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She waved, a breathtaking smile plastered on her face, I gripped onto the steering wheel, noticing how my knuckles have turned white in seconds. Once she was inside, I muttered to myself, still keeping in mind that the ignition was still on,

"What have you done to me Lily Cole?"

Never in my dating life had I spoke to someone so openly without holding myself back or with any interruptions. When she asked questions and I answered, the words left my lips comfortably. It left so normally that it actually felt good to speak to someone about random pointless things.

The voices in my head knew too and I wouldn't disagree with them. The somewhat true words that Luke said last month replayed over and over again, constantly teasing me. I bite my lip as my eyes fall to the backseat of the car.

It wasn't much. A single medium-sized black box. A red bow wrapped to perfection. After a lot of hindrance, I finally managed to get something for her knowing that she didn't have the time to get something since she was piled with work.

With a biting lip I looked back at her building where she disappeared into and it was there, the constant inner battle. That inner argument that kept going on and on in my head. One voice fighting over another for the past three and a half months since our second kiss,

Go after her before it's too late!

No, don't! Don't get used to her, you know how it'll end!

Don't listen to that shit, go for her! Even Luke gave his acceptance! You have once chance what the hell are you waiting for?! GO!"

I caved in. There was no going back. Reaching behind the back seat, I grab the box. Opening the door, I walked down the path that Lily had. I came to a stop under the mini-roof, the motion sensor turning on from my presence.

Other than knowing that she lived on the second floor, I had no other information on how to get to her. Restlessly I punch in a bunch of random numbers, hoping that someone would open the door but alas no-one did.

Then, from the corner of my eye I caught a security man who looked no older than being in his late forties. He paused and questioned,

"Are you okay young man?"

I faced him fully and like everyone else who knows my name or knows who I am, he widened his eyes and stumbled back in shock,

"Mr King? As in the Mr King from King Enterprise!?"

I give a nod, him continuing to stumble over his words,

"What brings you here Mr King so late this evening?"

"I er... wanted to give something to Miss Cole. I dropped her off from work since it was late,"

His face changes from shocked to a smile,

"Ah Lily. Is she someone who caught your eye?"

I blink at his bluntness,

"Don't look so surprised. I'm only saying so because no man would come here at what? Half twelve with a mysterious box like present in their hand,"

I look down at the box. The security guard continued speaking,

"I was once like you. My wife was someone who caught my eye that I couldn't let go so easily. She was so hard to get. Ah those days..."

He gave a hearty laugh as he continued,

"She was a feisty one. Her humour always lightened up my day,"

I smile at the mention of his wife as I ask,

"Do you by any chance know what door number Miss Cole lives in?"

He shakes his head, a pout on his face. He walks up to me and places a hand on my shoulder,

"You don't need to address her with formalities. Do you really want her to call you Mr King even outside of working hours?"

"I-"

I begin only to halt at his question,

"I'll give you a tip. If you want to get closer to Lily, you gotta drop the formalities. Of course Lily won't at first but that's because she knows the position she's in,"

Intrigued by the conversation I ask curiously,

"What position?"

He gives a face of determination,

"It's right there in the open! You're her boss and she's your employee,"

My shoulders deflate a little at his response. Deep down I knew that it wouldn't work with Lily. I told you to listen to me didn't I? Turn back before you loose your chance the voice reiterated,

"Don't look so defeated, Lily hasn't been out with a man in a while. She hasn't cause she's been busy with the work you give her. I saw her not along ago when I did my rounds indoors. It wasn't a good look but I saw her the look she gave you,"

I waited for him to continue,

"Believe it or not Mr King she may deny it or say otherwise but she has feelings she has for you,"

I scrunch my eyes as I argue,

"How can you be so sure?"

He chuckles,

"I don't need to be sure, I already know. The air itself in the air is heavy with lust- oh do not forget to wear protection. I know how young men like you react,"

I was pretty sure I had a shocked look. He smiled, showing his wrinkles,

"... with jokes aside, I mean it when I say that you'll regret it if you choose to walk away and leave the employer employee zone there. I know you want her. I see it in your eyes,"

He rubs my upper hand soothingly giving a smile,

"Lily must have had some impact on you since you ran out here in your shirt only. You can't feel it but you're shaking from the cold. It's Friday and you know what that means,"

By now there's a proud smile plastered on his face,

"Treat her to a meal, not an expensive one but a decent one. Lily goes for the ones who's all about the sincerity not money. It doesn't fool her. Show her the true you and you'll weave a spot in her heart without even trying,"

I nod taking his words into consideration. He lets out a sigh as he finally answers my first question,

"Her door numbers twelve. The pin number for the main door here is simple. 2416. If you know the 4 digits you'll have access to this building,"

I nod. He was about to walk away but I spoke quickly, grabbing his attention again,

"Are you sure that it's okay to get information like this?"

He pouts innocently,

"I didn't say anything,"

He gives me a wink and walks away, turning around the corner. I stare into nothing before dialling the numbers. Two. Four. One. Six. Three beeps rang and a green light shone brightly in the dark, signalling that the door was unlocked.

I push the door open. The indoor light lights up. The stairs were fixed against the wall. I breathed out through my nose and decided to take two steps at a time, reaching the second floor in no time.

Feeling the adrenaline bump through my veins, my eyes scan the numbers across the open floor, finally finding the number twelve. The number shines the most from the others, like it was my hypnotic charm. My feet move so that I'm now stood in front of her door.

My heart beats loudly in my ears but it doesn't bother me. I raise my hand that wasn't holding the box and knock on her door. I wait one second... two seconds... three seconds before I hear the door unlock.

The door handle gets pushed down and opens half way, revealing Lily in her Winnie the Pooh pyjamas,

"Oh,"

She spoke softly, her eyes scrunched in confusion. My eyes travel down her body. The material loosely hanging against her skin. I skim her face seeing it free from make-up, revealing her natural beauty. Her hair in a messy bun and it somehow turned me on. Fuck sakes what timing...

Trying to block out the lust, I fixate on one of her Winnie the Pooh prints that was on her oversized shirt. I wonder how she would look in my shirts... ahh stop it! ... Noah man I'm siding with him for this one.

I closed my eyes briefly. The battle weighing dramatically as I tried to calm myself down. I couldn't help it. She was everything I wanted and needed. Not being able to control myself, I just end up muttering to myself,

"Fuck this,"

Out of nowhere, with her Winnie the Pooh figurines stuck in my head, my mind wonders back to our conversation we had months back,

"I see the Winnie the Pooh wasn't a lie,"

She looks down as she had an accused look on her face,

"Hey do not bully Winnie,"

I chuckle at her cute antics before clearing my throat. She speaks once my chuckle died,

"What are you doing here Mr King?"

As she called me Mr King it instantly reminded me of the security man, if you want to get closer to Lily, you gotta drop the formalities. I move from one foot to another and speak,

"I'm.. er... um.. I'm here for two things; one-"

I stutter, failing to speak coherently. I don't get to continue the ramble because she breaks in,

"I'm so sorry, I'm being rude. Do you er... want to come in?"

I freeze unable to answer. I give a tight smile as I respond,

"Maybe another time,"

Aw come on! One step inside won't hurt,

"I just came by to quickly drop something off,"

I ain't coming in because I won't be able to control myself if I take a step closer to you. I finish of my reason in my head. She gives a pout that made my heart swell. She lets out a puff of air as she questions,

"If you say so, what is it that you wanted to drop off?"

Using my free hand I rubbed the back of my head, embarrassment and fear crawling of being rejected. I speak trying not to turn red,

"I um... bought you a little something for the charity event. I picked it out personally. I was hoping you would wear it,"

I extended my hand out waiting for her to take it. She was a bit sceptical about it so she commented,

"I- you didn't have to Mr King,"

Break that barrier! The voice spoke. She took the box from my hand, lifting one stress of my shoulders. I scratched the back of my head before replying,

"I wanted to. You've done so much for the event and I thought that you may have not had to the time or chance to find something to wear for the day itself,"

Her fingers brushed the red fabric that was wrapped around the black sleek box. A smile appeared on her face. She meets my eyes. Her brown orbs shining,

"Thank you,"

I give a sheepish smile in return as I speak,

"Well I best be off, I don't want to waste any more of your sleep,"

ASK HER OUT FOR THAT MEAL! DROP THE FORMALITIES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

The voices beckoned over each other. She places the box behind her somewhere and faces me again. She gives a small shy wave, the door closing ever so slightly as she does so. The door was almost closed when I suddenly placed my hand on the cold surface, refusing it to shut.

The voices had once won more. I bite my lower lip hard feeling her eyes on my lips. I speak letting the voices win,

"Are you by any chance doing anything over the weekend?"

She scrunches her eyebrows together and shakes her head slowly. I let out a deep sigh, mentally doing a happy dance at her response. Giving her a smile, I ask the only question that had been repeating over and over in my head,

"Do you want to grab lunch with me tomorrow?"