He suddenly let me go and stood up.
"Finish your food. I'm just gonna call an important person."
Minutes had passed but I still can't manage to recover from what happened.
I scanned myself at the full-sized mirror while wearing a red formal above-the-knee evening dress.
My long chocolate hair cascaded down my back and my delicate eyelashes kissed my rosy cheeks, with lips lightly red but so alluring. I want to look simple yet elegant, and I'm happy to know that I have achieved that look.
I blew out a deep breath when I heard a small knock on the door. I picked up my clutch bag and got out of the room to greet Ellwood.
My lips stretched into a smile when I saw his reaction. "Hey, what's your problem?" I tapped his cheeks lightly and chuckled softly.
He licked his lower lip and curved upwards in a half-grin. "You look radiant!" he muttered.
I stiffened for a moment before returning to my casual face. I smiled at him sweetly and pinched his nose.
"You know those things noe, huh?"
He looked at me seriously, eyes dropping briefly to my mouth. He caught my hand and brought it to his lips. My lips faltered as I gasped at his action. His soft tender lips pressed against my hand.
"Your intellectual beauty is intoxicating..." he mumbled huskily.
I averted my eyes away and pulled my hand from him. His words had an effect on me, making my head look like it was on fire.
I bit my inner lip, why is everything so confusing? Maybe I'm just adjusting to Ellwood. He is a jolly person, alright, very kind and really a sweet guy. I don't have anything to flaunt besides his natural arrogance.
He looks hot in his suit, it emphasized his broad shoulders and muscular physique. I looked away again, jutting my lips sluggishly.
"Well, thank you for reminding me what butterflies feel like," I kid and smiled vigorously.
I stepped back and fixed some strands of hair on my shoulder to ease my heart.
"Butterflies, huh?" His lips twitched up in a wicked grin.
I rolled my eyes and was about to walk out when he suddenly faced me, gazes telling danger.
"Are you sure about this?" he said in a throaty voice.
I stepped aback and looked up at him with frustration. "Yeah, of course I do..." I answered with my quick breath and pulse.
He watched how I bit my lip before he tilted his head and shook it lightly.
"I can't promise you anything, I'm not perfect, but I'll protect you," he said with a thick voice.
He raised his hand and caressed my hair. I closed my eyes to feel it until I found myself nodding.
I was still thinking of his words while we were in the elevator. I constantly feel like I'm at war with myself. If I could just ditch from this date, I already did. But I'm already here, and Ellwood is with me, there is nothing to fear about.
When we got out of the hotel, we walked to a long bridge that leads to a cottage. The mere fact that the sea is just there made me feel nervous as the cold wind grazed my skin. The restaurant's soft music and candlelight gave a romantic ambience to the place. Add to that the roses that made the place even more beautiful.
"What can you say?"
His big hand covered mine and his fingers moved delicately over my palm, making my lungs gasp for air.
"This place is so romantic..." I whispered.
I felt him turn to me. I glance up at him, and his eyes met mine.
"I'm glad you like it..."
He slightly ducked to stare at me intently. "It woud be better if we're just alone here..." He chuckled a bit.
My cheeks heated. The butterflies caused havoc inside my stomach, telling me that I'm already fluttered.
I averted my gaze and decided to pull him into the cottage. The waitresses welcomed us and assisted us towards our table.
I thought the burden in my chest will vanish because I have Ellwood with me, but my heart pounded harder when I spotted Gabriel and Alessandra arriving.
"Here they come..." Ellwood said and whistled a warning tune at my side.
My eyes went to Gabriel. I felt like my heart stopped beating when his eyes stopped on my direction.
I can't help but take notice his handsome appearance. His suit fitted him perfectly, it showed off his broad shoulders and overbear waist. His tight lip and stubbled jaw made him more look intense and hot.
"Meredith!" Alessandra called me.
My eyes snapped open and slowly turned to Alessandra wearing a sexy long dress with thigh high slit. Her curves were tightly hugged that I felt like my dress has no fight comparing to her.
I heard a small whistle coming from Ellwood again. "Hmm, not bad," he whispered while looking at Alessandra's appearance.
I only shook my head twice before standing up to greet them. She quickly came to me and kissed my cheek. I glanced at Gabriel, but I've only noted his hard jaw and pitch-black eyes that are drilling into mine.
I quickly averted my eyes and chose to go back to my seat. I slightly fixed my hair that has been quite messed by the wind.
"Good evening!" Ellwood greeted and offered a warm hand shake.
"This place is really nice, Mr. Echeverri!" Alessandra exclaimed.
I leaned my head on Ellwood's shoulder slightly. "I want to impress all of you, especially this woman beside me."
I cleared my throat. Here we go again!
"Well, I'm impressed," Alessandra told him.
Ellwood nodded and signaled the waiter to serve the food.
While waiting, I can't seem to stay still and seated on my chair. Gabriel looked very serious and had a stoic expression on his face. I was grateful when Alessandra opened a topic about the Ellwood's cargo shipping company.
"So, that Cargo Vessel there is yours?" she pointed at biggest ship Ellwood's company has.
He simply nodded. "Actually, it carries crude oils to Manila, it's due date is by the day after tomorrow but I'm stuck here with this beautiful lady..." he said and looked at me. He laughed at little, looking unbothered about compromising his work.
"That was very unprofessional, Mr. Echeverrii, you can loose a lot of money if it's delivered past due date," Gabrieo stated.
Ellwood chuckled humorlessly, he glanced at me again and raised his eyebrows before talking.
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. I don't believe in the saying, business first before pleasure... When in fact, I can do both." His mouth broke out into a devilish grin.
I pursed my lips because my cheeks are slowly reddening at his words.
"I would rather put work first," Gabriel countered back, his expression remained scowling and nebulous.
"Hmm, so that's why you're always busy at work?" Alessandra rolled her eyes and hit his arm.
His lips twitched in a half-smile. "You're completely a different story..." he soft-spokenly said.
I can't help but to smile bitterly at his answer. Well... that was painful.
"Why, Mr. Magnus? Haven't you tried multitasking business and pleasure? I believe that you can do it with ease..." Ellwood said with a hint of sarcasm. His lips settled into a mocking smirked.
Gabriel clenched his jaw. He obviously didn't like Ellwood's counters.
But I noticed him lift a smirk before speaking. "I can also do both, work and wife..." he fired back, lips turned up into a sly smirk.
"Maybe you're just saying that because you're in front of your wife?"
I gasped at where this conversation is leading.
"Of course, he does. I understand, he's busy with a lot of things especially in work, but he never lacked in his responsibilities as a husband," Alessandra said while giggling, like someone tickled her on her back.
Her face turned tomato red when she leaned onto Gabriel's chest. Gabriel took the chance to pull her for a short kiss.
My lips parted at the scene. Gabriel kissed her right in front of me and I felt my heart had been hit by a raging storm and showered me with arrows.
I harshly averted my gaze and was about to stand up when Ellwood suddenly pulled me back and snaked his arm to my waist.
"Stay still, sweetheart. We're just getting started..." he muttered softly at my ear. I could feel his lips touching my skin in a delicate way that gave me shivers.