Saxe Hendrix

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"Of course, I will pay more than you need. The deposit that my mother made, you can keep that. That's not coming from me."

I am determined to make a decision based on personal interaction. It wasn't part of my plan to do this, but I had no choice. I don't want to disappoint my mother. I want to show her that I tried at least to know these girls before saying no to each one of them.

"Okay. But do you really need to meet the ten of them?" She blinked as if she couldn't believe it.

"Yes, I do. I am determined to meet all ten of them," I replied firmly, meeting her gaze.

She blinked again.

"I mean, I can suggest the three best ones on my list. In that way, you don't have to spend so much time considering you are busy," she swallowed hard.

I slightly smirked. "I don't want to decide based on what I read, Miss Rosy," I tightened my jaw, looking at her intently. "I want to see them in person. Pictures can be deceptive, Rosy. Technology can edit your face. I can't trust that."

"Yeah, right. That's true," she laughed a little bit.

"Exactly! Just like everyone thought of what you look like. They all say the same thing to me, that Rosy is an old lady." But surprise, surprise... you are not an old lady."

I probably had the most mischievous smile on my face right now. I never once took my eyes off her. I had been observing her the whole time.

She initially appeared confident, but now it seems my first impression was correct. I can't trust her yet—not yet. I need more than words to trust her.

"Oh well, now that you know what I look like, it must be shocking, right?" She faked a laugh and gently wiped her mouth with a tissue.

I chuckled. I know she's trying hard. I could easily get someone to do a background check on her, but something is stopping me—it's just simply myself.

"So, can we start by tomorrow? I don't want to waste my time."

"T-Tomorrow?" She stammered, and her mouth parted a little bit. My eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Um, let me organize them first. I need to call each one of them and give them their schedules. But before we continue, I'd like to know your availability so I can plan around it when meeting with the other ladies," she said with a confident smile.

I rolled my tongue inside my mouth as I watched her closely.

"I also want you to choose the location for your date for each lady. It would be great if we could arrange it that way. It will be convenient for you. What do you think?" Her eyebrow rose slightly.

"That's fine with me. I will give you my schedule later."

"Great. Let's do that!"

She grabbed her phone and swiped it vertically. I noticed that she did not use a passcode or security measures on her phone.

"This is my email address." She stretches out her arm, showing me the screen of her phone.

My eyebrows meet upon reading her email.

"I don't need your email." I said and took her phone, entered my number, called my own number using her phone, and returned it.

"That will work for me. Just wait for my message tonight." I firmly stated and stood up, signaling the end of my business with her for the day.

"No worries, Mr. Hendrix. Thank you for lunch," she said politely and stood up.

The lunch wasn't that bad. I enjoyed watching and observing her in all sorts of ways. I have never paid this much attention to a woman before, as I always get bored with them at first meet-ups.

I let a small smile form on my lips before leaving the room.

Miss Maine greeted me halfway down the hall and then guided me out. She knows the protocol when it comes to me. I gave her a warm smile before getting inside my car.

I started the car's ignition, thinking of seeing each candidate. I'm not interested in them. None of them caught my attention, but somehow, with Rosy in between, I have this hidden feeling of wanting to see her again.

It will be a hassle on my part, but thinking that Rosy is with me, I can't wait to look forward to it.

Ten women. Ten dates. Okay, let's get this done and be over with it!

***

Louise Rose

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This is getting intense. I thought I could get away that easily today. But no, not! Hendrix wants to meet each one of them. It's ten dates with different ladies, and I must be there, too!

What am I, his chaperone?

Oh, God. Why can't he just do it himself? Why do I need to organize this?

Yeah, yeah, I nearly forgot. I am the matchmaker to this, right?

Yeah, wake up, Louise!

After making ten calls with the ladies, I shook my head and almost poked my eyes.

I got Hendrix's schedule last night. He sent it to me almost midnight!

I was about to go to bed, but I was late because I had made the flower arrangements to be displayed today.

I was thankful that Mr. Conor was so kind and helpful today. Luckily, today was not so busy, and I managed to take all the calls. It's all done.

Now, I just need to ask Shella if she can watch the flower stall on the days when Hendrix has all his dates.

"I'll pay you, of course, Shella."

"No. You don't need to do that. I don't mind watching the flower stall in those days, Louise. Just go on and have fun with your date with the Prince of Castleburgh!" She twinkled her eyes on purpose. She got the widest smile at me.

"It's not a date, Shella. I'm his matchmaker, remember? I'm Rosy. . .I'm my aunt, okay?" I twisted my lips, feeling annoyed at how she looked at me.

"It does not matter. Still, you're so lucky, girl!"

I'm not sure if I'll be annoyed by the way her eyes sparkled. She's teasing me! She knows that twelve years ago, Hendrix was my ultimate crush.

Ugh, those were the days! I'm not sixteen years old anymore!

"So, how does it feel to finally be around your prince charming?"

"Oh, come on, Shella!" I spun around, deliberately avoiding her, and placed more pink roses in the displayed empty vase. Pink roses are exceptionally popular today for a reason.

"Don't tell me you still feel the spark? Does the ex-prince of Castleburgh give you butterflies?" Now she's in my way.

"Nope! I don't feel anything at all now." I just shrugged my shoulders and continued with what I was doing.

"I'm only doing my job, Shella. I need this. I need the money to pay for everything," I sighed, facing her. "And besides, I'm not interested, okay? Hendrix does not need to know that Louise exists. In his eyes, I am Rosy. So, let's just leave it that way!"

She laughed.

"Look at you feeling disappointed." She followed me, and I shook my head.

"Are you still into him? Is he still as attractive as before, or has he transformed into a knight with abs sparkling armor?"

My mouth parted. I spun around and was about to hit her head with my hand, but she ran away quickly, laughing hard.

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c.m. louden
23/11/2024 updated

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