I spent the whole of sunday trying not to think about what happened at the gala. Which of course meant i thought about nothing else.
Nathy came over demanding all the details as we watched movie and ate pizza. I was already full.
"So let me get this straight, he gave you his black platinum card, couldn't take his eyes off you, almost kissed in a moonlight balcony and you still think there's nothing going on?" she said pausing our third episode of vincenzo.
I threw a pillow at her. "He's just my boss! That what's what going on."
"You know, for a girl so smart, you can be incredibly clueless."
"I'm not." i muttered "Everything is just wrong about this."
"Says who? It's not like there's a law against it."
"No, just company policies, professional ethics and oh yeah- the fact that he's a bllionare CEO and i'm his assistant from a small town."
Nathy rolled her eyes "You're impossible, but you're going to have to face him tomorrow."
The thought of it made my stomach have knots all night. I could barely sleep. By morning i was looking like a witch with dark eyes. I had to apply extra concealer to hide them.
The universe apparently having a good sense of humor, was determined to test all the patience and courage i had managed to gather, ensured that I and Ethan ended up in the same elevator that morning. He wore a navy suit that made his brown eyes stand out more. The tension in the small space was thick enough to slice with a knife.
"Good morning Mr Ethan." i muttered, proud of how confident my voice sounded.
"Miss Bella." He replied, not looking at me. He was focused on his phone. "Clear my afternoon schedule."
I was taken aback "All of it?"
"Yes, something came up."
"But the meeting with-"
"Reschedule it."
"But they flew in because of-"
"I said reschedule it" he said in a tone that left no room for further questioning.
The elevator door opened and he strode out, leaving me to deal with the aftermath of his demands. I spent the next hour making apologetic calls and rescheduling meetings that had taken weeks to coordinate.
.....................
Ethan's pov
All efforts to take her off mind proved futile. This was very unlike me but for her i didn't mind.
I almost lost it when i saw her that night..She was so fucking beautiful. I wanted to have that dance with her but Selene just decided that was the perfect time to create a scene for her father. Not that i couldn't decline but i had to because of her father. A lot of backstory i wasn't ready to talk about. I have to put selene in her place, I was pissed that bella actually thought we were together. When i saw her in another man arms at the gala, the way he was looking at her made me wish i could pluck his eyes out. I didn't understand the feeling but i didn't want to either way as long as it led back to her.
It took the last bit of composure not to kiss her hard against the walls of the elevator when i saw her this morning. She had her hair up loosely in a bun. She was wearing a black blazar paired with nude corporate skirt that hugged her hips perfectly leaving scenarios playing in my mind. Her pretty blue eyes intrigued me anytime she looked at me and her voice made me feel things in ways i couldn't fanthom.
What i wanted to do to her.....
...................
Few hours later, the elevator door opened to reveal Selene as she sauntered out wearing a skin tight pink dress.
Did this woman not have work to do?
She ignored me completely as she headed straight to Ethan's office.
"'I'm sorry" i called after her "Mr Ethan isn't taking any-"
Before i could complete my sentence, she had already walked past the door. I could hear Ethan's voice rise in irritation followed by the sharp click of his door closing.
Ten minutes later, Selene emerged looking smug "We'll be ready for lunch by one." she said dropping a buisness card on my desk. "Make a reservation at Cipriani. Private Room."
I stared at the card, a knot formed in my stomach." I'll have to check his schedule"
"Oh,sweetie." She laughed "I already did. That's what we were discussing just now." She leaned in on my desk. "Did you really think the gala meant something? Know your place."
She walked away leaving me feeling digusted by the whole thing. I thought he said she was nothing? Nothing Indeed.
I was still staring at the buisness card when Ethan office door opened.
"Miss Bella?"
I raised my head up to see Ethan standing in front my desk. His face showed no expression. "Cancel the lunch reservation at Cipriani."
I felt a like weight was lifted off my chest as i sighed in relief. "I never made it."
He gave a look of approval. "Good. I'll be in meetings until four. No interruptions."
He looked like he was thinking about something. "Have dinner delivered to my office by seven. I'll be working late."
Then he hesitated. "Order for two. You'll be working late as well."
He didn't even give me time to process what he had just said and left shutting the door behind him. I sat there staring blankly. "Was he?.....No surely not."
The rest of the hours passed with activities. I watched as serious looking people passed in and out of Ethan office.
Ethan door opened. This time, people in expensive suits filed out, looking tired but satisfied. Once everyone was out. The room went quite, the sunset was already coming out painting the sky in brillant oranges.
"Come in, Ms Bella." Ethan called from his office.
I gathered my tablet and some files on my desk as i tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.
Ethan had removed his suit, and rolled up his sleeves revealing strong veiny forearms
I wanted to trace them so badly with my fingers.
His tie was loosened and his hair was a litle messy like he had been running his hands through them.
"Sit" he said gesturing to one of the leather couch. "Food should be here soon."
I sat on the edge of the clutch, cluching my tablet. "Successful meeting?"
"Very" he said pulling two glasses from his bar cart. "Drinks?"
"I probably shouldn't.."
"You're off the clock." he said pouring out amber drink into the two glasses.
He moved over to me handing me one of the glasses and sat beside me- Not too close but i could still smell his cologne.
"About saturday night." My chest froze immediately "I'm sorry if i made you uncomfortable."
"You didn't" i said quickly which i regretted the next minute. Why can't i keep my mouth shut!
Ethan turned to look at me with his intense brown eyes. "No?"
"No." i took a sip of the scotch for courage. "But selene seems to think-"
"Selene thinks a lot of things" with his voice sounding rough "None of which matters to me."
oh well.