Scarlett's POV.
After pitifully shedding tears for almost 30 minutes, I finally rose up, washed my face and dove into work. The day passed in a dull blur. I refused to interact with anyone, having lunch alone in my office before returning to work.
Thankfully, Mr. Knight didn't call me into his office. Rather, he sent everything I needed to do through email.
'Good', I thought to myself. At least he could recognize what a huge dick he had been.
Unfortunately, as the sun set, painting the sky in a pastel hue, I realized I couldn't stall forever.
I had to drop the files I'd worked on today at his office before leaving. I groaned underneath my breath, fixing up my make up in the bathroom so he wouldn't be able to tell just how much he'd gotten to me.
With my head held high I strutted to his office, knocking firmly. The door clicked open on its own and I stepped in.
He turned to me, his gaze unreadable. I kept my eyes locked on his, refusing to cower. Not anymore.
"These are all the files for today. Please do revise them and let me know if there's any correction to be made." I gave myself a mental high five. My voice was steady, self-assured.
"Thank you." He clipped in a rough tone, eyes softly analyzing my face.
"About…" He began and my brows rose in curiosity. Was he about to apologize? I held my breath in anticipation but his apology never came.
He cleared his throat instead.
"That will be all for today." He opted and I nodded with feigned disinterest.
"Alright then. Have a goodnight, sir." I cat-walked out of his office, giving my hips an extra sway.
I could feel his heated gaze on me and I celebrated my small victory on the inside. If he couldn't apologize I could at least torture him, right?
My steps halted as I stepped out of his office, seeing a wary Joshua peering into the round glass on my office door.
"Shit." He circled around to face me as the soft thud of Mr. Knight's office sounded behind me.
"You scared me." He breathed, trying to regain composure.
"I can see that." I replied, a sense of awkwardness creeping between us. I hadn't seen him since last night's incident.
"Um, I haven't seen you all day. How are you?" He rubbed his palms against the back of his trousers. I could see how sweaty they were from where I stood.
"I'm good. How are you?" I wanted to make him feel better, but there was still a dark cloud hanging over my head. And no matter how I tried to rise above it, it stayed unmoving.
"I'm…a little nervous." He admitted, exhaling forcefully.
"Last night was quite weird, right?" He offered and I managed a small smile, nodding to his question.
"We probably shouldn't be talking about it here though." I whispered, pointing to the door behind me and he mouthed an 'oh', signalling for us to leave.
"Let me just get my bag." He waited while I gathered my things in my office before leaving with him to the elevator.
"Now that we have some privacy," he began just as the elevator doors closed behind us.
"I was saying how weird last night was. I've been a little out of it all day."
"Yeah, tell me about it." I scoffed with a smile, glad that in some masochistic way I wasn't the only one having a weird and shitty day.
He let out a small laugh as well.
"I've never seen the CEO so unprofessional. You must've really cast a spell on him."
I gasped.
"What did I do?"
"I should be asking you. He was this close to tackling me." He laughed and I soon joined in, remembering how furious Mr. Knight had looked.
I wasn't expecting Joshua to have found it funny but I guess we all had our way of dealing with anomalies.
"For real, though. He looked scary. Will you be okay working with him so closely?" He asked, holding concern in his eyes.
"It's only temporary, right? And he's acting like a bitch anyways." I muttered and Joshua's brows quirked.
"How so?"
I sighed.
"Let's just say he's acting like a… I don't know. A pregnant snake?"
Joshua cackled and I joined in.
"What the…" We were huffing, trying to keep our tears at bay just as the elevator beeped open.
"Act normal." I choked through giggles and we both stepped out with our hands over our mouths, sharing knowing glances.
"Why the sudden shift in behavior? Is he mad about last night?" Joshua inquired as we stepped into the parking lot and I shrugged, not wanting to analyse his complex behavior further.
"By the way, you remember our plan from yesterday right?"
I halted in my tracks.
"Plans? Oh, right! Layla's birthday is on Saturday. We were supposed to go shopping."
"You mean, we are going shopping. You can't bail on me again."
"It just slipped my mind. I'm free to go today."
Joshua nodded, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
"Alright then. My car's parked there." He pointed to a Mercedes at the far edge of the parking lot, the exact model Layla had given me but in black.
"I'm going to have to come back for my car afterwards. I called the shop and it's running well now."
Joshua nodded, sweeping his tousled hair out of his eyes. For a moment, my heartbeat took on an odd rhythm.
I suppressed the incoming thoughts. There's no way I could allow myself to be attracted to Layla's brother. I just couldn't let it happen.
"Shall we?" He bowed playfully and pulled the door open for me, an involuntary blush coating my cheeks. I stifled my smile as I got in, shaking my head at him.
His eyes held mine for a brief second, leaking with emotion before slamming the door shut.
He blasted 2000s pop songs on our way to the mall, on my request of course. I sang along, indulging in theatrics while he watched me from the corner of his eyes, a warm smile in place.
'Is this what it would be like if I gave him a chance?', I couldn't stop the intrusive thoughts from coming. Causing me to sport a permanent blush till we reached the mall.
I hoped he wouldn't notice as he led me into the first store, my reddened cheeks in clear view under the dazzling lights.
"Welcome sir, ma'am. How can I be of assistance?" The sales personnel greeted us, eyeing Joshua with puppy dog eyes as he made his requests known.
She led us through different racks, filling Joshua's hands with dress after dress. My eyes bulged at how expensive the desses were.
I'd lived most of my life as a spoiled rich girl, but each dress in Joshua's arms must've cost an arm and a leg combined.
He whispered something to the sales clerk who eyed me with an unreadable gaze before walking off.
"What do you think?" Joshua asked as we set down the heavy array of dresses he'd selected.
"I think you need some of my masterful advice." I sashayed to the dresses, picking out the ones I knew Layla would like.
By the time I was done my arms were hurting and my breathing had grown laboured.
"That was a lot of work." I huffed, slumping on one of their chairs and he smiled, taking a sit beside me.
"I appreciate your input." He said gratefully just as the clerk returned with a few more dresses in hand.
"Try these." She dropped the dresses on my lap and I stared at them, confused.
"You must be mistaken. These aren't-"
"She's not. I asked her to bring them for you." Joshua cut me off, a embarrassed look on his face.
My heart swelled.
"That's sweet, Joshua. Really. But you don't have to buy me clothes. I can't accept them." I replied, side eyeing the outrageous prices.
"I'll buy all of them if you refuse." He countered and my mouth fell open.
"But-"
"Please package all of these for me."
"No, no, no. I'll try them." I said through gritted teeth, exasperated at his stubbornness.
I took the dresses to the changing room, undressing and trying on the first dress. It was a long satin dress in red that hugged my curves loosely. It reeked of class and quality.
"Am I supposed to show him?" I wondered out loud, sucking in a deep breath before deciding to step out.
Immediately I stepped out Joshua's mouth fell open. I could swear that I saw him salivate. For the next few seconds he just stared with greedy eyes. I was beginning to grow self conscious before he finally got a hold of himself.
"Wow. You look…ethereal." He whispered, rising to his feet.
"Thank you." I whispered back, my face probably the same shade of red as the gown.
"Let me go try the others." I said awkwardly rushing into the dressing room.
I tried the others without stepping out to show him. I wasn't sure I could handle his intense stares one more time tonight.
They all fit perfectly so I couldn't decide which ones to leave. I decided to just pick two and drop the others.
I came out dressed into my office wear.
"How were the others?" He asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice, probably because he hadn't seen the other dresses.
"Just two fit." I lied pointing at the red gown he'd seen and another random one. I was blinking rapidly, avoiding his eyes so he couldn't tell I wasn't being honest. I had always been a terrible liar but I hoped he wouldn't notice.
He nodded, taking the dresses from me to the front desk.
Soon everything we bought had been packaged and left the store.
I made a stop at a gadget store to get Layla a gift of my own before we finally left the mall.
We arrived at Knightingale by 8:57pm. The parking lot was almost completely empty now save for my car and a few others.
"Please don't rush out." He requested with a knowing smile, stepping out and rounding the car to open the passenger door for me.
I rolled my eyes, unable to keep my smile at bay. Joshua Jung was the definition of a complete gentleman. He reached for my hands as I stepped out and I whispered a "thank you.'
"Of course. And don't forget your things." He reached into the back seat, bringing our multiple bags.
I stared at them in confusion.
"But I only chose two things." I said as he handed me about five bags, holding more than ten in his own hands.
"You're a terrible liar. That's all I can say." He laughed at my defeated expression.
"Don't look so down. It's a good thing. Letme walk you to your car." I stayed silent, struggling to find words to express my gratitude as we stopped at my car.
"Thank you so much. I don't even know how to express how thankful I am. I-"
"It's fine. You don't have to thank me. It's nothing." He stopped me short, taking the bags from me and placing them in the back seat.
Just then I felt the eerie feeling of being watched.
I turned around to see Mr. Knight stepping out of the building, briefcase in hand and his signature scowl perfectly in place. He stared back at me with a hooded gaze, looking between me and Joshua like a scorned nemesis.
I turned back to Joshua, doing my best to ignore the pull of his hard stare. He could watch all he wanted. I shouldn't give his bipolar ass another second of my time.
"It's more than nothing." I replied and Joshua rolled his eyes.
"Fine. Since you insist, you owe me dance at Layla's party. Deal?" He offered and I smiled.
"We have a deal." We shook hands before bidding each other goodnight.
He stood watching till I got in and drove off. I passed Mr. Knight who had now gotten into his car. Our eyes locked for a few seconds before I swerved pass, the anger from how he'd treated me this morning rising to the surface.
Did he look bothered? Yes
Did I care? Not even a little
He could kiss my behind.