Chapter 10 JAREK

JAREK'S POV

Life is a paradox of contradicting similarities!!!

The shock in Olivia's eyes reminded me of the fact that we are still in a make-believe

relationship. That she doesn't know an atom of what I feel.

When the claps from those around began to filter into our ears, that was when I realized we

were still looking at each other.

I lifted her to a standing position and rested my hand on the small of her back. She fixed a

smile on her face before doing a small wave towards the clapping crowd.

As I guided her back to our table, she paused.

"Uhm, I need to go to the restroom. I'll be back soon," She said, and before I could say

anything, she waltzed off hurriedly.

I waited for a total of ten minutes before I decided that she had spent more than enough time

away.

As I walked towards the female restroom, she walked out of the door.

"Mr Jarek... " She called on seeing me. She seemed to be more pulled together than when

she had excused herself.

"I wanted to be sure you are alright," I said. The question was already in her eyes - the

question as to why I was here, heading towards the female restroom and it was only

expected that I afforded an answer.

"I am...thanks. Let's head back to the party" She said.

Just because I did not like the way we were awkwardly standing in the hallway and how she

seemed to be so mindful of herself around me, I decided to clear the last word I had said

while we danced.

"Regarding what I said..." I started and I saw her stiffen before she rubbed one of her hands

on her gown.

"Just as I said before, it will be a hassle to look for someone with a good slate as you. And

most dating agencies these days have people with reputations as ugly as they look," I said.

She gave a small smile.

For me, that was enough. At least she would be able to move on from the fact that I had

indirectly told her I wanted her.

"If we are to make this work, we have to be on the same page. Being on the same page

means having one mind and so I had to tell you. Hope you understand Liv?" I asked.

She nodded.

"I must admit that I was a little scared there. It would be impossible for you to, you know, like

me in that manner all of a sudden.

I'm glad I didn't take it to heart and more glad that you explained.

We are on the same page, Mr Stark," She said.

And she surprised me by stretching forth her hand for a shake.

I smiled, taking her small hand in mine.

Instead of letting her go after sealing our newfound basis, I intertwined our fingers and led us

back to the party.

The party went on without any hitch and when I saw Olivia stiffle a yawn, that was my cue to

take her home.

I saw Garland watching us from the rim of his wine glass but I did not give a flip. All I wanted

to do was to fit his head into the glass.

With her hand in mine, I led us out of there. I could feel the eyes of the employees on us.

Some of them wished they could act just like I did and leave but they knew better than that.

They knew they would be fired the next week.

That wasn't the same protocol for me - there is in fact, no protocol for me.

As we walked out of the hall, Olivia asked, "Are you supposed to leave an event before your

boss?"

She looked genuinely concerned.

"There are no such rules" I replied.

"Wow. Mrs Cavendish is nice. Even though my boss is never around none of us leaves till it's

10 pm. It's like an unspoken rule!" She said and she rolled her eyes, probably thinking how

life is unfair to her.

"Your boss does sound like a tyrant" I added.

"He is. No one knows him. No one has seen him but yet, the level of fear he holds over us is

insane!" She complained.

"What would you do if you had an opportunity to speak to him?" I asked in a tone that

suggested I just wanted to make conversation rather than I was interested.

"Maybe shove a foot up his narcissistic a*s," She said as her upper lip lifted in a sneer.

'Shove a foot up my as*?! Noted!'

When we got close to the car Olivia stopped.

"We haven't taken any pictures yet..." She said.

I wanted to tell her we already have pictures from this evening. 'Someone' had taken

pictures of us while we were dancing, particularly when I dipped her, but I wanted to have

her close again, so I didn't say anything.

One of the kitchen staff was passing by and she waved at him.

"Please can you take pictures of us?" She asked.

He agreed and I gave my phone to him.

We stood side by side. She had her hands clutching her purse tightly as she smiled neutrally.

"Are you guys having issues? Did he offend you, ma'am?" He asked playfully, referring to

Olivia.

"No, he didn't", She replied.

"Then why is the space between the both of you that wide? Another human could fit in.

Please hold onto each other. I'll be retaking the pictures" He urged.

Olivia looked up at me and then back to the stranger.

"Alright then. Let's get this over with!" She said. She placed one of her hands on my chest

while I placed one of mine around her waist. She looked up to me with a small smile on her

face while I memorized for the fifteenth time this evening, the details of her face.

She blinked her eyes as she squirmed lightly.

"Perfect!" The stranger commented.

It wasn't until he stood before us, stretching my phone to me, that she released me, broken

from the jinx that held us in place for that moment.

As we drove back to her place, we said nothing to each other and just dwelt in the

comfortable - uncomfortable silence.