Male Charm Storage
Refusing

Owen was having a morning meeting with some of his workers when Oxela contacted him.

"Why? I'm in a meeting, I'll see you later!" owen answered as soon as the call he received.

"Sir, guess who I met!" oxela exclaimed from across the call.

"Jeez Oxela, I'm busy! You could have asked me to play a guess, ", Owen grumbled.

"CK! You are this, brother. I met Gloria here!"

"What's? Where're you?"

"Tourist place J, she's with her husband."

Hearing that, Owen fell silent. At first he was eager to catch up with Oxela, but he remembered the time when Gloria dumped him a few months ago.

"Here you go, I'm having an important meeting. Call me if there's anything important!" said Owen slowly.

"So you mean what I'm telling you right now doesn't matter?" omelette Oxela.

Owen did not reply, he disconnected the call on the side. Start trying to refocus on the meeting today.

Owen stared back at the projector screen in front of him - which featured a graphic about his next planning job - as he listened to Selena - the secretary of the office - describing the material discussed today.

Although his mind branched between absorbing work-related information and news about Oxela who had met Gloria, but he tried to remain calm without delaying the meeting today.

******

"Owen.." -...."

Owen stared at the door of his study, he saw someone who was quite surprised.

"Celine?"

Celine approached Owen's desk while putting on a knotty smile.

"When did you come back here? What about your problems in the UAE?" asked Owen as he focused on his work before Celine came to his room.

"Yesterday. It's all done, I'm divorced from my husband" Celine replied.

"Good, that's what you want, isn't it?"

"Hemm, I've been separated from him. Thank you, Owen. All this is thanks to your help."

Owen just nodded faintly. In her mind she recalled Gloria, because when she helped Celine she felt like Gloria wanted to be separated from her husband. But now everything is clearly different. Celine has escaped the shackles of her household, while Gloria chooses to return with Richard.

How else, that's his choice. He did not want to force the woman's feelings, because he did not want to hurt. Gloria deserves to be happy with her own choices even though it leaves her quite disappointed and hurt.

"Are you busy today?" Celine asked again.

"Lumayan" replied Owen.

"What time is your job done? How about we have dinner together later, I'll treat you" Celine said enthusiastically.

"You got a lot of money, huh?" kekeh Owen's.

"Not really," Celine replied as she bit her lip.

"Well, I won't miss your offer." Owen gave a small smile while Celine felt very pleased with Owen's reception this time.

_____

"Owen, what about my offer?" celine asked as the two began to enjoy the dishes.

"What offer?" Owen frowned in wonder.

"That's when I told you that I would repay your kindness even if not with money" Celine said carefully.

Owen recalled the moment where Celine said the thing he meant, momentarily thinking, Owen instantly understood the woman's intention.

"Oh," he answered briefly.

"Hows it? I really want to repay your kindness."

"If you don't have to think about it, I'm sincere in helping you and about returning kindness, I think even now."

Celine smiled wryly. "Owen, you definitely understand what I mean about replying not with money" he said.

"I know, I understand what you mean but..."

"Am I so bad? You're not interested in me, are you?" cut Celine fast.

Owen laughed softly. "Not so, of course you're pretty and I'm interested in you-"

Celine instantly developed her bright smile. "really?"

"Yes, don't offer me anything weird for wanting to repay me with something that would lower your pride."

"Owen... Of course I don't mean to be humble, you're interested in me, right? You said that just now too!"

"Yes, I'm interested in you as a friend. We've known him long enough, haven't we?"

Gleck...

Celine's heart was heartbroken at the honest words from Owen's mouth.

"Then, I'm willing to be your bedmate, Owen!" said slowly. "Even if you have to humble yourself, it's okay, because I am well aware of your great help to me," he continued, bowing his face.

Owen gasped at Celine's blunt explanation.

"Celine, I don't think this kind of talk is ever discussed between us because it's gonna make my good mood go away!" Owen.

"You said you were interested in me but you always rejected me, Owen. Not just now, but before. If you couldn't use your heart on me in the past, wouldn't you now?" sue Celine with a dead red face.

"Can't!" replied Owen steady. "For we are only friends. Just friend, never change!" resolute again.

Celine looked at Owen, her eyes starting to glaze over.

"Well, if you can't use my heart to date, I'd be willing if we just make friends for fun."

Owen smiled smirk. "Give up, Celine. I love playing women, that's right, I don't dismiss it. But, if you're asking me to play you who's my friend I'm not interested." Owen grabbed a glass of wine beside him, then sipped it quickly.

"If you can clear all your thoughts about me, just meet me again."

"Where are you going?" Celine held onto Owen's arm which was about to leave.

"Go home! I think our meeting and discussion this time is enough! Like I said, you can meet me again, if you don't think about this kind of thing in your mind, '" Owen said as he slowly removed Celine's hand, which was holding her wrist.

******