The Devil In The Suit - Episode 24

 

I'm so very sorry everyone. I know, it's been quite a while but exams started. I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped my book get this much recognition. Everyone who commented on the chapters. I'll try to keep up with the updates, that's why I'm going to be posting two chapters. Yeah, two. I hope you guys enjoy it and comment too. Thanks for reading nd not leaving the story already. 

"Aren't we there yet?"

"Almost" Daniel squeezed her fingers reassuringly as they strolled far away from the building. He stared at her with dark eyes filled with amusement. She looked so cute as she pouted like an adorable puppy. 

Genevieve sighed, her heels sending her signals of all sorts through the throbbing pain she felt underneath. Soon she could hear water lapping, knowing definitely that there was a pool close by. Then a huge water fountain came into view with roses decorating it and different coloured lights glistening in the clear crystal water.

Genevieve squealed lightly as her eyes danced around the private area. Very close to the pool was a small wooden table and two chairs which decked the floor and modern lights which stopped to blink occasionally. She turned to Daniel, seeing his mouth curved into a smile.

"So, I figured you haven't had anything, so i..." He trailed off, raking his hand through his hair with a look that held embarrassment.

Genevieve grinned, not knowing how to respond. she hoisted herself up, standing on her tiptoes and quickly placed a brief kiss on his lips. 

Daniel groaned inaudibly when she retracted her lips, he shot out an arm wanting to circle it around her waist, but she was faster. She giggled as she hastily peeled out a chair and hurriedly landed her butt on it.

He let out a heavy sigh before resuming his as he did, he couldn't help but notice that subtle glow on Genevieve's face as her shoulders shook slightly from laughing too hard. She was indeed a beauty that should be treated no less than what she was. 

Genevieve's laughter soon died down as she found herself pinned under his smouldering black eyes. She gulped silently, feeling butterflies run amok in her stomach. His dark eyes were hooded with desire which set her pulse racing. The seats stood adjacent but situated so close that she could feel his harsh breath tickling her face. 

"You look beautiful tonight" Daniel whispered, his eyes still not leaving hers.

"Thank you" she said, the words coming out in a breathless whisper. Then it hit her hard as fast as a moving truck. The dress, it's been close to four hours yet her brain didn't find it deem to say a thank you. She ducked her head while playing with the edge of the table cloth "Um...thanks for the dress, and you know...everything" she blushed "I feel like a princess" 

"You're a princess" 

'My princess' he added rather to himself. Heaven knows even if she was wrapped around rags she'd still look elegant.

"But you shouldn't have" she said softly, refusing to look at his face.

Daniel chuckled, he was about giving her a reply, one that'd set the butterflies in her stomach on full force but instead, he turned to a beefy guy standing behind Genevieve.

"We'll eat now, Russo" Daniel nodded at the cook.

"Very well, sir" 

The Cook's departure brought an awkward silence between them. Her hands were lying eccentrically on the table, Daniel reached out and grasped each with his. She could feel heat sear her from head to toe, making her heart hammer.

"It's okay to be nervous around me. I mean, have you seen me?" Daniel taunted, wriggling his brows.

She quickly tore her fingers from his, leaned back on her chair then folded her arms. "Yeah, I have. Permit me to say that you look like a horse" she gave him a blank look but deep within her she knew he was far from that. Very far.

Daniel threw his head back as he laughed hard "oh Genevieve" then he stopped abruptly. Her words sinking into him, he frowned "seriously, a horse? You could've come up with something else but a horse?"

Now it was her turn to laugh, she stopped then looked at the disgusted look on his face and began again "I'm sorry. It was that or a hippo" she snickered.

"A hippo?" He repeated the word so softly, if she wasn't watching him so intently she could have missed it.

Daniel was surprised by her words. He knew it was only a joke, but it made him ponder. No one ever insulted his looks before and here, she did in an instant. As queer as it was he found it rather charming. He smiled softly to himself wanting to play along.

"I didn't know that" he whispered, his eyes feigning hurt. He hoped his lips wouldn't give away anything. 

He watched her soften then she sighed, he fought the urge to laugh right away.

"I..I didn't mean any of those, I was only joking" 

"I guess" he turned away sadly.

"Daniel" she held his face with both palms, pulling him towards her. "I promise, you look nothing..absolutely nothing like that"  she pecked him on his cheek then pinched it slowly.

"Sir, ma'am" Russo came up, he placed the different mouth-watering meals on the table. They both cleared their throats, falling apart.

"Bon appetite" the cook executed an elaborate bow. Then grinned his way out as his presence disrupted the couple's undying romance.

* * * 

Daniel and Genevieve sat on a wooden bench in the gazebo. It was so beautiful as they were engulfed in it's unfading warmth. It was adorned by modern lights and a magnificent view of the dusky sky.

"Everything around here feels so welcoming" she turned to Daniel with a wide smile.

"Especially when you're with someone you adore" he smiled back. She turned away as different thoughts invaded her mind. Why couldn't he just tell her what she craved to hear.

She sucked in a breath when his hands dragged her head to face him squarely.

"Can I tell you something?"

She nodded quickly, finding it hard to locate her voice.

"Since the day I saw you Genevieve, working. I couldn't take my eyes off you. I was-"

She blinked, not fully understanding his words she had to butt in " but you met me at the office"

He chuckled weakly, she could feel the hesitation in it "no, no. Far from that Genevieve" he sighed deeply "you previously worked at a coffee shop named Uncle Willie's place right?"

Her eyes widened as she stared at him incredulously, refusing to believe. She worked for old man Willie far before she became a brand ambassador for the company. 

"Shocking? I know. I hated going to coffee shops but I came across Willie's place, something pulled me into it. Something so strong that I couldn't resist"

"It's scent?" she asked stupidly as she gulped.

He chuckled richly "you did, watching you from a mile away work the register I found myself lost and I went in. But you didn't seem to look my way since you were engrossed in whatever you were doing-" he paused then looked so deeply in her eyes, searching them slowly "-I found myself coming every damn day just to stare at you in the hopes of meeting you"

"I'm sorry" she whispered.

"Don't be, then one day I did come but to find you gone, I asked an employee but she said you resigned, can I ask why?"

Genevieve nodded, old man Willie died, he was like a father she craved for so caring, sweet and lovable. She couldn't wrap her head around the fact that he was gone. She wasn't ever going to see him again. He was old, a 70 but not old enough to suddenly fade away due to a mild fall. Still working for the shop did more harm to her so she told Mrs Willie, his widowed wife, upon her departure.

"Mr. Willie died" she muttered sighing.

"I'm sorry" he held her palm and caressed it.

Daniel stared at her remembering how he looked forward to each day just to go to the coffee shop only because she was in it. His world finally felt welcoming, something he lost since his mother died but when he found out she was no longer there. His hopes came crashing down, his memories of her was all he had left. He wanted to go searching for her himself but he waved off the thought, maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe it was best he never saw her again. But he was so damn wrong.

"But you hated me so much" her words plunged into his thoughts, snapping him back to reality.

He thought for a second, he made himself think that. He said that over and over again wanting his brain to familiarise each word. It was an easy way out of love. Especially for the weak like him. It scared him, it scared him so much. All his life a girl never made him want something so bad, a girl never pulled his senses away from him, downing them with so much desire instead. He couldn't possibly let it happen, girls swooned and fanned at his feet, he was always in charge. Genevieve amazed him. Her boldness, the way she'd handled all his words when he'd lashed out at her in the beginning. She was different, his kind of different.

"I tried to Genevieve, believe me. I tried but it clearly didn't work. I mean, look at us" they both laughed at his words. "I'm sorry if I hurt you in any way okay?" How stupid was he to act so rudely towards her. 

"I can't keep lying to myself Genevieve, I'm falling, falling deeply. I'm way past the edge already" he brought her fingers to his lips then kissed them softly. 

"It's..It's all happening too fast" she whispered.

"Shh..I know, I won't rush you into anything. Take your time but don't make me wait too long" he said as he kissed her fingers again one after the other.

Genevieve couldn't help as doubts settled in her head like a dense cloud. What if this was all a pretence? He finally confessed to her right but why couldn't she trust him? She'd never fallen in love before and never in a million years would she think it would be her boss. She knew him barely four months and he, a year now. 

What if she gets too attached and he hurts her?

But what if the tale was just made up and he got her previous jobs investigated?

What if Melissa was right, he was going to dump her thereafter.

What was her issue with trust anyway? 

"Genevieve. Are you alright? I know I shouldn't have told you any of these this early. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help it. I promise. Baby steps" he carefully pulled her unto his laps.

She peered at him and couldn't denial that her heart yearned for his touch. I trust him. She repeated over and over to herself. She hugged him then buried her face in the crook of his neck. She let out a breath, a breath she wished would be nothing close to regret.