~{MAEVE'S POV}~
*
"You said WHAT?"
I shivered at the way his voice rose at the end of his question and it made me nearly hide, coupled with the way he was looking at me.
I could feel everyone's eyes on me, especially my friend who warned me against doing this because she believed it was a terrible idea.
"I… I have feelings for you, Noah."
I boldly repeated what I said because it was better now than never. It felt like a huge burden got lifted off my chest.
I nervously played with my fingers and slowly peeked at him through my lashes only for my heart to drop in fear.
He. Was. Pissed.
"Is this a joke?" He slowly asked and fully faced me, like he couldn't believe it.
"No, it's not," I hurriedly said.
"Then what is the meaning of this, Maeve? What do you mean you have feelings for me?" He played dumb and it made me look foolish.
I nervously looked around to the staring bystanders before looking back at him with his burning gaze staring back at me.
"You know what I mean. I don't have to spell it out," I shyly said and looked down at my feet, causing my hair to cover my face.
"Do I look like a joke to you, Maeve?" He asked and I blinked in confusion as I looked up at him but he didn't stop there.
"What were you expecting? That after telling me you have feelings for me that I would miraculously gravitate towards you like a fool? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?"
That last line was like a huge slap to my face and I suddenly had cold feet.
The gasps and deep inhalation of shocked breaths made me have a sickening feeling in my chest. I couldn't believe he actually said that and he didn't stop there.
"....Is this why you came to work here? To get my attention? And why are you even confessing your feelings to me? Is it your job? When did a woman start confessing her feelings to a man? Do you know that's a huge turn off for me?"
I suddenly became breathless as tears welled up in my eyes.
"Who or what gave you such a nonsensical idea to confess your feelings to me? Do I look like I care? Haven't you seen the way I look at you? Do I look at you more than a second or two? That should have told your dull brain something!" He snapped at me.
I wouldn't have cried but when I looked at his side and found his personal assistant who was a young vibrant lady I envied, laughing at me with her hand half covering her red painted lips, I felt a tear finally escaping.
This was pure humiliation and I never expected him to be this brutal and blunt. If he had stopped there I would have forgiven him but what he said next shattered my self esteem.
"How many men look at you with that kind of appearance? How many? If they don't look at you then what gives you the confidence that I would look at you differently?"
My entire body vibrated and my breathing came out like I was trying to gasp for air when in truth I was trying to suppress my tears.
When I heard some people laughing and others sighing in pity, I ran out of there.
I don't know how I found the door or how I even got there but I dashed out of there without looking back or going back to get my things. All I had was my phone and that was what I left with as I boarded a cab back to my apartment.
Throughout the drive I was crying non-stop with the driver continuously asking me what the problem was. And by the time he got to my location, it was then I realized I didn't have money to pay.
I was ready for him to make a scene but he didn't because the person I was seated with who I didn't take note of till I stepped out finally paid for me and she dropped there as well.
Once it was paid, I thanked her profusely and broke down in tears again only for her to embrace me and ask if we could have a cup of coffee which I agreed to.
After several sips of my coffee, I finally calmed down and that was when she asked what the problem was and I narrated everything to her while trying really hard not to cry. She listened carefully and after everything she asked me a question.
"So what do you intend to do?"
"N-nothing… I won't go back there again." I responded.
"That's it?" She asked in disappointment and I frowned at her.
"So you are just going to let this slide after what he said to you?" She asked in disbelief and I remained mute.
"Do you know the power you have, young lady?" She asked and I shook my head in confusion.
"You have the power to seduce. Every woman have that power. We were all made that way but most of us choose not to use it, like you." She lectured me.
"I don't have such power," I refused to believe it.
"You do. Can I show you?" She asked and leaned in with an evil smirk.
At this point I was curious but at the same time I didn't want to know but the memory of what just happened got me to inquire about it. And it was at that moment I properly examined her and realized that she was a very beautiful woman but already past her forties if I am correct.
"Show me," I finally agreed and the grin she gave me brought chills to my body.
It felt like I was making a deal with the devil.
*************
Sit back and relax, because you're in for a lot of fun ^_^