“I will call Henley.” I said, taking out my phone but his grip tightened.
“No! I won’t go. You know darkness scares me.” He mumbled.
“Okay, wait here, I will be back.” I told him, nodding, he clanged more.
Before I could do or say something she came out and I cannot let this chance slip out of my grasp.
“Hello.” I called her.
“Yes?”
‘And this yes was enough to captivate my heart.’
“What’s your name, Miss?” I asked politely, intrigued knowing Christian is still lingering on my arm.
“Why do you even want to know?” She narrowed her eyes at me in annoyance.
“Nothing just..” I trailed off nervously, scratching the back of my neck. She was about to leave but I called her again.
“Please. I just want to know your name.” I almost pleaded with her. She stopped in her tracks and turned to me.
She sighed and shook her head, “I know you will not leave me unless you know it… Candice.. My name is Candice Whale.” She frowned.
“I’m-” Before I could speak she rolled her eyes.
“I don’t care. You wanted to know my name, there you go now, don't bother me.” She said coldly and left.
‘A name is all I need, love.’ I thought and left for home with Christian.
The next day, the details about Candice were present.
She was jobless. Living with her Father, not biological. Have a step-brother named Rufus, who moved to New York a few years ago.
Nothing more, nothing less.
‘Only If I tried to know everything about her at that time, none of those issues of distrust ever arose.’
She needs a job and boom! to the hotel I visit often. Amber One.
So that I could see her often and not to mention a generous salary so the thought of quitting won’t cross her mind.
One day, at a party I have zero interest in but the thought of seeing Candice pulled me here.
My sharp gaze fixed on hers, ignorant of my existence, she did her job.
I have seen her countless times now but this restlessness never leaves my heart. And what occurred to me for the first time glancing at her, evokes again.
“Would you like something, Sir?” She asked sweetly.
“No.” I smiled.
And this nothing meant the world to me. I never thought I would lose my identity in one graze and this went on for I don’t remember how long…
***
One day, I was watching her as usual but the manager crept behind me.
“Sir, you are staring too much. I guess you like her a lot.”
“A lot is not enough.” I replied, not removing my eyes.
“Why don’t you talk to her? Who wouldn’t fall for you?”
“I can’t.” I sighed, looking down.
“Why?”
“Leave it.” I said, shaking my head and taking my stuff.
“Wait, Mr Moretti.”
“What?”
“Candice Is going on a date with our assistant head chef.” My whole being stopped.
“What!?” I whisper-yelled.
“How do you know?” I asked, voice strained.
“I know everything.”
“Fine. Call that guy outside.”
And I gave him a slight ‘warning’ to stay away from Candice and not let her know about me…
Doing all this, when two years passed I didn’t know.
For how long I watched her from afar, lost in her world with my eyes unable to break the rhythm created in my soul by one glance.
Not daring to talk, only watching her from afar but desperately wanting to tell her millions of talks in my heart.
In that time, I kept her mine. Didn’t let her enter any relationship.
When did I become like this is unknown…
One day, I saw, of all people Sophie there, talking to Candice. What is she doing here?
Smirking, I called Christian to come to the party tonight.
“Why did you call me here?” He asked.
“A surprise.” I smirked.
“Would you like something, Sir?” Sophie served and Christian was stunned to see her before him.
Contemplating her form, his jaw dropped but I quickly said, “No.” Smiling, she left.
After she left he regained his senses, “What is she doing here? Wasn’t she unemployed?” He said.
Laughing a little I told him, “Apparently, she is Candice’s best friend.”
“Shall we call it fate, dear brother?” I laughed, deepening his frown.
“Are you still crazy over this Candice?” He asked.
“Hmm. I don’t know what I should do.” I mused, watching how Christian’s obsidian gaze was following Sophie.
“Talk to her.” He said without looking at me.
“You do it first.”
“Now is not the time.”
“Stalker.” I teased.
“Like you?” He smirked, turning to me.
“How am I supposed to start a conversation? What am I supposed to say? Hello, I have been watching for two years, I guess, huh?” I said vexed.
“I don’t care. Talk to Kathrine about it.” He shrugged.
“By the way, who gave her a job here?” He asked.
“Dude, solve your matter later. Focus on mine first.”
“Okay … okay..” And I called Kathrine.
“Hello.” We went to a corner and put the phone on speaker.
“Hey, Kathrine. How are you? I need a favor.”
“Hey. How are you going, Kathrine?” Christian also greeted her.
“Oh hey Brothers! I’m great…. Tell me what it is?”
“Do you remember Candice?”
“Oh… Sister-in- law.” She teased.
“So things have gotten this far.” Christian smirked.
“Yeah, he talks about her all the time.” Kathrine told Christian.
“With me too.” He chuckled.
“Look, I need to talk to her.” I told her.
“Hmm okay, start your relationship with hate.” She hummed, staggering me.
“What?”
“Yeah…” Her casual tone teased me more, “Why?!”
“Look, The relationship aroused from hate is much stronger than others. Its strength would be greater than anything else.”
She explained, my heart skipped a beat in dread. I certainly can’t do it.
“H-Her hatred?” I whispered.
“Don’t worry, believe me. You gave her a job, fired her.” Her words increased the pace of my vexation.
“Get angry at her and fire her.”
“I can’t Kathrine, she needs a job.” I reasoned.
“Oh, give her a job later at the library now, just get angry and do it.” She chirped.
Her tone irked me but believing my sister, I did what she told me.
And that’s how our bond started…