Free Web NovelChapter 44: Dinner Date 3
Corrine leaned farther across the table with growing interest as she listened to him speak. She found herself gradually warming up to this stranger, smiling genuiely at one or two funny things he said.
’’You even have a younger brother?’’
Malachi rolled his eyes as if the thought of that little brat exhausted him a lot.
’’He is nine years old.’’
Corrine’s eyes widened with interest as he began to talk about his family.
’’The little tyrant of our very large family in Texas. He loves to dress up very much for Halloween. An interesting cosplayer of a weeping ghost every single year.’’
’’You know, the one that wraps a dozen of bed sheets all over him and destroys the whole house because he couldn’t see and then he cries whenever he tries to spook us and we don’t find him scary.’’
Corrine smiled, finding him adorable already.
Malachi took a moment to take in such a rare sight in front of him. He had seen her in their workplace one or few times over the years, but once had not seen her smile you will think she is one hundred and one percent not approachable.
’’He can be cute at times when he needs a new bike from his older brothers or a nice holiday trip to Disneyland. He is an annoying irreplaceable little gem,’’ Malachi finished, picking up his cup to take another long sip of the good wine.
’’He sounds likable.’’
Malachi tried not to choke on the wine as he quickly brought the tumbler farther from his lips. freёwebnovel.com
’’Don’t say that until you’ve met him for like an hour,’’ he teased, placing his cup down before returning his blue eyes on her and said, ’’Ah, enough about me and my boring background. Let’s hear the interesting things about you as well.’’
Corrine thought it was weird she felt nervous when he asked her for more introductions. Well, that was more of the reason she was out here, far away from home and work. To get to know more about themselves and be better friends, right?
’’Do you have any favourite hobbies, likes and dislikes or holidays?’’
’’Halloween or do you prefer Christmas?’’
He asked, filling her cup with more of the wine as he gave her an encouraging smile. So far, he has been so free and honest with her. He has even succeeded in making her smile or laugh a few times and she was starting to feel more like herself when around him.
It was also strange that whenever she looked at him, her mind kept trying to reshape the image before her into someone else. One with a bright gold brown gaze and ridiculously long white hair with shiny dark strands placed in-between them.
Corrine then slowly found it hard to be at ease when she was thinking about that possessive creep once again. How did she let him rub off on her so much without even realizing it?
I should fire him immediately after this.
The last thing he was going to be influencing would be her mind and thoughts.
She was not like the other millions of people that worshipped at his feet wherever he went.
’’Halloween,’’ She answered, feeling even more confident. Malachi arched an eyebrow at her in interest. ’’It was my sister’s favourite holiday and she made me love it to.’’
’’Sister?’’
Corrine nodded her head, smiling at the memory of her wonderful Ruby.
’’My elder twin sister,’’ She said without any filter. ’’She died so young and it was my fault.’’
Malachi didn’t know what to do. Or how to take control of the situation and stop this from ruining the mood when his date had little traces of tears in her eyes. She tried to hide it by turning the other way but it was already too late. He had seen the pain behind this story.
It was quiet for a while. Only the distant laughter of some rich old couple dining in a corner filled the space, but not lifting the heavy mood.
Corrine didn’t want this once cheerful date to turn into a mournful gathering. She managed another smile and reached out to pour his drink this time. Malachi wanted to stop her from doing so but she insisted.
’’I am not that fragile and helpless,’’ she said in defense.
’’I know.’’
She looked up to him as she filled the tumbler with wine. Their eyes connected but a lot was said through that single connection and unknowingly, Corrine found herself appreciating him for not acting like she will be so devastated at the mention of a painful piece of her past.
Malachi eased into another charming smile, picking up his drink and said, ’’And it’s one of the many things that makes you irresistible and attractive.’’
Heat as red as the lipstick she wore flooded her cheeks as she stared at this man, blinking slowly as she found him awfully too good to be true.
Rich dark gloved hands that twinkled like diamond drummed patiently on a dark table. Golden eyes like the rich color of a setting sun remained fixed on a couple having a romantic moment beneath him.
He leaned on the table beside him simply observing.
Look at you.
His eyes moved on her once more.
Giving a stranger another one of your prettiest smiles. I didn’t even know you could smile this much.
The neatly dressed waiters and senior staff stood all around him, giving each other worried looks and nervous glances as their boss did nothing but stare obsessively at the date partner of one of their customers. No one said anything or breathed too much as he was this close to setting that table on fire with his intense glaring and the dangerous aura he released all over him every second.
You even dressed so pretty for him I could hardly look anywhere else.
Grim grew uncomfortable anytime his competition was slowly winning over his Anais with his petty tricks of being nice and friendly. Boring him with tales of his strange family of annoying siblings and unsophisticated background.
Anais, why can he see a bit of your shoulders and cleavage? Why can he see a bit of your thighs?
His face eased to rest on the palm of his right hand as he stared at his human with unrestrained intensity he was this close to going down there and claiming her at once.
You are making me so jealous.
And it’s not fun.
His eyes flickered to one of the waiters. The waiter understood what that look meant and bowed before turning to leave. He would rather ruin whatever precious moment was happening between them now than wait another second and have that creature confessing whatever ridiculous feelings he has towards his Anais. Distracting her further from him with kindness and a few ugly smiles and grins.
’’I don’t think you should punish yourself for something I believe isn’t your fault,’’ Malachi said after hearing how Ruby died.
Corrine could not believe he would think that wasn’t her fault. She stared at him strangely while still feeling the undeniable heat of being watched closely.
’’What?’’ She asked, feeling surprised, almost relieved. Malachi said nothing but to nod his head down at her that he was being serious. He leaned forward on the table and close enough to meet those beautiful, glossy green eyes of hers.
’’I believe Ruby’s death wasn’t your fault. I don’t know which dumbass made you believe it was, but I am hardly the kind of person interested in making people feel better with a comfortable lie. Based on what you’ve told me, your sister died to save you and not because of you. She is like your own guardian angel who was unfortunate not to have survived that incident.’’
He told her bluntly, letting loose a few teardrops from her eyes. Not blinking, just staring at him.
’’If I had a single moment with her, I would be thanking her for not letting you both die that night. Her death should make you feel loved beyond measure, not make you feel guilty or sorry about it. You should be very proud of her and be rest assured that wherever she is now, she is probably in a good place. Watching over the adorable sister she left behind who has now grown into a strong, likable and independent woman. The most beautiful I have ever seen. To me, Ruby’s death wasn’t just a misfortune. It is a blessing. One you shouldn’t be ashamed of or try to ignore or carry as a burden.’’
Corrine’s lips parted, unable to breathe a simple sentence at this man.
Malachi then reached to hold one of her hands, parting his lips again to say something when a tall looking waiter with pale looking skin walked up to their table and interrupted the moment. Corrine quickly turned the other way to wipe the tears streaming down her face as Malachi leaned back on his seat and nodded at the waiter that bowed politely at them.
