Chapter 44
"Yeah! I am okay." She forced the words out of her lips while pushing herself out of his arms once she snapped out of her temporary trance. "Thanks."
She would admit she was initially shocked to bump into him. Then, the fear of falling flat on the ground and locking eyes with this man did not help her situation.
On the contrary, it only added to her agitation as goosebumps spread through her entire skin, causing her body to quiver uncontrollably.
"Are you sure? It looks like you are still slightly shaken up." He observed as he remained close, apparently ready to catch her if she suddenly fainted.
She guessed it was typical of him to act chivalrously. She had always known him as the perfect gentleman. That was how she met him. It was nothing fancy or anything.
She was late for work and was in a hurry while he was a guest on his way to his hotel room from his morning run. It was when they first bump into each other.
He just beat her to the door and pushed it, but instead of just passing by, he held it open for her. Then, with his big charming smile, she fell in love at first sight with this man.
"Hey, you are that girl from this morning. Right?" He asked her when he saw her in the hallway. "Wait!" He took out a card from his pocket and extended it to her.
"I think this is yours, Jules Morgan." He said her name, and she felt like all the angels just heralded her name. His voice sounded great in her ears.
"Yeah, I have been looking for that." She must have accidentally dropped it earlier in her rush. She had been searching for it everywhere and was glad he found it.
"I am Dale Hawkins, by the way." He extended his other hand as if waiting for her to take it.
She did not usually talk to the guests since her work was behind the scenes. She handled maintaining the cleanliness and ensuring all rooms were cared for and inspected according to the management standards.
"Jules, as you already know." She finally accepted his handshake with a bit of hesitation. "Anyway, thanks, Mr. Hawkins, for this." Raising her identification card.
"But if you do not need anything else, I must return to work." She put her card back into her pocket and turned to leave.
She was not used to a guest being friendly with her. Usually, they only talked to her to order her around. Of course, she did not mind since that was her job.
"Wait!" Dale called back to her, unexpectedly making her stop. Then, he was standing before her, blocking her path. "I have an exhibit..." He was saying but stopped.
"I meant I am an artist, and some of my paintings will be featured in the lobby tonight. I wonder if you can come and join me as my guest." He offered, which made her feel excited and suspicious at the same time.
Honestly, she had no clue how to react to his invitation. She was not new to men asking her out on a date. But nobody had asked her before to come to an exhibit.
Besides, she never liked socializing with people from the upper class. She believed she did not need the headache of dealing with the social snobs.
"I don't think so." Jules declined his offer, although a part of her, the illogical one, wished to accept.
As she had said earlier, she fell in love with him at first sight. But, it did not mean that she would jump at the first chance to be with him.
Maybe it was self-preservation or fear of getting hurt, but despite wanting to say yes.
Instead, she said no.
"Why not?" Dale persisted as he tried to convince her to go with him. "I know it might look dull and boring, but I assure you, you will have a good time."
"I am sorry, but I am working. Besides, I am sure that you have plenty of other girls who would die to join you." She commented, not backing down from her decision.
She was not naive in situations like this. She knew what happened after a wealthy guy invited a girl like her to events like this.
She was not interested in being an eye candy for this man for one night. A man like him would expect she was an easy lay. Then, he would discard her the next day as if she were yesterday's trash.
"I understand. We all have to work. But if you ever change your mind, here is my card." This time, he handed her a piece of cardboard with his number. Then, he stepped away, unblocking her path.
"I still wish you could come." And somehow, she wished that, too.
But she did not show up despite how desperately she wanted to see him again. She did not see the point of going to the trouble, knowing it would go nowhere.
"Jules Morgan..." A voice shouted her name. "It is you."
Somehow, fate had other plans, and she bumped into him again at another time. Then, this time, she could not say no anymore.
"Jules." She heard her name again. But it snapped her from her reverie, making her aware that this was not her past.
"I am okay." She insisted as she stepped further away, suddenly alerted that she should not be talking to him. "Thanks, but I have to go." Quickly, she turned away from him.
Although she knew she had many things to discuss with this man, she doubted this was the time. And she guessed she was not ready. She had to get away from him as soon as possible.
"Jules, do you have time to talk?" He persisted, but he did not attempt to follow her. "I believe I deserve an explanation."
She could feel the coldness of his voice, but she did not detect anger in them. She could not see his face, but she could imagine the pain in his eyes.
She knew she had to stop before she could go far. Was it guilt or love? She could not tell. But she had to face him again.
"I don't think this is the time and place for your reunion, Dale." Another familiar voice joined them. But this time, the other man was standing before her.