“Why are you following me to the office instead of going to the sales department?”
Upon entering the general manager’s office, Areli set her handbag and coat on the rack, then glanced at Darnell. “The sales department’s performance has improved, but it still falls short of my expectations. You should return to your office and focus on boosting your results.”
Darnell peeked around, not spotting Lillian. There was just a junior assistant who seemed to be busy with other tasks. He decided to put his plans to explain things to Lillian on hold for now and closed the office door behind him.
“A spring, when pressed down, will bounce back higher.”
“But if it’s constantly pressed, it may never bounce back again.”
Darnell made two cups of black tea. “I’ve already scared them into working harder with the layoff. They’re working hard to reach that billion in sales performance.”
“If you keep pushing them, it might backfire. That’s why I prefer to stay out of the sales department and give them a bit of freedom and space.”
“And besides, I haven’t seen Miss Fanshaw in days. I’m really looking forward to catching up. As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder…”
He looked at the graceful woman, recalling the warmth of her skin from that night, unable to shake off the memory.
“Shut up!”
Before Darnell could finish, Areli shot him a cold glare, cutting him off. “I don’t want to grow fond of you! Don’t flatter yourself!”
“And you’re Judith’s boyfriend. I warn you, if you keep flirting with me, I won’t hesitate to tell her about your behavior.”
She reminded Darnell, “You know how she is. She would put a bullet in you.”
Darnell sighed, pushing a cup of tea toward her, his eyes lingering on the spot where her button had been torn off. “Judith and I have fought.”
Areli paused, a flicker of joy in her heart, but she quickly scolded herself and asked, “Why?”
“A misunderstanding.”
Darnell recounted the events from the day he took Bailee home and continued, “She’s impulsive. No matter how I explained, she wouldn’t listen. Not only did she not invite me to her family gathering, but she also blocked my number. I can’t reach her at all.”
Areli scoffed, “If I were her, I wouldn’t bother with you either. You didn’t even try to avoid suspicion.”
At the same time, she felt a slight tension in her chest. Judith’s reaction was indeed a bit extreme, but it also meant Judith had feelings for Darnell. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been jealous and cut off all contact.
“Just focus on your work,” Areli said, looking at Darnell. “I’ll find a chance to help you explain. Judith is smart. She’ll realize it was a misunderstanding.”
Darnell remained silent, sipping his tea, his gaze drawn to Areli’s blouse and the hint of skin visible beneath it.
He wanted to look away, but his eyes refused to obey. The temptation was so strong that he couldn’t resist.
“What the hell are you staring at?”
Areli caught Darnell’s gaze and threw a book at him in annoyance. Then she got up to go to the restroom, adjusting her clothes as she walked back. She gave Darnell a playful smack on the head. “I was originally going to help you win Judith back, but look at you. Forget it. I’d rather not let Judith be harmed by you.”
Areli had changed into a semi-transparent chiffon top, her fair skin gleaming subtly through the fabric. Although the shirt was loose, it still accentuated her curves.
The neckline revealed just enough to make Darnell gulp down his tea, He managed to stammer, “How could I possibly harm her?”
“I’m just her fake boyfriend.”
Darnell shrugged and then changed the subject. “Miss Fanshaw, where did you buy that blouse?”
“I feel bad for ruining your button. I was thinking of buying you a new one.”
“So considerate?”
Areli shot him a puzzled look, leaning back in her chair. “I got it from PipeDream Boutique in Summertime Mall. It’s a limited winter edition. Every stitch is handmade, and there are only fifty pieces in Westergold. I was lucky to snag one, but now it’s ruined because of you. Do you want to compensate me?”
Knowing Darnell as she did, she was sure he wouldn’t be that generous, so she asked, “What are you up to?”
Darnell smiled, “If you break something, you should compensate. That’s what my teacher taught us in elementary school.”
Areli opened her computer and scanned her emails before huffing, “Forget it. They sold out ages ago. That’s why it’s a limited edition.”
“Stop wasting time and get back to work. Besides, I’m not used to wearing clothes bought by men. Improving your sales performance would be the best way to make it up to me.”
“Work, work, work… is work the only thing on your mind?”
Darnell mentally noted Summertime Mall. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
As they spoke, he got up and dashed into the restroom. Before Areli could tell him to get out, he emerged holding the blouse she had changed out of.
“If you don’t like clothes bought by men, let me sew the button back on. It’s such an expensive piece. It would be a shame to just toss it.”
The fabric felt nice and had a lingering scent, even holding a trace of warmth. Darnell couldn’t help but touch it a couple of times.
Seeing Darnell with her former clothing made Areli’s cheeks flush. Especially as he brushed his fingers over the button, she shivered slightly, feeling as if he was touching her skin. She quickly snapped, “You idiot, why’d you pick it up? I tossed it!”
“Just throw it away.”
Darnell hurriedly folded the garment and placed it in a paper bag with a smile. “Miss Fanshaw, it’s just a missing button. Why throw it away?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll sew the button back. Even if you don’t want it, I could donate it. I saw on the news the other day that many kids in the West are starving and lack clothing.”
Areli’s face turned slightly red. “Leave the clothes. I’ll fix it. I’ll wear it at home.”
She stepped toward Darnell, trying to snatch the blouse back.
Darnell, seeing this, bolted out the door, disappearing from sight.
It was clear he didn’t intend to return the blouse.
Areli was furious, brandishing a paper cutter in the air as if she might strike Darnell down. “You jerk! You jerk!”
Just as she swung the cutter a few times, Darnell reappeared at the door and quickly dashed behind her, grabbing her arms to stop her.
“Miss Fanshaw, don’t harm yourself! I’m sorry.”
Darnell could feel her soft body against him. “If you want to kill someone, just kill me. Please, don’t do anything foolish…”
As his wandering hands brushed against Areli’s skin, both of them shuddered at the sudden spark of electricity, momentarily forgetting everything around them.
Areli felt a mix of embarrassment and thrill. She feigned anger and shot him a glare. “Let go! I’m not trying to kill myself..”
Darnell held on tightly. “You’re holding a knife! Do you still want to argue that you’re not trying to kill yourself?”
Areli regained her composure, her expression darkening. “I said, let go.”
Darnell quickly released her, jumping back two meters to ensure safety. “Miss Fanshaw, let’s talk this out.”
“I’ll deal with you later for taking advantage of me.”
Areli glared at Darnell. “Where’s my blouse?”
“Ah, forget it. When I was running down the stairs, it accidentally slipped out of my hands and fell through the railing. I don’t even know which floor it landed on.”
Darnell’s expression was apologetic. “To show my apology, how about I treat you to lunch?”
When Areli heard the blouse had fallen, she sighed in relief. Then she put on a stern face and huffed, “You think you can brush me off with a meal? Not that easy.”
“There’s an auction tonight. You’ll go with me.”
Darnell raised an eyebrow, surprised. “An auction?”