Chapter 7 The Unexpected Spark

• Julian’s POV:
• I sat there for a while, replaying Samantha’s words in my head. I had to admit, I hadn’t exactly been kind.
• But something about her struck a nerve. Maybe it was because she reminded me of the other women I’d dated, the ones who only saw me as a means to an end. Or maybe it was because she didn’t hold back in telling me off.
• After finishing my drink, I pushed back my chair and headed out, dialing my PA as I walked toward the curb to hail a cab.
• My car was still parked at the office, but I was too drained to make the trip back to retrieve it.
• The phone rang longer than I liked, and I began tapping my foot in irritation.
• “Come on,” I muttered under my breath as the ringing continued. Finally, the call connected.
• “Yes, Mr. Julian?” my PA answered, his voice clipped but professional.
• “I need you to arrange for my car to be delivered to my building first thing in the morning. I’m taking a cab home tonight,” I said curtly, glancing at my watch.
• “Understood, sir,” he replied. “Anything else?”
• “No, that’s all,” I said, ending the call before she could respond further. I flagged down a cab and gave the driver my address before sinking back into the seat.
• My thoughts kept drifting back to Samantha, her fiery words, the way her eyes flashed with anger, and how she stormed out without looking back.
• As frustrating as the evening had been, I couldn’t help but admit that she was different. I didn’t know whether that was a good or bad thing, but it was... something.
• By the time I reached my apartment, the exhaustion hit me like a wave. Tossing my jacket onto the nearest chair, I loosened my tie and poured myself a glass of whiskey.
• Samantha’s words echoed in my mind again, and for the first time in a while, I wondered if I had been too quick to judge her. Or worse if she had been right about me.
• I shook my head, dismissing the thought.
• No, I wasn’t the problem. She just didn’t understand me or the world I lived in.
• Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the last time I’d see her. Something told me our paths would cross again, whether we wanted them to or not.
• ******
• The next day at work, I was lost in thought, staring blankly at the papers on my desk, when I heard a voice call out.
• “Sir?”
• I blinked and looked up to find Fred, my ever-persistent PA, standing in front of me, a concerned expression on his face.
• “Is everything okay, sir?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.
• “Everything’s fine,” I replied, brushing off his concern and returning my gaze to the desk, hoping he would drop it.
• But Fred wasn’t one to let things go. “How was the date last night?” he asked, his tone a little too curious for my liking.
• I frowned, my jaw tightening. “Don’t even go there,” I warned. “The three dates so far have been a complete waste of my precious time.”
• Fred raised an eyebrow but didn’t seem fazed. “What happened this time?”
• I waved my hand dismissively. “Change the topic, Fred. I’m not interested in rehashing the disaster. And since these dates weren’t worth it, I believe you have a price to pay for setting me up with such ridiculous options.”
• Fred smirked, clearly enjoying my irritation more than he should. “Actually, sir, there’s still one more date left before we close the book on this little experiment.”
• I sighed heavily, leaning back in my chair. “You don’t know when to quit, do you?”
• Fred shook his head, his grin widening. “Nope, sir. I believe that Christmas brings miracles, and you, sir, are in desperate need of one. I just know it.”
• I shook my head in disbelief, unable to decide if his optimism was endearing or downright maddening. “You’re impossible, Fred.”
• He shrugged, clearly unfazed. “It’s part of my charm, sir.”
• For a moment, there was silence as I weighed my options. Then, almost hesitantly, I spoke. “Anyway... uh, do you still... have the... number of... the second lady I went on a date with?”
• Fred’s eyes narrowed as a sly smile spread across his face. “Oh, you mean Samantha, huh, sir?”
• I nodded slowly, feeling a little self-conscious under his knowing gaze. “Yeah.”