•Word Count: 1,777
He doesn't seem as surprised when he catches my gaze, because he just looks back through eyes that gleam further when his mouth stretches into a rare smile, I even spot an indentation I didn't know was there.
He continues to talk on the phone, as he goes to take the seat beside Élise, on the opposite side from where I would sit.
Occupied with his phone call, his hand reaches across the table, and he grabs a paper.It isn't until he holds it up for inspection, that I notice it's the paper I drafted last night, and to my absolute horror, he turns my father's message over on the table so he can read it upright.
I attempt to appear calm while I'm everything but, pouring my coffee into a mug.
For a while, this man had been appearing everywhere and I can't even bring myself to ask him about anything, my mind scorns me.I don't notice that he's ended the call until he turns to look at me, holding my paper up in the air.
"Homework on a Saturday morning ?" He asks with an easy smile.
"It's a conundrum" I offer with a smile of my own, mine less relaxed than his.
He looks back at the paper, and then at the paper lying on the table -my father's.
"On a wild guess, there's a hidden message somewhere in this-" He says pointing at my father's paper.
"And this is you attempting to work it out" He turns my draft to give me a clear view of my scribbles. I just nod."And this is your attempt at flirting" I say holding up his letter, in just the same manner. He throws his head back in a loud laugh, making me realise that this is the first time I've heard him laugh this hard.
A smile and a laugh. If I'm lucky enough, I might get some answers too.
"Forgive me if I creeped you out, but it's not everyday that I encounter a woman with such fluid reflexes and a sophisticated wit" He admits with a smile, pearly whites winking at me. He has the nerve to look sheepish.
I just stand there, having completely forgotten the ability to talk. He motions for the seat across from him.
As though compelled, I place the letter and the croissant on the counter, the urge to eat long forgotten, my belly occupied by something else.Without asking, I pour him coffee as well, thinking it would be rude not to, and carry it with me to the table.
He accepts the coffee with a subtle 'Thank you' that I return thoughtlessly.
"I have a proposal." He says after taking his first sip. Upon placing his mug, he directs his gaze at me, waiting for my answer.
"And that would be..?" I egg him on.
"I have a few hours before my first meeting for today" He says after taking a good look at his watch, before continuing;
"The café doesn't open until at least two hours from now" My frown at his knowing of the exact time the coffee shop opens disappears immediately once I remember that he's a close friend of Juniper's.
Just for assurance, I glance at the door, which sure enough has the 'ouvre' sign facing the inside of the shop, meaning the 'closed' sign is on full display for passers-by.
I'd like to think Elias missed it."We ought to make use of this time to put ourselves out of our queries" He proposes.
I like the sound of that."However, I want you to know that I'll answer to the same degree you answer; in other words, should you to attempt a lie about anything or hold back an answer, I would do the same" When he says this, he's looking straight into my eyes, pinning me to the spot.
VOUS LISEZ
Heiress in Distress
Roman d'amourWhen forced to take a wrecked plane in an endless sky of riddles, Mira chooses to skydive. Only to land on the turbulence that is Elias, a prosperous businessman with questionable ties. ...