C6: Crushing on Mrs. Somebody (2)

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Old man Bowa, who was both an astute and perceptive man, didn’t miss the slight frown nor the disappointment on the face of the younger man.

Old man Bowa cleared his throat and asked cautiously, “Will there be a problem?”

Derek’s eyes were locked on the nervous-looking woman, unable to hide his disappointment.

Married.

Looks like he was a few years too late. He couldn’t help but be envious of the lucky man who had won her heart. All of a sudden, he felt a sense of loss.

This was the first time in so many years that he was completely taken by a woman, yet she turned out to belong to another man.

Lucky bastard,he thought.

Derek heaved a heavy sigh, withdrew his gaze, and shook his head at the old man’s question.

“No, there won’t. The job is hers if she is willing to work for an old bachelor like me.” He flashed her a smile, though his voice bore a self-deprecating tone.

Standing not far away from him, Ysabelle sighed in relief. It felt like the invisible knot tied around her had loosened.

She looked up at him, her big, round eyes shining with appreciation.

Derek cursed. He found himself unable to look away from her.

Does she know how seductive she looks when she looks at someone like that?

“Thank you, sir, thank you so much. I promise I won’t let you down,” Ysabelle said gratefully.

Derek’s eyes twitched with amusement.

Well, her verbal thanks were nice and all, but he would have preferred she expressed her gratitude in another way.

Images of their sweaty, naked bodies entangled under the sheets on his bed filled his mind.

He shook his head and gave himself a mental talking-to.

Damn it, Derek, what the hell is wrong with you? She is another man’s wife.

Well, one I wouldn’t mind taking to bed, he mused.

“You can start any time you’re ready,” he said to her at the tail end of her sentence.

Most preferably now.

“I can start now if it’s okay with you,” she replied.

Oh ? That was music to his ears.

Even though he knew keeping her around was going to be torture, he nodded.

“Well, if it’s all settled, I’ll leave you two to sort out the details.” Oldman Bowa said.

“Sure.”

Old man Bowa turned to Ysabelle.

“Ysabelle, I’ll go ahead now. I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Derek. He’s a good man, he will take care of you.”

“Thank you, grandpa Bowa. Pass my regards to grandma Amy.”

Old man Bowa nodded and turned to walk down the driveway.

“How is Aunt Amy?” Derek asked as he walked beside the old man at his pace.

“Oh, she’s good. She was asking about you the other day.”

“I’ll make time to visit her. I miss eating her delicious meals.”

Old man Bowa chuckled and peeked over his shoulder. “Oh, now that you have Ysabelle with you, I’m sure my wife’s cooking will pale in comparison.”

Derek chuckled. “How is that possible? Aunt Amy’s cooking can beat any Michelin restaurant in the city.”

Old man Bowa cast him a knowing smile. “No Michelin star can beat a meal whose special ingredient is love.”

“Yeah?”

Old man Bowa nodded and patted the young man on the shoulder. “You should visit her soon; she’ll appreciate it. Bring Ysabelle with you.”

“Will do.”

Old man Bowa bid the young man farewell and walked down the driveway with a spring in his step.

Just after he stepped out of the yard, the phone in his back pocket rang. He pulled it out and put it to his ear.

“So impatient,” he cheerfully uttered into the phone.

“How did it go?” The voice on the other side asked anxiously.

Old man Bowa chuckled. “Why? You don’t have faith in my matchmaking skills?”

The voice on the other side harrumphed. “I will only believe it when I see results.”

“Oh, you will have results sooner than you think,” he answered.

The two chatted for a while before Old man Bowa hung up. Whistling, he shoved his phone back into his pocket and headed home, a smile on his face.

Today looks like a beautiful day to fall in love, he thought, recalling the encounter between the two young ones.

I have set the ball rolling. The rest is up to them.

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Back at Derek’s house…

Ysabelle nervously looked about her as she sat on the edge of the yellow lounge sofas on the verandah.

She craned her neck and caught a glimpse of the back of the man who was now her boss.

Derek was on the phone, and from the looks of it, the call seemed important. He stood with one hand thrust deep in his pocket.

He’s so perfect.

His clothes fit him perfectly, as though tailor-made for his body.

The more she looked at him and admired his physique, the faster her heart beat.

From the moment she had met him, she had been mesmerized by him.

Rich, handsome, and with a body to back it all — she had no doubt that dozens of women had dreamed of being his better half.

Mrs. Derek Lupasha. It had a nice ring to it.

I wonder what type of woman he likes. As soon as the thought flashed through her mind, her cheeks heated up.

She quickly retracted her gaze, lowered her head, and turned her attention to the folder. His love life had nothing to do with her. Besides, she knew better than to start nurturing a fantasy that would lead nowhere.

When he was done with the call, he turned around and walked over to her.

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine.”

“Is everything okay? If there is something you’re not pleased with, let me know and I’ll have the secretary fix it.”

Ysabelle looked up and gave him an incredulous look.

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