NATE

The meetings and conferences were long and boring but because I was the head of the company now, I had to sit through all the meetings and listen to everything they said. But my mind wasn't currently on the slide on the projector infront of me or the man explaining it, it was on Mitchel. She was currently seated on a chair opposite me taking notes and listening intently to the person. She was behaving like nothing had happened the next morning after our kiss.

“Hey Mitchel.“ I called.

“Yes sir.“

“I wanna apologise for what happened on the plane.“ I had said and explained myself in the lobby of the following morning as we waited for Ben to bring the car around.

“What happened? I don't think there is anything to apologise about. It was turbulence and that's all it has to be. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to get to sir.“ She said.

And just like that she was gone. She got back to her self like nothing had taken place. She was brushing me off and doing her work like she was required to. I had really messed up.

My thoughts are brought back to the present by the clapping. The man was finished and was taking his seat. The room full of people from all ages, were now looking at me to make my final decision. This business was my grandfather's, and even though I run it, the decisions came from him.

“ I wanna thank you all for coming today to this meeting and the presentations. I have heard what you have to offer but, giving you 25% of our interest rate every year is too much when we haven't even tested you products. Besides the things you have presented today what makes you company better than the one we have right now?“ I ask

“Well Mr. Aretas.“ The man who was presenting starts, “ our produce happens to be the best in our country and just like you company, our business has been in the family from the sixties. We believe we have the best produce because all through the years we have been able to produce the best. We will give a sample to you laboratories to try out the products before the deal is made to ensure what we are selling is legit.“ He explains. There are more exchanges and by the end of it, three hours later, we have come to a conclusion that satisfies both of us.

I make my way out of the conference room and head to my given office with Ben tailing me.

“Where is Mitchel?“ I ask loosening my tie and removing my jacket.

“ She went to show the investors out, sir.“ He explains.

“Ooh okay. Are we done for today?“ I ask lifting the glass of water infront of me to my lips to take a sip.

“No sir. You have a dinner to attend today with the other investor from China. They are the ones we met on our first day and they asked for dinner to celebrate the your new collaboration.“ Ben explains.

I rub my temples feeling a headache finding its way to me just from thinking of a long evening ahead of me.

“ Fine then, I need both you and Mitchel to attend it with me. I'll be leaving now. I'll meet you at the restaurant at the appointed time.“ I take my jacket and leave the office. I make my way down the hallway and I can feel people's eyes on me. As I get to the elevator, I spot Mitchel at the end of the hallway with a man. They are chatting and she is smiling at him. He is looking straight at her and I can see him smiling back at her. They are chatting silently but from where I am, I can feel the tension there is between them.

“Mitchel,” I call out to her without looking in her direction.“ We are leaving. Now”

I finish just as the elevator opens and I step in sparing her a short glance. She makes her way into the elevator before it closes and pushes the lobby button. As I stand behind her, I can see over her shoulder as she types into her phone. Her beautiful smell fills the elevator and I can't help feeling worse.

'She is beautiful and just because you saw it doesn't mean other men won't see it.' Don's words ring in my ear. I feel jealousy getting to me just remembering how they were standing.

“Who was that?“ I ask without thinking

“Excuse me.“ She asks not even turning around “ You know exactly who I mean.“ I say eyeing her from behind.

“A friend.“ She says.

“A friend from where? We've only been here a few days, when did you get a friend.“

“Not that it's any of your business, but I make friends fast. We run into each other alot and so we became friends.“ She says going back to her phone.

Before I can question further the elevator dings and opens. We get out and head to the car where I sit in the back and she sits in the front with the chauffer. As much as I am angry, I am also tired to argue with her so I let it go for now.

After a two hour rest, shower and putting on the suit Mitchel chose (after giving the order), I find myself in the lobby's bar waiting for both Ben and Mitchel to join me. It will be a long night and I need as much energy flr it as I could gather. I order a glass of gin and take my first sip. A few minutes later, Ben and mitchel come down stairs. Ben is in a navy blue suit and Mitchel is on his side in a black dinner dress. The dress is very professional with it being below the knees. She dressed in a modern but classic way and I can't help my eyes wondering further than they are supposed to. She looks stunning and as they make their way to me, she avoids eye contact as much as possible.

“Are you ready to go sir?“ Ben asks. I finish my drink and get up. Mitchel doesn't spare me a glance and so I just make my way out of the lobby and into the awaiting car.

We get to the restaurant and are shown to our booth where we find the investors already seated.

“Mr. Aretas, welcome.“ Mr. Yang calls as we enter into the banquet hall. His men are sitted all round the table and the last seats left are where I settle down with Ben next to me and Mitchel after him.

“Madam Mitchel,” Mr. Yang starts.“ It is good to see you again. How are you doing?“ He says moving towards her. He takes her hand into his and kisses the back of it before straightening and thanking it lightly between his two hands.

“I am good. And how are you?“ She asks plastering on her signature client smile receiving Mr. Yang's greetings, shamelessly, if I may add.

“ I am good also. How is your tour of Paris going? Are you loving it yet?“ He asks pulling her chair back for her. She settle into it and thanks him be fore answering him.

“So far what I have seen I have loved. I love the way of life at night. I love their drinks her and how they party but I cannot engage since am here for work.“ She replies.

“I can understand that, but when you are here to visit just let me know and I'll give you a night tour of Paris.“

I control myself enough to avoid engaging and telling him head on to leave her and not talk to her. But then I remember I can't do that because I am just her boss and nothing more. We all take part in conversation through out dinner but I cannot help and notice how much Mitchel and Mr. Yang get along well. He is old enough to be her dad but they are talking and conversing like they have known each other forever. After dinner is done Mr. Yang takes me aside to talk leaving everyone inside the banquet hall.

“Mr. Aritas, if I may say you truly won the jackpot for getting Mitchel to be your secretary.“ He begins looking in my directions and pointing at me.“ She is a good secretary amd a true gem. She was the one who convinced me to come to dinner to celebrate this deal and for sure I can't say I regret it. I am really glad I have gotten to know you outside of work. I am glad this deal has worked and I really hope we will work together for a long time.“

“I am glad we could really get to do this also, it was a good idea from her part. I will look into it that she gets a good Compesation for it. Thank you for today.“ I say shaking his hand and watching him go.

I cannot believe even after everything she would do that to help my business. Having Mr. Yang's investing means a huge growth for my company and I cannot believe she would help me that much. I make my way to the lobby of the hotel and find Ben and Mitchel there waiting for me.

“Let's go out for some drinks, what do you say?“ I ask getting to where they are.

“Of course sir. I am in.“ Ben replies immediately but I am waiting for Mitchel's answer and not his.

“I am good, I am quite tired to go out again sir. So if you don't mind I would like to go back to my room and rest.“ She says looking directly at me.

“Of course not, I mean you have helped me close this deal you deserve to be there to celebrate. You can drink soda for about thirty minutes and then you can go back to your room.“ I try convincing her.

She smiles but I can tell its a fake one and says, “as tempting as it is, I really do not want to go sir. Please excuse me.“ She says and leaves. I am left with Ben and so I decide to just do as I promised.