Something that felt like thunder struck Jessica's chest while her eyes went incredibly wide... wide as saucers.
Quietness filled the air. It was so thick and tensed in the air.
Jessica stepped back twice and almost lost her footing but the man's hand shot out straight to her waist to steady and keep her from falling and like that, their eyes met and the whole place fell away.
"Do you two know each other?" The chairman, Mr. Arthur's voice brought them back to reality and immediately, Jessica wriggled herself from his grasp and turned on her heels at once.
"Jessica, please...wait" The middle aged man pleaded, running two steps and catching up with her, standing two inches tall in front of her.
Jessica stopped walking abruptly and turned to look at his aged face which gray beards were covering his jaw and also peeking out of his dark locks.
His tall frame was wrapped in an immaculate business suit, looking gracious and divine.
"Please," he paused and gulped, trying to meet her gaze. "Please, let's talk,"
Jessica raised a finger to his face in objection, "There's nothing to talk about and please, do not think of following me," as much as she struggled to bring her anger under control, she couldn't help her nose flaring.
That said, she spun around and walked away with Theresa following closely behind her.
Getting to the garage, Jessica started panting heavily and tossed the car immobilizer to Theresa, hinting that she would be the one to drive.
She got in the passenger's seat and then released a deep sigh in an attempt to calm down her nerves but it wasn't helping at all. It seemed so difficult for her to swallow down the fury bouncing around her chest.
By this time, Theresa too had gotten behind the driver's seat and was now staring at her boss's ferocious face in silence.
Jessica was in a haste and alacrity to meet the chairman just some moments ago and when she did, she couldn't say a single word anymore.
Why was that? Was it because of the unknown man with the chairman? Theresa could remember the man asking them to talk but her boss had rejected him immediately.
Who was he? Have they done a deal together in the past? Did the deal go wrong and created enmity between them?
"Drive, Theresa," softly spoken command but deadly when delayed. Theresa thought as she started the engine immediately and sped into the road.
*********
Liam's tall frame and big body leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched his daughter grin to herself in the mirror and arrange her hair.
They just arrived back in New York not quite long ago and the first thing that came out of Daniella's mouth as soon as they entered the house was that she was going to see her friend.
Liam wasn't surprised to hear her say that because she had mentioned that she was missing Mandy badly back in California but on the other hand, he couldn't stop himself from thinking that Daniella was just trying to avoid him.
"You can meet Mandy tomorrow, Ella. Why don't you rest for now?"
This male voice floated to where Daniella was standing in front of the mirror and she swiftly slanted her head to the doorway and saw his handsome father standing there.
"No, Dad. I'm perfectly fine. I want to meet Mandy now," Daniella deadpanned, turning back to the mirror and continued brushing her hair.
Sighing, Liam left where he was standing and walked wholly into the room and stopped right behind Daniella.
"You're still mad at me for what happened, Ella," it was more of a statement than a question. However, the hot air exhaled when he spoke was sprayed densely and this made Daniella felt slightly itchy.
She raised her eyes in the mirror and met his gloomy amber orbs staring back at her. A cold shiver worked its way down her spine and she immediately averted her gaze, pretending to be calm.
"You really don't have to bring it up again, Dad. It's all good now," said Daniella as she turned around and walked to the giant shoe rack and grabbed pink flurry slippers to match with the pink sweatshirt she was wearing.
"I don't believe you," Liam uttered, whirling around to watch her.
"You should, Dad. It's really fine now," Daniella didn't spare him a free glance as she slid her white slender feet into the pink slippers.
"Then prove it to me," Liam retorted.
"How?" Daniella asked, walking to bed now and picked up her cellphone and car key.
She was caught off-guard when she spun around and saw Liam standing so close behind her... so close that she tripped and knew for sure that she would be falling onto the bed but Liam preferred her to be in his arms instead.
So like that, she felt Liam's hand wrapping around her waist and holding her firmly.
Daniella's eyes slipped close while she tried to rein her heavy breathing.
"This is it, Ella. Why have you been avoiding eye contact with me since yesterday? You don't want to look at me anymore and love to be on your own. What's going on, Ella? If I have done something wrong, just tell me," Liam's nose flared as he expressed himself.
By the time he finished his words, Daniella tried to wriggle out of his grip but he tightened his hand on her waist instead, bringing her closer.
Then, she inhaled a strained breath and tucked her lower lip inside her mouth, batting her lashes. She had become much more nervous than she'd ever been with him.
"Open your eyes and look at me, Ella," soft voice commanded and Daniella finally obeyed but not looking into his eyes directly.
"Why are you doing this to me, Ella? How many times do I have to tell you that the lady only gave me a ride and that was all? We didn't even share contact, I promise," Liam sounded as bitter as he felt. His eyes hardened and his cheekbones sharpened which turned his lips into a pout.
This time, Daniella shifted her gaze to her father's and their eyes locked.
Her heart began pounding strongly as if it could jump out of her chest any time soon. His eyes were exceptionally attractive like it was full of water, sparkling and deep.
His forehead and his temples were all serene without a single disturbance. It was this exact peace and calmness that caused her heart to flutter.
She had never looked at him attentively at that close distance.
Slowly, she noticed his head was dipping closer and without being told, she knew what was about to happen. Just as he was about to slam his lips against hers, she slanted her head, causing his lips to land on her soft cheek.
Daniella twisted out of his grasp and she was thankful he didn't hold back this time.
"I won't stay long," she said naturally with a tight lipped smile and with that, she hurried out of the room without a backward glance at the mouth-gaping and eyes widened Liam.
Daniella hopped into the driver's seat and shut the door hard after her.
"Damn you, Ella!" she shrieked while she bumped her fists against the steering, allowing the tears that had prickled her eyes since Liam was out of her sight to roll down her cheeks profusely.
"Damn you! Screw you! Why are you being like this? What in the hell is your problem?" she continued yelping and crying out loud.
This whole time, she had not stopped hitting the steering with her fists in an effort to pour out the huge pain she was harboring in her heart.
If she were to say that she didn't feel like kissing her father back inside the room, then that would be the biggest lie she would ever tell.
She wants him... every single moment. She loves to be wrapped in his powerful arms possessively just like he did a while ago, that's the only place she feels is the safest place in the whole wide world.
However, she was beginning to lose her mind completely and at this point; she might go crazy anytime soon.
She could feel it... she could feel that what she was beginning to feel for her Dad was not lust anymore, it wasn't and she's yet to place a finger on what that thing is.
__________
One after the other, Mandy brought out all the whole content in the shopping bag Michael had presented to her.
"Twix!" she suddenly screamed in excitement and jumped to her feet at once causing Michael to almost flinch.
She looked at Michael with sheer happiness, "Oh my goodness, it's really Twix! It's absolutely one of my favorite chocolates, Michael," she explained to him and he just gave a short nod in understanding.
When he was coming here, he'd thought that it would be so nice if he could bring something along for her.
But since he didn't know what she likes, he just got tons of sweets, candies, cookies and chocolates.
Now, he was really pleased to realize that she loved one thing amongst everything he'd brought.
"Thanks, Michael," Mandy expressed with gratitude and Michael could only feel his heart melting.
He cleared his throat awkwardly and then readjusted on the couch before he tentatively extended his hand and held Mandy's.
Mandy looked at his eyes, feeling really hot at the spot he was holding.
"I'm glad you... invited me to your home, Mandy," he began, licking his lips and readjusted once more. One could effortlessly tell that he was really nervous.
He opened his mouth to continue when a loud voice from outside suddenly interrupted him.
"Mandy! Your only best friend is here and she missed you terribly,"
The feminine voice came from the lounge again and the two people in the bedroom became highly strung up immediately as they quickly leaped to their feet simultaneously.
"It's Ella," Mandy muttered with widened eyes.
"Do you mean your crazy friend?" Michael also murmured as he felt his heart go up to his throat.
Death!