TEMPTING THE DEVIL - Episode 37 And 38

” Boss, you have a call.” Said the secretary, holding the door halfway.

” Damn… connect it to my phone.” I said.

” Okay.” She left, and soon my phone began to ring.

” Hello, who is speaking?” I asked the caller.

” Hello, Miss Bradeson, it’s me Mr Kelvin. ” I smiled as I recognize the voice.

” Dad! You fu*king kidding me right now?” I could hear him laugh. ” How are you?” I asked.

” I’m fine, sweetheart. How are you too?” He asked back.

” Very cool.” I answered.

” How is every thing going? ” He asked again.

” Well, every thing is going pretty good than I thought. I have met with the government this morning, we’ve settled the case of the exported fake goods and… I’ve completed the company’s taxes so… we’re good to go. ”

” Yes! Thank you so much, that’s all I wanna hear from you. ” He said, excitedly.

” Yeap, I’m happy you’re happy. So, what’s up for today? ”

” Nothing much, just every day routine. Working on some new files. ”

” Okay. I’m working on some new purchases for some new products, it might cost a lot of money but, I’ve asked a lot about it, it’s gonna give us a lot income. ”

” You sure about that? ” He asked, not quite sure of the idea.

” Don’t worry, dad, I know what I am doing.” I said with certainty.

” Okay. Hook me up when it’s done.”

” I will.” I agreed.

The call was over, I drop my phone back on the table, sighing softly.

Then another call, I rolled my eyes, hoping it wasn’t dad calling again.

” Dad…” I stressed the word.

” Hmm.” Ruthie hummed. ” It’s me, Ruthie.”

” Fu*k me. How you doing? ” I asked.

” I’m doing great, what about you? ” I asked back.

” Perfect. Mr Thompson has been talking about you since you left, I think he misses you more than anyone. ”

” He does? ” I said, a bit excited.

” Yeah. And I miss you more. ”

” I know you always do. I was thinking about us hanging out together during the weekend, what do you say? ”

” My aunt will be visiting her cousin on Friday and I’m left to stay home alone. So yes, the weekend will be cool. ”

” Should I come over to your house to pick you up or… ”

” Don’t worry about me, just drop the location and I’ll meet you there. ”

” Haven’t thought of the location yet but I’ll let you know when I do. ”

” Okay. ” She said. ” So, how is the company? ” She asked.

” It’s moving good. Though it’s been hectic for the past two days but, I think we’re stable now. ”

” That’s good to hear. ”

” Any strange news yet?”

” Nah, the city’s been cool for the past few days now. No killings and we’re all good. Any from your side? ”

” Nah. Nothing at all. ”

” Okay. I… gotta go. Mr Thompson is almost about to tear me apart with his glares. Bye-bye! ” She hung the call, dropping it on the table for the second time.

I walked to the window, staring down from the 24 story building.

I couldn’t think right now, all my mind could focus now was about Draco.

For the first time I was feeling concerned about him. Imagining how things could have turned out if I did nothing to Gennaro.

Where could he be by now?

I would have been shedding tears all for nothing…

Though he’s been cold and rude to me, I always knew that there was this spot in him that tenders good heart.

But that was some thing too difficult to get in him. His coldness was damn annoying and those gaze were scary enough that I still wonder how I got to look into them with peace.

I smiled.

I got distracted by the buzzing sound of my phone. I stared back at my desk, walking close to him.

Checking on the message, I smiled when I saw the sender’s name was Tony.

I know he misses me too but, wasn’t much expecting him to text so soon.

” Hey.” I texted back.

” We’ve got a problem.” He typed back, and the expression on my face changed suddenly.

” What is it? Did some thing happen to you?” My heart was beating so fast that I could barely breathe.

” Not me, it’s the boss. He’s in trouble.” Okay, this is a joke.

My heart, was now almost out of my chest. I was barely taking in air, and…

” What happened?” I typed immediately.

” This isn’t something we can talk on a text.”

” Let me call you.” I wrote.

” No. He’s men are close to me, I don’t want them to think I’m spreading it around. Can we meet at Sparrow’s Restaurant? 8 o’clock tonight? ”

” Okay. I’ll meet you there. ” I held my phone to my chest, tears almost dropped out of my eyes as I swallowed hard.

” No.” I sub. ” No, not now.”

I wished the day could end fast, I prayed for Draco’s safety.

Damn… I shouldn’t be this way, should I?

I quickly dialed the manager’s line. “Donald! ” I called.

” Yes, boss.” He answered,

“I need you in my office.. Now.”

” Yes, boss.” He replied, shutting the door after him.

” I’m leaving, I don’t know how long but I want the operation going. Give me a call if some thing happen, I need to get going now. ” I said, packing my stuffs.

” Is there a problem, boss? ” He asked.

” No, not at all. ” I picked my bag from the desk, ” Lock the door after you.”

I hurried to my car, starting the engine. Speedily, I drove back home.

I took my shower, with the towel still tied around my chest I paced the room in thoughts.

” C’mon. C’mon. Fu*king reach night, fu*king reach.” I said in clenched teeth.

*
*

( Night)

*

” Sparrow’s Restaurant.” A message dropped in. I stared at it, nodding my head.

” 8 o’clock. ” Another dropped.

” Mike!” I called the driver. ” Take me to Sparrow’s Restaurant.”

We hopped into my car and we were off to the restaurant.

” Can you be a little faster?!” I requested.

He increases the gear to five, zooming in full speed. As soon as we got there, I stepped out.

Staring in through the window, I said. ” You go, I’ll take the taxi while coming home. ”

” Okay.”

I sighed, making my way into the building.

” Where are you?” I wrote.

” Three o’clock.” He wrote back.

I looked toward 3 o’clock, there was someone sitting alone with a newspaper in his hands.

The newspaper was held high so, I couldn’t see his face.

It’s probably Tony, it’s ten minutes after eight, so he’s been waiting for me.

” Hey, Tony.”

” Guess you got my message.” Said the figure, his voice didn’t sound like that of Tony.

Or, am I standing at the wrong table??

Slowly, he moves the newspaper down, my eyes widened. I was out of words, it wasn’t Tony.

It was him… Draco Luciano.

” Tony? Where’s Tony?” I asked, glaring around.

” Don’t worry about him, he’s taking care of the house. ” He smiled, ” Please make yourself comfortable. ” He ushered me to sit on the chair opposite his.

” It was you, wasn’t it? You’re the one who texted me not Tony. ”

” That’s correct. I knew that was the only way I can get your attention. I think it’s time we exchange numbers, we won’t have to go a long way meeting each other. ” He smiled again.

” So, there’s actually no problem at all?” I asked, concerned.

” Not really, just wanted to play a little prank with you. Honestly, I’m fine, so don’t worry too much. ”

” I wasn’t worried about you, I was only worried about Tony. ”

He shrugs. ” I’ll let him know about it when I get home. ” He smirked.

A waitress approached us with a smile, she gave us the menu book. ” Get us french fries and two glass of perfect wine.” He ordered.

She leans to his ear, whispering something to him. His gaze on me was long, as if she had told him something about me or…

He nods at her and she waved me a smile.
I wish I can get what she had told him.

” You look beautiful tonight. Never thought our meeting would end up being a date. ”

” Is it? ” I asked. ” I remember you texting me for a discussion and not a date. ”

” Guess you made it look like one. ” I stared at myself. He’s right, I never thought the gown would look so perfect on me.

” You didn’t text me because you just wanted to see me, you have a motive for doing so.”

The waitress arrived with another waiter who helped her with the foods.

” Have a lovely date, ma’am.” Said the waiter with a wink.

I looked at Draco who has been busy smiling at me, and what she said made him smile the more.

” So, back to my question.” He hummed, ” Why did you have to get to me using that means? ”

” It’s been a long time. ”

” It’s been two two days. ” I corrected.

” Well, it’s been two days which actually felt like two years. ” His food was halfway to his mouth, he paused, like the words had come out by mistake.

” You need to eat up or it gets too cold.” I smiled, taking my spoon from the corner.

Guess he didn’t know when the word came out of his mouth, but I’m happy though, it actually came out from his heart.

We started eating in silence. I didn’t realize I’ve been smiling since I started to eat the first half of the French fries.

I got full, sipping on my drink.

” Don’t tell me you’re done eating that?” He said to me.

” I’m full.”

” You don’t have to waste food anyhow, pass it to me. ” I passed the plate to him, looking at his own plate.

He was almost done with his, devouring on mine. Like,,, I can’t believe he’s the foody type.

He wasn’t the crazy type at eating, with the food particles all wasted on the table. No, he ate manly and… I can’t believe he eats too much yet, he isn’t fat.

He gulped it all with his wine. Yeah, I’m still looking at him cos, no… I ain’t thinking.

” Are you okay, or should I order something else for you?” I moved my head at both sides.

” I’m okay. ” I said.

” Thanks for showing up.” He said.

” It’s nothing, I’m happy to be here. Have you had enough, or should I order something for you? ” I repeated his statement.

He laughed, ” I think I’m full. ”

” I’m surprised, you know. Never thought you love eating this much. You know, the kind of business you’re into, I’ve never imagined people like you to have the time to eat. ”

He smiled.

” So, how is the business going? ” He asked.

” Well, it’s going good. I don’t remember telling you I was going out for some business. ”

“You just did now. ”

I scoffed. ” I’m working for my father, got some company case he needs to solve. But good thing it’s settled now. ”

” I know it’s been a lot stressful solving the company’s cases and the rest of them.”

” Yeah, you’re right. But that was before, not anymore.”

We went back to staring at ourselves, there was this bond that keeps drawing me close to him.

It was so strong that I couldn’t resist it. ” Anything else?” Said a waitress, different from the previous one.

” No, thanks. ” She cleared off the table, leaving us alone.

*
*
*

( In His Car..)

*

” Can we meet during the weekend?” He asked as soon as he halted the car in front of my house.

Ruthie and I have worked out our hang out to be on Saturday and I don’t know what to tell him.

” Yes.” I’ll think of how to sort things out with Ruthie.

” Meet me at my house, I’ve got some where to show you.”

I nodded. ” What time?” I asked.

” Any will be cool.”

” I… I…” I was choked up by the way he was looking at me. The bond had started to grow, the same feeling at the restaurant.

We were staring deep into each other’s eyes, and it was like I was staring at a different version of him.

That part that felt welcoming and safe that I didn’t notice our face coming close.

He closes the distance between us with a warm kiss, then his soft hand which trailed down the skin of my cheek—sending shivers down my spine.

At first, it was slow and gradual then… we were deep into each other. I could feel his breath on my skin, the sweet taste of his lips on mine.

Even though we had kissed before, this felt a lot different from other times. Like tonight was our first.

He broke the kiss, again he was devouring me with his gaze. ” You don’t have to be scared anymore, I’m gonna protect you, and no one’s gonna hurt you for my sake. I promise. ”

A hot tear rolled down my cheek as I nodded at his words.

” I… I wanna tell you this. I know it’s been difficult for me to but…”

I was anticipating for what he was about to say, my heart racing in curiosity.

” I just have to, because you deserve it more than anyone. Nat… I love you.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt shivers run down my body.

I didn’t want to stop looking at him, I wasn’t ready to take off my gaze from those ocean eyes.

And the tears wasn’t helping matters at all as it started to roll out of my eyes.

I couldn’t talk, I was speechless.
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” I hope to see you on Saturday. Goodnight, Natalie.” You definitely don’t know how it felt like hearing him call me by my name.

It feels paradise.

” Good night. ” I said, waving a small smile at him, before exiting his car.

I wish I can say no, I wish I can just go home with him. But I can’t… Dad’s company is all that matters now.

I reached for the gate, waving at him the same way I did to dad when he was leaving.

Is this how it feels to be in love?
Or is it just me going crazy over him??

I think I’m both…
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