Chapter 175 - 175 Intimidating Aura

175 Intimidating Aura

Fred couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss he shared with Denise back at her office. The fact that she kissed him first without any form of intoxication was both alarming and overwhelming.

When he returned the kiss before intentionally pulling out, he sensed her deep needs and wished he could fulfill them. Also, when she parted her lips, encouraging him to kiss her deeper, a desirous dormant emotions that he never knew existed were awakened. Currently, all of his body yearned for her love like never before.

Another thing that amazed Fred was his speedy withdrawal and composure in Denise’s presence even when it felt like she was leading him on with the kiss.

This was unlike him. He was the anxious type, who usually went for what he wanted without any regrets. Whether at home, in public places, or an office romance, Fred was always available, eager, and encouraging.

However, with Denise, he felt a new sense of peace and warmth he had never known before. He was so filled with excitement that he felt like climbing onto the highest rooftop and screaming out his love for her. He had a strong feeling that she felt the same way about him, but was afraid to show it due to her engagement to Tom.

“I just have to dissuade Tom from marrying Denise.” Fred thought aloud. “If Tom sees that Denise has intense feelings for me, he would let her go.”

Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned to hours as Fred kept checking his wristwatch intermittently. He was restless to see Denise again and pick her up from the office as earlier promised. He was about to start getting prepared when he received a message from her.

[Denise: Fred, thanks for finding and bringing back my lost necklace to me. Although words are not enough to show my gratitude, it is a start.

I am sorry that I kissed you and I would prefer we never talk about it. Your presence in Tom’s house is a huge distraction for me especially since we have a history together. Hence, I would be grateful if you left Tom’s house this evening.

.....

Do not bother coming to pick me up at the office. I have already informed Tom to do that. Thanks.]

Fred’s features turned cold and his heart sank as he read the message. He reread the message over and over again, wondering what he had done wrong. Although it felt good to know that his presence was finally affecting her that much, he wished she could confess her feelings to him.

After careful consideration, Fred decided to play by her immediate rule but seek her from a distance. He called Tom and informed him that he would be moving to a hotel in other attend to some urgent business which Tom happily obliged.

—————-

Denise ate her meal sparingly as she listened to Tom talk about his exhausting day at work. She smiled and occasionally laughed but her inner being was gloomy.

Fred didn’t reply to her message or even place a call to her, but he honored her request.

“Is he mad at me?” She quizzed her thoughts.

“Babe, are you alright?” Tom asked her calmly. “You have been acting cold and withdrawn since I picked you up from the office. Did you have a bad day?”

“I’m fine,” Denise forced a smile. “Nothing bad happened in the office. It’s just that I’m exhausted and not hungry. How about we finish up dinner and go to have a shower together.”

Tom’s eyes brightened up. He clasped his hand and rubbed them together excitedly.

“I will love that! Thank goodness that we have the house to ourselves now. At least, we won’t have to worry about my annoying brother and his stupid games. He has decided to lodge in a hotel to attend to some business deal.”

Denise chuckled but didn’t comment. She craftily averted Tom’s intense gaze and focused on her food.

“You never told me how you and my brother’s adventure went this morning.” Tom pushed back his seat and stood up. He casually walked up to Denise and pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his hand around her waist and gazed into her eyes lovingly.

“So, did he bug you?” Tom gently brushed her lips with his and teasingly stroked her side, making her giggle.

“Not really. Although, he gave me something priceless that I thought I lost many years ago.” Denise fondly stroked the necklace on her neck.

“Are you serious?” Tom’s heart missed a beat at the sudden spark in Denise’s eyes as she caressed the necklace.

“Yes, but that’s a story for another day. Right now, I need a proper massage as my whole body aches.” Denise leaned closer and started kissing him. She could see the fear registered in his eyes and she had no intention of discussing Fred. She feared that her current emotions for him could resurface and ruin her moments with Tom.

Tom’s curiosity on the other hand didn’t die down. He allowed Denise to have her way but decided that he would confront Fred about it.

———————

After a night of mourning and anguish, Leon and his sisters left Carlpole early the next morning.

Before they went their separate ways, all three siblings agreed to converge at Amzone international airport the following week. They also agreed within themselves to keep the news of their father’s sickness and imminent death, a secret.

While Yvonne went back to her family, Ivory followed Leon back to the city.

When Leon and Ivory arrived at his Villa in the city, Leon encouraged Ivory to go inside and rest. However, she politely declined his offer and insisted on visiting Ella at her place of work.

“Don’t you think that you’ll be bored sitting in her office and doing nothing while Ella is working?” Leon attempted to dissuade her from nosing around in Ella’s affairs.

“No, your wife and I are a team, remember? I could assist her with one or two jobs.” Ivory winked at Leon playfully.

“Moreover, it’s been a while since I last saw Ella. I wonder what she looks like now that she is married.”

“Oh, Ella is more beautiful than ever. You need to see the way she glows.” Leon beamed. His entire body sizzled as he thought of his wife.

“Aww! You are such a lucky guy, big bro. I hope to find a handsome man like you someday.” Ivory interlocked her hand under her chin and smiled spiritedly.

“You will and he will be so lucky to have you.” Leon playfully poked her on the cheek before reversing his car and driving off.

—

From the moment Leon and Ivory stepped foot into the APB fashion company, there was an unusual quietness.

Leon was neither smiling nor frowning but his expressionless face and his chilly aura placed most of the APB workers; who knew him as the CEO’s husband, on their toes.

Some staff spared furtive glances in Leon’s direction and hastily went about their duties. While some female clients lustfully gawked at him until their eyes almost dropped.

However, Leon went about his business, unaffected by the numerous pairs of eyes trailing him and the beautiful lady beside him.

Joan had been slightly jittery when Leon arrived at her desk with an extremely gorgeous delicate girl by his side. She was highly intimidated by his handsomeness and domineering personality.

“Is your boss in the office?” Leon asked in a formal tone.

“Yes, sir!” Joan high pitched response was as though she was saluting an army general.

Leon gave her a what-the-heck look and shook his head slightly.

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“Tell her that she has a visitor.”

“Okay, sir!” Joan responded in a muffled tone causing Ivory to chuckle.

Ella had just rounded up with two of her major client when Joan informed her that she had a visitor.

“I’m not expecting anyone right now.” Ella frowned as she checked her appointment schedule. She was happy to have rounded up her meeting just in time for a snack break.

“Please, fix whoever it is on the 2:00 PM appointment schedule, okay?”

“Huh?” Joan replied in a daze. “B...but... hello!”

The line was already dead and this put Joan in a state of panic. She pinned the phone to her ear as if her boss was still speaking while her eyes darted from side to side as she searched her confused brain for the right word to say to Leon.

“Are you going to keep me standing all day or talk to me?” Leon said in a chilly tone. He was irked by the disorientation of Ella’s secretary.

“Oh, I’m so losing my job today,” Joan cried within. Her palm had turned sweaty and cold sweat beaded her forehead.

“I... I’m sorry, sir.” She abruptly stood and tried to drop the phone back on the receiver. But the unconscious swing of her hand knocked off some files on her table and sent sheets of paper flying in the air.

Ivory could feel Leon’s rage building, so she quickly stepped in to save the unfortunate secretary from her brother’s fury.

“Why don’t you go into your boss’s office and tell her that her husband is here to see her,” Ivory spoke in a calm and friendly tone, thereby putting Joan at ease.

“Okay ma’am, thank you, ma’am!” Joan bowed her head in shame and quickly dashed to Ella’s office to deliver the message. She briefly knocked on Ella’s office door and barged in thereby infuriating the very hungry Ella.