15.

I couldn't help but gape at the huge white mansion-like house, beautiful flowers and grass lined the pebbled pathway as he guided me to the entrance. It must be at least 6 floors, judging from the height.

"This is your 'humble abode'?" I gasped out.

Continued of the last episode ...

~~~

"It's ok I guess", Chase said like he didn't really give a damn about the huge mansion staring us in the face which must be at least worth a million dollars.

But that money must be worth nothing to an enigmatic billionaire CEO like him who had people running around him like puppets and he seemed to be pulling the strings.

What an arrogant b*stard!

He must've got everything on a silver platter.

Then there was I, struggling between 3 menial jobs, trying to pay for college and live out a somewhat decent life.

I didn't really feel tingly all over anymore, definitely not for his affection.

"Come." He said, his tone would make anyone be at his beck and call and tend to all of his wishes. I could be his lamp, you know, like Aladdin, I could be his genie. And he could rub me....

What? No...he's much older than me. And I'm supposed to interview him. Not think about him rubbing my.…....

NO!

My impudent mind never failed to betray me. Trying to fix on a more professional stature, I...as subtly as I could, slid out of his arms which wound pretty tight around my waist.

A more stern look on my face, I tried to act a tad bit more sensible.

"Please sir, lead the way." I firmly stated. There....that sounded a lot more confident.

"Of course.... Ivy."

He'd been caught a bit off guard at my terse tone but recovered too quickly and his infectious grin was back on his insanely chiselled face.

We both walked side by side, down the perfectly pebbled pathway, me trying to maintain a respectable distance from him.

He was a force to be reckoned. There was just something about him.....something dangerously devilish but alluring at the same time. And I was getting really frustrated trying to figure out what it was.

Opening the door to his mansion, he led me into the living room.

"Please, sit down." Chase....er.... Mr. Wright said, gesturing to the L-shaped sofa which happened to be placed right in the middle of the largest room I had ever seen.

It was too big to even be called a room.

Looking around, to my right there was the biggest spiral staircase I'd ever seen which led upstairs and to my left was a nice, homely kitchen counter.

Everything about his home....and him, screamed two things - money and dominance.

"How would you describe my house in two words?" He suddenly asked out of the blue, moving a bit closer to me...much to my annoyance.

"Incredibly huge, sir." I stated, making my way over to the sofa. Not even giving him a second glance.....ha, take that you Billionaire b*stard.

He sat right down in front of me, leaning towards me just a little bit.

S*it!

"I'm not sure any other girl would've used those words." Chase said, his voice low, looking at me a bit too thoughtfully. Like a scientist looking at a weird little creature.

"When did I say I was a common girl?" I cheekily said, feeling a tad bit not intimidated by him. Maybe a bit confident even.

Chase gifted me with another dark glare making heat rise to my cheeks as I blushed for no reason at all.

And there goes my confidence down the drain.

A waiter appeared out of nowhere, startling me a bit as he offered us refreshments.

"Nat, leave it on the counter. And tell my secretary to call Mr. Flores and cancel my meeting with him for today."

He's cancelling his meeting? Huh?...I would've thought of him as much a prude as one could be....with his brusque behaviour and firm attitude. Certainly not one to cancel meetings for some interview with a 'mindless' college girl.

Or maybe he cancelled it because he wanted to be with you. My subconscious stated in a sickly sweet voice.

No.....that though is irrevocably false.

Damn my two-wheeled mind.

"Would you like something to drink?" He politely asked.

"Oh....um, sure." I mumbled, embarrassing myself even further. I couldn't even get two words out properly. What was wrong with me?

He walked over to the kitchen counter where Nat had placed the tray of glasses of fresh smoothies.

He looked back at me...a twinkle in his eye..... it seems like he was laughing at me.

The corners of his lips etched into a sly grin.

But why?

Oh!

I could've kicked myself right there.

Completely lost in my thoughts, it didn't even occur to me to follow his lead.

Could I act more stupider?

I quickly got up to take a seat beside him on the circular chairs lined in front of the counter. My face must be red hot by now.

But just as I was about to maneuver myself on the seat beside him, halfway I realised the seat was too tall for me to be able to seat myself on it.

Just as I was about to unwound my legs from around the seat, one of my legs slipped from the floor.

And surprise, surprise - I fell down graciously onto the floor.

Damn me and my clumsiness and awkwardness and overthinking and my dwarf height.....Oh! The list is endless.

Just as I was drowning in my embarrassment, going through my list of atrocious characteristics....I suddenly felt two very muscular hands wrap around me.

And I never felt my body collide with the cool, tiled floor.

So....maybe I didn't fall down, huh?

I looked up to see....him, clutching me to his solid chest as he held me up.

Making me shiver with anticipation. My heart was thrumming against my chest like it would jump out any second now. My whole body was on fire with his touch. I was again tingly all over as I involuntarily licked my lips. His eyes darkened even more.

His expression was cold and hard.....completely unreadable. Which did not help me calm down.