him already staring in my direction. My heart fluttered at the sincerity in his voice. 

Damn it. This is bad. I wondered if I was seducing him or he is seducing me.

He is good.

I didn't know what to say, and his intense stare was beginning to make me uncomfortable so I looked away and returned my attention to the menu. 

"You don't need to be shy with me Chanel, I want you to be free with me," he kindly offered making me look at him. 

I decided to be blunt with him. 

"What do you mean, sir?" 

"Look, I know my action yesterday was out of line and I apologize. I promise it won't happen again. I will wait for you to come to me when you are ready."

The way he said the words sent shivers down my spine. I gulped down nervously and allowed myself to drown in gorgeous grey eyes. 

"But I will not be patient if you keep looking at me that way," he smirked slyly at me that made me blush very hard and look away from him.