Leilani stopped kissing Nelson as she realized the kiss had exceeded mere pretense. A quick glance around confirmed that both Susan and Ariel had left, leaving them alone.
She couldn’t believe that she had been so lost in the kiss that she didn’t even notice Susan leaving. Meanwhile, Nelson had been rubbing his forehead, not saying anything or doing anything. He waited for Leilani to make a move first.
Finally, their eyes met and Leilani shamefully fled the scene, taking the stairs two at a time until she reached her room.
Unconsciously, Nelson touched his lower lip, a wry smile creeping across his face. “She’s such a badass,” he murmured as he grabbed his suitcase and headed out of the dining room for work.
At the same time, Herbert pulled his car to a stop in front of Hannah’s house, a grin spreading across his features as he caught his reflection in the rearview mirror.
He quickly fixed his hair and whispered to himself, “Perfect.” Then he got out of the car and made his way into the villa. However, he was met halfway by Hannah, who had just opened the front door.
He couldn’t help but admire her as she stood before him in a simple, flower-patterned gown but there was nothing simple about the way the dress hugged her curves in all the right places.
Herbert’s throat bobbed as his eyes drank in her beauty from head to toe. Flustered under his intense gaze, Hannah cleared her throat and asked nervously, “Do I look okay?”
“You look stunning,” Herbert replied, still staring at her as if she were standing there naked.
A deep blush crept up Hannah’s neck and settled on her cheeks as she looked down and hid behind her hair. Slowly, she made her way towards Herbert, teasing him by saying, “Shall we get going? You’re about to undress me with your eyes.”
“Actually, I would love to do that right now,” Herbert absent-mindedly agreed.
Hannah’s eyes widened in surprise, her face flushed as if on fire. In that moment, it dawned on Herbert the gravity of his words.
He chuckled nervously, “Just kidding. I didn’t mean that,” he said, scratching his nape and avoiding Hannah’s gaze.
Hannah smiled, charmed by his shyness. She gently took his hand in hers, gazing up at his face.
“Herbert,” Hannah spoke softly, then looked down at their intertwined hands.
Herbert returned his gaze to her, waiting for her to continue.
“Did you know that I haven’t missed David since you came into my life?” Hannah asked, her voice trembling.
“I never imagined that being friends with you could bring so much vibrance and joy. Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for always making me happy. I pray that our friendship will-” Hannah was saying, but Herbert stopped her halfway.
“No, Hannah. I want to be more than friends with you,” he said, his expression serious.
Hannah shifted, her surprise evident.
“Yes, Hannah. I know it may seem like I’m taking advantage of the situation, but trust me, I’ve fallen in love with you. From the moment I laid my eyes on you,” Herbert confessed, leaving Hannah even more astonished as she hung onto his every word.
“Yes, Hannah. I love-”
Their moment was interrupted by the shrill sound of Herbert’s phone.
Herbert cursed under his breath, hoping to God that it wasn’t his boss calling.
“Excuse me,” he muttered, stepping back to retrieve his phone from his pocket. As expected, it was his boss on the line.
“God! Today is supposed to be my day off.
What does he want now?” Herbert grumbled, a deep frown crossing his face as he eyed the ringing phone before finally answering it on the last ring.
“Why did it take you so long to answer, Herbert?” his boss’s cold voice echoed through the phone. Herbert rolled his eyes before responding.
“I was in the bathroom, sir. Is there a pressing issue, if I may ask?” Herbert inquired politely, though inwardly he was fuming.
“I need your presence in the office now, Herbert. I need your assistance in organizing some documents,” Nelson ordered sternly over the phone.
“But Mr. Carter, today is my designated day off. You even encouraged me to enjoy it when you left the office yesterday,” Herbert grumbled, clearly displeased.
He had been serving under Nelson’s employ for many years and had grown accustomed to his volatile nature. It was not the first time he had been summoned on his off-day, and he had always complied. However, today was a special occasion.
How could his boss expect him to come to the office when he had finally mustered the courage to confess his feelings to the woman he loved? He hadn’t even finished confessing yet.
“Herbert, if you still value your job, dress up and meet me in my office immediately!” Nelson bellowed before hanging up abruptly.
Herbert gripped the phone tightly, his jaw clenching and his nostrils flaring with anger.
Never before had Nelson managed to infuriate him to this extent. Herbert had harbored feelings of animosity towards his boss countless times in the past, but this time, he meant it. He hated him.
“Is there an issue at work?” Hannah asked gently from behind, sensing his foul mood.
Quickly regaining his composure, Herbert turned around and put on a forced smile. “My boss has yet again ruined my happy moment,” he replied with an attempt at a smile, but deep down, he was seething with frustration towards his boss.
“I’ll be back soon, Hannah. And while you wait, please consider my request,” he added, taking her hand in his, gazing into her eyes, and planting a gentle kiss on her hand.
With that, he let go of her hand and headed towards his car. Before driving off, he flashed Hannah one last charming smile.
Thirty minutes later, Herbert knocked briefly on Nelson’s door before letting himself in.
“Here I am, sir,” he announced his arrival, fully entering the office.
Nelson, utterly consumed by his phone, finally glanced up at his assistant, gesturing for him to take a seat.
“Where are the files, sir? I want to finish them quickly so I can leave,” Herbert requested, his tone urgent.
Nelson’s expression turned cold as he frowned at him.
“I have needed your attention on your days off before, Herbert, but today you seem particularly rushed,” Nelson observed, setting his phone down on his desk and carefully scrutinizing his assistant.
“Ha-ha,” Herbert laughed nervously. “It’s nothing, sir. I just think I need more rest,” he added quickly, averting his gaze as Nelson raised an eyebrow at him.
“Well, I didn’t call you here to organize files,” Nelson said with a smile, leaning on his desk. “I need you to teach me how to express my feelings to the woman I love.”
Herbert’s face crumpled like a piece of paper as he fixed his gaze on Nelson, who continued to smile like a fool.