9. Last minute invitation.

Avelyn's Pov

I sat at my desk completely enthralled in my work. I couldn't help but take a few glances at Dante as he worked. Even though I hated him I couldn't help but admire the handsome man.

His chiseled jaw, his unruly thick brown hair, and his piercing blue eyes mesmerized me. I was sure I was going to get caught staring and quickly turned my attention back to my work.

I had to focus, I thought, this project was due soon and I needed to finish it. It was important to me and I wanted to do my best. I had to ignore this infatuation I had with Dante and stay focused on the task at hand.

I wished the only thing I did was hate him considering what he actually did to me. I just needed to get through this entire month without him figuring out anything and I'll be quite fine and all those stupid feelings I thought was no longer there will go away once again.

I'm trying to focus on the fact that he was the one who wronged me, not the other way around. I'm seeking comfort in the knowledge that whatever happened between us is not my fault and I'm trying to have faith that I will eventually get over this and be able to accept the fact that it's over.

I'm also relying on my support system, which included my babies and Mavis, for the strength and courage to move on.

I sighed, because of Dante I had never thought of finding love again because of the painful things that I've been through because of love but now after being in his presence maybe dating someone else wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Maybe this will get me to stop thinking about him and move on and find love. After all I do deserve to find love too.

I knock sounded on the door distracting me from my thoughts.

"Come in." Dante's sultry voice answered to whoever was knocking on the door.

I observed a woman enter the room while wearing little clothing; a few buttons on her shirt had just been unfastened, exposing her cleavage, and her short, form-fitting skirt was also short and tight. She grinned widely, as if she were the beauty queen in the world.

I scowled looking at the tacky woman trying to get her boss in bed with her. And this one makes the second thirsty woman to saunter inside Dante's office desperate to get her pawns on Dante.

It seemed like the office was becoming a playground for these women to cat-call Dante. He should just install a revolving door for them.

"The marketing team need you to sign here, here, and here sir." She smiled trying to win over his attention.

"Tacky." I murmured quickly going back to work as both turned around to stare at me.

"Thank you, Mr. Harrison." I heard her voice say seductively before she left the office making sure to give me a nasty glare before leaving.

I hated seeing how those women would throw themselves at him. They could at least have some dignity and pride.

Opening a file in my email on my computer that I received from Dante, I quickly opened it gasping.

A last-minute invitation for Dante and I to attend a meeting of the board ball so he could meet the company's stakeholders and formally introduce himself to his partners was extended to me.

There was a list of things I needed to get done before going to the event as well.

I glanced up at him wondering how I was going to break the news that I would be unable to attend this ball. I had to take care of our babies which he had no idea about.

I stood up while glancing at him while he worked, I moved around to stand before his desk very hesitant to let him know I will not be able to make it tonight at the ball.

"I-I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it to the ball tonight. I have an important family matter to take care of." I said, trying to sound as apologetic as possible.

He looked taken aback, curiously observing me before speaking.

"And may I ask what's the reason for you to deny coming to this important meeting?" Dante tilted his head to the side questioning me.

I bit my lip contemplating on whether or not I should tell him the honest truth that will either see me getting fired or pounced upon as his eyes continued to stare me down.

"Please tell me miss. Emerson. Is it that you have a date or boyfriend that you need to get home to? You made it clear you had no family here so why that is?" I was taken aback by his sudden unexpected questions.

"M-my children sir." I stuttered out watching as for a brief moment his eyes slightly grew wide upon hearing my words.

Placing down his pen Dante leaned back within his seat peering at my eyes as if searching them for something. His stare hard and deadly making me gulp due to fear.

It appeared that Dante was engaged in much thought as though his head was still processing what I just stated.

"Children?" Dante rebutted.

"Yes." My voice was barely audible.

"Very well then." He stated getting up from his seat and I watched him as he was about to leave the room.

Who knows what he meant by that? I felt a lot of anxiety because it sounded like there was something sinister going on beneath those words of his and also those eyes of his. Would he fire me?

Of course he would!

"Mr. Harrison." Once he made those unscrupulous and somewhat confusing words, I hastily raced behind him to determine whether or not he was intending to terminate me.

But when I sped up to my boss, my feet faltered.

I slipped and was about to fall when I was suddenly pulled back into the arms of Dante. His hand circled around my waist, and I gasped from the sudden unexpected impact of our contact together.

We both looked at each other and I felt my heart racing from the intense emotion that passed between us. Dante's eyes were wide and his grip on my waist was tight, almost like he was afraid to let go.

I knew I should pull away from him, but I found myself getting lost in the intensity of his gaze. I felt like the moment was frozen in time and there was nothing else that mattered in that moment except for the two of us.

The feeling of desire for him was like a flame that had been lying dormant, and being in his arms reignited it.

I felt a sudden rush of warmth and longing that I couldn't ignore, no matter how hard I tried. My heart racing and my palms sweating as I fought against the urge to lean in and kiss him.

My eyes traveled down to his tempting kissable lips that called to my soul before my eyes traveled back up to his eyes realizing he had been observing me the entire time. I blushed shyly pulling away from his grasp.

"S-sorry." I stuttered shyly.

"You should watch where you're going and if you're unable to walk in heels I suggest wearing flip-flops then miss. Emerson." His cold voice resonated around making me blush out of embarrassment as he walked away.

I sighed as he walked away, my breath coming out in a rush of relief that he left without causing any more drama.

"Damnit Avelyn." I lowly murmured slapping my head for making such a huge blunder of slipping.

"What did you just say?" I snapped my head up and turned to face Dante, who had halted in his tracks and was now gazing at me with intrigue.

"Oh umm, nothing. I'll just get back to my desk quickly." I spoke incoherently while my hands shook as I hurried to my desk to continue working. I sincerely hope that neither my actions nor what I said struck him as being particularly unusual.

Hopefully he thought I was just nervous and nothing more.

If I didn't start to get my acts together then surely Dante will find out my true identity.