Chapter 7 Can I Rent It?

Comez Mall was a luxury shopping center owned by Barnum Group. On the top floor, the mall featured a grand rooftop garden named Sabitha. Designed as a glasshouse, it housed rows upon rows of Jagfrez roses that bloomed year-round, creating a vision of unending romance. The refined ambiance of Sabitha made it a popular spot for influencers to check in for afternoon tea. It was here, in one of the private dining rooms nestled within the garden, that Philip had first brought Xena to meet Samson and his friends. Even Xena, who usually paid little attention to romantic gestures, had been captivated by the sea of vibrant roses surrounding them. So, when she heard Romain had set his heart on proposing in this enchanting location, she completely understood. She wasn't unwilling to help him with this favor, especially not for something as meaningful as a proposal. But having only recently separated from Philip, she wasn't sure how to ask without feeling awkward. Still, when she imagined Ezra standing amidst the roses, accepting the proposal, and smiling with joy, Xena felt a new resolve. For her friend's happiness, she would go out of her way, even if it meant stretching her pride. She decided to try calling William, first. Finding his number in her contacts, she dialed, and after only a few rings, he picked up. "Miss Wheeler, how can I assist you?" he asked, his tone courteous but reserved. "Mr. William, is this a good time?" she replied. "Please, go ahead." Even as she explained her request, she sensed his familiar, distant professionalism. After she finished, he replied without hesitation. "My apologies, Miss Wheeler. The top floor is fully reserved for today." "I'm willing to pay double the rate," she offered, undeterred. William hesitated for a few moments before responding, "Miss Wheeler, the garden is closed today by Mr. Barnum's order. This afternoon, a special shipment of a new variety of Jagfrez roses will be flown in for Miss Dunne to view." A pause filled the line, stretching into silence. Xena took a deep breath. "Alright, I understand..." The call ended, yet she remained frozen, her thoughts drifting back to that one phrase from William: 'Miss Dunne wants to see them.' So, the breathtaking Jagfrez roses in the garden, the ones that had captivated her heart for so long, were there for Zena's enjoyment. It seems like I would need to apologize to Romain, she mused. … Later that day, around noon. While updating Philip on the morning's developments, William suddenly remembered his call with Xena. "Mr. Barnum, there's something I'm not sure if I should mention." Philip, his gaze fixed on the paperwork before him, replied without looking up. "Go ahead." "Well, Miss Wheeler called me this morning, asking if the garden could be freed up for tonight. She even offered to pay double the usual rate for the reservation." Philip's eyes lifted from his documents, his focus sharpening at the mention of Xena's name. "Oh? And what does she need the venue for?" he probed. "Her friend, Mr. Parks, wants to rent the space to propose. I double-checked with the Comez Mall team, and it turns out he did book the garden a month ago. It just happens to fall on today…" There was a hint of something in Philip's expression, subtle yet enough to make William question if he had overstepped by saying too much. "Apologies, Mr. Barnum. I didn't mean to…" "Let Miss Wheeler come directly to me," Philip replied, his tone decisive. With that, he turned his chair toward the window. The glass of the French window reflected his mischievous, handsome face with an expression tinged with playfulness. … An hour later, Xena arrived on the 50th floor of Barnum Group. The elevator doors slid open, and she was met by William, who was waiting for her. She hadn't anticipated this turn of events; she was about to return a message to Romain when William's call came through, relaying Philip's instruction for her to come over immediately. "Miss Wheeler, please follow me," William said, his tone polite but formal. Xena nodded, though a thread of unease coiled in her stomach as she followed him down the hallway. They stopped at the end, where he deftly entered a series of numbers into the fingerprint-locked door. The lock beeped softly, and the door swung open. William stepped aside, offering her a path into the room. "The CEO is expecting you," he said. Xena took a deep breath to steady herself, then straightened her back and walked in. The office was vast, sweeping out in a semicircular layout that amplified its imposing grandeur. Dark tones dominated the decor, creating a sense of understated elegance mixed with quiet tension, as though every carefully chosen detail pressed down on anyone who entered, making them instantly aware of the power concentrated in this space. But it wasn't the room alone that carried this weight. At the center of it all sat Philip, his gaze fixed on her, deep and unblinking, like a dark abyss that seemed to pull her in. Today, he wore a black suit with a subtle, textured pattern. A white silk shirt and black tie completed the look. His long, slender fingers were intertwined, resting beneath his chin. She had seen this commanding side of him before, but somehow, each encounter still struck her with the same quiet intensity, stirring feelings she struggled to keep at bay. Mustering her composure, she began, "Mr. Barnum, I wanted to talk about—" But her words were abruptly cut off as his voice, low and rich, interrupted her. "We were together for three years, Xena. No need to be so formal." He watched her surprised expression, and a slight smile curved his lips. Though she had been decisive in ending things back then, her reaction now betrayed what her words could not hide. Noticing her loss of composure, her cheeks flushed. "I'm not here to reminisce. I just wanted to ask if I could rent Sabitha tonight." He rose from his seat. "Well, it's not impossible…" She barely had time to feel relieved before he continued, shifting his tone. "But this new shipment of roses I had flown in is incredibly rare. If I rent them at the usual price, I'd be taking quite a loss." "I can pay more," she replied quickly. "Name your price." "I've closed the place for now because I haven't even decided on a price yet," he answered. Xena froze, caught off guard. Isn't it closed so that Zena can be the first to see the new Jagfrez roses? While she stood there, stunned, he stepped closer, his gaze drifting to her face, where the redness in her earlobes deepened. His Adam's apple moved slightly as he took in the sight, and his eyes lowered to where the neckline of her V-shaped collar hinted at her skin. "Xena," he murmured in a voice so low it was almost a whisper, "did you come here to seduce me?" And then, before she could answer, his lips claimed hers, his mouth moving against hers with an unrestrained hunger. His tongue slid in, tangling with hers, moving with a skilled, insistent rhythm. Their lips pressed together, and the scent of cedarwood, which was distinctly his, filled her senses. "Mmph…" Her eyes widened as she pushed against his firm chest, trying to resist, but his deepening kiss made it nearly impossible to pull away. His strong hand skillfully lifted her skirt. She wore a fitted, light mauve dress today, cinched at the waist, hugging her curves in all the right places. The loose V-neck was daring without being too revealing, hinting at elegance with a touch of allure. Her long, jet-black hair, neatly coiled at the back of her head, only deepened the allure, tempting anyone near with the urge to undo it, to let those waves fall freely. His hand, hot against her skin, traveled over her body with a touch that was both gentle and possessive while his lips remained locked with hers. No… This isn't right… Her mind screamed at her to resist, yet her body betrayed her resolve, softening in response to his touch. He knew her sensitive spots all too well. Every place his hand touched seemed to ignite her, sparking a fire that spread through her body. What started as her hands pushing him away quickly shifted to clinging desperately to his strong arms, holding on as though she would collapse if she let go. At the perfect moment, he eased her onto the couch, his eyes dark and bottomless with desire. The moment he pulled his tie loose with one hand, she completely lost herself, surrendering to the moment without restraint. In the solemn and cold office, there was a continuous sound of heavy breathing.