Guilty Souls

CLOSER

CHAPTER 7

Two months later…

DIMITRI

After taking the board exam, Azah and I have been going out almost thrice a week. Either for dinner, lunch, or snacks, depending on her availability. So far, our casual relationship was getting better. We were getting closer. That was just my perception as I based it on our comfortability and undeniable attraction. I feel it getting stronger and deeper each day. However, I could sense reservation in Azah in the past two weeks --she was distant and evasive.

To think that I haven't tried assertive tactics yet, which was unlike me, according to Tomas. Our physical encounter had been limited to tender hugs and platonic kisses but it was all right with me despite the physical awareness she manages to incite in me.  I'm very attracted to her --both physical and non-physical.

Our situation was different --far different from the usual man and woman situation. There was a void inside us that was hard to fill in. I couldn't offend and shock her with my growing awareness. Proper timing was necessary to focus her attention on us...a possibility of a deeper relationship between the two of us.

She arrived in the Italian restaurant in rubber shoes, jeans, and white tees. I guess she changed her clothes after the interview she attended this morning. Presenting herself this ragged for an interview was not her.

Her face was bare of make-up, and she neatly tucked her hair at her back. Unimpressive and uninviting, supposedly, but Azah was different. She need not wear sexy and revealing clothes and have her pearly white skin dolled up to unleashed her deadly s*x appeal. Her natural beauty was unbelievably alluring. She caught me ogling at her many times, but she never commented on it. I admit it was rather embarrassing. I was like a schoolboy enthralled by his long-time crush. 

Most of the time, men were eyeing her. Ogling on her beauty even though she wasn't doing anything to attract their attention. Not to mention that she talked rather bluntly and never coquettish, which could be intimidating for some men, but surprisingly, it adds to her allure. 

 Her profession suited her character so well, tough and impersonal, just what I like in a lady. Lawyers were uptight and professional in their dealings which were necessary for the job they do. I wouldn't be surprised if one day she’d be hailed as one of the toughest lawyers in town.

Therefore, I need her in our company. We look around and scout for exemplary people like her because that was how we were recognized as the best in our field. The best people supported us. We hire only the best.

I stood up when she approached the table and kissed her on her cheek after I briefly squeezed her soft body—our usual greeting. The brief and impersonal greeting allowed me to smell her natural scent which made me restless at night. Damn it, am I turning into a perv?

She smiled and took a seat opposite mine.

After the waiter took her order, she eyed me up and down and down and up, saying nothing. She just assessed how I look; whether she approved or not, she wouldn't tell. After months I still couldn't decipher her microexpressions. 

I cleared my throat to hide my unease. She was really this good. Instead of a man unnerving a woman, I was the victim of her unreadable microexpressions. Just my luck!

"Azah, join our company,” I asked straightforwardly. 

She agreed to meet me after an interview in one of the lucrative law firms in the country. 

She answered after she munched a bite of pizza, her hand covering her mouth while she chewed the food.“I’m good, Dimitri. It looks like I passed the panel interview earlier. The HR head told me I did well,” She remarked with a smile. I noticed her brown eyes were shining like two golden pearls when she was excited about something.

I heaved a heavy sigh. Just like I thought, she definitely wouldn't have a hard time finding employment, but I couldn't give up easily. I needed her in our company so I could keep an eye on her.

“Can you listen first to our HR head before you agree to any offer? Study your options well,” I remarked. What I knew was that I wanted her close to me. She would be too busy to go out with me when the time comes. I couldn't allow her to work with another firm. 

She shook her head and raised her palm as a gesture for me to stop,“Dimitri. I got this, all right? I really want to work in that firm. I will learn more from them,” she declared her preference nonchalantly.

“That’s a big firm, true! But it’s all legal matters. You'll handle a bigger scope with us, not to mention that we have eight exemplary lawyers where you can potentially learn more. Just hear the option. That's all I ask,” I insisted.

She puffed air from her lungs then agreed with me.“Okay! Okay! It’s hard to argue with you,” she teased calmly. 

It was sporadic that she let me win in an argument. I smiled cockily. “I’ll set the appointment, as in now!” 

I pulled out my mobile device from my pocket, and a few seconds thereafter, “Mr. Bianchi, can you schedule Atty. Azalea Castro for an interview with our legal head, please.” He seemed surprised, but he couldn’t question me. and simply asked when “Tomorrow at 2 pm.” I looked at Azalea while I spoke with our HR head.

After getting the confirmation, I turned to her and said, “There you go, Atty. Azah.” 

She knitted her brows and mumbled, “You can't glorify me with the title yet. I still need to wait for my results. And I don’t want my employment to be influenced by anyone.” She was uneasy. 

“Believe me on this, will you? I won't interfere. Just meet them and listen” I covered her small hand with my big one on top of the table.

Words vanished from the tip of her tongue. She was speechless for a while. 

As soon as I felt the usual electric current, I looked intently into her eyes. Whenever our hands met, several thousands of volts crawled from my hand to my entire body. We both twitched. I knew she felt the spark too.

She tried to remove her hand by pulling it, jerking slightly, but I tightened my hold.

“Dimitri…” she started, her eyes look into mine a bit perplexed.

I blew the air out of my lungs; subsequently, I urged...

“We’ve been dating for some time. Don’t you think it's time to make it official?” I mumbled seriously.

Her face turned crimson. She gawked, and her beautiful eyes were glued on mine. Various emotions appeared and contravened. Her mind might be cluttered with what I spluttered. 

She stuttered when she spoke, “W-We’ve been dating? Surely we're going out as friends?” She asked confusedly.

“We were going out for a while casually. I’m sure you’ll agree we have an undeniable connection. You know it, and please don’t deny it,” I stated and claimed the truth of how we both feel. It was undeniable, and she should accept it too.

She smiled slightly and gently shook her head. “It takes more than a connection to enter into a relationship Dimitri. Tsk!” She clucked in. Her tongue made a sharp noise. Denying my declaration. I don't know how to court a lady if that was what she was waiting for.

I chuckled lightly. “You want me to prove it to you further?” I insisted. Cocky words matched my salacious glances. I was serious about making this relationship progress into something deeper without the need to court her. Actions surely speak louder than words? At this time and age, I believe courtship was unnecessary.

A slight curve appeared on her lips. “No need, Dimitri. We are together because we want to heal together, not to fall in love.” Her expression remained blank. 

She might have loved the soldier, so much so that she couldn't forget him just yet.

“What if we can?” I insisted I could be very persistent when I wanted to. It’s part of my recent discovery about myself. Nothing could easily dissuade me, “How would we know if we won’t try? Besides, we are both of age and available.” I rubbed my thumb into her hand.

“It's still absurd. Let's talk about this another time. I have to go now. Catch up on you soon?” she uttered over a raised brow.

There again her effort to evade me.

"Wait! You just arrived," I protested vehemently. My eyebrows met at the center.

"I'm done eating!" She wiped her lips with a napkin after she finished the last spoonful of pasta.

“Let me bring you home,” I uttered when she was gathering her sack bag. 

“No need. I’ll meet someone later.” She instantly stood up and tapped me on the shoulder.

“Don’t brush me off!” I pulled her wrist. 

“I won’t," She scoffed, and then she bent down and kissed me on my cheek. "It came after we talked earlier. I need to go for now." She assured me, "See you!” 

Before I could even react to the unromantic kiss she gave me, she had strutted towards the restaurant's main door and walked away from me. Such a friendly kiss left me fantasizing about how to be kissed passionately by her. Definitely, there was more to that gentle lip brush I could look forward to in the nearest future. I smirked as I finished the rest of my food. 

She knew it wouldn't be the end of this. Now that I started it, I'll pursue her seriously. No matter how she evades me in the future, I will chase her even more.

I believe there's FIRE in her veins hidden beyond layers of skepticism, dispassion, and frostiness. I intend to discover the real Atty. Azalea Castro the soonest.

-----

AZALEA

I could feel his gaze as I walked away from him.  It was better this way. Dimitri and I could remain as acquaintances. He was right that we were both healing faster. Our feelings for each other were turning to attraction, deep attraction. It made me worry about where that attraction would lead us.

But our worlds were different, and he has the reputation --a womanizer, a playboy! Women were after sharing his bed. He was bound to hurt many of the women population, and I wasn't ready to be a part of that world. 

I wouldn't let my vulnerable heart be hurt easily by anyone. I couldn't hurt my heart again.

And I also felt that connection he was talking about. It was strong and getting stronger each day that passed by, making me fearful, but I have no plans to nurture it.