Chapter 24 - Honest Feeling

She immediately took a handkerchief from her handbag and wiped the corner of her lips. Straightening her back, she coughed softly and tucked the handkerchief into her bag.

"Well, it must have been because I was in a rush. I even forgot to have a look at my appearance." She answered looking calm and composed. Well whatever happened today or however he sees her now, it doesn't change the fact that it happened. She will just act as usual and when she gets home, she will chase that main culprit out.

Luca smiled and leaned back, looking both pleased and surprised at her answer. "Well, I am surprised but happy to be able to see your other side that no one had ever seen before. Tell me, have you ever shown this side to another man beside me?" Luca asked while leaning forward with his elbow on his thigh close to the knee cap.

Jennet moved away a bit from him at the sofa. Him, getting closer to her made her uncomfortable.

"Can we not talk about this?" She frowned unhappily at him. Well, he wouldn't believe it if she said she had already shown her unexpected side to another man who currently lived in her villa.

"What is it that you need to tell me?" She changed the topic quickly. She had better leave as soon as possible because she couldn't handle the goosebumps on her body because of his moves.

"I wanted to see you." Replied Luca and smiled as he leaned back again. Yes, he said he wanted to see her and it literally means, he just wanted to see her. Well, he couldn't ask her out for lunch since she had declined him once but he can still use another trick to have her be with him, alone with no interruption.

Jennet glared at him. She was clearly unhappy with his trick. She immediately grabbed her handbag and wanted to rise from the sofa but Luca grabbed her hand, stopping her from leaving.

"I'm wondering if you're free tomorrow or the day after since it is Saturday and Sunday." He asked softly.

Jennet glanced at him and immediately said, "I'm afraid, I have to decline again. I need to do housecleaning since I have no time to do so when I moved in."

Well, that was entirely a lie. The villa had been kept very clean before she moved in. There was not even a speck of dust found in every corner of the place. She just wanted to lounge alone, away from pestering bugs, like him, in front of her now.

"How about next time?" Asked Luca again, not wanting to give up. He will keep asking until she gave up on giving him the same answer over and over again. She will eventually say yes to him when she couldn't stand it anymore. Well, it's a good plan. If she's persistent not wanting to go out with him, he will be persistent on chasing after her.

Jennet pulled her hand. "I am not sure." Her tone was flat. She was clearly not interested to go out with him!

Luca smiled at her. "So, is my friendship not that important to you or do you prefer this friendship turn into something called a romantic relationship instead?" He turned the table now. Picking on the most delicate matter can trigger the woman's conscience from backing away from him.

"I value the friendship but..."

"Since you do not want to be in a romantic relationship with me, we have both agreed to be a close friend and since I had said that if I ask you out, you must not reject my invitation."

"Well, I did say, I can't promise you anything because I already have someon... Something to do!" She wanted to say 'someone' but immediately change it to 'something'. It will be another problem if she started to give out another lie about herself since everyone knew she was single.

Her expression was getting even sour now. Why can't he understand her worries? She had been desperately looking for a way to get away from all trouble but he is the biggest trouble that she had been trying too hard to avoid. Yet, he kept coming at her, charging at full speed like a mad bull.

"What is that something, Jennet?" He asked even softly as he said her name. His smile looked a little silly compared to the troubled looking face before him.

He really goes out of habit, taking a liking towards a woman like her who was called plain by the entire company but in his eyes, he sees her as someone that he must have. She was like a light that could bring happiness inside his heart unlike when he was with his previous girlfriends who would leech him out as much as they could. They even tried to seek his attention but she was the opposite. She hated even single attention from him.

Jennet coughed on the sofa and immediately rose on her feet. "I will let you know when I want to go out with you. But for now, I cannot join you on any outing or whatsoever. I hope you respect my request since I see you as my superior and nothing more." She said coldly.

Bit by bit, she found him to be so demanding though she had never known he had this kind of nature towards anyone in the company. Even when he was with his previous woman, he was not so demanding towards them but he seemed cool. But, ever since she moved place, he started to chase after her. She really could not understand him at all.

"Well, I am glad to know. But, don't make me wait for so long then because I will keep bothering you." He smiled at her. His smile was so in ease as if he had achieved what he wanted from her.

Seeing Jennet won't even answer him, he opened his mouth again, "I really hope you can feel what I am feeling about you. I am honest with what I meant a few days ago."

Jennet glanced back at him and but just kept her mouth tightly sealed. It was better for her to leave him hanging because she could not find it in her heart, to take him seriously.

"Well, I will go for now since you don't have anything important to tell me." She sped away from the room at lightning speed, worrying if he would try to stop her again. Luca was left all alone in his office but he was smiling in his seat.

As soon as Jennet arrived in her office, Marvina immediately pulled her into the pantry. "Why did he called you to his office?" Her eyes gleamed, looking at the sour face beside her.

Jennet grunted and pushed her softly. "You're such a busy body. I am tired." She said and walked out from the pantry.

"Hey, just once will do," Marvina begged again and followed her from behind in long strides.

Jennet halted and pulled her by the arms, "It was all about work that I haven't finished yet and he had been asking about it. Happy?" She asked her in a sarcastic tone. Her eyes rolled bigger. She will not tell her anything because she had no time to tell her.

Martin pulled a long face. "You're so moody now." She said the fact. She wanted to help her get better in her life yet, she pushed her help away.

Jennet shook her head and sighed again. "Well, I am sorry. I guess I have been too tired and had so many things to think of right now. I am really sorry if I am being harsh with you. I didn't mean it." She apologized.

Marvina made a pouty face but then she sighed, "Well, I won't press you again then. Please just share with me all your troubles so I can help you. Okay?"

"Okay." Jennet gave her a smile. The promise will be a promise but she won't open her mouth about everything just yet. She needed more than ever, time, to adjust herself to all that happened around her in such a drastic change.

Later that evening, she drove straight home, both mentally and physically exhausted. She had enough of Mira's spicy babbling on her meeting with Luca that morning. Jennet wondered who was the one who had the gut to report it to Mira but she was so sure no one was around when they talked with each other at the hallway to his office.

"I am home..." She said in a weak voice as she kicked her shoes off after closing the door behind her. As soon as she put in house slippers, her nose twitched. This was the smell of savouring meat being roasted perfectly on the fire!

"What a nice smell!" She murmured alone. Her stomach started to growl.

She raised her head and ran towards the living room. Then, she stretched her neck towards the kitchen. She saw a tall figure standing at the kitchen counter, wearing a pink apron while working on the food with a frying pan. His long blond hair was tied neatly into a ponytail.

Jennet rolled her eyes even bigger. 'Am I seeing things?'