Chapter 3

 

 

Dimitrius leaned back in the chair at his desk, staring at the profile picture on Melanie’s Facebook timeline, but nothing could compare to how she looked in real life. He knew he couldn’t have a woman like her, at least not without a commitment. She was that type of woman – the long-term relationship type. He knew her last relationship was with a guy who had cheated on her, as the story went, and because of it, she never wanted to have another relationship for fear that it would end the same way.

Two quick taps at the door interrupted his thoughts. Dimitrius looked up and saw Dante walking in.

“Got a minute?” Dante asked.

“Sure,” Dimitrius said. He exited out of Facebook. “What’s up?”

“Nothing…ah…just was wondering if you were okay. You seemed a little tense in the interview.”

“I’m cool. I just want to make sure we get the right person for the job.”

“Even though this person won’t be reporting directly to you, you want to make sure we get the right person…”

“That’s right.”

“So why is it that you’re not sitting in on the remaining three interviews with me and Des today? You only wanted to be there for Melanie’s interview.”

“Like I said…I want to make sure we get the right person. And why are you telling Desmond to steer clear of Melanie?”

“Because I know you like her.”

Dimitrius frowned. “And what makes you think I like her?”

Taking a seat, Dante crossed his legs and said, “Well, I’ve seen you checking her out, Dimitrius, and I’ve been pretty curious about why you haven’t made a move yet. She’s a good woman.”

“That’s fine and all, but I’m not interested.”

“I think you are. Look, Dimitrius, I haven’t seen you with a woman in quite some time even though you claim to have a woman on speed dial for every day of the week.”

“I never claimed that. Desmond made that up. That’s more of his method of operation.”

“And what’s yours?”

“Why are you suddenly interested in my love life?”

“The same reason why you and Desmond were interested when I made it clear to you that I was falling in love with Emily. Because I care about you, man. We’re all we have, Dimitrius. We lost our parents. Now, it’s up to us to create our own families…our own legacy, and if you’re ready to do that then, do something about it. Don’t let anything hold you back from getting what you want. That’s the Champion way.”

Dimitrius was silent.

“Tell me you’re not the least bit interested in her, and I’ll drop it. Tell me,” Dante said.

Dimitrius knew he couldn’t deny it for long. Besides, Dante already caught him staring at Melanie. And then there was the fact that Dimitrius seemed to lose control of his urges whenever she was around. His feelings for her were bound to be made apparent sooner or later, especially if she got the job.

“Dimitrius?”

“What if I did like her?”

“Then I’ll tell you like you told me…if she’s the one, go get her. But you can’t continue to beat yourself up over some past relationship.”

“I’m not beating myself up over anything,” Dimitrius griped.

Dante shook his head. “Jeez, Dimitrius…are you that much in denial? Ever since Emily and I married, your attitude had changed.”

Dimitrius shook his head. “Changed how?”

“Well definitely not for the better. You used to be so calm and pragmatic, and you still are in certain circumstances, but in the interview, you nearly bit Melanie’s head off. And for what purpose? Because she was five minutes late to an interview that you didn’t need to be a part of? If you want love and happiness, like I have with Emily, and you think that Melanie might be the woman for you, then by all means, talk to her but don’t drive a good woman away because of what the wrong woman did to you.”

Crap…his brother had made a point. Dimitrius didn’t want to admit it, but Dante was right. He had been irrational and downright thoughtless in his efforts to put distance between himself and Melanie. But why stay away from her when all she really wanted was to get to know her. Maybe he’d been taking the wrong approach all along.

Dante stood up and said, “I have to go to a meeting then I’m heading out to lunch. I’ll chat with you later. We need to talk about the new payroll app.”

“Alright man,” Dimitrius said, downcast. He needed to get out of the office too, to clear his head and think about his next plan of action when it came to Melanie. Maybe it was time to pay her a visit.