I walked the steps up till my room on 1st floor at dad's place with the least enthusiasm as if delaying the outcome.

Moneybags is here...

He's following me...

He's gonna see my room..

He's going to be in my room..

Deep breaths.

Super deep breaths..

I was feeling 13 and my age at the same time.

I wanted to scream with joy like a teen and hide the room away as if it were my personal oasis at the same time which I didn't wanna share so soon.

Decide, woman!!

Am such a split personality at times...

With a short breath I turned the brass doorknob to my room and turned to find Matt a few feet away from me looking almost scared as if I might hit him any moment.

I wish...

If it gives me some time...

Forcing a smile which I know didn't reach my eyes I said, "This is my room, Matt."

With eyes as wide as a kid he walked into the 150 sq-ft room which had a queen-size bed with lots of pillows, a matching dressing, study table, wardrobe and a half-wall wide window which had a cushioned matching settee next to it.

The walls were teal and the furniture all baby pink. The ceiling had glow-in-dark stars and corners had sparkling lights.

Books lined the study table and shelves above it.

I was a geek... Still am.

A drawing board stood facing the window. It held my Regalia plans.

The clothes I wore this morning were lying on the chair next to the study table and my reading glasses were peeping from under the architecture magazines on the table.

And am glad Sicilia, Sam's wife doesn't let any of my unlaundered clothes lie around ever now.

It was a different story till I turned 16. There used to be screaming matches between me and everyone trying to get into my room to clean it.

It was my escape and cocoon and no one was allowed in without a fight.

No guy was ever going to visit the geek in a thousand years so this room was where my girl friends and I used to have our movie marathons and sleepovers.

Ooh, reminder..

Call Sarah and Hannah tonight if you wish to see your upcoming birthday..

My friends are savage.

Us three have been joined at the hip since kindergarten.

Both of them went on to find the best possible boyfriends now husbands.

Both had a tot each two yr old.

While I was going through my to-do list and a short peek into memory lane, Matt managed to find his steps till the drawing board and was looking all enamored at the plans as if they were the lost maps to Atlantis.

I am as self-preserving as the next person, maybe not as much as Moneybags here but these plans weren't my best.

They needed some missing elements...

I could feel that in my bones.

Matt was smiling to himself. Maybe he's mad.

Is he memorizing the plans?

You've bested yourself, Rosey, 4 point of views in 5 mins flat.

"Matt?! Something funny in the plans?", I was genuinely intrigued, a bit skeptical actually I really wanted to know what he thought.

He's well-travelled.

Am sure he's seen all the architectural gems I wanted to personally see.

After what seemed like two full minutes and he had gone through all plans he spoke what any hotelier would want to hear, "I would want to stay at Regalia everytime I am in Boston."

Something tingled within when he said that..

I was very conscious of the blush that must've crept up on my face.

Clearing my throat with a modest smile I said thank you.

"Are you so liberal with your compliments, Mr. Flinthart?"

"I don't compliment, Rose. Period." After that Matt looked straight into my eyes with the most serious expression I had seen on his face so far.

I could feel my skin almost burn with a heightened sense.

Don't fall for it..

Don't fall for it..

Giving a short laugh trying to dispel his hold on my eyes, shaking my head I said,"But I did count you paying quite a few of those."

"Is that all business sense?", leaning on the edge of the bed I asked looking back into his eyes.

What is with those chocolatey orbs, I get mesmerized.

"I don't need to pay compliments to do business with anyone", he said with such brazen confidence that it would've felt distasteful coming from anyone else, but, he dammit owned it.

Something melted inside me..

Can a statement by a guy heat a woman so much that she melts?

None of the chemistry classes discussed this topic..

I had matter enough to write my thesis on it now.

Miss Sanders, my chemistry teacher would be so proud of me.

Then he was near my study table tracing it's edges with his long, tapered index finger.

Oh creamy-melt-in-your-mouth fudge..

"Tell me, Rose, are these reading glasses yours?", his brow rose up enunciating the question.

A simple yes no response doesn't take this long.

Your brain cells take vacation when you need them the most.

Mayday..

Mayday.

Speak up, woman!!

The delay is worsening it.

Diffuse it.

"I can read even without them."

Mental facepalm.

Both of his brows shot up and then a few seconds later giving a broad smile matching mine he said,"Can you now?" and we both laughed a bit at my kiddish response.

He has such a deep, throaty and honest laugh which I have a feeling is rare.

This is odd. I don't usually share kiddish jokes with men my age.

Correction.

I have never shared a joke with a guy my age.

I know it may sound pathetic but it just never happened.

Then as if sensing the upcoming shutters Matt asked, "Am going to have an up close and personal look at Regalia tomorrow, Miss Tyler. Would you like to come along?"

He asked with the boyish charm of a 16 yr old and hopeful eyes.

I was jumping up and down with glee within me but outwardly maintaining the calmest of expressions nodded a placid yes.

His hopeful eyes shone with joy.

"Shall I pick you up at 10am, then?"

"It's a date", I ended up blurting before I could stop myself.

He was grinning unabashedly.

"Definitely."

"I meant as in an official appointment," trying to tone my voice down.

"Definitely."

"Monosyllabic responses!! Rationing your words already?"

"I believe when less can do why use more", winking his reply he turned and left whistling away as if he'd won the lottery.

Coming down to dad's study I told dad, "The bait is taken."

Author's note: Evil nasty laugh!!! Thought pattern changing in the female lead so often and what is her standpoint now?!

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