Chapter 32: Chapter 32

His confession makes my heart leap for joy and smile, but million of question race through my mind at the same time so I narrow my brows at him. "What impression?"

"Love. All my life I've never met a woman who had thrown my words back at my face or even dare to call me brat the way you did. You were ready to throw words and insult at me without looking back if possible, I've never had that and as much as you were daring, I wanted it."

Memories of the night in the hotel comes back into my mind, how we'd both fight at little things and I'd call him idiot and pervert and I would in very much want to jump at any opportunity to pick a fight with him.

"I didn't know who you were," I reply in my defence.

"Yeah, but that didn't stop you from putting me in my place at the grand square restaurant." He reminds me with amused eyes.

"You called me names!" I exclaim, dramatically. "You were rude and it was uncalled for."

"And this morning?" He raises his eyebrow questionably at me, "I recall you calling me a sick, twisted bastard and also a coward."

I open my mouth to speak, but I close them as I had nothing to make out as an excuse. After reading into his words, I do not understand what he is trying to say anymore I just watch and silently listen to him which I don't normally do.

"All I'm saying is you were yourself even when you knew who I was." He reaches out and takes my hand in his and gently squeezes it. "The disadvantage of being born extremely rich is that most times you don't know who is with you because of your money."

"That was the reason you were in disguise at the hotel."

He nods.

"Did you also put the $1500 in my purse?"

"Yes." He answers.

I knew all along, even I couldn't deny I didn't know. "When I saw you had only 44cents in it, I figured you wouldn't have transport home so I did."

I'm not even going to ask why he got into my purse because he seems to like snooping around my things.

"Well, I walked home because I didn't expect any money in my purse so I didn't check," I tell him, bringing the glass of wine to my lips and drinking.

"Well, that's didn't serve its primary purpose." He taunts then he releases my hand and take his glass of wine to his lips and takes a sip. "Tell me now about yourself."

"Why do you even you want to know?" I ask even though, my mouth is already about to spill.

He lowers the glass to the table and says. "Probably because this might be the only time I'll have with you in a long while."

Sometimes the more I want answers the more confused I get.

"I'm the first child in four children, but you already know that. I do have three younger brothers I look after and take care of. My mom was a Cook and my dad was a nurse until he died. After his death, mom had to take up an extra job so she could keep the house running as well as getting me into the university. But she broke down about a year ago and was admitted and we needed money to see her through the hospital bills. The restaurant she was working at could not work with her and they fired her and I knew I wouldn't make much from the part-time jobs I was doing in the uni, so I dropped out. I took up jobs at the bar, restaurant waiting tables and I got fired because the customers were never right with me."

"Why is that?" He asks, too amused at my story for my liking.

"Because the customers sometimes forget that the waiters are humans and should be treated as such."

"Well, that's true."

"After a long struggle, mom bills were paid and she began getting better and she met Eleanor Allen, her childhood friend in the church and she offered me a job as Paris' personal assistant three months ago. That all."

"Wow!" He says in a short and sharp breath, "You're stronger than I thought."

I give him a wrinkled look. "I've been through shit, it doesn't mean I'm that strong."

"Well, shit is what makes people strong." He replies, still supporting his point.

Giving up I say, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

He grins, taking another sip of his wine. "By the way who was that guy you were with at the meet and greet party?"

I study him for a brief moment then say, "My best friend."

"Is it a friend with benefits kind of friendship?"

Any other day I'd want to throw up at the thought and I see clearly that he does not feel too happy talking about it either, but something about those green eyes dared me to answer and push the buttons. "Why? You were jealous I was kissing him and not you?"

"Being jealous doesn't cut it, I would have killed him if he got in my way that night, besides there seemed to be more with the way you two were staring at each other and I would have said you were both lovers if I didn't see him giving Paris the I wish I was bold enough to tell you I want to fuck you eyes."

My eyes widen and my mouth drops "Mycole isn't that type of guy, you dirty pig!" I laugh.

He shrugs inattentively. "Every male think of that with the girl or lady they like."

"Well, do you?" I blurt out before I can stop myself.

His eyes raise to meet mine interestingly and I bit my lips. "As a matter of fact, yes I do." He gives me a dirty smile. "But I'm so old fashion like your friend, I don't do casual fuck with someone I like."

Is he saying he likes me?

My face drops as the raw dept of what he says sink into my heart and the shivers that run down my spine is paralyzing and for once I'm glad I'm sitting down.

He gets up and takes my hand and we both walk out of the room in silence. We walk to the main door and he grabs the coat from the hanger which makes me furrow my eyes and types in the code while I watch. 59671802 the door opens and we walk out.

The cold air hit my skin and I shiver from the cold as my dress doesn't cover much. I wrap my arm around myself, but that doesn't seem to help with the cold. I feel warm comfort meet my body as something covers me up and I grab hold of it.

"I figured you'll get cold." He says, letting go of the coat to wrap his arms around my waist.

"Well, is it safe?"

He looks clueless as to what I'm saying and I rephrase. "Being outside."

"Yes, hun, it's safe because Luke is with the authority along with the shooter."

I sigh in relief things are finally going the way they should, and I hope they remain there for a long time. "That's good, well thanks for the coat," I say and in reply, he smiles.

After that we stay silent, not talking, just gazing out into space and his hand possessively holding my waist captive. I wonder what it'll be like to always be like this with him, never having to leave his side.

The thought that Paris might come suddenly and everything would be just a dream consumes me. I don't want competition, hell I'm not ready for one.

"Why are you marrying Paris?" I ask suddenly. "You don't seem to want to. Are you being forced to?" I'm asking a lot of questions he may not even want to answer, but I just want to clear my mind. I need to know if there's hope for whatever it is I'm feeling in my heart and I don't want to build up false hope for myself.

"Hun. There are things I can't tell you even when I want to."

I frown in dissatisfaction, pulling away from his touch even when I do need it. "Don't do that, hun," he says pleadingly. "Don't run away from me now."

I shake my head, looking away from him as I feel a part of my heart begins to beat in pain. "There's no need to argue, I know where I stand with you, Rory and it's okay and I'm not running away, I'm saving my heart from future pain." I begin to walk back into the house.

"I don't want to marry Paris." He says, and the surprise takes me like a volcanic eruption, forcing me to halt.

"It's a marriage of convenience for the family do you understand?" He explains bluntly without feeling. "So I can be with whoever I want."

"Does that mean you're not going to marry her?"

"It's an arrangement, a business arrangement."

"So you're still going to marry her."

"Taylor—"

"Don't you dare call my name!" I snap at him, with a hard glare. "I get it, business and money would always come before love and feelings." I felt like falling and crying, but I hold myself up.

Those who build their house on the sand always suffer more.

I'd been foolish to hope, he is way up my league, but believed he'd feel at least something, that he'd feel a little of how I feel.

I take to my heel and run inside, not wanting to stop for any reason, I need a good place to lie down and cry and think straight and maybe start mending my already shattered heart.

What on earth were you even thinking? That a rich boy and poor girl romance exist in the real world? There's no such thing in reality.

I open my door only to have it closed and although I don't look at him, I know he's standing there. I do not want to stay a mile close to him, not after this. I need to start afresh and the only way to do that is to keep away from him.

"Taylor." He softly says, his eyes I can tell is burning into mine.

I swallowed painfully, "There's nothing else to say, Mr Gate, we are done. Thanks for the date tonight, it was wonderful."

He groans in displeasure. "Please can you at least listen to me?"

"Why would I?" I challenged fiercely, looking up into his eyes. "Why would I listen to anything that comes out of your mout—"

"Because I love you." He declares, and his eyes hold such truth and honestly I have to believe. His head lowers a bit before looking back at me. "I know I'm screwed and I'm never going to be happy with Paris because my happiness is you." He tells me bitterly.

He loves me, he loves me! My heart leaps for joy and its beat is rapid and loudly hammers against my chest and I can bet it can be heard from miles away. I feel lucky and at the same time cursed.

"Say something, Taylor." He pleads with sad eyes.

This is a side of him I've never seen before a weak side, a vulnerable side, a side that shows he can be hurt, he can feel, he can love and he can be broken.

"I.. do-don't know what to say." I stutter nervously. "This all seems like a dream," I tell him wearily.

"Let me prove it's not." He says coming closer to me and as I'm about to move back when his hand grabs me by the waist and pull me to himself. My small body collides with his big and solid one and I look up at him.

He slowly lifts my chin and his head dips so he can meet my lips and when he does, he claims them as his. His lips taste heavenly, mixed with the delicious food and the fruit wine we had taken earlier.

"You're not kissing back." He murmurs and pulls back.

I'm too shocked to move.

"You should get some sleep, tomorrow is a great day." He suggests, not looking at me.

I take his hand when he tries leaving and bringing them to my lips I kiss them. "Thank you for the night." My hand goes up to his face and I caress him there, which makes him shivers and then they come around his neck and pull his head down.

I bite my lips and ask. "Can I?"

His eyes go wide in surprise, feeling a little embarrassed and shy his cheek goes red, but he nods. "Yeah, I guess you can."

With that, I placed my lips against his and his lips parts and I kiss him deeply and passionately and with much love. There are a lot of things I want to tell him but I cannot and I hope he feels them through this kiss. Our kiss deepens and he takes over control capturing my lips and sweetly moving his tongue in my mouth. He shows off his kissing amazing skills as he kisses me. It is a sweet, epic feeling, and even if it's isn't my first kiss, it's certainly the best kiss I've ever had.

We pull away, not really saying anything, just breathing hard and staring at each other silently.

"You should go rest now, Taylor."

I lick my lips and nod, still not able to find my voice

"Good night." He says giving me a quick kiss on my cheek before leaving.