9 Chapter
Lina
I was pleasantly surprised. But after the conversation in the elevator, I did not see Vladimir for the rest of the day. I could hardly even believe that he so easily put up with my refusal. As if the calm before the storm. But the next day, entering my office, I gasped with delight. A huge basket of roses in bright red was standing, taking up almost the entire table and filling the whole room with a pleasant fragrance. I walked over, no note, no card. Decided to change tactics. I took a seat at the table. Did he have any idea what all this looked like from the outside? Is he trying to buy me off? No, he didn’t.
The day went pretty smoothly. Today apparently the boss decided to let me work normally, which I was immensely happy about. Or did he think I would come to him with my own gratitude? On my way out, I glanced at the bouquet that I put in the corner of my office, so it wouldn’t distract me. No, I’m definitely not taking it home. I left the building, heading for the bus stop. But almost in front of my nose stopped a car. I froze. The window rolled down, and I heard the voice of Vladimir Maksimovich.
“Can I give you a lift?” I weigh the pros and cons and confidently answer.
“No, thank you.”
“Don’t be silly, Angelina Nikolaevna Rostova, I just give you a lift.”
“It is not worth the trouble. Especially me to another part of town.”
“What a stubborn woman you are,”gets out of the car and comes up to me.
“I see you didn’t like the flowers?№
“Vladimir Maksimovich, do you understand…”
“Don’t,” he interrupts me, smiling. Opens the door.
“Please, I’ll just give you a lift. Nothing more. Stop being afraid of me, I won’t bite.”Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
I sigh heavily.
“I do not know.”
“Let me get this straight, what’s the big deal? It’s just polite. And yes, we are on our way today. There’s a mall near you, and I just need to go there. So there’s that.”
What a liar. There is a mall, but I doubt my boss shops there.
“Okay,” I take a few steps and get in the car.
Vladimir turns on the music and starts the engine, pulling out.
“Coffee?”
“Vladimir, we agreed,” I answer angrily, turning away to the window.
“No, so no.”Vladimir shrugs his shoulders.
I stare at the passing lights and carefully pretend not to notice the attentive glances he throws at me. We’re both silent for a while.
“You still haven’t answered my question, by the way,” he breaks the silence by tapping his fingers on the wheel to the rhythm of the track.
“What question?” I turn to him.
“Do you have someone?”
I close my eyes, breathing in a full breath. No matter what, I’m not allowed to be rude. And oh, how I want to!
“Why can’t we respect the chain of command? ” It still comes out rather sharply, so I add trying to soften.
“Tell me, please.”
“It’s boring, isn’t it?” He stops in my driveway. I roll my eyes and try to open the door, but I realize it’s locked. Damn it!
“Open it,” I say, looking at the panel with a lot of buttons and catching a mocking look.
“I will, after I hear the answer to my question.”
“Yes, I do,” I brazenly lie, looking into my eyes. Just let him go!
“You lie.”
“Why is that?” I can feel myself trembling and blood rushing to my face.
“Your cheeks are glowing.”
“Okay, no one’s here, are you happy? “I squeezed out irritably, trying to put on a smile.
“Why are you so tense? Relax,” he reached up and ran his hot fingers over my cheek, sending shivers down my skin.
“What are you…” – he says slowly coming closer, and before I can even blink he’s kissing me.
Vladimir
Was going to really just a ride! But what a beckoning her lips… I couldn’t take it anymore! And they meet all my expectations, so sweet… Except that she clenched her teeth, pushed me away, and raised her hand and slapped me with a good slap. It was a good slap, no doubt about it! It’ll probably leave a mark for days.
“You said you were just gonna give me a ride! “She hisses, nervously twitching her arm and pulling away as far as possible.
“I couldn’t help it. Sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” She asks me again, looking at me angrily. How funny this whole situation amuses me. I didn’t think there were any girls that decent… I should put her in the red book. Worth it. Yeah, now I’m really worth it! Shit!
“Is my apology accepted?” I raise my eyebrows questioningly. She’s breathing hard, she’s angry. How funny she is now, she’s a big girl.
“If you promise not to do anything like that again.”
“I can’t promise something like that. It’s not my fault you’re so beautiful. It’s not my fault I’m so attracted to you. Attraction, Lina. A beautiful girl and it’s understandable.”
“You’re unbearable. Open the goddamn door. I want to get out of this car and out of your company.”
“Am I expecting you at work tomorrow?”
She doesn’t have time to answer and I confidently continue.
“I expect you at work tomorrow. Don’t worry, I have a lot of things to do, so we won’t see each other for at least a week.”
“That’s wonderful news!”She snorted. I would have been angry at that outburst, but I have to let her go as soon as possible, while I’m still in control. I click the button that unlocks the door, and Angelina’s out the second she’s gone.
“I’m never getting in your car again,” she throws in her last words and slams the door loudly.