Clarity's POV

"Hey, are you okay?" Ethan asked me when we—me, him, Sarah and Mrs. Rosalie—ride the elevator at The King Tower.

I nod and giving him a weak smile.

Physically? Yes.

Mentally? No.

I've been quiet since this morning. I was very nervous. My hands are trembling and despite the cold weather outside, I sweats a little too much. I've been into dozens of tenders and meetings with rich and important people before but this time is different. This project is basically my baby, my responsibilities and everything is in my hands either we will get it or not because the main ideas was mine and I'm basically the Project Leader. Yup, you heard it right. My Bosses with all their graciousness chose me to be the Project Leader and basically giving me a raise to this position which is the highest position on the field—that if we got the deal.

Oh and if you're wondering how Ethan was here in New York with us, Mr. Davis couldn't make it to the presentation today so Ethan filled in his place.

We stepped into the conference room at floor 40. The room was bigger than the last one with large shiny wooden table as the center that take most of the space of the room and at least twenty two black leather chairs lining up around it. The room was still empty. Lucy said that Mr. Leonard King and the other Mr. King—which is his brother and his uncle also some other people will join us soon.

Moments later people start coming and fill in the empty chairs. They left four chairs at the end of the table empty which are the middle—or the throne chair, and one chair at its left and the other two at its right—which is next to mine.

The conversation that flowing in the room on suddenly stopped and everyone rose up from their seat when Mr. Tamp—I mean Mr. Leonard King entering the room followed by two other men. One was few years older than him—that must be his brother, and the other was in his fifties—that must be his uncle. The three of them having this some sort of strong aura so their presence was instantly filled the room. Behind them, there was Gabriella walking with her head up high.

Instead of dark brown like Leonard, his brother has a blond hair that glued neatly to the back. Both of them has the same height and size even though Leonard was slightly bigger than his brother. Other than that, the only similar features between them are strong jawline and the same steel blue eyes that can cut deep in to our souls. Both of them looking all dapper wearing identical designer grey suit that fits perfectly on their toned−chiseled−gorgeous body and broad shoulder.

My gaze following Leonard King and his Uncle as they made their way towards my direction and Leonard King sat down next to me while his uncle sat next to his while his brother at the throne chair. I expect a smirk, a grin, a smile or anything playfulness from him but there's none. His face was dead serious. Well, that's a first.

When we were halfway of the presentation and Mrs. Rosalie is now presentating about our work, my hands start to tremble again. In minutes will be my turn to speak. Nervous start to taking over. Without realizing it I tap my index finger rapidly on my right thigh. I always did that when I was nervous or thinking so hard about something.

I bit my inner lip to calm myself then all of sudden I feel a hand slides on top of my right hand and squeezing it lightly. I froze. I glance over to see that it was Mr. Tampon's. His attention was focused on the screen but his strong hand is holding mine and made an imaginary circle with his thumb. It feels like he knows that I was feeling nervous and he tried to comfort... me?

I don't know why but I found his touch was somehow calming me down and made me feel at ease.

I don't know what's gotten into me, instead trying to let go of his hand, I slightly flip over my hand and squeeze his hand back, thanking him. Then he took the opportunity to intertwined our fingers together. I shift a little on my chair as an electric wave run down my spine while our fingers fully connected and he was letting out a breath that I don't even know he's been holding. After few seconds he leans a little to my side and whispered, "Everything is going to be amazing. I know you'll do great. Just relax." I nod and I smiled. Not a weak smile or a fake smile but a real genuine smile that comes from my heart because of his reassuring words. He then straightened up his position again but our hands still intertwined. And with that, I know and I believe that I can do it.

What is this man do to me?

And he was right. The presentation went super smooth. I'm proud of myself for not tripping at my own sentences.

Thanks to Mr. Tampon, I guess?

When the event ends, everyone hurried to left the room. But Mr. Liam King—Leonard's Uncle stopped me. "Ms. Adam." He held his hand for a hand shake. I'm gladly to accept it.

"Mr. Liam King."

"That was amazing. I believe that your idea will give us a big fortune. You're still very young and have very amazing talent." He smiled.

"Thank you, Sir. It wasn't just me, it was my team too."

"Ah, I see." There's a moment of silence while he tap his index finger on his chin. Like observing me or something. Then he continue, "How old are you Ms. Adam?"

"Twenty six, Sir."

He just nod. "Do you know my son Leonard? Did you two have met before?"

Uh-oh. How am I suppose to answer that? Yes, we've met at the tampon aisle at the store and your nephew is one arrogant man I've ever met. Or worse, did he see that we were basically holding hands throughout the meeting? Our hands were under the table and I'm sure people weren't aware about it but he was sitting next to Leonard, and Ugh! "Uhm... I... We..."

"Uncle. Let's go, we still have another meeting in ten minutes and we don't want to be late." Leonard's brother—Arion King approach his Uncle. Good riddance. "You will heard from us on Thursday about the project. Now excuse us, Ms. Adam." His voice was stone cold and clear. He's glancing me for a second then make his way towards the door and dissapear behind it. Oookay.

"Very well then. It's nice to meet you Ms. Adam." Mr. Liam King shook my hand once again.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. King." I answered

Then he pat Leonard on the shoulder that I just realize already stood beside him and giving him an unknown look before dissapear behind the door.

"Don't mind about my brother. He has a lot of things going on right now. But he's actually a nice guy." Leonard said while inserted one of his hand into his pocket.

"What? Pfffft... No, It's okay. There's nothing to be sorry about." I wave my hand in front of me.

Suddenly he stepped forward, erasing the space between us. Uhhh, excuse me, too close. "You're doing great by the way." He smiled. "My Uncle was right, young and talented. Not mention also very smart and beautiful." He put a strain of hair that falls on my face behind my ear. His hand now rested on my jawline while his thumb circling on my cheek. God, how I love it when he did that. Mmmmmm.

Then he lowered his head and I could feel his warm breath on my skin. I feel like the world turn in to slow motion as our face were only inches apart.

And suddenly the door was opened, "Clarie are you—"

I frantically took a step back and make a big distance between our body.

"Uhh, sorry to ruin the moment. I'll just—" Sarah cleared her throat, "—We'll just waiting for you downstair." Sarah that stood at the edge of the door now slaming the door close and leave us alone again.

We stood there in akward silence. I can't looking at him in the eye right now so I focused my attention at the nice grey carpet. I feel like my cheeks are burning. I'm sure that my cheeks are turning red right now.

I feel him stepping closer but before any further thing could be happen again, I decided to excuse myself, "I'm sorry, I have to go. Thank you, Mr. King." In seconds I was at the door, swung it open and not bother to close it again, I jogged towards the elevator.

Once I was inside the elevator I push the lobby floor and let out the breath that I didn't realized I have been hold. What the heck that just happened? Good thing now I don't need to face him again at least until next week. Ha! But just right before the elevator doors shut, it was opened again and reveal a handsome tall muscular man stood in behind it. The Mr. Tampon itself. Uh-oh. Too soon for a week.

He stepped in casually, swiped a card and pressed some button. I took a large step to the side until my body now at the corner of the square wall while he was at the other side. We rode the elevator in silence. Uncomfortable and akward silence. This couldn't be getting any akward, right?

Seconds later he decided to break the silence, "Who is he?"

"Who?"

"The guy that with you. I saw you with him at the parking lot back at the store. Now he's with you too. Who is he?"

"Ethan?" His face still remain and its like telling me to answer my own question."It's Ethan. I think he's already introduce his name at the meeting before."

"I don't give a shit about his name. Who is he to you? Your boyfriend?" his voice was deep and clear.

Why everyone is keep thinking that Ethan is my boyfriend? But above all, I was taken aback with his question, "He is—wait, why should I answered you? And why do you wanna know?"

In a second he was now already stood in front of me. Hovering me with his chiseled body. As he stepping closer, I took a little step backward until my back hit the cold metal wall. He put his right hand at the elevator wall trapping me. Then he use his free hand to tilt my head so he can look at me deeply in the eyes. I gulp. He is once again lowering his head until our faces were only inches apart. But then he stopped.

"When I asked you, I want you to answer me. Don't test my patience, baby." His voice so demanding, dominant and sexy. Wait what? Sexy? I can see that his blue eyes was now darkened.

I gulp again. After two seconds I finally answered, "He is a co-worker and a friend." I paused for a moment then continue, "No, he's not my boyfriend." I tried to put my poker face but I knew that I failed. This man is doing something to me that made my knees goes weak.

"Hmmm..." A smirk start to form on his face. "Do you have one?" His left hand still hold my chin and now his thumb caressing it slowly.

"No." My voice was low and almost came out as a whimper.

"Good." He then giving me a long kiss at my face right at the corner of my lips. It didn't touch my lips but very close for me to having my first kiss.

Ding.

The elevator doors finally opened at the lobby floor.

"See you around, Clarity." He turn his body to the side, setting me free from his trap. I hesitate to walk outside the elevator but after couple steps I can't helped it and turn around to see him once again. He stood still in the middle of the elevator and when the doors about to close, he's winking at me and giving me a devilish grin.

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"Now spill." Sarah crossed her arms on the table as we seat across to each other's at Starbucks. We were sitting at the table by the window so we had a very clear view of the streets. Ethan and Mrs. Rosalie are already fly back to San Diego.

"I'm wearing white, Sarah. It will stained." I said innocently while sipping my hot green tea latte.

"Stop playing games with me Clarity. Now choose, either you spilling me about whatever it is between you and Leonard King or I will spilling that favorite drink of yours all over your white sweaters. I prefer the latter, though." There's no playfulness in her voice. She was pissed.

It's been three days since she caught me and Leonard King at The King Tower. And I've been avoiding the topic or just simply said that I will tell her in time but I guess she was running out of patience now.

I sigh. "Fine." I take my time to place my cup at the table. Maybe a little too long. I really don't want to talk about him because the truth is I really can't get him out of my mind since Monday and its Thursday.

"Anytime now Clarity."

I groaned and running my fingers through my hair and makes some strains of hair fall on my face. "Do you remember couple weeks ago when I told you that I ran into this arrogant prick yet handsomely man at the store?"

She nod. "Mmm-hmm."

"Yeah. Basically Leonard King is—"

"That arrogant prick yet handsomely man that you met at the store?! No Way. Shut Up! Shut Up! Shut Up!!" she shook the table and my drink almost spilled from its place.

"Sarah, calm down." I said as I hold the table. She's basically dancing at her chair.

"Now everything is making sense! He is falling in love with you at the first sight and so did you even though you don't want to admit it. And faith is just so on your side so both of you met again and will be working under the same roof anytime soon. And then it will only about time you two will be together, getting married, having kids and live happily ever after." She claps her hands at the last sentence.

My jaw drop. I was taken aback by her crazy theories.

"What?" she finally notice my expression. "Don't think that I didn't notice you and him holding hands during the presentation." She rest her back on her chair.

"You did?" I can't help but cringe at my own question.

"Yes. And so my Mom, Ethan, and half of the people at the room."

Shoot.

"Oh My God..." I cover my face with both of my palms. I feel my cheeks are burning.

"So, did you guys do it?"

"Do what?" I put one of my hands away.

"You know... When I was interrupted you—which is I am truly sorry about—you guys are about to kissing, right? Did you get to do it?"

"Thank God, no. Thanks to you too, by the way." I thank her.

"I said I'm sorry, Clarie. I know I was so stupid to ruin the moment. I'm really sorry." She plead.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "That was supposed to be a thank you not a sarcastic that I usually thrown, Sarah. You know that."

She giggled. "So, what happened then?"

"Nothing. I basically running for my life to the elevator. But..." I paused.

"But?"

"When I was at the elevator, you know. He approached me and hekindakissmeonthecheek." I mumbled.

"Wait, what? I thought I heard you said that he kinda kiss you on the cheek." She raise her eyebrows.

I shrugged.

The next thing I know she was dancing on her chair again and demanding me to telling her more. I tell her about Leonard question about Ethan and then as usual she made another assumption that he was jealous over Ethan.

Sarah is keep talking about our unrealistic future as I looked out at the window when the first snowflakes were fall. "Oh My God, it's snowing!" I quickly sat up from my chair and hurried outside.

Watching snow with my own eyes and touch a real snowflakes with my hands was one of my bucket list. My country back home doesn't have snow and so does California. So here I am, 26 years old, trying to catch a snowflake for the first time.

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I'll try my best to post an update at least three—four times a week.
Thank you for reading this story and please don't forget to vote. Thank you

Xx
Anya