Chapter 12

• Scott loosened the remaining buttons on his shirt, took it off and let it slide to the floor. He hated to be messy but today and the past ones he's spent away from home have all been exceptions. The stress he had gone through was all worth it though. He finally closed a deal needed to promote his businesses -- both the official and the unofficial ones. Of the four days, he spent away from home, two were spent negotiating with business men and women and their partners while the other two days were taken with lengthy discussions and deliberations with lawyers, before finally, a ton of papers were signed, sealing the deal.
• Now that he was back, he wanted nothing more than to rest very well.
• Throughout his stay, a lot of beautiful women, even the ones he had business with were more than ready to blur the lines between work and pleasure for him, but he hadn't been interested. His attention had rather been far away, on the woman that waited for him at home. He remembered how he'd gone straight to see Willow as soon as he arrived. When he was told she was in the gym, he'd hurried, surprised but keen. He had had the mindset to apologize, for keeping her waiting all this while. The day he sent for her, he planned to leave the office early to come see her, but the meeting and subsequent flight was scheduled improtu. One thing led to another and he was laid back. Multiple times he wanted to call but was held off with one meeting or the next. Confident his staff would ensure her comfort, he wasn't too worried but he'd hoped with no small amount of glee that she would call him herself. He was a little aggrieved she hadn't and that was why when he saw her, the first thing he did was lay this grievance. But that was before the mere sight of her registered in his tiredness. Seeing her hair tousled and plastered to her face, her skin shining with perspiration, a dumbbell hanging from her hand, her mouth hanging open in surprise, her chest heaving with heavy breaths, Scott suddenly had a new definition of the word, sexy.
• He smiled and removed his wristwatch then placed it on the bedside table. The both of them standing there had been a refreshing reality, and the other days, a distant past. He had been shocked at seeing her lift weights. He glimpsed strength in her then, not only the physical kind, but a stamped determination, and he'd known then she would be perfect for what he had in mind. In the role she mapped out for her, she wouldn't look out of place but strong and beautiful.
• Scott felt guilt prick at him at the thought.
• "I'll get it done." He says as crossed the distance to the safe specially designed to be opened with the pupil of his eye. He reached inside and brought out an ipad similar to the one he had in his office. He flicked on several icons to where different images of different women lighted the space. He observed carefully and selected, then switched off the device. His emotions swirled.
• "Doesn't matter, I'll still get it done." He placed the ipad back in and locked the safe. He distracted himself with the dinner meeting he had coming. He hoped Willow will not resist his plan. He took a shower after which he retired to a restive sleep.
• - - - - -
• Books and books lined the shelves, and lots of shelves rested on the walls. The library was long enough to accommodate dozens of readers and wide enough with equally appropriate windows for ventilation and good lighting. It was hard to believe it is a private library, but it was. Willow was a little peeved she had not discovered this paradise on her walks around the house.
• At the far end of the large space, beside two rocking chairs and a window seat, was a door. Willow walked to it and knocked. A muffled 'come in,' came through and she opened the door.
• Scott was sitting behind a large mahogany desk with two other chairs in front of it, all designed with comfort in mind. This was his home office. He wore a flaming red shirt. A bottle of brandy was on the table in front of him, with a glass, halfway filled with brown liquid. As she walked closer to him, his glassy eyes drew her in, pulling like a string. His tongue darted to lick at his full lower lip, puckered pink with the drink. Willow shivered.
• 'Sit.' He said to her pointing one of the chairs. She did and saw smoke drifting from behind him. For a moment, she entertained the thought that his blazing red shirt caught the heat from his body and burnt but it was just the nearby bin, with something burning inside.
• "What did you burn?" She asked him, her curiosity flickering like the flames she was looking at.
• "Some.. unwanted things." He sipped from his glass, then raised it at her. "Should I pour you a glass?"
• "No, I'm good." She was a lot of things, but she wasn't a drinker. She didn't drink alcohol. Not for some big personal or religious reasons but for the simple annoying fact that she was a lightweight. So even though she loved the invigorating burn, she'd rather put it off, especially in the present situation where a clear head was needed.
• "I could get you something else. What would you like to have? I'll send for…."
• "No, really. I'm okay. What was it you wanted to see me for?"
• "Not a patient one I see," he laughed.
• "I've been waiting patiently the past four days." She says and he smirked before saying; "I'm sorry I didn't mean to be away while you were here. But I trust you were treated okay? My staff is very..competent."
• Willow snorted. "Oh they are." She thrummed her fingers on the table.
• "What is it?" He asked.
• "Uh?''
• "You looked like you were about to tell me something."
• "Nothing." Willow said.
• "Nothing important?" Scott proded.
• Willow folded her arms across her chest, "You could say that."
• "Well then, I'll just go straight to the point and tell you why I called for you." Liquor sloshed as he refilled his glass and the sharp tangy scent of the brandy filled the air. "I apologize for having you wait so long. It wasn't my intention." He went on, "I have a job offer I want to discuss with you."
• "A job? For me? At one of your places?" Willow was caught of guard.
• "No. This is of a different kind." He said and Willow looked expectantly at him.
• "How do you mean?"
• "What I have in mind for you, is…of a more personal nature."
• "I..I don't understand."
• Scott nodded, emptied his glass once more, then took something out from his shirt pocket. He placed it on the table, in front of her. "This will help you understand." Willow stared at it. It was a little box. "I'm even more confused." She said to him.
• "Open it," Scott directed her and she did. She gasped and looked at him.
• "What..what is this?"
• Scott smiled, "Its a ring, is it not?"
• "You want me to be your ring bearer?" Scott laughed hard. He hit the table with his palm and the bottle rattled. "My! You're funny!"
• When he calmed from his wheezing laughter, Willow asked again, "Are you getting married?"
• "Well, not exactly."
• "Then what's this about?"
• "It's part of the job description I have for you."
• "Which is?"
• "My fiancee."
• "Uh?"
• "Miss Willow Henderson, I want you to be my fiancee."