Free Web NovelChapter 41: Malachi
’’Someone...is asking to see me?’’
Corrine turned to her old intern who bobbed her head in response.
Corrine stared around briefly trying to see if she ever scheduled a meeting with anyone. And if she did, who could that person be?
’’Berry and Lin seem to know the person and they are waiting behind the door to lead him in.’’
’’Him?’’
Corrine’s frown deepened before she leaned more in her seat.
’’Send him in.’’ ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
’’Alright, boss!’’ Stylie moved excitedly from the door to usher in their guest. Corrine leaned on the arm rest of her chair, resting her chin on one hand in thought.
Exactly fifteen seconds passed before the door to her office swung open once more. He walked in with Berry, Lin and Stylie leading in front and Corrine felt her eyes widen at the sight of him. Grim blinked, looking confused when his love stood from her seat immediately to welcome this stranger.
He was nearly six feet tall, with neatly trimmed facial hair highlighting the sharp angles of his tanned face. Messy dark curls framed his face. He had broad shoulders, he was fit and had a simple black suit on him.
His smile was blinding and bright enough to remind her of sunrise.
’’I can just stay here, right?’’
Corrine felt her breath catch in her throat at the sound of his deep, velvety voice.
He was undeniably attractive.
Berry and Stylie nodded, both smiling as he was directed to stand right before their boss who was having slight trouble breathing properly in front of him.
Not that she has no idea of who he was. Sure, she had seen him a few times in this building but never cared enough to fully appreciate how good-looking he was. She wondered if being Henry’s girlfriend had blinded her from appreciating other perfect looking creatures surrounding her.
’’Hi,’’ he greeted, feeling shy. Corrine reacted almost immediately, feeling slightly pressured and intimidated before him.
’’Hello,’’ she hoped that came out well but she couldn’t tell because the smile on him grew softer. His bright blue eyes shining in admiration, for a moment she felt not properly dressed before him and hoped she wasn’t appearing unprofessional or a total disaster.
’’I’m Malachi, the manager of the tech company that works above you?’’ he introduced, extending his hand.
’’Oh,’’ Corrine quickly shook his hand, noticing how warm his hand felt around hers and how naturally they seemed to fit together.
She gave him her best professional smile and said, ’’Corrine Winfield.’’
Malachi blinked in admiration of that name. It sounded rich as well as sophisticated like the woman before him. He tried not to make it obvious how long he had admired her from afar.
’’I have been meaning to talk to you,’’ he continued the moment their hands were pulled apart after lingering a moment longer than necessary. ’’But anytime I try to come over, I notice you are always busy and I will hate to take too much of your time.’’
Corrine smiled.
How sweet and considerate of him.
’’I know you are still busy but at the same time I am worried I will never get the chance to talk to you if I don’t risk taking some moments out of your busy time,’’ he said. ’’I hope you don’t mind. I’ll be very quick.’’
Berry, Lin and Stylie stared at the both with their lips parted in awe, noticing the unmistakable chemistry between them and for a moment they wondered if their Boss had forgotten she has one cool and amazing boyfriend she was so obsessed about.
’’No...problem,’’ Corrine said, moving nervously as she turned to dismiss her workers so they could give them more privacy.
’’Oh, I actually don’t mind if they are also present to hear what I have to say to you today.’’
The handsome man before her said, earning multiple blinks from Berry, Lin, Stylie and even Corrine.
She wondered what he wanted to say to her that sounded so important and urgent yet fine enough for her employees to listen to.
Corrine moved until she stood confidently before the man. Adjusting her suit in a professional way as she prepared for this talk.
Maybe it was just business.
At least, she hoped so.
’’Alright,’’ She urged him and for a while the silence that followed after was intense. The occasional coughing and clearing of throat from Berry made everything a hundred times more awkward than it should be.
Her green eyes moved on him again and Malachi wondered how he was still in one piece before the woman he had admired for years secretly and finally had the courage to come before her and...
’’I know this is not your first time being praised on how beautiful you are, Miss Winfield.’’
The air around them became Antarctic cold.
Corrine gulped with her eyes widening in surprise. frёeωebɳovel.com
Berry tried not to choke on her saliva as Lin looked genuinely horrified by the man’s bluntness.
Malachi stepped forward, feeling bolder with every step he took towards the woman that he liked. Corrine said nothing but to stare at him in disbelief.
’’And I am not the man that pursues a woman simply because of her appearance alone. There’s much more about you that makes me restless every time and keeps me up every night.’’
Stylie wrapped her hand around her body, staring at the air conditioner in the office with a slight frown, wondering if she wasn’t the only one that noticed how unusually cold the office had become. It was beginning to take the shape of the north pole.
’’You are special, hardworking, diligent, amazing and quite independent.’’
She said nothing, though it was obvious she wasn’t used to hearing such open admiration.
’’I could go on and on and say all the great things I have noticed about you...that has drawn me towards you ever since I first saw you on those stairs two years ago.’’
The ancient demon in the room with them raised his eyes slowly enough to lock on the very bold human.
Malachi grew nervous when she said nothing but to stare at him in that disbelieving way. So far, he was already doing a great job—he hoped, because she had always given him that unapproachable aura ever since he met on those stairs and he had to pause twice to turn around and look at her. He believed he hadn’t seen anything that good-looking before in his thirty years of existing. So, he decided today to give that feeling he had towards her a chance. A chance to grow and blossom into something meaningful.
’’If I haven’t made you lose interest in me yet, I will appreciate it so much if I can take you out for dinner this evening after work.’’
Berry’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Stylie blushed, failing to conceal the smile on her face at his words.
Lin found it strange as well when the once sunny bright sky darkened, preparing for a storm.
He watched as his girl stared longingly at this man, unable to take her eyes off him.
Everyone waited with bated breaths for what her response was going to be, and Malachi, afraid of getting rejected by her, said quickly, ’’It’s not going to be a date. Just a normal, comfortable dinner between us. We get to know each other first and if you aren’t satisfied with the experience, I will respectfully stop my pursuit of you.’’
He added with a smile. Which only pressured him to ensure that normal, random dinner between them tonight will be something worth moving her to give him a chance.
A chance to show her how much he respected and admired her.
Corrine thought she had to say something even if she had been weirdly and unwillingly placed in a very awkward situation. One she never imagined ever being in for the rest of her life.
All the while she tried to make her decision, she felt uncomfortable by the pair of eyes pinned on her heatedly. As if daring her to do something she didn’t know she was forbidden from welcoming into her life.
’’Sure,’’ Corrine said with a small smile. One that shocked Berry, Lin and Stylie. Malachi thought he had imagined that response! His smile was even more beautiful than the one he used as he asked her out.
Grim slowly raised one gloved finger to his lips. They parted until one of his fangs bit hard on one of his fingers until it hurt. All the while, Malachi was grinning like someone who had just been told of winning the lottery, unaware of the golden eyes watching him with muderous intent.
’’Great!’’ Malachi said, turning to the employees gathered by his left. They all managed to look happy for him as he pulled out a cream colored card and handed it over to Corrine. Corrine received the card and memorized the words scribbled across it in messy but readable handwriting.
’’The address of the restaurant. I will be waiting for you there by nine pm this evening,’’ he told her happily. Corrine stopped staring at the words written on the card before turning to place it on her table.
’’Sure,’’ Corrine repeated, not sounding too enthusiastic about it but it was a dinner she found herself willing to make happen. Not that she was constantly looking to replace Henry in her heart, but having dinner with someone seems like a good distraction from the drama currently happening in her life.
Right?
’’I’ll be there.’’
