Chapter 31

31 Our Engagement

I actually felt that I liked him. He’s friendly and kind. Best of all, it seemed like he had no hidden agendas, unlike the man that was standing very close to my side.

“I’m not staying the night. It’s against my policy...” I whispered resolutely once Greg had left us alone.

“What if I pay you extra?” Brandon whispered into my ear as he pulled me closer to him by the waist.

“That’s not the issue. Oh, you can’t buy everything and solve every problem with your money by the way,” I said as I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Yeah, right...” Brandon scoffed.

Some people believe that they can solve every single problem with money and Brandon was proudly one of them. After Brandon had had enough of the party, he pulled on my hand, and we began our journey to the special suite that Greg had prepared for us. I knew that it would be completely horrible manners to turn down Greg’s offer and it would appear unnatural as well.

We arrived at the suite, and I had to say that I was impressed by the view of the night city landscape that can be seen from the room.

“Not too shabby, huh?” Brandon said as he came to stand close behind me.

“It’s a nice view...” I said honestly.

.....

“The view from my bedroom is way better...should we go there?” Brandon asked teasingly.

I turned around and rolled my eyes at him in annoyance. Finally, we were alone, and I no longer had to hold my urge to roll my eyes anymore. Freedom!

“Don’t worry. I’ll sneak out of the room and leave late into the night so that it won’t look suspicious. All the reporters should be gone by then too,” I said as I brought his attention to the situation at hand.

“Why bother? Just stay the night...” he said casually.

“No thanks...” I replied without a second thought.

“We have so much time from now till then...shall we...” Brandon said before smiling at me suggestively.

“No...” I said firmly.

“I’m joking. I won’t do you until you beg me for it,” he teased.

“I will never beg for it,” I spat as I glared at him.

“We’ll see about that...” he said casually as he walked away from me.

“I still don’t think using my real identity to pose as your fiancée is a good idea...” I mumbled in concern.

Although we have discussed this various times before and he had reassured me that it was beyond fine, I still had my doubts. I wasn’t sure why my agency agreed to this as well. I mean, if I’m publicly engaged to Brandon, wouldn’t that impact my business with the other clients?

“I talked to your manager. He’s fine with it. I don’t see any issues,” Brandon replied like it was nothing.

“Still...I don’t have the best background...” I said softly.

“You’re perfect for the job. The fact that you’re my ex-girlfriend is perfect. The story of us falling back in love together after being reunited is credible and everyone loves it,” Brandon said as he looked straight at me.

I have completely no idea where he gets all his confidence from. I sighed loudly and started playing with my hair, a habit that was hard to break when I got frustrated.

“Your parents were against our relationship even from back then...” I countered.

“Which is perfect for when we want to put an end to this. It’s a convenient way out,” Brandon replied unfazed.

By this time, I had started to believe that Brandon had everything figured out. Letting out another sigh of defeat, I ran my fingers through my long hair and decided to let the whole thing slide.

“Ok...” I mumbled, completely in defeat.

“Great. Go to bed...” Brandon said.

“No, I’m leaving soon...” I protested immediately.

“I was suggesting for you to take a nap until you leave. Don’t worry...I have more interesting things to do than to play with you right now,” Brandon said as he plopped a large hand on my head and walked past me.

Despite his suggestive teasing, Brandon pulled out his laptop and entered straight into work-mode. It was amazing how he could switch gears just like that. One moment he was teasing me and the next he was staring at his laptop screen with intense concentration. This reminded me of the time when we used to live together, he was pretty much like this back then too. I wondered if he’s changed or was it that I was the only one that grew up and got so jaded by reality.

I enjoyed a warm bath with aromatherapy to pass the time while Brandon continued working in the living room of the suite. A few hours flew by in a blink of an eye. I had gotten dressed and dried my hair already and was ready to head home. Seeing that Brandon was still busy working, I decided not to disturb him. I grabbed my bag and was about to slip silently out of the room when he spoke up.

“I’ll drive you,” he said.

He closed his laptop and stood up immediately.

“No need. I can see that you’re busy. I can go back by myself,” I said as I rejected his offer.

“It’s late. I’ll drive you,” Brandon stated as he walked past me towards the door of the suite.

“Ok...” I said softly as I followed behind him.

It was hard to change Brandon’s mind once it’s already made up. He was right, it was late and perhaps it was better if he drove me home. It was a quick drive from the hotel to my apartment building despite the slightly long distance thanks to the lack of late-night traffic.

“You can park here,” I said as we neared my building.

As per my personal policy, I never tell any of my clients where I was living. To the best of my ability, I tried to keep my work life and my private life separate whenever possible. When the guys wanted to drive me home, I would get them to drop me off nearby and from there I would walk back to my place.

“If you say so...” Brandon muttered.

I smiled and thanked him before reaching for the door handle. All of a sudden, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I turned around to face him to find his face very close to mine and then he was kissing my lips. The warmth of his lips on mine left me slightly surprise. Slowly, my eyes drifted closed as our kiss deepened. He kissed me from various angles as his tongue thrusted into my mouth and intertwined with my own.

By the time that our lips parted, I was breathless. His beautiful grey eyes sparkled at me as he offered me one of his charming smiles.

“Goodnight, Elena,” he said softly.

“Goodnight...” I said grudgingly.

I quickly got out of the car before he sneaked another attack against me again. He’s not playing fair at all. I couldn’t help the heat that rushed to my cheeks as I started to blush slightly. Brandon rolled down the window and waved goodbye to me. He smiled at me, and I thought that he looked extraordinarily handsome. It must be the streetlight or the moonlight...or something...

I watched as he drove away until his car rounded a corner and disappeared out of sight before I turned and walked along the street towards my apartment building.

–To be continued...