Dante's Love (18+)

Chapter 21

The heavy downpour outside subdued into a drizzle.

The pitted-patter of the rain was slowly lulling me to sleep. A loud smack of the stack of paper on the table jolted me up. I glared at Dante who was trying to hide his mischievous smile behind a cough.

We have been confined together in a room that was graciously converted into a study by the hotel staff.

"Tired?"

I scowled at him, as if he wasn't the one who kept me up the majority of the night.

I wanted to thank the high heavens as we finally did consolidate the second sample of the story. I quickly emailed the first sample to Dean, knowing he would be pleased to open it.

"Why did we do two pieces if you are just going to submit one?" Curiosity laced Dante's voice as he bend down to peer closer into my laptop.

"I'm..." I tried not to glance back up at him. "Just cautious. Laying out my options."

"You're scared, aren't you?"

His words rang the truth as I nodded. Rejection. It was ridiculous thing to be scared of, especially since it's just emotional. It couldn't hurt me physically and I was taught it shouldn't emotionally as well.

I wish I could let it roll off my back like Gillie. But I can't. Sometimes, it sucks so much that it pushes you to the ground and you feel a heavy weight on you, preventing you from picking yourself up.

He did not push any further, seemingly able to understand that I was uncomfortable.

We worked impressively together. He gave me a new perspective on the story and we were done way faster than I would've imagined. The clock struck 6 and we quickly parted, to get ready for dinner.

I tried to shake the looming questions tinkering at the back of my head, demanding to be answered. Over the years, I grew to learn that along with the fear of rejection, came with the instinctive defence to build up walls. Walls so high that nothing could pass through. So high that nothing could hurt anymore. It is not rejection if you didn't let yourself care in the first place.

A sharp knock echoed throughout my room as I called for him to come in.

"Am I underdressed?" I asked, hesitantly.

I knew of the high-profile restaurants that Dante goes to and I didn't want to embarrass him. I was dressed in a long, slip dress and a much thicker coat to protect me from the harsh winds. I learnt from my mistake the previous day.

"No. You look good." He cleared his throat.

The confidence in him vanishing as he took me in. His eyes raked me and I tried not to let it get to my head as everywhere his eyes touched left a trail of blazing heat.

Suddenly, it was gone. The moment, the passion was put aside as I glanced away. Along with my high walls protecting me, I developed odd habits to help me whenever I feel myself falling and vulnerable.

I would look away at anything, anything that would protect me, distract me. Anything but at the matter at hand. They say, Ignorance is a bliss. And I couldn't agree more.

He silently approached me and I could feel the storm in his eyes. Undressing and wearing me down, so much that I wanted to shout and run away. But I didn't.