The evening had approached when Vlora unconsciously looked at the back of her hand that received a kiss from Andreas earlier that morning. She was momentarily stunned, her face hardened and heated. Then she took a tissue and wiped it off.
Useless, indeed. There were no traces left by Andreas. But Vlora felt the need to do it anyway.
Lucas’s office door opened, and Vlora immediately stood up from her seat.
“I’m going home. Tomorrow, let’s meet directly at Granduta.”
Vlora nodded once. “Alright, Sir.”
Without saying anything else, Lucas left. He walked leisurely, taking out his phone from his pants pocket. Just before he entered the elevator, his voice echoed faintly.
“Ve, I just got out.”
After the elevator door closed, Vlora sat back down. She finished some work, occasionally glancing at the clock on the computer monitor. It was clear, without needing to ask, that she was waiting for Andreas, with a thought crossing her mind.
Maybe this is truly the best decision.
The descending elevator moved back up. The door opened a few moments later, and the man Vlora had been waiting for had arrived.
Andreas walked confidently, smiling, and sat directly in front of Vlora.
“I thought you were going home. Turns out I was wrong. You really accepted my offer.”
Vlora put away her files before shutting down the computer. She smiled lightly and let out a faint chuckle.
“Me? Run away?” Vlora shook her head with a casual expression. She packed up quickly and efficiently. “Believe me, that’s not my style at all, Sir.”
Andreas agreed with a nod. “Believe me. I know exactly what type of woman you are, Vlo.”
Vlora paused her activity for a moment and looked at Andreas, waiting for him to continue.
“Because what motivated me to marry you is that you are the type of woman I desire.”
Vlora ignored his words. Instead, she stood up and slung her work bag over one shoulder.
“I think we can leave now, Sir.”
Not offended by Vlora’s disregard for his earlier statement, Andreas also stood up. He raised his hand in a gesture to invite Vlora.
“Please.”
Vlora glanced briefly and walked without further ado. She allowed Andreas to catch up and walk beside her.
When they arrived at the elevator, Andreas extended his hand to let Vlora go first. Afterward, he entered, and as the elevator started descending, Vlora’s voice could be heard.
“No need to force it, Sir. Tricks like that only work on 17-year-old girls. Are you seeking sympathy?” Vlora sighed briefly. “That’s an outdated trick.”
Andreas chuckled. Feeling no need to pretend to hold back his amusement, he rubbed his temple with his index finger.
“You’re truly audacious, Vlo. What just happened wasn’t a trick, but the etiquette of a gentleman.”
Vlora raised her face and crossed her arms. Her gaze focused on the changing numbers above the elevator door.
“Oh, the etiquette of a gentleman. Unfortunately, in my eyes, it looked like the efforts of a child seeking attention. Honestly, I’m curious why you didn’t try to take over and carry my bag.”
“May I?”
Vlora blinked as Andreas actually reached out to take her work bag. “No need. I can carry my own bag, Sir. Besides, if I allow it, it would only smoothen your plan.”
Andreas laughed again, this time causing a glimmer of moisture at the corner of his eye.
“Whatever you say, but tell me. Where do you want to eat?”
Nonchalantly, Vlora replied, “It’s up to you, Sir. I’ll just go along. Just tell me where we’re going to eat, and I’ll follow your car.”
Something made Andreas furrow his brow despite Vlora’s continued politeness towards him as they were about to go on their date. Something that unconsciously made him reach for Vlora’s hand.
“Wait a moment,” Andreas said, looking at Vlora. His expression showed uncertainty. “You want to follow my car?” His voice sounded puzzled. “Are you saying we should go in separate cars?”
Vlora blinked once. “According to you? I can go in my own car.”
Andreas gaped. Then he laughed with a different impression than before.
“Wow! You’ve clearly never received a dating offer before, Miss Sassy.”
Vlora was taken aback by the nickname Andreas had just given her. “M-Miss Sassy?”
Andreas ignored Vlora’s shock and continued talking.
“Listen, Vlo. Everywhere, when a man invites a woman on a date, it means they’ll go together. In the same vehicle. Not in separate cars with a tailing scene. I’m not a fugitive, and you’re not a spy.”
Andreas’s laughter and lengthy words successfully silenced Vlora. Especially because Andreas seemed to leave no room for her.
“We’ll go together in my car.”
Unfortunately, Vlora was not going to give in that easily. “I can’t possibly leave my car at the office. I have to go to work tomorrow morning.”
Ding!
The elevator stopped moving. The door opened, and Vlora hurriedly stepped out. At the same time, she heard Andreas suggesting a solution.
“You can order a taxi or choose the second option.”
Vlora’s steps turned and headed towards the parking lot. Andreas did the same.
“The second option?”
Beside her, Andreas nodded once. “Yes, the second option. Let me drive you to the office.”
Reflexively, Vlora looked at Andreas with an incredulous gaze. In response, Andreas returned her look with a flirtatious gaze.
“To make it easier, you can stay at my place. That way, I can drive you to work even faster. As for clothing, you surely can’t go to the office in these clothes. We’ll go shopping quickly. How about it? Simple, right?”
Vlora could not hold back a scoff. She laughed and shook her head.
“That’s enough,” Vlora said as she headed towards her car. “I’ve decided to drive my own car.”
Vlora’s footsteps abruptly halted after she finished speaking. She froze, her gaze fixed on one of the car tires. When Andreas approached, she turned with a sharp look.
“Tell me this isn’t your doing, Sir.”
Andreas glanced at the car tire. His shoulders raised briefly as he smirked mischievously.
“If I say it wasn’t, would you believe me?”
Vlora tightly pursed her lips. Her hands clenched her work bag. “How convenient. My car tire knows exactly when to go flat.”
Andreas’s laughter echoed in the parking lot. Once again, he would not pretend to hide his joy.
“Let me tell you something, Vlo,” Andreas said after his laughter subsided. “People say we can never escape fate. So, I assume that your fate is indeed intertwined with my car.”
Andreas took out his car keys. He pressed the alarm, and a car parked right next to Vlora’s car beeped.
“Please.”
*