Nikolas could barely focus. Ever since that encounter with Selene in the elevator, his mind had been all over the place. It had been two weeks since then, and somehow, she had found every possible way to avoid him. He tried not to think too much about it, but he couldn't help himself.
Grunting loudly,Nikolas lifted the heavy dumbbell with both hands above his head, holding it steady for six breaths before lowering it. He repeated the action three more times,before carefully dropping it down.his muscles burning from the pressure he had just applied on them.
The adrenaline pumping through his veins,as he drew in a deep rasp breath,but it did nothing to distract him from his thoughts. Why was she avoiding him?
Although he had been shocked to see her in the elevator that evening. He had assumed she'd left the office earlier, so when she stepped inside, his entire body went rigid. Then, he'd heard her stomach growling.
The unexpected sound had made something tighten in his chest. Why was she starving herself? When he asked, and she had told him about her overwhelming workload had only frustrated him further.
He made a mental note to reduce the workload on her. Which he did,the very next day, he'd instructed Helen to clear out most of the unfinished files from her office. He knew the previous manager had left a substantial amount of work,but he wasn't going to let Selene work herself to death.
Yet, in the two weeks that followed, he had only seen her twice, and both times were in the company of other staffs during Monday morning meetings.
With her chitchatting, laughing and joking freely with other employees but had restricted him to only polite greetings and work-related discussions.
For some reason it angered him greatly.Although he wouldn't admit it out loudly,but he wanted her to be more free and comfortable around him. He wanted to hear the sound of that amazing laugh of hers, the one that brightened up her face,but she reserved it for everyone else but him,which was frustrating.
Even the way she handled work now had changed. She used to bring files to his office personally, explaining things in detail. But, now she sent them through Helen. The other day, he could have sworn he smelled the soft scent of her floral perfume lingering in the hallway,but she was nowhere around.
God! why was this woman messing with his head so much?
The other day he had even gone as far as searching for information about her son's father. She hadn't been married, which likely meant one thing, the man was not in the picture, just as she had said.
That realization warmed his chest in a way he didn't want to analyze. Because, somehow he couldn't fathom the Selene with another man. The very thought made his blood boil.
After a few more rounds of weightlifting, Nikolas moved to the treadmill. Exercising had always been his way of clearing his mind. The rush of adrenaline did something to him, kept him grounded. He loved good food, which meant he needed to stay disciplined with his workouts. That was why it unsettled him that Selene hadn't been eating properly.
He had turned an extra room in his four bedroom penthouse into a fully equipped home gym shortly after purchasing the place. It was his sanctuary, ensuring he had no excuse to skip his morning routine. And he stuck strictly to his routine.
But today, as he pounded his long legs in the electric treadmill, his thoughts kept circling back to Selene. He had been struggling with his feelings, and the thought that she might be avoiding him had made it worse.
Although he had made a resolve not to pursue an affair with her,they worked together. But that didn't mean they couldn't be friends. Like,the way she was with the other staffs.
The loud buzz of his alarm jolted Nikolas from his thoughts. His morning workout was officially over. He needed to shower and get dressed for work.
But just as he stepped off the treadmill, the sound of his front door swinging open suddenly sending his heart into overdrive. His body tensed as he tiptoed toward the door. His mind racing with thoughts. Who the hell was letting themselves into his apartment at 6:30 in the morning?
Only three people had access to his house through his code which were: his mother, his sister, and his best friend. His mother hadn't been to his place in over five years, and his best friend was still away on a business trip,to return this week. So that left only—
"Nikolas! Where are you?"
His baby sister's voice echoed through the penthouse, immediately setting him at ease.
A moment later, her voice rang closer. "I hope you're not naked with a woman in there."
He let out a relieved but slightly annoyed sigh and strolled down the long hallway, meeting her amused gaze.
"What do you want, Calista?" he asked dryly.
She snapped her head toward him. "Oh,is anybody in there?" She wiggled her eyebrows, pointing toward his closed bedroom door.
"No, Calista," he muttered.
Not that he wouldn't want someone to be in there. Specifically, a certain blue-eyed woman who had been driving him insane.shaking the thought out of his head as soon as it came in.
He didn't need to start having thoughts about her on his bed,it will only worsen his situation.As he had suddenly started feeling blood rushing down towards his groin area.
The sound of Calista pushing his bedroom door open brought him back from his sinful fascination.
"Callista, what do you want?" he repeated angrily,as he followed her into the room. "You can't just barge in whenever you feel like it."
But she said nothing as she headed straight for his walk-in closet and rummaging through his clothes.
Sighing, he strode into the bathroom for a quick shower. Arguing with his sister was pointless. Thanks to their father, man had spoilt his only daughter to the fact were whatever she wanted, she got.
Just last week, she had taken his Lamborghini without asking and only got to know about it after seeing her post all over social media.On other occasions, She had 'borrowed' several of his designer clothes claiming they were for fashion gigs but never returned them.
Still, despite being spoiled, she had a good heart. She was always respectful,so he'd always let her have her way.besides she had already made him waste several minutes thinking someone had broken into his house.
After a quick shower,he came out to find out that Calista had let herself out.He glanced at his phone and saw a message from her.
Took your Nike Dunk sneakers & leather jacket. You'll get them back… eventually.
Nikolas groaned. Liar.
Throwing his phone back on the bed, he quickly dressed in a sharp custom made Tom Ford gray suit. It was Monday, the one day of the week he got to bask in Selene's presence during the usual morning meeting.
So he needed to look his best,he thought as excitement coursed through his veins.