23

"Thanks," I mutter as I step out of the vehicle.

"No reason. "He gives me a nod." I'll go get his luggage.

I bring my hands to my arms, rubbing them against the fabric of my blazer. It's colder than usual and I blame myself for having come a little undressed. Matthew takes my luggage and carries it toward the jet. I move around the area and, strangely, remain still when my gaze falls on a male figure that is perched on top of a limousine and smoking calmly. He wears a tight black overcoat and his dark hair moves slowly in the cool breeze that surrounds us.

Suddenly, as if he knows I'm here, staring at him like an idiot, his eyes land on mine. I swallow. I hate when he looks at me like that.

“Miss Miller.

"Mr. Hills.

He returns his gaze to nothingness itself and I remain silent, silence settles in the environment, however, he is challenged by a man who approaches Nicholas and greets him with a warm handshake.

“Mr. Hills, good morning. Do you have everything ready? “nods”. So, we can start with the takeoff.

“Sure.” Mr. Hills throws the cigarette to the ground and crushes it. He gestures to me and we climb the stairs that take us inside the jet.

It is very luxurious.

The last time I saw a jet was many years ago and it belonged to my father.

I take a seat after Mr. Hills does and focus my gaze on the windows. The jet takes off after a few seconds and I keep my eyes trained out the window as the vehicle climbs. I can see the city below me and I allow myself to enjoy the view, knowing that it is something that does not happen very often.

I settle on the sofa and try to relax a little, but I can't do it completely, not here, with his overwhelming presence that brings back memories that go through my head like a sway.

Suddenly, a woman dressed as a flight attendant approaches, her blond hair pulled up in a high ponytail and stops right in front of Mr. Hills.

"Good morning, Mr. Hills," she intones, her voice seductive.

As expected, I am vilely ignored, since the woman does not give me a single glance. Her focus is my boss, who immediately shifts his gaze from her phone to her.

"He needs something?

"No," I notice a kind of perversion in his eyes, "but when I need it I'll let you know.

"As I say. I am at your disposal, just call or meet me behind the curtains.

She flashes a seductive smile and proceeds to leave, swaying her hips until she disappears. She let out a sigh and I dedicated myself to looking around. It's a short trip, but I feel all the tension in the air. He, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be fazed, he just looks at his phone from time to time.

***

After a short flight, we land in Los Angeles and a limousine takes us to the presumed hotel where we will stay.

We arrive at the reception, they give us our room cards and we get into the elevator. As we proceed down the hall, we stop in front of the doors that lie opposite each other and out of inertia, I turn to him.

“Tomorrow, here at eight o'clock.

And without further ado, she enters his room.

I do the same and drag my luggage into the luxurious room which I admit leaves me speechless. I get to what appears to be my room, drop my suitcase, and plop down on the soft bed.

I didn't sleep at all during the flight, I could just close my eyes and let go... But first, I have to make a call to Carol to let her know I'm here.

She picked up my phone and dialed him. He answers me on the third ring.

"Hello, Eva.

"Hello" I smile, “I just arrived. How are you? Is everything in order?

"Very good. We are cooking pizza.

I hear Louis's voice greet me and I wave back.

"I imagine they disinfected their hands..." I say.

"Of course. Don't worry, I have everything under control. Do you want me to pass you, Louis?

"Yes, please.

Carol waves at me, and then I hear Louis's voice on the other line.

"Hi, Mom.

“Hello honey, are you having a good time with Aunt Carol?

“Yes, she is teaching me how to make pizza.

Inevitably, river.

"That is incredible. I'm so glad to hear that, but... please don't forget to sanitize your hands, okay?

"Yeah.

"Fine" I smile. "I'm a little tired, I'm going to hang up, but you know you can talk to me on Carol's phone when necessary. I'll always be available.

"Good Mom.

"I love you, take care.

“Me too “laughs”, bye Mommy.

"Bye, sweetheart.

I hang up the call and put the phone aside, but not before setting an alarm to go off at quarter past seven in the morning. I want to be punctual.

I kick off my heels, pick up one of the appetizers on the tray, and plop down on the bed. I know it's daytime, but I sense I'm going to have a pretty long nap, so it's better to be safe than sorry. The next day, I woke up at the agreed time and start getting ready. I take the clothes I'm going to wear out of my suitcase, take a shower, dry my hair, which I collect in a single braid, and use a little mascara and concealer to cover my dark circles.

The hotel brings me a courtesy breakfast that I accept. I eat a little and look at the time, it's almost eight o'clock. I make sure I have a bag with me so I can store my phone and a few other things and when it's eight o'clock, I leave the room.

I meet Mr. Hills head-on.

I don't know what to say.

"Good morning," he murmured. I almost stammer.

"Good morning." His greeting is dry and harsh. Even, she starts walking ”. follow me.

I follow him, we get into the elevator and the silence is overwhelming.

“Where are we headed? “I dare to ask after a few minutes.

“We will have a meeting with Fontana.

Fontana... Fontana, I remember. A negotiator. Luckily I have a good memory. We leave the hotel in a hurry, we get into the limousine that starts immediately and finally, we arrive at Mr. Fontana's building.

They let us in, we take the elevator and enter the meeting room.

Mr. Fontana stands up when he sees us.

“Mr. Hills.” He shakes my boss's hand and then shifts his gaze to me. He examines me not very discreetly ”. I gather that you are Miss Miller.

"That's right" I accept his handshake and we proceed to sit down.

The meeting begins, they talk to each other and I -under the strict orders of my boss-, I must use some papers that he brought with me. The meeting lasts about two hours, as three more men join and the conversation is longer than I thought. When it comes to an end, Mr. Fontana takes the floor.

“The opening is tomorrow at the Luxury Banquet Ballroom. Mr. Hills, I imagine you'll be there, won't you?

«Let him say no, let him say no...».

"Yeah.

Shit.

"Good. Miss Miller, will you go? “Mr. Fontana looks at me.

I open my mouth to ask if I must attend compulsorily, but….

“Miss Miller is obligated to do her job and where I go, she goes,” Mr. Hills interrupts.

I purse my lips. I wish I could get my guts out and yell at him for being a self-centered piece of shit that I can't stand.

"I'll keep it in mind. He “Stands up. Mr. Hills does the same and so do I." I guess we agree "My boss nods." Having negotiated with you has been a pleasure.

"The same.

Mr. Fontana greets me and finally, we leave.