Chapter 3

(Alano)

OUT of boredom, I tapped the conference table with my fingers while listening to Ansel’s report about the power plant in Iloilo. We had a technical problem. As a result, we were forced to shut down some of our power plants there.

Frankly, Ansel didn’t need to report these things to us because I knew that he could fix the problem just fine. But we had no choice when he called for a meeting since he was our eldest brother. He was two years older than me.

I breathed sharply. My work was done so I planned to leave the office early. I’d been aching to see Clarice again, especially since she hadn’t answered any of my calls and text messages. Even if I knew where she was staying, I was still worried that she might disappear on me anytime.

There was something about Clarice that made me want her more. It could be because of the mystery in her eyes or the sweetness of her lips. But it could also be because of how divine she smelled or how good it felt when our skin touched. Her looks was just the cherry on top. There was something about her that drew me in, something that I could not even describe.

I unconsciously smacked the table at the thought. Ah, there were countless reasons. And I will surely yearn to see her more if I were to enumerate more.

Renato Alejandro glared at me but I ignored him. He was Russel’s father and he owned twelve percent of the shares in our company. Just like before, there were only four of us in the board room including Austin, our youngest brother. Ansel stopped talking for a minute and scowled at me. I shook my head and just looked at him innocently while twirling my pen before he continued with the report.

But I dropped the pen when my phone suddenly rang and Clarice’s name popped up on the screen.

“Turn off your goddamn phone, Alano,” Ansel warned. He looked at me as if he wanted to murder me.

“I can’t.”

“Why? Who’s that?” Austin butted in.

I smiled sheepishly. “My girl. Please excuse me for a moment,” I said before hitting the answer button. “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for your call.”

“Oops, forgive my innocence. I didn’t know I was required to call you back. What’s the matter? You called a couple of times but I noticed it just now. My phone was on silent. I went to a friend’s house and just got home.”

“Friend? Was it a male or a female?”

Ansel’s eyes narrowed. Still, I made sure to listen attentively on the phone. I didn’t know I was the jealous type until I met Clarice.

“It’s a female. So, do you have anything else to say? I’m about to take a shower. I’m done taking my clothes off-“

“All of it?”

My throat went dry. I loosened my tie when I suddenly felt hot.

“Yes, all of it,” she replied in a seductive voice. “I’m actually dying to feel the cold water against my skin now.”

I swallowed hard. My thoughts started to run wild. And only Clarice can make me do that. “I envy the water.”

She laughed softly. “’Wanna join me?”

“Oh, please. Don’t tempt me.”

Clarice just giggled. I groaned when she ended the call. I quickly rose from my swivel chair and met everyone’s raging eyes.

“Look, I’m sorry about this, Ansel, Austin, and Mr. Alejandro. But come on, people. We actually don’t have to meet if it’s just about this. The power plants repairs are now on-going. Besides, I do trust you, Ansel.” I glanced at Austin and Alejandro. “Don’t we all?”

Ansel looked like he was about to snap anytime soon. Fortunately, I was not like the employees who would tremble at the mere sight of my brother. I was immune to this side of him. Besides, I was aware of my brother’s caliber when it came to women. He also knew that I’d never half-assed my job, that's why he was letting me off the hook.

“Where the hell are you going?” Ansel asked.

“To Clarice.” I smiled mischievously. “If I’m fast enough, I might be able to arrive before she finishes showering.” I snatched my coat from the chair. “Goodbye and thank you, gentlemen.”

I stormed out of the office and drove as fast as I could. I knocked numerous times on Clarice’s door when I was finally in front of her room. It took her a few minutes before she opened the door.

She didn’t seem surprised as if she was already expecting me. “That was quick, McClennan.”

“Even I, myself, was surprised. I didn’t know I had it in me to drive that quickly,” I answered while staring at her angelic face.

Her hair was wet and there were droplets of water falling on her bathrobe. I was mesmerized. It was hard to think rationally whenever she was in front of me. She was the only woman who had the power to make me lose my composure and she knew it.

But it was still a win for me since I knew I was the only man who had ever been this close to Clarice. She may have the softest and the sweetest lips I’d ever tasted but I could tell that she didn’t have much experience when it came to kissing.

It would be my pleasure to teach her everything I knew.

When Clarice smiled and her dimples appeared, my stomach flipped. My eyes feasted on the lovely sight in front of me for a few seconds and when I could no longer restrain myself, I stepped towards her and did what I’d wanted to do since I woke up this morning.

I kissed her.