JuliaI delivered the cup of coffee to Henry as promised. I placed it on his desk; he was busy scanning through the pile of binders on his table. He paused as he lifted the cup.
“Hmm... thanks,” he mumbled as he took a few more sips. He looked up at me. “About what I was going to say, are you free tonight?”
“Oh, tonight?”
“Yes, are you busy?” He placed the cup on his desk.
I pressed my lips together. “I have a few things to do until seven.”
“Then I’ll wait for you. I know an excellent restaurant. Join me for dinner.”
Oh God, of course! “Yeah. I’ll be in my office until then.”
I bit my lip. There was a part of me that didn’t want to tell Adam, but he clearly asked me to tell him everything. Of course, I should tell him. I could ask him what his brother would like to talk about.
Henry chuckled huskily. “Are you worried about Adam?” he asked randomly.
My mouth parted, but I couldn’t answer.
“Don’t worry. You have to go out sometimes,” he urged. “It’s my treat! Since, you know, you worked so hard for Adam.”
I grinned so widely that my cheeks hurt. “Yes! Thank you. Well, I should leave then so I can finish work before seven.”
He smiled back. “Sure.”
Gee, he’s so good-looking! I hurried into Adam's office but stopped at the door when I heard him shout.
“Are you sure? Oh, please, Howard, don’t give me that—” he paused with an exasperated breath. “I gave you a simple job, and you can’t fucking do it right! How about Donovan? I asked him to tell the architects that I need the blueprint tomorrow … What?! … Don’t call me until you can give me an actual result!” He slammed the telephone down, and then he slumped in his chair. He scowled at his computer screen.
Okay. He was furious. I knew to escape at times like this, or he would vent his rage at me. I was about to leave his office when I heard him call out to me.
“Julia.”
I spun around. “Yes, Mr. Cavendish?”
“What do you want?”
“You’re busy. I’ll just come back later,” I said, wanting to just scurry out.
“I’m always busy. Spit it out.”
I stepped into his room and stopped in front of his desk. “Henry asked me out for dinner,” I said in a low voice.
He looked up at me, still scowling. “When?”
“When what? When did he ask me, or when is our dinner?”
He cleared his throat, shifted his legs, and straightened his back. “When is your dinner?”
“Tonight.”
“Tonight?” His voice raised again. “How about the contracts I want you to review?”
“I’ll finish it tonight,” I promised.
He snorted. “Then, why are you telling me this?”
“You told me to inform you, and I need to ask you something.”
“What?” His voice remained flat.
I sat on the chair in front of him, glancing at the door cautiously before managing to speak.
“I need to know what he likes to eat, his favorite drink, or maybe the topics he’s interested in. Something along those lines. Can you tell me?”
His brows furrowed. “Are you going to cook for him?”
“No, no. He said he knows a restaurant—”
“Then why are you asking me these questions?” he said grimly, that seemed annoyed. Maybe this was terrible timing.
“I just want to know—”
“Wait,” he snapped. “This is ridiculous. I told you to be yourself.” He sighed. “Alright. He likes meat—mostly everything, but he doesn’t like seafood. He’s allergic to that. He prefers white wine, sometimes he wants something strong, like whiskey.”
“Too bad, I like seafood. What does he want to talk about?”
“Don’t ask him anything about his past. You can talk about anything except that.”
Whoa, that’s tough. I wanted to know him better. “Anyway, does he kiss on his first date?”
Adam gritted his teeth. “Am I supposed to know that? It’s not like I chauffeur him around while he dates. Come on, Julia. Give me an actual question.”
“I have no more questions.” I bit my lip. “Thank you.”
His jaw tightened. “Are you really going?”
“Of course. I wanted this, and I already said yes.”
He nodded. “Be careful. One more bit of advice... Don’t let him take you anywhere but the restaurant on the first date.”
“Why?”
“He’s a ditch prince. Henry doesn’t cling to girls after a one-night stand.”
My jaw dropped. “Who said I’m going to have—” I cleared my throat. “Never mind. I’ll keep that in mind. Anything else?” And I always thought Adam was the ditch prince. Anyway, I should trust him.
“It’s just dinner, Julia. It’s not like you’re going on a trip with him.”
Henry takes a girl for a trip? That’s very romantic of him. “Fine.” I sighed in relief. “Be myself, he doesn’t like seafood, don’t talk about his past,” I repeated.
“Be perceptive, Julia. I’m serious.”
“Thank you for this.”
Maybe asking him wasn’t a bad idea after all.
***
I was almost finished when Henry came to my desk to remind me of our dinner date. He said he was going to wait in front of the building.
At precisely twelve minutes before seven, I was able to get everything done. I stretched my arms in the air, then I pressed the pressure points of my shoulder with my fingertips. I groaned as I actually felt the pain. I was sore everywhere, especially my lower back. I was exhausted and starving. I decided I needed to advise Adam I was leaving.
I went to Adam’s office and was about to come in when I heard him laughed over the phone. Sometimes I don’t understand his mood. He was swearing at someone earlier, and now he was like watching a comedy high on sugar. To avoid seeing him play monster, I sent him a text saying I was leaving.
When I came out of the building, Henry was already there as promised. He was leaning on his white convertible Audi, but he wasn’t alone; he was talking to a blonde woman. I decided not to approach him, but he had already seen me.
“Julia,” he called out. The blonde turned.
I smiled a little. “Hi,” I greeted back, but I couldn’t stop staring at the woman.
“Oh, is this her?” she asked, referring to me. Her smile grew wide, and it was genuine.
“Yes. This is Julia, Demi. Adam’s executive assistant,” he introduced, then he looked at me. “Julia, Demi’s our childhood friend.”
Our?Demi was beautiful. She had a heart-shaped face, sapphire eyes, a small nose, full pink lips, long straight blonde hair, and was curvy. Her skin was a glowing honey shade as if a goddess came down from the heavens and gave birth to her. I didn’t want to be jealous, but seeing her beside Henry made me realize how unmatched I was for him. She and Henry would make a better couple. My heart sank in insecurity.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Julia.” She extended a hand to me. I accepted it with my sweaty palms. I almost shrank when I touched her soft hands.
Oh, she was perfect everywhere, alright! And she smelled sweet, like vanilla.
“It’s my pleasure.” I forced a smile.
“Henry told me about you just now. I didn't know you would be so pretty. I like your hair,” she complimented. I wasn’t sure if she was being serious, but I was sure she knew she was a million times more gorgeous than me. And it would be easy for me if she was a snob, but she wasn’t. She was genuinely lovely, and so was her smile.
Damn. She was definitely the supermodel type.
“Thank you. You too,” I sounded flat and fake; I almost wanted to choke. I hoped Henry didn’t notice.
He laughed softly. “I'm sorry I didn't introduce you formally. I didn't know you'll be visiting here. Julia is the one I told you that I like.”
What? That wasn’t how I wanted to hear that. But was he for real?
For the next 10 minutes, Demi and Henry spoke about their childhood memories and dreams as if I wasn’t there. All I could do was listen. I heard Henry once wanted to become a pilot, but he was afraid of heights. Demi shared that she wanted to be a mermaid, so the three of them played in a swimming pool wearing costumes. She laughed as she described Adam’s ridiculous yellow merman outfit.
I groaned soundlessly. I didn’t want to watch them anymore. They obviously belonged to the same world. A world that wasn’t meant for someone like me. Demi was born with elegance. She didn’t need a makeover, unlike me.
“Oh, I won't be bothering you anymore tonight. I'll go to Adam,” she finally announced.
“He's still in his office,” I joined in.
She grinned sweetly. “Yeah. He knows I’m coming,” she said. “I've been talking to him the whole day.” She giggled. “I already miss him! So yeah... enjoy your date.”
So she was the person Adam was talking to? I hardly even see my boss laughing his heart out until this stunning supermodel turned up out of the blue. Demi excused herself then she briefly embraced Henry. She hugged me as well then left a gentle squeeze. She's just a friend. A beautiful friend.“Demi is beautiful,” I whispered in a rasped voice, “Can you whack me once? I haven't seen someone as beautiful as her.”
Henry beamed. “Yes, she is. She's kind and charming, but I won't hurt you for that.” He held the door open. “Ladies first.”
I stepped into the car. My mind was still filled with the walking Barbie doll. I couldn’t believe I missed all the details. She was Adam’s exact definition of a perfect woman. She was Adam and Henry’s type.
“Put your seatbelt on,” Henry said as he was setting his. He stared at me while I was gazing in an empty space.
“Oh, God! Why didn’t I see that?” I muttered under my breath.
“What?”“She's blonde and beautiful and a supermodel type,” I rambled.
“What are you talking about?” Henry asked with a frown.
“Demi was Adam's first love.”
Henry nodded. “Yes, what about it?”
“And yours…”She was the woman they had shared. I wasn’t sure, but I was hoping I guessed it wrong. But Demi didn’t look like she was that kind of woman. Was she? After a few moments of silence, Henry spoke.
“Not anymore, Julia.” He forced out a smile. I realized I shouldn’t have brought up the subject. I watched him as he buckled his seat belt.
“There’s another reason I came back, and Demi is not a part of it.” His tone turned serious. The tension swirled in the atmosphere in an unwanted deadly silence.
“It’s fine. Why are you telling me this?”
“I wanted to see you.”
I held my breath, unsure of what to feel. The air gave me incessant goosebumps. I didn’t know how to react, but I’m happy with what he said. I remained silent.
“After that night at the gala... I couldn’t forget about you. You’re different from any woman I’ve ever known. You captured me.”
Henry was thinking about me?