Chapter 9: Heartbeat
♪♪Hold my hand, baby don't be scared...♪♪
A tightness gripped my chest.
Because... I'm holding someone's hand, someone whom I might lose sooner or later. Sabrina, she's always there, isn't she? I should be happy, but I can't even manage a fake smile.
"Chump, which one of these do you like?" he asked, referring to a painting. I turned to look at it. We were at the art exhibition, and at least I found some enjoyment in staying by his side, given my love for art and being an artist myself.
"You suddenly went silent. Why?" he inquired, then released my hand. I was taken aback when the back of his hand brushed against my forehead; was he checking my temperature?
"Raze, I'm not sick!" I chuckled at the gesture.
"I see. So, this one or this one?" he persisted.
"Hmmm! Both exhibit good quality and proper proportion, but I prefer this one," I indicated the painting with a galaxy background, featuring a moon, mountains, and delicate trees.
"That's simple, but the colors are perfectly blended."
"I'll take them then," he declared without hesitation.
"You made me choose, but you end up buying both. Aren't you crazy?"
"Crazy because of you," he retorted, mimicking my earlier lines with a stern expression that prompted a chuckle from me. He's crazy, indeed.
"That's my line, dude!" I laughed, earning a deadly stare from him once more.
"Why?" he demanded.
"Did you just call me dude?" His irritation was amusing.
"What do you want me to call you, Sweetheart?" I teased, attempting to maintain a serious expression.
"Crazy!"
"Ouch! Why did you flick my forehead? I hate you!"
"I heart you!" he exclaimed, pulling me closer and planting a kiss on my forehead, the very spot he had flicked earlier.
"That's my way of admiring someone," he explained with a wink, his playful demeanor evident.
"Corny!" I teased.
"But look at that smile, it's practically ear to ear," he countered, and I couldn't help but laugh.
He proceeded to purchase the artworks we had admired earlier, along with the additional pieces we encountered, totaling a staggering 1.2 million. It was hard to believe he would spend so much, but it was also exciting to think about displaying them. After all, he was a billionaire, capable of indulging in whatever he desired.
"Sir, since you've purchased those masterpieces by Mr. Jaxx, he's offering you a free portrait. He'll be here in about 5 minutes," the attendant informed us.
"Sure, it's our pleasure to accept the offer from such a famous artist," Raze replied graciously.
Being in Jaxx's studio put me in an awkward position.
I stood so close to Raze that my hands were on his chest, almost as if I were checking his heartbeat, while we both faced forward. His left hand rested on my hip, while his right arm was draped around my shoulders, mirroring my own posture. Together, we gazed at Jaxx as he worked on his large canvas, creating a portrait.
I could feel Raze's natural heartbeat and his breath, but I hoped he couldn't sense the rapid pounding of my heart, which felt embarrassingly loud. It was like the rapid beat of a bass drum, and he was the drummer, unaware of the role he played in my inner rhythm.
"Perfect! Here, you guys, look at this!" Jaxx exclaimed, breaking the moment, and I took a deep breath, grateful for the interruption.
"Wow! This one is perfect!" Raze proudly praised the new masterpiece, while I silently admired Jaxx's skillful work.
"Thanks! This will be delivered along with the three artworks you purchased, Mr. Coleman. Thank you for supporting my art and for your appreciation," Jaxx said, extending his hand for a shake.
"I'll wait for the delivery," Raze confirmed.
"Sure thing. Just message me if you want another portrait!" Jaxx chuckled, exuding a laid-back vibe that piqued my curiosity about his personality.
"I'm his fan from now on."
"If it's with her again, we'll leave now!" Why does Raze always say things that can make my heart race so casually? I hate it!
Is he clueless or something?
Around 11:00 am, we arrived at the bank. Yes! He wants me to open an account, which is a good idea.
Things went smoothly, and now we're heading to Texno, the dream—my dream, to be specific.
Meanwhile, I'm communicating with Mom and Stacey about my achievements, and they're glad about it too.
"Good morning, Mr. Coleman."
"Good morning, Sir."
"Good morning, Mr. CEO."
Everyone greeted him formally, yet some of the girls couldn't hide their excitement upon seeing their boss.
I knew everyone would feel lucky having such a handsome and kind boss.
"Good morning," he responded, his expression serious and stern. I found that cool, though.
"Elizabeth, where's Tyron?" he inquired of the lady by the elevator.
"He's currently orienting the winners from yesterday in room 5, Sir!" she replied formally.
We arrived at the 23rd floor. This must be his office.
His office was extraordinarily spacious, filled with numerous books lining the shelves that reached high into the ceiling. I couldn't help but feel a sense of vertigo as I glanced out the glass wall, the view outside both breathtaking and slightly intimidating, causing me to step backward involuntarily.
Taking in my surroundings, I noticed a solitary abstract painting adorning one wall, adding a touch of artistic flair to the otherwise businesslike atmosphere.
A glass table sat to the side, flanked by two single-seater sofas. Behind them stood an impressive bar made from a sleek, translucent material, adorned only with a few select books and vases.
"Hey, Chump! Have a seat," he gestured, settling into his swiveling chair.
I sank comfortably into the couch, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me, causing me to lean back.
"Yes, please tell Tyron to come to my office right after he's done with the meeting," I overheard him saying on the phone.
"Anyway, please ask Jeffrey to prepare two servings of Berry flan. Tell him to use redcurrants for the filling, plus an apple for the smoothie. Thanks, Kaylie!" Ah, I see. He truly was a gentleman, despite his position as the boss. I hadn't expected that.
According to my research, his company provides free lunch and snacks for the employees, and it's likely that Jeffrey is his chef here.
I closed my eyes, inhaling the fresh and relaxing air—not just from the air-conditioning, but also from the freshener and the scent emanating from Raze's clothes. It felt like someone had settled beside me, and I wasn't mistaken.
"Are you feeling sleepy?" Raze's voice startled me, causing my heart to skip a beat.
"I'm not; I just wanted to close my eyes to relax," I lied, avoiding his gaze.
"I have a private room here. You can sleep there if you want," he offered, his voice sweet and gentle.
"No, thanks," I replied softly, catching his smirk.
I stole a glance at him, and suddenly, our eyes met, locking in a silent exchange. His sterling gray eyes conveyed a myriad of emotions, each one like a word in a dictionary. He was charming and incomparable, yet I couldn't help but compare him to Kyle. My bad!
"Tus ojos son hermosos," he said in Spanish, catching me off guard.
A/n: means "Your eyes, they're beautiful"
He left me in a curious state, my heartbeat quickening.
"Tus labios, me pregunto a qué sabrán. ¡Ah! ¡Estoy loco!" he continued, but I still couldn't understand.
A/n: means "Y-your lips, I wonder what they taste like! A-ah! I'm crazy!"
Why did he have to speak in a different language? Was he cursing me or something? He might be cussing.
He stood up and played a song, reminiscent of a lullaby. It felt like I had been transported back to the past, lying in a hammock with the soft tones of my mom's humming lulling me to sleep. Maybe I just missed her. I did miss her, and them anyway.
"Hey! Sleep after lunch!" he chided, changing the music to something more lively.
"That's rude, señorito!" I mumbled sarcastically, sitting up straight. I gently massaged the tip of my nose, stroking upward before rubbing my forehead.
He was busy at his table, engrossed in some productive task befitting an owner/CEO. So, once again, I seized the opportunity to steal glances at him.
He's like a masterpiece, something unknown, as if he exists only in imagination.
"Am I that irresistible?"
"A-ah? I'm not staring!"
"I didn't say you're staring; you're perceptible!" Then he smirked, playfully piercing his gaze at me.
"Perceptible, my ass!" I muttered, looking away.
~Music playing~
♪10,000 hours♪
Aish, it was Raze who fearlessly invaded my thoughts. I shook my head, as if it could help me forget his image, but that was wishful thinking.
"Get in!" he said, and with that, the door swung open, revealing a girl pushing a food cart.
"Here's your order, sir!" she said.
"I'll be back later, sir. Just leave a beep!" What kind of code was that? Beep? Like a car? Lol!
Raze nodded, and the girl spun around and left.
"Madam, let's eat now!" he chuckled like a kid, gesturing for me to sit in front of him. I moved towards him, rolling my eyes playfully, but stifling a laugh when he pointed the bread knife at me, as if to say, "Continue with that and you're dead!"
"Are you always having informal lunches?" I asked, savoring the taste of the berry flan.
"Yes! Unless you'll cook for me. I'd even prefer to act like a kid and bring a lunch box," he replied, and we both laughed at his idea like a pair of lunatics.
I loved hearing him laugh; it was the first time I had heard him laugh like this. It was a kind of laughter that echoed and brought peace inside me, a laugh with dulcet tones that created a wordless melody, making me eager to hear more. I wished I were a comedian, I'd try my best to keep him laughing like this.
"Are you sure? I can prepare your meal in a Barbie-inspired lunch box. Are you okay with that?" I teased, but his eyes didn't glitter with amusement as I expected.
"Sure thing, just make sure you walk with me and call me baby!" he fired back, catching me off guard because I wasn't expecting that kind of response.
He really knew how to make me blush.
"Too bad, I'm too young to be your fake mom," I forced a laugh, wincing at my own words. Where the hell did I come up with that for a counterattack?
"Then be my lo--"
"Sweetheart, oh? The girl from yesterday?" she interrupted, her face displaying a hint of shock as she looked unpleasantly at me.
"Did I interrupt something? Well, sweetheart, we have something to talk about PRIVATELY!" she added, her tone daring, as if I wasn't even there. I just continued eating, feeling the coldness of the smoothie send shivers down my spine.
"Just wait! I have a few matters to settle, then we can talk," I glanced at him. His expression turned blank again, but it seemed to hold a deeper meaning.
"Sure, sweetheart. Can I rush into your room? I want to continue the series we were watching," she said, smiling sweetly. She was absolutely beautiful.
They watch movies together in his room? A-ah! The thought was trying to slowly kill me.
"You sound jealous! You don't have a right," I chide myself, looking away and trying to distract myself by scanning the room for anything that could divert my attention. But there was no escape; I had already memorized what the chandelier was made of, yet I could still hear their conversation.
"Just don't open my files," he warned, returning to his meal.
"Yey! Thanks, sweetheart," she suddenly kissed Raze's cheek without warning, and it made me feel unexpectedly sad.
Having finished my berry flan, I opened my phone and checked for new updates while sipping my smoothie.
"They're that close to each other? Thank goodness I insisted on not sleeping in Raze's room, or I'd find myself sharing it with that girl, wouldn't I?" I muttered to myself, my mind swirling with personal concerns.
I was supposed to push him out of my mind, yet here I was, completely consumed by thoughts of him. Darn it!
"I'll walk outside... to... um! Digest! Right! To digest," I lied, feeling his gaze dangerously close, almost catching me off guard and prompting me to slip up with my excuse.
"Just take a walk around here. Tyron will be here any moment," he suggested, and I obediently moved closer to the glass wall. However, I faltered, stepping back as the beautiful yet terrifying view unfolded before me, my heart pounding furiously.
Yet, despite the fear, I was irresistibly drawn to the allure of the scenery below.
With trembling hands, I closed my eyes, trying to gather my courage. Then, slowly, I reached out and touched the cool surface of the glass wall, my eyes still shut tight.
As the tips of my fingers brushed against the cold wall, I slowly opened my eyes, first gazing up at the sky to ward off any fear. I felt like a little kid, battling against my own fears, desperately hoping not to fail.
What lay before me was like a dreamy illusion, akin to a painting. The skies were as white as sheep's wool, the buildings seemed animated, and the wind whispered like a silent, slumbering child—no troubles in sight.
It was as if I were in a movie, with cars moving in perfect synchrony on the roads, following elegant patterns. The meticulous planning behind the road and traffic rules amazed me; they had created a masterpiece. Even the people walking seemed to be part of this orchestrated dance, as if today were a bustling day in their lives. I sighed, placing my palm against my chest.
My heartbeat—I couldn't understand it at all. When I was scared, it would race like a wild horse, but in front of him, Raze, it was even crazier. Perhaps Raze was triple the danger.
"Waaah! What the heck!" I shrieked, utterly terrified.
He had suddenly touched my shoulders, interrupting my attempt to conquer my fear of heights. My heart was thumping furiously, and I could feel the fear taking over.
"I'm sorry, what the hell are you doing?" he asked, a mix of curiosity and scolding evident in his tone as he held onto my arm.
"You scared me!" I whispered, trying to calm myself down.
"I scared you?" he replied, his tone questioning, a barely perceptible smile tugging at his lips.
"Yes, you really scared me. Damn!" I muttered again, my voice tinged with irritation. I hadn't been prepared for that, I couldn't shake off the fear easily.
"Come on, hold my hand," he urged.
"Don't move yet. I can't recover from that easily. I still feel like I'm in a dream, like I'm lying in a bed in heaven, and suddenly... I fell."
"Don't worry," he uttered, taking a step closer. His palm was warm against my skin, offering comfort.
Gently, he placed his hand over my eyes, covering them softly. I could feel him behind me, his presence reassuring as he held onto my shoulder and began to tell a story after instructing me to continue walking.
"Have you ever seen a rainbow garden? This is a surprise for you. A place where every girl dreams of. Can you see the red roses in the first row? And the lovely sunflower that salutes the sun? It's beautiful..." His words accompanied our steps, and I couldn't decide whether to laugh or be touched. It was unusual, yet undeniably helpful.
"You can open your eyes now."
"OA!" It was Sabrina, if I recall correctly. She sounded annoyed, and I hadn't even realized she was there.
"What are you doing?" Raze's voice broke through the moment. I looked down at my feet, feeling a pang of embarrassment. Maybe I had overreacted, but I was genuinely scared.
I felt utterly embarrassed.
"Or are you just acting scared to get his attention? Huh?" Her eyes were dark, unreadable. I didn't know how to react; I knew that even if I explained, it would still be my fault.
But...
"I didn't do that on purpose," I replied formally, trying to calm myself and my temper.
"Tsk!" She rolled her eyes, turned around, and slammed the door. She was mad?
"Don't mind her," his voice was soft, and his eyes seemed to plead for understanding.
"I'll see Tyron. I'll wait in the discussion room with the others. Tell him not to come here," I requested sadly, spinning around and rushing out the door without waiting for his response.
"I said never mind her! Hey! Tyron's on his way up here!"
I pressed the button for the fifth floor as I entered the elevator.
Was I that obvious? Yes, I was hurt by that little thing and felt a twinge of jealousy. I couldn't help it. She was his future, right?
Silently, I looked at my reflection in the elevator's mirrored walls. My eyes were sad, my smile had faded minutes ago. It felt dramatic.
My phone rang—it was an unknown number.
"Hello?" I answered, my heart racing.
"Chump!" I froze. Why did his voice affect me so much? What had he done to me?
I didn't say anything; I just listened, feeling a mix of confusion and anticipation.
"Don't do anything stupid!" he warned. I wasn't doing anything. What did he mean? I wasn't crazy.
Dramatically, I pressed the red button and put my phone back in my hand, wondering where he had gotten my number.
The elevator chimed before opening, and in front of me stood Tyron, if I wasn't mistaken.
A man with curly golden hair, possibly dyed, with an angelic face—probably the friendliest face I had ever seen.
"Hey, you're Catherine, right? I'm about to head into his office.. Are you leaving?" Tyron asked, as if we'd known each other for ages.
"Well, I'm eager to see you. I can't wait that long," I lied before he checked his phone.
"It's the CEO! Wait, I'll take—" he began, but I interrupted.
"Ignore him, let's go!" I said coldly, walking ahead of him and entering the huge room number 5, taking a vacant swiveling chair.
"Are you done with them?" I asked Tyron as he arrived, referring to the other winners.
"Not yet! I'm supposed to check on you first!" he answered honestly, likely under Raze's orders.
"Ah, it's fine! You can start normally, no bias. I'll stay here," I said, accompanied by a convincing smile. Tyron nodded, unable to argue with it. Did he even ignore his boss's call? Heck.
"Have you guys filled out the forms?" I heard him ask the others.
"Yes, sir!" they answered politely, like well-behaved grade school students.
"Hey, you're Catherine, right? Remember me?" It was the guy who had approached me after the game yesterday—Ivor.
"Yeah!"
I had been totally ignoring him, but he was pretty persistent about getting my username on Instagram, so I gave in.
"10th_hoshi," I said, and he searched for it abruptly.
He praised my posts, especially the ones at the lobby with the hero statues.
"Can you please stalk me later if I'm not around?" I joked.
"Well, yeah! Where do you live anyway?" he asked.
"I'm only working here. I live in provi—"
"She lives with me. Any questions?" Raze suddenly interjected.
Holy fudge! What was he doing?
"Good afternoon, sir," everyone greeted him with wonderful smiles as they saw the CEO arrive.
"You live with him?" Ivor couldn't believe it. I wanted to protest and explain to Ivor that I was just working for him.
"NO! / YES!" Raze And I answered in unison.
"Heck! I'll assume that it's a yes," Ivor hissed.
I looked at Raze, his gaze was threatening.
I just rolled my eyes and sat properly, escaping from his gaze.
••
"What?" I snapped, annoyed.
"I said wait for me!" he insisted.
"I said I'll go home already!" I retorted.
"We can go home together! I'm your boss, follow me!" he looked visibly irritated.
Why were we arguing over such a simple thing anyway?
"You're only my boss at your mansion!" I fired back, feeling like a hard headed kid.
"Sweetheart, come on, let her leave!" The girl intervened.
"Yeah, right!" I agreed, turning my back on the situation.
I had already received my prize; it was already in my account, and I planned to send at least 15k to my mom later.
"Wait! I'll ask Tyron to drive you home," Raze offered. I simply nodded, secretly hoping he would choose to come home with me, but I knew I was probably just expecting too much. Who was I to expect anything, anyway?
He sounded calm, though his demeanor suggested he was trying to hold back his temper.
"Sabrina! Can you just wait at the office? I'll send her to the lobby," he said, then pulled me along, walking briskly.
Was he that excited to have alone time with Sabrina?
He let go of my wrist and placed his hands inside his pockets.
"Why are you so hard headed?" he whispered.
It was just the two of us in the elevator, heading down with a hint of awkwardness.
"I don't want to disturb you and do nothing while you have a meeting. I have lots of work at your mansion. It's unfair to others if I always go out," I replied formally, nervously playing with my fingers.
"You're not disturbing me, can't you understand that?" he repeated in a low voice.
"But I have a lot of work to do. I can't waste my time just sitting on your couch while listening to some PRIVATE talk, I guess," I rebutted.
I heard him feign a gasp. "Fine, I'll let Tyron drive you home," he whispered.
"Why are you whispering?" I asked.
"I don't have confidence saying things like I'm giving you to others. I can't take it," he said, then looked into my eyes.
"Hope you understand that!" he whispered again, with a pleading gaze, as he fixed the strands of my hair that had fallen across my face.
"I-I don't understand!" I stammered, my heartbeat racing as I fought against his stare.
"Then at least listen to this," he said suddenly, pulling me closer with just his right hand and clutching me tightly against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat, pounding just as hard as mine.
"Mi corazón dice algo que no pude entender. ¿Es amor?" he whispered, holding my hand tightly as if he didn't want to let go, and I found myself hoping he wouldn't.