Chapter 3

• The arm around me made me feel secure. Half of my left cheek was against a hard chest. I felt bad that I am actually making his expensive shirt wet. We were now out of the entrance door and he started to walk going to the right side of the building where the car park was.
• "Millie?"
• I immediately halted and my accidental hero had no choice but to stop walking too. When I saw my cousin Christian, I could no longer control sobbing. I quickly ran to him and cried on his chest and he enveloped me in his arms.
• "Hey! What did you do to her?!" he angrily asked so I removed my face off his chest and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.
• "Nothing! He actually helped me!" I said and turned to say thank you to my savior but all I could see was his back.
• I turned my eyes back at Christian, "Please take me home," I sobbed.
• ***
• "Can we talk?" came Ava's voice.
• Parker turned, he had a heavy frown.
• "I'll leave you two," Zoe said and tapped his shoulder. She nodded at Ava before leaving.
• Parker cleared his throat when she was out of sight. "I thought we were done talking? I told you the truth and that's it. I have nothing more to add."
• "Let's not talk here. Come on."
• With a heavy sigh, he just followed his cousin outside.
• "Now tell me nothing's going between you and Zoe," Ava looked at him with accusing eyes.
• Parker's eyes became half slits, "Where did that accusing statement come from? We weren't kissing for Chrissake!"
• "You weren't but you were so engaged in your talk that anyone would think like I do!"
• He shook his head and raked his fingers through his hair. "This is all nonsense! No offense but I need not explain myself to you. I will talk to Camille to clear things. We better go back or Caleb will come out looking for us," he made an action of walking away but Ava took hold of his arm.
• "You better do that the soonest. Talk to her and assure her that there's nothing between you and Zoe. I feel responsible for Camille since I was the one who introduced her to you and please don't make me regret what I did. I had faith in you and I wanted you to be with a good woman. Your girlfriend is one of a kind Parker so don't take her for a ride or you will regret it," her voice sounded sad but hopeful.
• Parker didn't react and was immobile for a few moments. When Ava released his arm, he walked away.
• ***
• I didn't sleep a wink and my head felt like it would split in half. Since Anne was away, I had to be at the coffee shop which we own, earlier than usual. But first, I needed a shower and then a big cup of joe . Uttering a sound of complain, I dragged myself out of bed and went to the bathroom.
• I felt much better after that shower. I put on a casual pair of top and pants. I just applied nude colored lipstick and put my hair up in a ponytail. I remembered to switch on my phone as I sip my coffee and finished writing my task list on my planner. My brows creased when I saw messages from Parker which I ignored. When I was about to leave, my phone started to ring. I knew it was him and I didn't want to take the call but I know he won't stop calling. With a heavy sigh, I tapped the call button.
• "I'm in a hurry. Let's just talk later. I'll text you what time I'll be free today." I lied.
• I hung up without waiting for his reply. I wasn't planning to meet him. I didn't feel like listening or talking to him yet. Feeling rushed I grabbed my planner and put it inside my tote bag then head to the door. I was almost running as I approached the parking lot.
• "Oh no!" I uttered after fumbling for my car keys. I then looked inside my bag and frustratingly searched for them.
• "Aw!" I yelped as I collided with someone.
• Two strong hands stopped me from falling. I raised my face and I couldn't help but gasp.
• "Are you naturally clumsy?" asked the tall man with the deepest blue eyes I've had ever seen.
• I blinked my eyes. His hold seemed familiar. I straightened and shook my arms. He heaved a sigh and freed them. I put a safe distance between us but I couldn't seem to remove my eyes from him. There was no denying that he was super hot and he had an air of authority. His eyes were the color of the ocean and his thick brows complimented them. He had an aquiline nose, high cheekbones, sexy kissable lips, a square jaw with stubble. He was like a Greek god who came to life. He was very tall, taller than Parker and appeared to be much hunkier under his long-sleeved powder blue shirt. My cheating soon to be ex's good-looks were inferior to this male specie who was now looking at me with disapproving eyes.
• "Last night you were running away from God knows what and now you were rummaging in your bag while walking which is utterly dangerous," he drawled. Even his voice suited his magnetic personality.
• I swallowed a sound of embarrassment and frustration. It dawned on me that this was the man from last night. His image was blurry because my eyes were wet with unshed tears. And now that I had a clear view of him, I didn't know if it was good or not. He was a sight to behold but he frightened me somehow. I bit the inside of my lower lip. I realized that frightened wasn't the appropriate word. The feelings I was having were difficult to describe. But one thing was definite, my heart was beating fast. I didn't know how alluring I appeared as I stared back at him. I tried hard to not show any emotion when his eyes traveled from my face down my body. I was holding my breath as he did it. It made me feel very self-conscious. I almost uttered a sound of relief when his eyes quickly went back to mine. My heart skipped a beat when our eyes locked again.
• "I'm s-sorry," I mumbled.
• I saw the glint in his eyes so I said sorry in a louder voice because I wasn't sure if he heard me clearly the first time.
• He gave a short nod. "Next time be more extra careful Millie or you'll be force to repay me."
• I was left with my mouth slightly open as he walked past me.