Baffled

Like a doll that was frozen in place, I felt a soft feeling touch my cheek but it was gone in a blink of an eye. Leon didn't linger but at the same time he didn't lift his head as well. He maintained that posture for a moment and even had the audacity to act like he was doing me a favor with a quick lift of his eyebrow before he stepped backward. Someone looking from behind would've thought that he kissed me on my lips because of the angle.

What the heck?

Suddenly, hands gripped my shoulder firmly and applied a gentle force to move me back away from Leon. I looked back and was greeted by Ethan's impassive face. I felt like the cold temperature dropped even lower. It made me feel guilty for some reason even though I'm the one who's the most confused here.

"Heather needs you to come back urgently," The words were for me but he was staring at Leon instead. I, who was stuck in the middle of them, got the direct hit of the impalpable tension in the air.

I had the feeling that we should probably leave now so I urged him, "Let's go."

Ethan released my shoulders and ignored Leon after I spoke but he kept a hand on my back as if he was guiding me.

Leon chuckled, "I'll wait for your call regarding what we talked about."

Oh God. I take it back. This guy is insane.

I stiffened at his words and started walking even faster. This meddlesome trait was definitely something he got from his father. Where was the stoic Leon that I was talking to earlier?

I took a glance at Ethan's face and stared straight ahead immediately. The usual ready smile on his face was gone and there was an unusual chill in his black eyes.

He was definitely mad.

But why?

I couldn't help but look at his face again. The corners of my mouth involuntarily lifted up in delight. I don't know why but this weird situation was just so fascinating. Thanks to whatever gibberish Leon spouted, I got to see this kind of Ethan.

The awkward atmosphere that was long gone during our car rides returned with a vengeance. I tried to peek at his expression from my passenger seat but I lost my nerve quickly because I didn't know how to handle Ethan with this kind of mood. I should've sat at the back but in my hastiness, I went to the front because that's the door he opened for me.

I felt more nervousness here than when I chair significant board meetings. Thankfully, the drive was short but when I was about to rush off the door the moment the car stopped, Ethan finally spoke.

"Miranda," his voice reverberated inside the car, without the usual playful tone.

I froze again.

"Give me a moment," his tone devoid of emotion so I couldn't even surmise his mood.

I really didn't want to turn back but then I realized that I have nothing to fear since it wasn't even my fault so I faced him and tried to muster nonchalance, "Why?"

He moved all the way until we were only inches apart and the abruptness made me unconsciously lean back but I had nowhere to go as I was trapped in my seat.

His hand rose slowly to my lips. I could feel my eyes widen in trepidation as my heart rate quickened along with it. He wiped my lips with agonizing slowness as he fixed a burning stare at me. My heart was thundering so loud that I thought it was about to burst out.

"What are you doing?" Somehow I managed to find the voice to speak without making it known how shaky I was inside.

"Cleansing," his voice lowered in concentration.

What?

My thoughts were revived but my mind took off in surrender at his next words.

"Let's not do this again. I don't think I would have the patience to stop myself next time," his smile, reminiscent of that night at the party.

I was lost all the way until I arrived in my office. It was a good thing that Ethan didn't come up with me. I needed space to think about what happened back there. My brain felt like it was still floating somewhere from the shock I received. I exhaled a breath at the thought. I sluggishly went out of the elevator and saw Heather.

She was busy at the computer and I had to knock on her table to grab her attention. She stood up and said, "You're back. Do you need me for something?"

"What was that urgent matter that you needed me for?" I asked her.

She just stared blankly at me and I could almost see question marks all over her face, "What do you mean?"

"Ethan said you needed me urgently here," I explained even though I already realized what happened.

"I never said that. I haven't even talked to Ethan today," Heather looked as baffled as I am.

He actually had the guts to play me.

The word 'why' just kept bouncing inside my head trying to make sense of what's happening. Part of me wants to just ask Ethan directly and be done with it but there's a small part of me who was like an anxious caffeine addict suffering from withdrawal.

I'm not one to avoid things but I'll give him a bit of time to settle. I can't believe I'm actually trying to compromise. It was an intriguing thought and I actually wasn't even upset about it.

"Never mind that," I told Heather and went inside my office.

I took a seat and tried to clear my mind. Plan failed immediately when my eyes unwittingly drifted off to that corner where we ate last time. I rubbed my forehead in annoyance. I was trying to organize my rebellious mind when my phone rang.

I grabbed it like it was driftwood that was going to save me from drowning, "Mr. Lee, how are you?"

"Miranda, it's all good. I should've called you sooner but we have been busy with all the things that we needed to prepare for the new season. I just wanted to let you know that we're very satisfied with the fabrics," Mr. Lee replied delightedly.

"I'm really glad to hear that," I told him, my voice was controlled but I was bursting with joy as the project was a success.

Mr. Lee continued, "I called you this time because we have an upcoming fashion show for a different collection and I was thinking of inviting you. You can meet a lot of people from the fashion industry there. I'm sure it will help you one way or another."

"I would like to come. Thank you very much for this." I responded instantly.

"This is just a small thing. Our collection this time would be great and it's largely due to the fabric so this is just to express our gratitude. Think of this as just a warm up event before the spring collection with your fabrics comes out." He praised generously.

He talked about some small matters before hanging up. I smiled triumphantly. My work matters immediately overshadowed the events earlier and I've moved on to making future plans already.

The confusing scene earlier was already forcibly buried.