With this pace, when would I ever be able to win him over?The more I thought about it, the more wrong it felt. I shut the door, turned back, and stood in front of Gideon:
"I'm leaving soon. Don't you have anything to say?"
He gave me a doubtful look, pondered for two seconds, then calmly replied with exactly a few words:
"Take care on your way."
Me: "…"
That answer obviously did NOT satisfy me.
Gideon removed his hands from the keyboard and leaned back in his chair."Do you want me to walk you out?"He looked at me with a surprisingly serious expression."I'm the CEO of Nova Haven. Every move I make gets noticed. To avoid unnecessary gossip, our relationship should stay discreet."
As if I cared about discreet or not.Sure, his status was dazzling enough to cause trouble if we made a scene, but that wasn't what I meant at all.
I tried hinting again, patiently:
"Other than all that… before I leave, don't you want to do something with your girlfriend?"
"Do something else?"Gideon seemed to realize something; his expression instantly turned suggestive.
"Right here in the office?"He even checked the time and showed me:
"You're sure this short amount of time is enough for you?"
My cheeks burned instantly.
"Who wants to do that with you in the office?! That's not what I meant!"
"… Mr. Ashbourne, have you ever dated before? Even if you haven't, surely you've seen people date, right?"
He must've realized I wasn't planning anything that bold. Seeing me get worked up, he looked even more confused, and finally sighed:
"Vivienne, if you want something, just say it."
Hints failed. Fine, I'd go for a direct attack.
I leaned in close, lowering my face near his. One hand rested on the arm of his chair, and with the other I lightly tapped my own lips:
"Don't you want to kiss me?"
My sudden closeness made Gideon's breath falter.The faint scent of Silverpoint City blossoms clung to me.I closed my eyes, lashes trembling. At this distance, I knew he could see even the fine peach fuzz on my skin. Like a ripe honey peach… utterly embarrassing.
This must've been the first time I'd taken the initiative like this. I pretended to stay calm, but my cheeks were burning all the way to my ears. My clumsy provocation seemed to completely throw him off.
I waited.
And waited.
He didn't move at all.
Utter humiliation!I snapped my eyes open, annoyed:
"If you don't want to, then forget it!"
I was about to stand up when he grabbed my waist and pulled me straight into his lap.
Startled, I yelped softly and instinctively clutched his tie.
"W–what are you doing?!"
Gideon traced a finger along the curve of my jaw until it paused at my lips. His voice was lazy and teasing:
"You want me to kiss you?"
His face slowly leaned in. Those deep black eyes made my heart pound.Our lips were just about to touch when I panicked and turned my head away. His cool lips brushed my cheek, nearly grazing my overly sensitive earlobe before stopping.
My ear burned instantly.Gideon's eyes glinted with smug amusement.
I had never met someone so clumsy yet so shamelessly flirtatious, yes, me.
He took my wrist and pulled it away from his chest, leaning back in his chair with a lazy gaze:
"Next time, be more sincere. Don't just flap your pretty little mouth."
Me: "…?"
What now?Is he saying I chickened out? That I'm the shy one? I'm NOT!He's the one who pulled that deep-gaze-heart-melting seduction stunt! I got electrocuted, that's all! If he weren't the first man I'd ever been attracted to, if I had ANY experience, I wouldn't be letting him toy with me like this!
Gideon paid no mind to my growing frustration. He glanced at his computer almost time for work:
"I have a board meeting soon."
Translation: Please leave.
The moment he reverted to that ice-cold work mode, my irritation spiked.Kicking me out?Fine, two can play.
I suddenly sat on his lap again, wrapped my arms around his neck, and before he could react, I leaned in and pressed a loud kiss on his neck.... a very audible one.
He winced in pain and immediately pushed me away, grinding his teeth:
"Vivienne!"
I rose gracefully, admired the bright red kiss mark blooming on his neck, and winked:
"This time I really wanted to kiss you. Genuinely. From the heart."
His expression darkened instantly.
Right, time to run.
"Mr. Ashbourne, I'm almost late for work, so I'll go first."
I opened the CEO office door and bumped straight into Secretary Endy, who had been about to knock.
Four eyes.Two stunned faces.
…
The incident at the party had made Secretary Endy something of a witness, and after hearing the chauffeur gossiping about last night and this morning, seeing Vivienne step out of the CEO's office didn't surprise him much. He was about to greet her, but Vivienne gave him no chance and fled immediately.
Endy glanced at her sneaky, guilty-escape posture, then looked toward the office, full of suspicion.
Inside, Gideon was staring into a mirror, trying to tug his tie up high enough to hide the hickey.But Vivienne had deliberately kissed slightly above the usual collar line; no matter how he adjusted it, it was hopeless.Truly, he could not compete in experience with someone younger.Young women these days took their revenge with impressive enthusiasm.
A knock sounded from outside.Gideon put down the mirror, propped his elbow on the desk, and covered the hickey with his hand as he cleared his throat:
"Come in."
Secretary Endy walked in with documents and respectfully presented them:
"Mr. Ashbourne, these are the materials needed for the board meeting this morning."
Gideon took them. As he flipped through the pages, Endy subtly observed him but sensed nothing unusual. Seeing the CEO repeatedly reach for his neck, he asked with concern:
"Mr. Ashbourne, is your neck uncomfortable?"
Still reading, face expressionless, Gideon replied:
"Slept wrong."
Secretary Endy immediately sensed an opportunity to be helpful:
"My mother often sleeps wrong too. I usually massage it for her. I'm fairly experienced, if your neck hurts, I can massage..."
"No."Before Endy could take a step, Gideon stopped him cold.
Seeing Gideon touch his neck again, Endy's face filled with worry:
"If it stays like that, will it affect the board meeting later?"