Cole had gone to the school and was keeping very busy these days. Dawn was sitting in her living room watching the business news. The media was talking about a hostile takeover that The Silver House Conglomerate was involved in. The news anchor said that he didn"t know which company was being targeted because everything was under wraps but that the management was pretty savage. "b.l.o.o.d.y ruthless people!" Dawn muttered with a clenched jaw. She changed the channel hoping to watch other market related news, but the same story was being repeated. A heavy knock on the door distracted her. Switching off the TV she went to open the door. A smile crossed her face when she saw Azura standing on the doorway. His cheeks were light pink and his blue eyes were gleaming with an unknown happiness.
"Hi!" his voice was peppy.
"Hi Azura," Dawn replied with questions in her eyes and stepped aside for him to enter.
Azura walked straight to the kitchen, poured himself a gla.s.s of water and paced back to the living hall. He sat down and after placing a hand over his heart, he puffed his cheeks.
Dawn stood there calmly with her hands crossed across her chest. She watched his excitement with a twisted smile.
Azura gulped down the ice-cold water and looked up. His face became even more pink. "Dawn, I wanted to speak with you about something. You may get shocked about it but I had to really get this off my chest."
A frown formed on her pet.i.te face. She narrowed her eyes and circled the sofa to sit on it. Curling her legs on one side, she asked, "What is it?" She wondered what he was up to.
He took in a deep breath, pursed his lips dramatically and then shaking his head while smiling in happy disbelief, he said, "After careful consideration, I have come to a conclusion that I really, really like you."
Dawn freaked out. Her eyes bulged. "What?" she jumped in her seat and sat straight. Did she mishear him? This wasn"t what she was expecting. It simply came out of blue. Her breathing accelerated.
Azura held his hand out and said, "Wait! Please don"t freak out. Let me explain myself." He looked at her with eyes that pleaded.
She rested back but her body was all knotted.
When he saw that she had settled a little, he continued, "This past week, I have contemplated a lot about us. I have tried my best to avoid it, but I failed—miserably. And now I want to say that I am thinking about a future with you. It gives me a sense of contentment and I want this feeling to last forever. I think I have fallen in love with you." He looked fondly at her. There was warmth in his cheeks, and the pink had expanded to his neck. "I went on the long business trip only to reflect about the two of us, whether we have any compatibility. And I came to a conclusion - I feel I can give you what you want – a secure future." He stopped for her to speak something, as he held his breath and looked at her intently.
At the same time Dawn watched him with disbelief. He was her employer. When did she ever give him the vibes that she was attracted to him? Her eyes were fixed on him and her lips parted to say something but she closed them again not even knowing what to say. How could she accept him? How could she reject him? Her mind wandered to Daryn and her heart became heavy. This situation was so complicated.
"Please Dawn, say something. I am dying out of curiosity here," Azura begged her. When she still didn"t say anything, he lowered his head. "Dawn, I know this is all too sudden but I would love you to give us a chance. Just give this thing – give us – a chance to be together. I am not going to force you into it. I am not saying that I haven"t had lovers in the past but there were none with whom I had thought of settling with. The only person I have ever got close to even think in that way is you." He stopped to catch his breath. A thin line of sweat trickled from his neck. Then his hands went to his suit"s inner pocket and he took out a long rectangular blue velvet box. Opening it deftly, he took out a thin gold chain with a pendant consisting of a tiny solitaire diamond. "This is for you," he said gently. He walked up behind her.
Dawn"s stomach clenched. She was trying to judge whether this was right or wrong. Azura had said everything so quickly. She wasn"t expecting any of this. It was too hasty for her to comprehend. "But—" she protested.
Azura took the chain across her neck and clasped it at the back. He lowered his head on hers and said softly, "Please Dawn, just think about it. Give us a chance. I am sure this would turn out beautiful. I won"t force you, I promise." He kissed her head and went back to sit in his place.
Body stiff as ramrod, she looked at him incredulously with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. She pressed her hand to her mouth. This was huge. When she collected her thoughts, she lightly traced the chain and said, "I— I don"t think I deserve it," and took her hands to open it.
"No!" Azura stopped her. He shook his head. "Don"t take it out."
"But Azura, this is an expensive gift. I can"t accept it."
"It is not expensive and like I said, I am going to wait for you. That chain would only keep my hopes alive. So please don"t take it out."
Dawn licked her dry lips. She didn"t even know when Azura started liking her. Were there any cues that she missed? She pressed her hands against her mouth and looked away from him not knowing how to react. After a minute of silence and Azura watching her intently, she said, "You are my boss. However, I am not going to get pressurized about that fact." There was a shade of irritation in her voice.
"Not at all!" Azura"s voice was elevated. "I already told you that I wouldn"t force you. All that I did was because I couldn"t help myself." He sounded like he was already head over heels in love with her. His wolf wanted to cuddle the pet.i.te girl in front of him, to a.s.sure her that she needn"t worry.
Dawn looked down at her hands. They were so clammy by now that she clutched her blue denim shorts.
Azura"s gaze went to her tattooed finger again. He had thought of asking about it but thought that this was her personal choice, so he refrained.
She bit her lip and rubbed her neck. "Please give me some time to think about it."
"You have all the time in the world," he replied earnestly.
"Thank you," she said politely. Still shaken and pretty uncomfortable by the whole episode, she got up from her place and asked hesitatingly, "Would you— would you like hot coffee? I have to discuss the next project with you." She needed to relax.
Azura"s body relaxed from all the tension that had built up inside. He beamed and said, "That would be wonderful!"
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