Marrying my high school bully

Melissa

I sucked in air and straightened my spine before turning around to face him. He was already on his feet with his brooding eyes trained on me.

His lips were pursed and his eyes darkened as he kept staring at me. “You don’t have to leave.” He said gently and I shrugged.

“Why shouldn’t I? I’ve just been here for less than ten minutes and you’re already talking down on me…” I paused to control my temper. There was no need for us to banter words when we could talk like mature adults.

He snapped his finger and Stefan scurried out of the office, leaving the both of us alone. The room immediately became charged, so tense that I nearly lost my composure.

I clutched onto my bag tightly, hoping that I wasn’t the only one feeling the tension.

“I’m sorry, miss Rogers. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that,” He strolled away from the protection of his table and crossed over to where I stood by the door. “But you are feisty and I like that.”

His smirk played on and I frowned, angry that the change in his expression affected me. It shouldn’t matter, after all, he sent the police after me. He was the main reason I had to change my identity.

My mind had better register the fact that Dexter left me alone without giving me a benefit of the doubt.

Putting up a mandatory stoic mask, I moved away from the door. “Well, life has taught me that you need to be feisty to survive.” I replied tersely.

“You know the right words.” He acknowledged, “Let’s dive into the reason you’re here.” He stopped in front of me, putting just a little distance between us.

I could raise my chin up and our lips would meet.

A curse flew out of my lips at the thought of kissing him. I was here for business, not to get trapped in a sexual situation.

“Mr Hemmingway, I don’t think it’s proper to be standing with your prospective business partner like this. We aren’t a couple.” I reprimanded him harshly but he chuckled, warding off my reproof like it was nothing.

His strong palms landed on my shoulder and I couldn’t help the shiver that coursed through me. “I know, but I won’t be comfortable seeing that you’re likely to catch a cold while we are discussing the growth of my company, so can I help you with it?” His request was pointless because he had already started talking the jacket off my body and I stood still, enjoying his feathery caress on my skin.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, my cheeks heating up.

He didn’t answer until I was left in my white camisole and beige suit pants. He hung it on the wall rack then entered an adjoining room and brought out a black coat.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

“Take this. It should warm you up.” He gave it to me and returned to his seat.

I shook off the haze he intentionally put me in and wore the jacket. A whiff of his musky scent hit my nose, some nostalgic feelings finding its way to my mind.

“Thank you,” I muttered and sank onto the chair. “Business now?”

He nodded and passed a document to me. I threw him a questioning glance then scanned through the paper. A smile crept to my lips when I finished reading through the clauses.

My body was giddy with excitement, knowing that I was on the right track. Father was right when he told me that returning to my modeling job would pave the way for me to be noticed and it did just that, else I wouldn’t be sitting in front of Dexter and reading a contract that would bind me to his company as a brand ambassador.

“Are you fine with our terms?” He asked with a business-like tone.

I couldn’t show off my excitement so I said. “I’ll give this to my lawyer so that he can go through it. Once he has made the necessary adjustments, I’ll give you a response.”

He clasped his palm together and relaxed on the back-rest of his executive chair. “That would be great.”

Sure it would be, since I’d be having more reasons to come over and upset Emilia. This would be really fun, I thought.

“I have a question to ask.”

“I’m listening,”

“You could have reached me through your personal assistant or anyone else but you chose to speak to me directly. Why?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

His eyes became cold like my question stung him but I wasn’t deterred. Somehow, I wished he could just know it was me even with my change of identity. Wasn’t it what soul mates were all about?

Knowing a person just by his or her presence.

“There are some questions that shouldn’t be asked, Miss Rogers. I’m the boss here and I can do whatever I want.” His voice bore annoyance so I crossed my leg.

Arrogant, much.

“I’m sorry for asking that personal question even though I think it’s nothing close to personal.” I got to my feet, ready to leave as the tension was gradually beginning to eat me up.

That wasn’t how I wanted to speak with him, but it seemed like a lot of things had changed since I left, except for the kindness that was etched deep in his soul.

The black jacket he gave me was a reminder.

As if he noticed my discomfort, he got up as well. “Your jacket will be sent back to you whenever you send your response.” He said confidently.

“And what if I send my response through an email?” I pushed on just because I enjoyed our stuck up-beating-around-the-bush kind of conversation.

He folded his arms, his muscles flexing enticingly from his black shirt. “You will come back physically to give me a reply. I’m very sure of that.”

“We’ll see about that-”

The door swung open and the babbles of a child reverberated in the office. Stunned by the intrusion, I turned around and was greeted by the most heartbreaking sight.

Emilia traipsed towards Dexter, holding a little girl in her hand. They both beamed at Dexter who didn’t look too pleased to have them around.

My heart leapt out of my chest, my breathing hitched. It couldn’t be what I was thinking. Maybe she just came for a visit, I hoped.

But my hopes crashed when the girl called him daddy. That was all she had to do for Dexter to sweep her off her feet and pepper her face with kisses.

Suddenly, I felt like the third wheel and if I didn’t leave any time soon, I wouldn’t be able to hold back my tears.

They didn’t even notice that I’d left and I hissed. What was I expecting?

That he would run after me and explain what was going on? I shouldn’t even be expecting anything from him apart from a court case if he realised that I was alive.

Bile rose to my throat while the scene continued to replay in my head. Emilia wasn’t supposed to be smiling happily with him like that after destroying my life.

And Dexter, he shouldn’t have gotten so close to her to the extent of having a child with her. Did I really mean nothing to him that he could stoop so low to be with Emilia?

The romantic feelings I held onto even in death disappeared, replaced with deep hatred.

It was time to take a new step so I tossed off his jacket, got into my car and headed to my late mother’s company. I had an important friend to meet.