Chapter 6: The Pull

DANTE

I knew the new content writer, Acadia, was built differently from the first time I saw her. However, she surpassed expectations in just a short time. Her face looked familiar though, like I had seen her somewhere before. When we collided in the corridor the other day, I felt a strange pull towards her. Her blue ocean-like eyes were mesmerising, I couldn't look away. It was strange and so I did what I thought was right. I walked away without saying a word. Didn’t want to give her any wrong ideas. Shutting my office door, I felt strangely hot even though the air conditioning was on. What was happening to me? I never fell sick, my dietician made sure of it. 

Since that day, I have watched her every move and tracked her progress. She stood out everywhere she went and in all she did. I wasn’t surprised when she was  nominated as the best employee of the month. A very important gala was coming up and my secretary has been the one to come with me for events like this. However, I had the strong urge to bring Acadia with me instead. I requested to see the head of the content department, Mr. Jerkins.

A subtle knock indicated he was at the  door. 

“Come in.”

“You sent for me”

“Yes, Prep Acadia with the necessary briefings, she will be coming with me for the forthcoming conference.” I could see he had questions about this development but he didn’t dare question me.

With that he left, it felt strange but I wanted to get to know her and this little trip might help. 

The company had access to employee’s information, so I got her number and sent her a text regarding the trip. It wasn't my job but I wanted to.

I got to the airport earlier than she did. So I busied myself with reading a magazine. She came in a few minutes later but I acted like she wasn’t there. I sensed her approaching me. What was she up to? And then …splash, and the content of the cup she was holding splashed on. It got me pissed, why was she this clumsy? I excused myself  to go to the lavatory to freshen up, however my heart was still pounding and threatening to pop out through my chest. Why do I feel this way when I am around her? It made me mad that she seemed to have power over me. No one had the privilege and I wasn't going to let her know this enough to use it against me.

She was seated when I got back inside. I chose a spot that would give me a perfect view of her without her knowing about it. The pilot announced the jet was ready to ascend and I saw her clutch her seat handle lightly. Was she scared of flight or height? I had to stop myself from reaching out and squeezing her hand so tight that it made her feel safe. She fell asleep halfway through the flight in an awkward position. Concerned, she would wake up feeling terrible aching, i took a spare pillow and supported her head in the right way. She drowsily snuggled into my hands, her hair falling to her face. My breath caught in my throat when my eyes met her lips, her upper lip was slightly fuller than the bottom lip. Damn! It turned me on just thinking about kissing her. I instantly left her realising what I was thinking. ‘Get a hold of yourself, Dante’ what was happening to me. I gulped down a chilled bottle of water. I needed time to think, was I wrong to bring her with me?

The jet eventually descended, I didn’t bother to wake her. I needed to be alone plus I didn't want to disturb her. I called a hostess and instructed her not to wake Acadia till it was an hour later. I gave her a piece of paper to deliver to Acadia when she wakes up. With that I left. 

PRESENT DAY

My eyes met Acadia’s and my jaw dropped. I wanted to hold her hands and kiss her in front of everyone to let them know she was mine, even if she wasn’t. Yet. The stylist had done a good job. I didn’t know her perfect size so I sent a picture of her to the stylist and had it delivered to her hotel suite. She was the most beautiful woman in the room, and it made my blood boil when I noticed I wasn't the only one who thought this. She caught everyone’s attention. It wasn’t even the dress. It was her. The dress hugged her God-given body perfectly. Her hip was evident in every stride, her small waist was snatched perfectly. 

I suddenly felt hot, like I needed more than a second to breathe. I loosened my tie. Her eyes fell on something beside me. Or rather someone. Aliyah. She was the daughter of the chairman of the conference. I hated how clingy she was but I had to put up with it till the conference was over. I tried to untangle our intertwined elbows while looking at Acadia but she held still. Noticing my unease, she looked at what I was looking at and smirked. 

Aliyah was a very pretty woman. Her neatly manicured nails glistened in the light. Her hair was long and straight . Her cheek bones were well defined. She could have any man she wanted, well, except me. Acadia suddenly looked away and towards someone beside her. And that’s when I noticed the man beside her. I looked down to their intertwined elbows and back to his face.

Suddenly, he bent over to her ears whispering something. She blushed and smiled. My fist instinctively clenched beside me. I was beyond pissed. Who was he to make her blush? 

And suddenly the man had his hands on her waist guiding her to get a drink. I impulsively untangled my intertwined elbows. “Please excuse me.” I said, forcing a smile.  I walked towards Acadia with calculation and elegance in every step. My primary goal was to intimidate and scare the man who dared touch Acadia.

“Acadia.” I called when I got to her.