Chapter 45 - #45

Chapter 45: What I Feel

"Mr. Parker."

He looked at the flowers on my table and I can tell that he was not surprised just by looking at his eyes. Am I in big trouble? He might think that I'm flirting with Sean!

"Sean, what brings you here?" he asked Sean.

"Hi, Kellen. I'm just here to give you this," he said and reached for another invitation in his pocket. "It's Cami's birthday."

"I'll be there. You also invited Liv?" Mr. Parker asked even I know he heard him already. It feels awkward standing here with the two of them.

"Yeah, I did. Hopefully, she'll come." Sean glanced at me and smiled. "I'll see around then? Bye," he waved at me and I just replied a smile. "Bye, Kellen!" He then walked away.

As soon as he got out of my sight, I took a deep breath. I don't know the reason why I feel tensed while listening to their conversation. Thankfully, it was now over.

"Liv, are you okay? What is it?" Mr. Parker asked me when he saw me acting weird.

"Nothing, Sir." I forced a smile.

...

The day is almost done and I'm now fixing my desk because I did a lot of paper works today. I put the others in the cabinet to organize it. After I cleaned my table, Mr. Parker came out from his office.

"I don't know if you'll take my offer but I'll still ask. Can I drive you to your home?"

I wasn't able to answer him right away. Alice left the office early so I'm planning on taking a cab tonight. But since he offered to drive me, I think it will be more practical to accept it. Besides, I didn't want Mr. Parker to think that I'm still uncomfortable around him.

"Yeah, sure," I casually said before grabbing my bag with me.

We talked about a lot of things at work while he's driving. It includes the events that will happen for the next months. He also told me that in three months, we'll be going to London to meet up with a client. After a few minutes, we're already in front of the apartment. I went out first and he did too so I didn't go inside right away.

"Thank you for the ride, Mr. Parker." I gave him a small smile and he nodded.

"So, you wanna come in Cami's party?" He stood in front of me while his hands are in his pockets.

"I haven't decided whether to go or not yet. You, are you going?" I asked back.

"I will," he instantly answered. "So, you're friends with Sean now."

I wasn't surprised when he asked that. I was expecting it already. Who wouldn't think like that? Sean gave me flowers. I'm even holiding the bouquet right now.

"Not exactly if you're thinking that we're very close," I said, just to make things clear to him.

"Okay," he shortly said. I can read it in his eyes that he wants to say more. I'm curious about it so I think maybe I should ask him.

"Anything you want to talk about, Mr. Parker?" I asked him. I pursed my lips when he didn't answer after a few seconds.

"I don't think you wanna have this conversation again. Last time we had it, it didn't end well."

Oh, I knew it. He's talking about what happened in Chicago. For the past few days, I realize something. If I'm scared to risk on someone, including him, how will I have a good future? A happy family? The reason why I distance myself from him is because I know and I can see that we won't make a good couple. I'm an average girl, he's more than twice of my standard.

"I'm all ears now. I'm ready to hear what you wanna tell me," I said. Gladly, I think I made him have courage to say it.

"I'm a man, Liv. I know how a relationship starts. If you and Sean have something, please, tell me," his eyes were begging.

"Sir, I don't have a thing for him. I don't know if he does for me but it still doesn't matter at this moment," I told him.

"I know that you're scared, Liv. I just want to let you know that what I feel for you is true. And the next time you'll tell me to stop, I will. I'll still be waiting for you until you're ready." He just confessed to me for the hundredth time. Is that how much he likes me?

...

The invitation today is at 7:00 PM. Camille even message me on my social media, asking if I'll come. And yes, I've decided to come to her party tonight. After I watched a movie in my room, I went to the bathroom to take a bath. Luckily, I still have a new dress that I bought I think two weeks ago so I wouldn't bother stress out myself looking for what to wear.

I dried my hair using the blower and I curled in a little, beach waves to be exact. I wore a casual maroon off-shoulder dress with long sleeves and a pair of 3-inched silver block heels. I also wore a silver bracelet to complete my outfit. I applied a thin makeup on my face to look presentable so I wouldn't look so stressed at the party. I was in the middle of applying lip gloss when my phone rang.

It's Mr. Parker.

"Sir?"

"I'll pick you up," he said. It doesn't sound like he's already on his way so I still can object. I didn't want to bother him anymore.

"No, Sir. I can go there by myself," I said. I'll go there alone because Alice will have dinner tonight with her parents. Good for her, she can still be with them. It makes me jealous to see her being happy with her family.

I was a little competitive on Mr. Parker because he won't let me go there by taking a cab. But in the end, I won the conversation so he just let me decide what I want. I ended the call as soon as we stopped talking. I put my phone on my bag before hanging it to my shoulder as I walk downstairs. Summer isn't home yet because they're on a date. I trust Dylan so I won't worry too much.

I opened the door and locked it when I was already outside. I made sure that Summer have a duplicate of the key because I don't leave our door unlocked when no one is home. There are a lot of things than can be stolen and that's the last thing I want to happen. I was about to book a grab when I saw a car and the man standing against it is... Sean.

"Sean?" I blinked twice, not believing that he's in front of me. What's he doing here?

"Hi, Liv." He smiled. "I just wondered if I can give you a ride?"

"Uhm... how did you know my place?" I curiously asked. I'm guessing Mr. Whitmore told him.

"I'm trying to know everything about you. For a reason, of course," he said and a smile rose form his lips. "Shall we?"

He's already here. I don't think I can refuse, that would be so rude if I did. Given that I have no choice, I just said yes. He opened the door for me before he went into the driver's seat.

"You look pretty," he said, not looking at me. I actually don't know how to respond to that but this isn't the time to be humble. He might think that I'm a woman who has issues with self-confidence even I don't.

"Thanks," I simply answered. I was looking at the window for at least five minutes. I haven't think of a topic yet to break the silence. I'm not a talkative person, Alice and Summer knows that. But, I can blend with anyone's vibe.

"So, you work for Kellen for four months now, am I right?" he asked. Thankfully, the awkward air around us is gone already.

"Yeah," I answered. Is he asking things about me a lot?

"Just to make things clear, Liv, I'm not stalking you. I just wanted to know you more." He chuckled. He probably thinks that I'm starting to get uncomfortable on what he says about me.

"I didn't think that way," I said, giving him a reason not to misunderstood things.

The Whitmores' house isn't very far from Mr. Parker's. I think I already know the road from the hotel to here. I'm good with directions but sadly, I still don't know how to drive properly on highways. When we arrived, the gate was opened automatically. Technology nowadays really impresses me so much. it was very different when I was still a kid.

He stopped the car in front of the house. People are kind of looking and I don't think it's a great idea that we get to go out here. I don't like being the center of attention, especially when I'm not the one who's supposed to get it. Sean opened the door for me so I went out. 

Just when I turn around and about to walk, I saw Mr. Parker and Mr. Whitmore talking to each other and.... they saw us too.