CHAPTER 4 Training Day

           Eliza schooled her features although her heart was beating erratically at the sight of Matan all suited up and looking so handsome in that seat. How did she fail to notice his outfit earlier? She was so busy fighting the sensations he caused in her body, that's why. Damn, he really is so bothersome, but also too handsome for his own good, she thought. She suppressed the shiver that coursed through her body when Matan gave her body a sweeping glance before returning to her eyes as he spoke, " I believe you wanted to get started Ms. Vicente, so why don't you take a seat and write this down." In his mind he was not dictating the words Madam Al Fahezi gave him but things he wanted Eliza to do starting with her discarding her clothes in front of him. What? Where did those thoughts come from? He slapped his head unconsciously which got Eliza's attention.

          "I'm sorry Sir, are you okay? Am I supposed to write that down, take off your clothes? Whose clothes, Sir, a model? Is this a script for them?" 

          "What, no, no, no Ms. Vicente. I am sorry I blurted that out. I was merely memorizing a line for a friend's content," Matan lied. He was not aware he said those thoughts out loud. What would his parents say? Such dirty thoughts, he would rot in hell. He has to give her credit though, she did not even blush considering the implication of those words. He has to finish this errand and get as far away from her as possible. She is causing him a lot of headaches already. First, when he met her at the airport and she was wearing those tight-fitting clothes. Didn't she know she was causing quite a stir; didn't Ami tell her what not to wear in the UAE. Who was he kidding? He had seen a lot of European and Asian women wearing tight fitting clothes and even more skin compared to hers. She was well covered to be honest but there is just something seductive about the way she wears them or maybe just his dirty mind creating scenarios for his overactive imagination. She is also wearing professional clothes, nothing too sexy or revealing but he couldn't help it. Whatever skin he sees on her, it drives his imagination wild. What more if she is wearing less, oh no, no, no. Not again. He squirmed in his seat as he was feeling a rather embarrassing change on a particular part of his anatomy so he cleared his throat and started dictating. He was halfway through when someone cleared a throat. To his chagrin, he noticed Theo hovering behind Eliza pretending to be helping her when in fact he was almost embracing her. Matan stopped and glowered at Theo who took the warning and moved away from Eliza. She looked up straight at a scowling Matan and thought it was directed at her so she glared at him in return before lowering her eyes to the notebook she was writing on.

            Both men suddenly realized, she was writing down on a notebook instead of typing which prompted them to move towards the desktop on the other side of the room that they bumped into each other's head which elicited a laugh from Eliza. Both men froze and simultaneously looked at her. She was more beautiful than ever. Her laugh made her face younger and lighter than when she came in looking somber and anxious. Matan held his breath and wanting to get her attention all to himself, he annoyed her again by saying, " I thought I heard a witch's cackle." Theo gulped and wanting to appease Eliza countered, "I rather thought your laugh is like windchimes, so pleasant and heartwarming." Of course, Eliza was hurt by Matan's words that she just dipped her head and tried to rein in the tears that threatened to fall. She was slow in lowering her eyes that Matan wanted to kick himself for hurting her yet again. Why can't he say lovely words to her. He agrees with Theo's assessment of her laugh. Like windchimes, so open and warm. He wants those laughs to be caused by him. 

         Trying to appear nonchalant, Eliza spoke "Mr. Matan, Sir, shall we proceed?" 

         "Let's," was all Matan uttered before finishing up the dictation. Hoping he wouldn't hurt her again with his annoying words, he planned to excuse himself from the room and instructed Theo to get on with her training. When he goes out of the office, he’ll ask Meera to go in because he did not trust Theo alone with Eliza. A guy knows when another guy is trying to hit on a woman and for some reason, he did not want Eliza being alone with other men except him. He did not have time to analyze these feelings caused by this woman so he hurriedly left the office saying he'll be back at the end of the day to help finish Eliza's training. Coward, his brain was telling him but his conscience won't let him hurt her again. There is enough vulnerability in her eyes already and he does not want to add to whatever has caused it. If only his mom isn't so busy, he wouldn't be here today. Liar, he wanted to see her, only to make sure she is doing well. Another lie. He enjoys watching her and being around her. Appearing so controlled yet still people feel peaceful with her presence. It was unlike Ami but still, he likes having Eliza around. He just needs to be out of the office for his peace of mind because he couldn't stomach seeing Theo being so solicitous with her. Damn, is this jealousy? But why? The sooner he gets out of here, the better. 

           While Matan was trying to control his own thoughts, Eliza was fighting her own battles. She was hurt with Matan's comment about her laugh but she had years perfecting the art of nonchalance so she just proceeded writing what was dictated by the dictator. How about that she grinned to herself? Dictator dictating, what a pun! Suddenly, her hurt all but forgotten, she waited for the end of the dictation and was surprised when Matan asked Theo to continue the training and nearly stormed out of the office.

        Matan thinking of escaping the office was easier said than done because every time he looks down at Eliza, he seems to forget what he is about to say. It took just a few minutes for his dictation to be finished. Agitated as he is, and ever resentful of Theo, he told him to continue with the training and stepped out of the office.