Chapter Four: Bound To A Storm

Still Annalise's POV:
I walk up to the apartment and go in then head to my room. Today's been long, and tiring. I need a bath.

I go into the bathroom and turn the hot tap on. I waited and my mind wondered else where..him. We were both dancing together. It felt so real and I didn't want to let this vision end. I felt at home. But i had to because by the time i came to my senses, the bath was halfway full. Before i bathed, I quickly brushed my teeth.

I stripped, then got in. I washed my hair then my body and face. After a couple hours soaking in the bathtub, i got out and pulled the plug. Wrapping a towel around me, i walked into my small-ish room and sat on the bed. It felt nice feeling clean again, since i've been so busy lately.

I put some more comfortable clothes on and snaked underneath my covers. I grabbed my favourite book and began reading where i last left off, Chapter 10. After half an hour, i dozed off...

6:00AM, the next morning.
No. I'm not getting up. I'm too cold.
....
....

Just flipping get up already, Annalise.
*stands up and stretches*
Mmmmm.. Gosh that was a nice sleep.

I go to bathroom, do the toilet stuff, clean my teeth and wash my face. I walk over to my closet and open it to choose a suitable dress to wear. After few minutes i decide.

I slip it on, put stockings underneath and wear brown boots to match. After styling my hair, putting some light makeup on and putting gloves on, i head out of my apartment and to work. Now i'm going to have to deal with him by myself for more than six hours. At least Prudence will be there. She's the sweetest dog i have ever and will ever meet.

I arrive, and the first person i see unlocking the door is Mr Scrooge. The Devil himself. i hesitate for a second then walk over to greet him.

Scrooge's POV:
I hate mornings. Just wish it was warmer.
"Mr Scrooge!"

Humbug! I forgot that i told her to come back today. God, i'm not in the mood at all.

"Mr Scroooogeee.."
She nudges me slightly and i look at her. You cannot miss those emerald green eyes. Her dress makes them stand out more, and she actually styled her hair for once. Wow. I come back to reality and see that she's still waiting for me to greet her back.

"U-Uhm.. Goodmorning, Miss Bennett."

"Thought you was giving me the cold shoulder then. That would've been awkward."

"Hm.. yes. It would have. Ladies first." I unlock the door and let her go inside first.

"Since when did you have manners, Sir?" she lets out a laugh and walks in. "Thank you."

"Oh yes ha-ha. Very funny Bennett." i go inside after her and Prudence follows next to me.

"I know. I'm feeling proud of myself, and where's Prudence?" she turns to her and sits on her knees to stroke her head. Prudence pants and rolls onto her back which indicates Anna to give her belly rubs. It's nice to see that people care about my dog. I smile without realising until she points it out.

"My, My! What do we have here? Mr Ebeneezer Scrooge is smiling!" she's staring at me. Shit. do something, say something.

My smile slowly fades and i huff in annoyance as i shut the front door. I take off my trench coat and hat and hang them up as well as my cane.

"I was not smiling."

"Don't lie! i saw it with my own eyes!" she stands up and brushes the dog hair off her skirt.

"No, no. No you didn't. You're the one that's lying. Eyes can deceive you know?"

"Yeahhh but i still saw it! I made you smileeee." she creeps up next to me and prods my arm over and over with the same two fingers on each hand.

"Fine fine, maybe you did see. Only because of Prudence."

"Alright. I'll believe you.. for now." she walks over to her desk and sits down then slips her gloves off. Her skin looks soft.

I curse at myself for thinking the last bit, but i can't pull my eyes away. There's something about her that's been intriguing me for the past couple weeks but i cannot make it out. Maybe it's her personality? The energy she radiates? Her smile? Her laughter? I don't know.

Annalise's POV:
I can feel him staring at me. It's been going on for a good thirty seconds now. Should i make eye-contact? No. That'll make it awkward. But would it? No. Yes! No?

I pull my head up and look at him. He eyes widen and he whips his head away. I could see his face reddening though. It was funny.

"Why were you staring at me?" i question.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." he goes to the cupboard on the other side of the room and gets two new jars of ink out.

"My gosh, stop lying! I know when someones staring at me. I can feel their eyes burning into me. It's not pleasing, you know?"

No response. I don't think he knows what to say back. I caught him off guard.

I let out a small laugh to which he hears.

"Stop laughing. It's not funny."

"i caught you off guard!" i sing in a happy tune. I repeat it a couple times then look at him. He's staring again.

But this time, he doesn't look away filled with embarrassment. He locks eyes with me and as much as i want to break it and look away, i cannot. It's like he's put me under a trance.

Crap, he's walking towards me and I can't look away!

He's now a few centermeters from me. I gulp.

"Uh.. S-Sir?" he leans down slowly towards my face. I can feel my cheeks getting hot. I try to lean back but his hand stops me. Shit shit shit shit shit. What's he doing??

I look behind me at his hand and turn my head back around to see that he's nose in nearly touching mine. Oh my Lord..

He leans down and whispers.

"Your ink pot looks empty. Let me fill it up."

At this point i didn't know what to say. My face was beetroot red, I had butterflies in my stomach and my head was racing with different thoughts and questions. I'm scared to what move he might pull next.

He opens the lid of the ink with his free hand and starts pouring it into my empty jar, never breaking eye contact with me.

"There. That's better." he says, then glances down towards my lips. He puts the newer, but empty ink pot on my desk. He leans down towards my ear once more and whispers again.

"If you laugh at me again, i'll give you something to really laugh at in the morning."

My heart started to beat faster with every word he said. I look up at him.

"What.. do you mean by that?"Curious to what he'll say.

"Oh, you know what i mean" he looks at me and smirks ever so slightly. He then moves away and starts walking to his office.

"Now get to work, Miss."
——————————————————
whilst writing this, it made me have butterflies 😳😳 1244 words :o

Comment