Date Night (2)

ALANA

It only took him a second to register my voice and his head flew in my direction, eyes widening. He pursed his lips, frowning. "How'd you get here?"

I surprised myself with a low chuckle that I thought sounded remarkably genuine. Maybe it was the traces of embarrassment that I saw on either of his cheeks; hued pink. "Whatever do you mean? I work here, sir."

When I sneaked a peek back at the woman, I found her glaring daggers at me. Swallowing against the rush of anger, I stepped back, clutching the tray closely against the apex of my thighs.

"Let me know when you're ready to order," I didn't wait for a response and strode to stand a few feet away from them, close enough that I could hear their conversation but not so close so as to make them uncomfortable.

"It's so cool that you're the boss of this place," The woman gushed. "I would love to have so many servants. Do you also have people clean your house and cook for you?"

"No," I didn't like how uninterested he sounded. She was so pretty and well-spoken. He should've liked her. I also hated how glad I was. "I like having my own space at home."

"Oh, okay. Baba was telling me you live with your brother?"

"Yes," I frowned, seeing Knight stiffen. "Look, you seem like a good girl who deserves a loving husband and I am not the right choice for you. I'm not looking for a relationship."

Her lips turned down in an unfriendly fashion. "Hey—"

I stepped in before this could get ruined. "That's not what he meant,"

Her glare was downright mean. "Who are you?"

"Uhhhh . . ." My gaze met Knight's and his confusion was plain as day. "Kn—uh—I'm Mr Enes's assistant,"

"You have a female assistant?" It was clear who her question was directed at.

Knight raised two perfect brows at me, knuckles lightly rapping against his lap. "I do?"

"Yes," I widened my eyes as if to tell him to just go with the lie. Lying was bad. Wrong. Yet it was for a good cause. Plus, it wasn't a complete lie. "You do. I just became your PA yesterday, remember?"

"Ahh," He nodded enthusiastically, though there was a murderous glint in his eyes and I was sure I'd be reprimanded later. Oops. "I must've gotten you confused with someone else who works in the café. She's a stubborn one who likes to piss me off," A faux smile twisted his lips upwards, making me bristle like a porcupine. "You're obviously not her,"

"Obviously," Somehow, I gritted out, glaring right back. Except I got lost in the swirls of his stunning irises, falling deeper and deeper into an abyss I knew it would be impossible to come out of. I was already in love with Knight; had been since the young, naïve age of twelve. How someone expected me not to was something I'd never be able to understand. He was perfect.

Since the feelings weren't reciprocated, I'd have to find him his match. It was least I could do after all that he'd done for me. I wasn't going to be selfish and try to make him fall in love with me. For God's sake, he thought of me as a sister!

"Okaay," The girl looked between the two of us suspiciously. "What did you mean earlier, then?"

I squirmed a little in my boots. My dusty, ruined boots, but who was noticing? "Mr Enes just worries about hurting you. He did not mean to say what he said. Right, Mr Enes?"

He tilted his head to the side, observing me like I was an interesting object. "I'm pretty sure I meant every word," His attention quickly swerved to the girl who looked like a sad, irritated puppy. "I'm really sorry, but I would like a word with my assistant. Can I escort you to your car?"

Growling, she swung her tiny bag over her shoulders and took off, hips swinging. Ooh, nice move, girl. I might steal that swinging next time someone made me angry.