4.Desire in Disguise The Unexpected Revelation
Williams POV:
I hate myself for doing this, but that woman continues pushing me. I will do what I need to do right now. I've tried several women, but the notion of her never leaves me. I should not be thinking about her. Not now. Not ever.
With a furious sigh, I rose from my desk and paced the length of my office. My thoughts were jumbled, entangled in emotions I couldn't afford to feel. She's just an employee, I reminded myself. A damn good one, yes, but nothing more.
I strolled to the window and looked out at the metropolitan skyline, attempting to clear my mind. It was not intended to be like this. I am the CEO of this corporation, and I have complete power over everything and everyone.
I remembered how she looked at me in the conference this morning, her eyes filled with a ferocious resolve that I couldn't help but respect. She regarded me as if I were just another challenge to overcome, and damn it, I wanted to be more than that.
I just spotted her through the glass walls of her office, still working, fully unconscious that I was observing. Davis strolled in and gave her something. She smiled at him—a genuine smile, something I had never seen directed at me.
Something terrible twisted inside my chest. He got to see another side of her, one that wasn't all business and harsh edges. I despised the way she manipulated me and my emotions. I despised it. I despised him. But most of all, I despised the way she made me feel—like I was losing control, as if I needed her approval, her attention. It was pathetic.
Davis said something that made her giggle, and I had to turn away to avoid doing anything stupid. Like March over there and drag him out of her office, or worse, admit to her that she was getting on my nerves.
No. I would not give her that satisfaction. She was a distraction, and distractions were harmful. I had to stay focused and keep my distance.
But even as I thought it, I realized it was a lie. I did not wish to keep my distance. I wanted her, even though I refused to admit it to myself.
I ran my hand through my hair, pushing myself to breathe and settle down. Tomorrow, I would bury myself in work, forgetting about her and how she makes me feel. I'd remind myself that this is just business, and she is just an employee.
But, when I switched off my office light and grabbed my jacket, I couldn't help but glance in her direction one final time.
And that's when I knew that rejecting it wouldn't make it go away. Because each time I saw her, my desire grew stronger. And that scared me.
I went to the bar because I needed a distraction from her. She is dangerous. I need to control myself.
"Man, you've been here all along and I didn't realize? "How come?" John speaks from the other side.
"What up big buddy?" I offered a handshake.
"Nice bar!" He shouted.
"Right"
"You come here on a daily basis?" he inquired.
"Only when I need a distraction," I breathed.
"Distractions? Mr CEO, it is unlikely that you would welcome a diversion. He laughed.
"Who is it?" he inquired.
"A woman from workplace." I yelped out because I couldn't help anymore.
"Ha lady from the office. I can't help; she must be your age." He yielded.
"She's 25." I replied blankly.
"Man, I'm 26 myself and haven't gotten a girl my age how come you bagged one?" He mentioned something shocking.
"Not yet," I reassured.
"Hey, I know a spot that's extremely enjoyable. Pretty girls and sensual dance, but not vulgar," He suggested.
"Not interested" I disregarded.
"C'mon man up lets go."
"Okay" I said, rolling my eyes.
After 20 minutes of riding, we arrived at our destination. This place is unfamiliar to me. It's new to me. "Belly Dance" said the dashboard.
"John the Great, why the heck would you bring me here? "What makes you think I'd like to belly dance?" My gosh, this kid! It's amazing that he and Bella are nearly the same age. Bella carries herself with a lot of security and maturity. And this man here behaves like a 15-year-old youngster with variable hormone levels.
"Chill! We will attend as an audience." He soothed me.
"It better be that way." I responded I was already fed up.
We walked into the studio and saw girls practicing dance with sparkles on their bellies. I honestly couldn't care less.
We grabbed our seats and watched the girls rehearse.
It was better than the club. The girls seemed to appreciate this place, and I could tell they felt much safer here than they did at the club.
After a few minutes, the lights were turned off and whispering could be heard. The spotlights are focused on the middle of the stage, where I believe there is a woman dressed in a peacock suit. I am not going to lie, she had a great body. I couldn't see since she was just starting to perform, and we could only see her back. I must admit that she's also an excellent performer. Women are cheering. John and I were the only men there because John's father owned the theater. It was a women-only dance studio, although certain trusted guys were permitted.
She finally turned to face us, making a sexy and sensual circular move. And I lose my friggin mind. What the fuck is Bella doing here?
Does she dance? How come I never knew that? Dance, and that too belly dancing. This woman never ceases to surprise me. I wasn't sure what to anticipate. Bella had never mentioned dancing, and I didn't know her as someone who did. She was always so focused and pushed by work. It was almost impossible to imagine her on stage, acting.
Bella appeared on stage, bathed in gentle, sensual light.
I paused, my breath caught in my throat as she moved with grace I had never seen before, her body undulating in time with the music. Her belly dancing was enthralling, with each movement flowing and seductive, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. This includes me.
She wasn't just dancing; she was ruling the stage, claiming every beat and stride with an elegance that mesmerized me.
I couldn't take my eyes away.
I should leave. I should not be here.
"She's something else," John exclaims, claiming she's attractive. There is no way I am going away now. I don't think he wants to die so soon. I can't be violent, but I need to make him look away. It is unacceptable for any male other than me to stare at her when she is this attractive. Everyone needs to understand that she belongs to me. That headstrong woman is mine to deal with and gaze at.
I felt John move next me and lean forward in his seat. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his stare following her every motion, and something dark and primordial erupted within me. Anger. Jealousy. Possessiveness. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to react, grab him by the collar, and haul him out of the theater right then.
John let out a faint whistle. "Damn, she is incredible. "I had no idea she had that in her."
My fists clenched, and my nails dug into my hands. I couldn't tolerate how he looked at her, like if she were something to be desired and taken. My jaw tightened as I struggled to maintain a neutral expression despite my inner rage.
"That's enough," My words hardly concealed the rage that was boiling beneath the surface. John looked at me, puzzled.
"We're just watching a show."
I couldn't sit there and let him look at her like way. I needed him out of here, away from her.
"Actually," I continued, with a casual tone, "I just remembered something." One of the figures in the report provided by your father this morning is incorrect. We need to look into it right immediately.
John grimaced, plainly unwilling to leave. "Now? "Can't it wait?"
"No," I said, harsher than I meant. I softened my tone, attempting to hide the desperation. "It is important. If we don't solve it now, we'll be behind schedule tomorrow."
He hesitated, returning his gaze to the stage, where Bella continued to dance, blissfully unconscious of the pain she was generating in me. Finally, he moaned and rose. "Fine. Let's go.
I rose up, my body tensed, and led the way out of the theater. As we approached the exit, I felt a pang of satisfaction. I had gotten him away from her. But as soon as John stepped outside, I paused.
"You go ahead," I replied, avoiding his stare. "I'll catch up."
"What? But—"
"I won't take long. "I just need to make a quick call."
He paused, evidently bewildered, before nodding and walking away. When he left, I turned and crept back into the theatre, taking a seat in the shadows so I could watch without being noticed.
And there she was, still dancing and fascinating. However, this time I was the only one watching. My chest relaxed slightly as I realized she was no longer under John's gaze.
I wasn't sure why I felt this way. That made no sense. Bella was just Bella. My employee, with whom I had competed as a fierce rival. There's nothing more. But as I saw her move with confidence and grace, I realized I had been lying to myself.
She was more than that. Much more.
I wanted her. I wanted her to be mine, and mine alone.
But what worried me was the strength of that desire, how it devoured me, causing me to act impulsively and possessively. I didn't want to feel this way, but there was no denying it.
As the final chords of the music played and Bella took her final, exquisite bow, I realized for certain that I wasn't just in denial. I was in trouble.
And I didn't know how to deal with it.