Chapter 10 - Dinner for Two

Monday morning was nerve-wracking. After my encounter with Blake, I couldn’t sleep. I lay in bed for hours, cursing myself for letting him kiss me like that. Was I really that desperate that I didn’t push him away when he laid his lips on mine?

Hmmm, those lips. Those dreamy lips.....

“Stop it, Rosy! What the hell am I thinking about?! What is wrong with me?” I thought to myself and let out a loud groan.

“You okay there, boss?” Lilly asked, her head the only thing I could see from between the doorway

“No, I’m not! But I’m here, so ugh!” I said and started shuffling papers.

I had turned up to work extra early today. If I stayed at home any longer, I was going to go crazy. Patrick had made me come into work a day earlier to have those check-up meetings with Blake, and apparently, there was another project for me. So I’ve had 5 cups of coffee and 3 hours to prepare myself for seeing Blake again.

“Cmon, Rosy. You have to be professional. You can do it.” I kept giving myself pep talks.

I had all my documents ready and extra info that I knew I didn’t need.

It was 9:55 am; I had my meeting at 10 am. The email Patrick sent me last night said to keep at least 3 hours open for this meeting. So what the hell was going to take 3 hours to discuss?

“Rosy, don’t forget about your meeting,” bless her heart, I thought as Lilly walked in to remind me and handed me another coffee.

“Rough night?” She asked. She had been my PA for the five years I had been here. So she knew me very well.

“Yeah, didn’t get much sleep actually,” I replied and sipped on my coffee.

“Is that why you’re dressed so nicely? So you can hide the tiredness?” She chuckled.

Was I dressed nicely? I looked up at her with a puzzled look.

“You’re wearing more make-up than normal, which is pretty, by the way. You’ve got your hair differently than you usually do, and your wearing heels today.”

Did she really observe me that much?

“Seriously?” That was all I could say.

Okay, yes, I had more make-up on today, but that was because I needed to hide the tiredness in my face. Also, my hair was different because I washed my hair this morning to wake me up, and it wouldn’t sit properly in my usual do, and my sandals broke this morning in my hasty, so I had to wear my pumps. So there was a reason for it all. Or was that my excuse to make myself feel better.

Was there another reason?

I had forgotten about the time and got pulled out of my conversation when Tony marched in.

“Rosy! You are late!” He snapped.

Shit!

“I’m so sorry, Tony. I’m coming” I started picking up and things and followed him out of the office.

My anxiety was at an all-time high. The closer I got to Blake’s office, the faster my heart was beating. Once we got to the door, Tony opened it and motioned for me to go in. I stepped in, and Tony closed the door behind me. I walked in further, and it was only Blake in the office. He sat behind the big desk Mr. Cooper usually used. He had three different files opened in front of him and had a serious look on his face.

I cleared my throat when he didn’t notice me standing there.

“Morning, Rosy. Sorry just had a few things to get through before our meeting. Please have a seat on the couch. I’ll be right with you,” he said and started closing the files.

I walked over to the couches and picked the single-seater, and sat down. This will keep me out of trouble.

Blake grabbed a notepad and pen, his cup of coffee, and his phone. Then, he came over and sat on the couch next to the one I was sitting on.

“Would you like a cup of coffee Rosy?” He asked, putting his things on the table.

“No, I’m good, thank you” if I have anymore, I might rocket to the moon.

“Okay, so there are a few things I want to talk to you about, but the most important thing is the new project I’d like you to do.”

His lips were moving, and I was listening, but I was definitely more focused on his lips.

“So popa has this charity that he likes raising funds for. He hoped that we could host a gala here for his charity and use that as a venue to bring in more clients. What are your thoughts?” He sat back and looked at me.

“Umm..” come on, Rosy. You’re better than this.

I cleared my throat. “I think it’s a great idea—a great way of marketing ourselves. I mean, everyone knows we’re the branch that looks after this side of the business, but it would really give them a chance to mix and mingle and know us more. Plus, who doesn’t like a charity gala? Mariners Bay is filled with people with deep pockets” I laughed a little at the end bit.

Blake chuckled too. “Okay, well, I would like you to oversee the organization of it. I have my team coming from Huntly to do the job, but they will report to you. They are pros at galas but need some guidance with like guest lists and venues.”

He wanted me to do something I’d never done before. I did Sales and Marketing, not event management.

“May I ask why me? I’ve got plenty other work that needs to be done.” I was a little annoyed. I didn’t want to waste my time on a project that I didn’t really know much about.

“I want to see how you prosper in this project. It’s about testing your limits.” He replied and rubbed his chin. He was staring at me like he was challenging me.

“Okay then. If that’s what you’d like. Would that be all?” I knew this meeting wasn’t about just this project, but I was annoyed, and I didn’t want to be around him.

“Well, I do have more stuff to discuss, but I think I’ll let you get started on this project. Do some research about the organization pops supports. I’ll send you an email about them soon. Let me know how you’re going. My team shall be here first thing tomorrow morning.”

I nodded and gathered my things. I wanted to get out of here before I lost the plot. My head was pounding now. I walked towards the door.

“Rosy...” Blake called out. I turned around. “I’m sorry about last night. I really shouldn’t have kissed you like that. I don’t know what was going through my head.”

“I wish you hadn’t done it either. It wasn’t the way I expected to have my first kiss, but it’s done now, and we can’t change it. So let’s move on, please,” I replied, and his expression changed. It went from embarrassment to shock.

“Rosy, what the hell? What do you mean by first kiss?” He asked and started walking towards me—shock sipping through his words.

“It means exactly what it sounds like, Blake. It’s not that hard to understand” my voice was sour.

“Rosy..... you can’t be serious?” He was pale.

“I’m very serious. But, look, it doesn’t matter. It’s done now. I have to go get work finished. Have a good day,” and I walked out of his office.

I needed some pills to calm this headache down. I walked into my office and rampaged through my drawers to find the bottle. I took them and sat down, massaging my head.

“Hey, Boss. Peter Cain has just walked in. I had cleared a few hours for you, but I can slot some stuff in since you’re back. You in the mood to see him?” Lilly walked in.

“Not really, but fuck it. Send him in. Let’s get this day over with,” I said and picked up my notepad.

It was around 6 pm when I finally closed my last file and had enough of the day. I rubbed my eyes and stretched a little. My day was fully packed, from meetings to project updates. I liked it that way because the day seemed to go by faster when I had lots of things to do.

I started gathering my things and packing my bags. “Lilly,” I called out.

“Yes, boss?” She walked it.

“Time to finish up, babe. I’ve had enough,” I said to her and carried on closing files and putting them away.

“Awesome. I’ll go finish up then.” She walked out.

Lilly was an amazing PA. She would always wait for me to finish work just in case I needed a hand with something. All my staff were terrific actually. I had a great relationship with them.

My phone beeped, and I picked it up.

Are you done with work yet?

Vince had messaged. It wasn’t unusual for me to get a message from Vince, but why did he want to know that? I dialed his number.

“Hello,” he answered.

“Why the sudden interest in knowing about my finishing time?”

“Because I’m waiting for you downstairs,” he replied, and my heart skipped a beat.

“You’re what?!” I said a little too loudly.

Lilly poked her head into my office and raised her eyebrow.

“Why exactly are you outside?” I asked, sounding a little too excited.

“Well, I came to drop Taylor and Rocky off and thought maybe I could catch up with you before I went back tomorrow. That’s what people do when they come into town for a visit” I could hear the sarcasm in his voice and laughed a little.

Shit, that’s right, Taylor was back today.

“I thought I did say I would next time I visited” I laughed, and Lilly’s lips turned into a smirk. She walked away.

“Okay, well, I’m here now, so hurry up. I’m starving.”

“We’re going for dinner?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes, we are. Now chop chop,” and the call ended.

“Why is this day so annoying?” I said out loud.

“Someone’s got a date has she?” Lilly asked. She had her jacket on and her bag on her shoulders.

“Umm, I wouldn’t call it a date” I picked up my bag, and we walked out. I locked my door, and we headed for the lift. “Vince is Taylor’s brother. I don’t really understand his attraction towards me, but apparently, I’m having dinner with him” I shrugged.

“Dinner with who?” Came a voice that made us jump. The office was empty now, and we didn’t expect anyone to be here still. Blake came into view, and I let out a sigh of relief.

“Bloody hell! You frightened us,” I said, holding my chest.

Lilly had pressed the lift button, and the door dinged and opened. We all got in.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t realize you guys were still here too.”

“Yeah, well, when the boss gives you more work than you’re used too that’s what happens,” I replied, sarcasm dripping.

Blake chuckled, and Lilly looked confused.

“So, who are you going to dinner with?” He asked.

“Taylor’s brother,” I replied and didn’t make eye contact. Why was I so nervous?

“Oh, are they back in town?”

“Yeah, Vince brought them back today, and so he wanted to catch up before he went back home” I didn’t owe this guy an explanation. He was my boss. So then why did I feel the need to?