Chapter 7 IMAGINING THINGS

CELESTINE’s POV

The following day, I walked to the basement where the cafeteria was and I heard a noise coming from the corner where the big screen of the television was situated.

‘‘Hey! Look! This young man has such a dashing appearance!’’ an exclamation was made by a woman wearing a name tag that read ‘‘Martha’’ while pointing her finger toward the screen.

I couldn't help but be interested, so I moved closer to them and peered inside to see who she was referring to. When I saw Arnold and Leina grinning broadly at the camera on the television screen, my eyes enlarged significantly. At that very instant, a horde of reporters and microphones converged on the individuals in an effort to conduct an interview with them.

‘‘Mr. Maxwell, the Wheeler family's daughter has expressed interest in getting engaged to you; are you seriously considering accepting her proposal?’’ Arnold was approached by a middle-aged man.

The astonishing man maintained an upright stance while exuding an air of unmistakable nobility, which caused the reporters to hold their breath as they awaited his response.

Leina bit her bottom lip nervously and cast trembling glances at the man sitting next to her. Suddenly, the man who had been acting indifferently curled his lips, grabbed the hand of the girl who was next to him, and chuckled.

‘‘I, Arnold Maxwell, will be engaged to Victor Wheeler’s daughter, Leina…’’ He announced and in an instant, countless lights flashed constantly.

When Leina suddenly covered her mouth in amazement and burst into tears, I rolled my eyes at her reaction. If I hadn't agreed to give your boyfriend my virginity, he never would have proposed to you.

In the subsequent second, a pop-up announcement manifested itself on the screen.

‘‘The Engagement between Arnold Maxwell and Leina Wheeler will take place on the date that has been decided upon.’’

‘‘The Most Eligible Bachelor, who also happens to be the Chief Executive Officer of Maxwell Corporation, is now off the market!’’

‘‘Oh my, God!’’ Martha shrieked and clapped her hands excitedly, yet she never took her gaze off the massive television screen. ‘‘They really are the definition of a perfect couple! Arnold is a pretty good-looking man, and she’s as stunning as me!’’

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ARNOLD'S POV

Following the news conference that was held by the Wheeler Family, I returned immediately to my office in order to continue working, and I brought Leina with me. I couldn't help but smile as I coaxed her to join me on the couch.

‘‘Have you had enough sleep?’’ Since I broke the news about our engagement, I've seen that the grin that's been plastered on her face hasn't faded away. I drew her in closer and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead, and she responded by giving me a peck on the lips.

When I thought back to the time when she finally admitted that she loves me, I couldn't help but crack a grin. She claimed that the first time she saw me was when she was ten years old, and she was already head over heels in love with me. I was her first in everything, and I'm sure I'll be her last once we're married because I couldn't wait to be with her forever.

‘‘Not even close...’’ Her heavenly voice coaxed me out of my reverie and brought to mind the events of the previous evening. My body began to ache from the intense longing I had for her, and just thinking about it made me twitch inside my pants.

As I ran my fingers lightly over her cheeks, I couldn't help but let out a moan. ‘‘There’s no need for you to be concerned about the planning for the engagement celebration. You should not worry about anything other than schoolwork, okay?’’

‘‘Okay…’’ She gave a timid nod of her head. The expression in her eyes conveyed admiration in a very unmistakable way. When I focused my attention on her stunning face, the sensation of sexual arousal returned.

Even though it was very cold and there was a light snowfall outside, the room we were in had a really sensual ambiance that was gradually picking up steam.

I could see by the look in her eyes that she was anticipating my next move, and I couldn't help but chuckle as she flushed when I did.

‘‘Leina…’’ I hushed to her, and the minute her eyes shut, I moved in for a kiss on her lips. However, I felt like I wanted to smell her again because I missed that scent so much, so my lips landed in her hair, sniffling it. I furrowed my brow and pondered the question of why the aroma of strawberry and vanilla, which I was hopelessly hooked to, didn’t linger in my nostrils. She smelled faintly of perfume.

‘‘Arnold… what’s the matter?’’ She opened her eyes, and when she did, she stared at me with a puzzled expression on her face, wondering why I had stopped.

‘‘Can you tell me what sort of perfume that is?’’

‘‘Sorry…?’’ She was stunned for a second, and after she regained her composure, she lifted her wrist and brought it up to her nose so that she could smell it. ‘‘Oh…This is the most expensive Chanel perfume I bought a week ago. W-what’s wrong?’’

That smell… She smelled so fucking good… But now…

I lifted my hand to brush away her hair only to freeze when I didn’t see anything there. Her neck was very clean and beautiful like a swan. That night, I saw a red and small butterfly-like mark on her neck, but now it’s gone. I was very sure that it was there because I licked and kissed that part of her neck many many times.

‘‘Do you have any tattoos on your body?’’ I inquired once more, but to my dismay, she continued to shake her head.

‘‘I can't get a tattoo anywhere on my body since my dad won't let me...’’ Leina responded by leaning closer and attempting to kiss me once more, but this time I pulled away and avoided her lips. ‘‘Hey, what's the matter with you?’’

‘‘It's getting late, Leina...,’’ I heaved a sigh as I straightened my suit while I rose from the couch, and walked up to the glass window. ‘‘I'll get the driver on the line to take you back to your house.’’

‘‘Arnold, what’s wrong?’’ She questioned as she drew up to me and gave me a hug from behind. ‘‘I’ll change my perfume if you don’t like it.’’

No… I want your natural scent. That vanilla and strawberry scent that I could smell even in my dreams.

‘‘Nothing’s wrong, Leina…’’ I turned to face her with a small smile on my face. ‘‘You still have lectures to attend tomorrow. Go home and rest up, okay?’’

She showed her disapproval by pursing her lips and displaying obvious disappointment, but then she smiled and nodded her head. ‘‘Okay… But aren't you going to drop me off at my house?’’

‘‘I'm sorry…’’ I stroked my hands over her shoulder. ‘‘There are still a lot of documents for me to go over and sign here.’’

‘‘Fine…’’ She let out a long sigh of frustration before turning on her heels and walking away with her brows knitted together.

I quickly sat down in my swivel chair and began massaging my temple as soon as the door was shut behind her. What exactly is going on here? Maybe there’s no mark on her at all, but I was certain that it was there. I even asked her about it.

‘‘I had no idea you had a tattoo till today...’’ I whispered into her ear as I buried my face in her mane.

‘‘It’s not a tattoo, it’s a birthmark.’’ She responded, but I cut her off and kissed her beautiful inviting lips.

I harshly stood up from my seat and lit a cigarette. I opened the window only to find that the snowfall had stopped.

I squinted my eyes, took a deep breath, and slightly parted my lips, releasing a thin cloud of smoke into the air as I did so. What the fuck is happening with me? Am I imagining things?

I was so frustrated that I ripped the button off my collar with my finger and then flicked the cigarette butt outside the window. It's possible that I was so preoccupied with work on that particular day that I made stuff up in my head.

When I heard someone knocking on my door, I yelled for them to ‘‘come in’’ before the person who was standing behind the door pulled it open. Jason, my secretary entered with papers in his hands.

As he was placing the paperwork on top of my desk, he informed me, ‘‘Miss Wheeler has left the building, Sir… And I just want to bring to your attention the fact that we are scheduled to meet with a client the following day at ten in the morning.’’

I gave a short nod and then sat back in my chair before beginning to go over the paperwork. ‘‘Tell him that we should meet at the coffee shop that is conveniently located near his building.’’

‘‘No…’’ he murmured making me look up at him. ‘‘He wants you to meet up with him in the Angelwood hospital. His daughter was admitted there and he said he couldn’t leave her alone…’’

‘‘Okay…’’ I mumbled before I dismissed him with a wave of a hand, having the need to be alone.