Paxton’ POV
The sharp pain hit my head and I groaned, putting my hand on my forehead as I rubbed it to ease the pain. It’s very quiet and peaceful. I open my eyes and, for a moment, I’m tranquil, enjoying the unfamiliar surrounds. Wait! My eyes widened. I sat up straight and looked around in panic. It wasn’t my room. The room was simple, painted in white and beige. Besides, the bed had a dressing table and next to it was a wardrobe. Walls were covered with frames, paintings and canvasses. I frowned and looked at myself. I’m still wearing my clothes except my tie, blazer and shoes have been taken off. Probably to give me comfort and untroubled sleep. Worried and confused, I placed my hand on my head and tried to remember how I got here but all I could remember was that I was with Charlie last nig- Oh, fuck! My expressions became flat and dread took over me when I remembered last night.
*Flashback*
“What’s wrong with you, dude?” Charlie asked, plopping himself on the couch besides me, “You’re strangely quiet tonight!”
“I’m playing, Lee!” I muttered, keeping my focus on the game screen in front of me. He scoffed and snatched my remote. I scowled, “Hey?”
“You’ve been trying to avoid something, Paxton. Tell me, what is it?” He demands, keeping the remote away to not have it snatched from me. I scoffed and lay back in my couch, “Paxton?”
“Janet kissed me but then she behaved as if it was a mistake!”
“Fuck, you guys kissed?” He was flabbergasted. I nodded. “That’s cool, but why did she behave that way?”
“Trust me, I’ve been asking myself the same question!”
He let out a chuckle, “Women are tough to understand. Anyway, explain to me. In details. How did it happen and how it ended?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just tell me!” He protested. I huffed and told him the entire story. He stared at me mute for a couple of minutes then burst into laughter. I rolled my eyes. He looks at me and just laughs. “God, you might be very upset to have your image shattered at your father’s eyes!”
“Is this how you’re going to help me?” I asked, keeping a mock smile on my face. He shook his head and put a pause to his laugh. I sighed, “I kissed her because I liked her from our first encounter and she kissed me because... She wasn’t thinking straight?”
“No, dude!” He sat besides me again and put his hand on my shoulder, “If she kissed you back with the same passion and energy then she’s also into you,” He smirked, “Or maybe more!” I grinned, feeling a little shy and I bet he could see the blush on my cheeks but my smile vanished and his smile shortened, “What?”
“The question remains, Lee. Why did she push me?”
“Because you’re her boss, Paxton. Duh!”
“Fuck!” I let out and looked away. He chuckled, “If that’s the case, then she’s never going to kiss me again!”
“Yup!”
“Then what should I possibly do about it?”
“First of all, apologies to her. You don’t want to start things over with a lie, do you?” My expression became flat, “C’mon, Paxton. To start new, you have to apologize to her. Don’t make this face!”
“You don’t understand, Charlie. Whenever I try to apologize to her, I freak out. She scares me. I mean, she’s the same girl who didn’t think twice before giving me a hard slap across my cheek!”
“Oh, be a man, Paxton, and face her!” He boosted me, but hell if he could convince me. “Alright, then. There’s only one way that can help you!” I watched with a frown as he went to his personal bar and came back with a bottle of bourbon.
“No!” I quickly said, raising my hands at him in disapproval.
“Yes. Paxton, when the bourbon goes in, the courage will get out!” He grinned and passed me the bottle. I looked at him with puppy eyes but he was determined.
*Flashback Ends*
“Son of a bit- I clenched my jaw and slammed my palm on my forehead. I couldn’t remember anything after those shots with Charlie. But with my common sense I can be sure as hell that it’s Janet’s place. No doubt! I feel so embarrassed that I want to kill myself. Paxton fucking Grey... Can’t you spare one day without causing a mess? I slid my palm down and checked my pockets but couldn’t find my phone. Panicked, I moved the pillows and bedsheet aside but it was nowhere to be found, “Goddamnit!” I scrambled out of the bed, frantically searching for my phone.
“What’re you looking for?” A familiar voice chimed from the door and I was startled. It was Veronica, Janet’s best friend. Her eyes widened, “Oh, uh-I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you!”
“Hey!” I grinned like a stupid, holding my blazer against my chest, “Good-Good morning!” My heart was thumping wildly and the freaking nervousness was as clear as crystal water on my face. She frowned at me. Veronica was still in her Pj’s. Her hair was braided in a messy bun and she was wearing pink flipflops. I must say she looked quite adorable! My grin started to get shorter when I didn’t receive any reply.
“Uh, breakfast will be ready within minutes!” She placed the garment bag on the edge of the bed and turned around to leave.
“Veronica?” I called her just before she could get out of the door. She turned to me in response but I couldn’t gather courage to ask her about last night. I have never talked to her in my entire life, which is why it was pretty hard for me to say, “C-Can I ask you something?” Only I know how much effort I’ve put into uttering those words.
“Yeah, sure!”
I fisted my palm to grasp courage and asked, “Did I do anything last night that I should apologize for?”
She squinted her eyes, “Why, don’t you remember?” I shook my head with my lips pressed together in a thin line, “Anything?”
“Nope, nothing!”
“Oh? Well, umm, maybe-maybe you can’t remember anything because you were very drunk, like duh!” She let out a nervous chuckle and I’m not sure, but maybe I saw a shade of relief in her grey eyes. I gave her a small weak smile, “No, you did nothing!”
“Oh, thank god! But I should apologize for coming drunk at your house. Please forgive me for my stupidity!”
“Yeah, it’s fine,” She smiled, waving her hand dismissively, “Anyway, Janet must be waiting for me. So, see you at the breakfast table. And yeah, those are for you,” I looked at the clothes bag she was gesturing at and smiled, “Bye!” I nodded, then after she was gone, I grabbed the bag and darted into the bathroom.
In the bathroom, it’s all cold and silent. I strip off my clothes and quickly clamber into the shower. It cascades over me, and I hold up my face into the welcoming torrent. I closed my eyes and brushed my fingers through my hair, enjoying the warm and soothing shower which feels like heaven. My head was still a little heavy and throbbing. I had many drinks last night and I’m regretting every single shot. I rubbed my forehead but then suddenly a broken memory flashed in my eyes and shot my eyes open. It was a kiss. I was kissing Janet and she was kissing me. It was wilder than before and hotter. I gazed at my reflection in the glass and frowned, “Did we really kiss again or is it just my stupid dream?” A fractured memory of last night flashed and increased my heartbeats. The kiss seemed real. Should I ask her? No! What if it is really a stupid dream of yours? But it doesn’t feel like it was. I looked away from my reflection and let out a sigh. I was curious but more scared. If it turns out that it really was my dream, then it’ll be very embarrassing. No, I won’t make myself more embarrassed. I’ll observe her behavior. Yeah! If we’ve kissed again, she’ll avoid eye contact with me and will try her best to keep a distance. I nodded to myself and continued my shower.
After I was done, I put on the suit Veronica brought and was now standing in front of the mirror, trying to put on my tie, but because I didn’t know how to wear it, I was only getting frustrated. At home, our house manager, Mrs. Evans does it for me. I clenched my jaw and untied the wrong knots aggressively.
“Having a hard time wearing a simple tie?” I looked at the source of the voice and found Janet standing at the door with her shoulder resting against the corner of it and hands crossed against her breasts. Seeing her, my heart skipped a beat and breath become heavy. The flashes of that kiss began to play in my head and turned me on. She chuckles and walks towards me. Her black pencil heels leave a tap sound with every single step she takes, “Give it to me,” she says, showing me her palm with a sweet smile on her lovely face. I smiled back and handed her the tie, “Isn’t it unbelievable that the CEO of huge enterprises can’t wear a tie?” She puts it on my neck and shakes her head. I didn’t respond. Her closeness has jammed my brain and turned me mute and unable to move. She looks me in the eyes and smiled before bringing her focus back to my tie. I fisted my palm and exhaled a shaky breath.
Janet’s polite and sweet behavior towards me tells me that we didn’t do anything last night. Well, I’m... very disappointed! I sighed and looked away. Wait, did I apologize to her or not? I looked back at her and realized that I hadn’t because if I had, she wouldn’t be helping with my tie... Or maybe she’s helping because she’s forgiven me?
Goddamnit, I’ve to ask her!
“Ja-
No, Paxton, not yet! Don’t ruin this moment.
She bit her lower lip and tilted her face a little. A smile spread across her face as she puts knots over knots. I lowered my head a little and smiled too. Janet was gorgeous. I’ve said it before but her closure was breathtaking. Her sexy plum lips were stained with brown lipstick. Her hair was gathered in top of her head in a pony tail and there was a cute frown on her forehead. Everything about her looks screams perfection. Be it her sexy figure, long dark brown hair; her gorgeous hazel eyes, her dressing sense, or the way she smelled. I moved my eyes lower and lower and gulped. My breath picked up and I began to feel a weird sensation throughout my body. I couldn’t help but yearn to grab her waist and kiss her so hard. I have never felt this way about anyone. My hormones are racing. My skin tingles where her fingers are tracing over my chest and neck. I feel like squirming with needy, achy... discomfort. I don’t understand this reaction. My eyes inadvertently went over her cleavage, which was in very perfect view from this point, but instead of increasing my urge by staring at it, I looked away.
Why is she so damned attractive?
“Done,” She joined her palms together and took a step back, a huge smile on her face as she stared at my tie in true satisfaction. I let out the breath that I’d been holding and smiled at my tie. My heartbeats are still not in control. It was beating so hard that I could hear it in my ears, “Thanks,” I said, not looking her in the face.
“You’re welcome. Well, now that you’re done with your tie, come and have breakfast. We’re running late already!”
“Sure. But have you seen my phone?”
“Your phone?” I nodded, “Nope, I haven’t seen it!”
I sighed, “It means I’ve either lost it or didn’t bring it. Nevermind, let’s go!”
“Did you check your blazer?” She asked, pointing her finger at my blazer on the bed. I looked at it and shook my head at her before I grabbed it and checked its pockets. My eyes widened when I found my phone inside. She grins, “You’re welcome again!”
“How did you know it was here? Did you put it?” I asked in complete amazement. She replied, “No, I’ve just seen you putting your phone in there many times!”
“You’re pretty impressive sometimes, you know that?”
She chuckled, “Thanks,” I smiled and then we walked out of the room together. As I was out in the hallway, the person I greeted was Veronica, who was sited at the dining table, reading some law book.
“Please, sit!” Janet says, pointing her palm at the table. I made my way across the room and sat down opposite Veronica as I’d been directed. The table is laden with food. Janet took her seat next to me and began to serve me food.
“Thank you for organizing the clothes, by the way,” I mumbled, looking at the delicious breakfast before me. Did she really make all of this?
“No problem, Mr. Grey. That color suits you!”
I smiled and picked up the fork, “I should give you some money for these clothes,” She glares at me as if I had offended her on some level, “Or maybe not!” I quickly added. She didn’t say a word and looked down at her plate as she cut a slide of omelet with the help of a fork and knife, “About last night,” I started, bringing her eyes back on me, “I have no idea what I did cause I can’t remember a thing. But if, in any way, I’ve done something that is unacceptable or very inappreciative. I apologize for that!”
“Yeah, you do owe me an apology for breaking into my house!”
“Fuck, I broke into your house?” I almost screamed, “I’m extremely sorry, Janet. I hope you can forgive me?” I feel terrible and very embarrassed.
She laughed, “Relax, Mr. Grey, I was kidding,” I gave her a flat look for this pathetic joke of hers, “You didn’t break into my house, nor did you do anything that you should apologies for!”
Thank god!
“Well, that’s a relief to know that I did nothing stupid, but don’t you wanna know what I came for?” I asked, my eyes boring into hers. She looks at Veronica then back at me, “I came to apologise to you, Ms. Reyes!” I let out a low chuckle and looked at my plate which I hadn’t touched yet, “Since I can’t remember anything, I don’t know if I apologized or not-
“Yes, you did, Mr. Grey. You came here all drunk and asked me for my forgiveness, then after I had forgiven you, you got knocked out!”
“You forgive me?” I couldn’t believe that after everything I did to her she has a heart to forgive me, “Tell me, Janet. Have you really forgiven me?”
“I’m making you breakfast, Mr. Grey,” she corner smiled, “Isn’t that enough for you to believe?”
“Yeah! I mean, after how I treated you, I expected you to slap me hard on my other cheek this time!”
She laughs, “Well, when you confessed everything to me with those sincere eyes of yours... I couldn’t stay mad!” My heart did a back flip hearing her. I could feel a warm sensation in my cheeks. Am I blushing?
I grinned, “Thank you, Janet. I promise I won’t make you regret it!” She smiles back and we all begin to eat. My heart was dancing and cheeks began to hurt because of smiling like that, but I couldn’t help. Now that she has forgiven me, I can ask her out. Talk to her without feeling ashamed or guilty or anything. I took the spoon of pasta but then my eyes inadvertently went over Janet’s fingers, which she was tapping on the table as if she was nervous about something. My smile shortened and eyes were snapped on her face.
Did I get played?
