Chapter 20

Allison POV

"Are you sure Allison, I mean, don't feel guilty you're not entitled to..."

"Hussain," I turned to face him, "I want to, after all, we friends aren't we?"

Standing from the sofa, he pulled out my folded arms, allowing them to fall loosely to my sides. Coming closer to me, my lips parted when I saw him ogling them at them. We just had sex, and my sore core was the evidence of it, but still my heart... My heart beats a different tune, every time we locked gaze. My insides ignite with chemistry, longing... And even though it's not real, my feelings are betraying me, breaching the contract.

"My family isn't as perfect as you think... I am not as perfect as you, I've made mistakes, some I try my best to make it right, some are not reversible, and others..." Trailing his fingers on my cheek, brushing away something only visible to him with his thumb,

"Others I am still working on,"

"Hussain,"

"Allison,"

I pulled him in a kiss, usually, our kisses would involve us trying to devour each other mouths, but this one... Was different. Our lips moved in perfect sync, our teeth knocked on each other a few times but it didn't matter, I craved for him. With his palm pressing into the back of my neck, his thumb stroked my ear, as our tongue wrestled in our mouth. Why did this feel so good, I mean it always felt good, now I don't if my mind is playing tricks on me because only that this kiss was different, it was meaningful as well. Pulling away from the kiss, I slowly opened my eyes, gazing into his bright ones, his face was blank, but I could see the smile in his stares,

"That's the first time I've ever seen you close your eyes when we are kissing," he whispered near my lips,

"Maybe that's the first real we have had," I pulled away from him,

"If you're serious about the date," he cleared his throat, changing the subject, "I would appreciate it if you got ready from my place,"

"Why?" I scurried to the kitchen, "What's wrong with my place?" I yanked the fridge door open, looking for anything edible, I needed to go grocery shopping, I thought.

"Well, honestly a lot of things but I was thinking that it would be easier for the stylist too—"

"Stylist?" I slammed the fridge door shut, my back turned to him, "What stylist?"

"My family dinners might have a limited guest list but trust me when I say this, it's like attending a gala in the pit of hell,"

Chuckling lowly, I turned to face, noticing his emotionless face, "You're not joking?" My wide grin retreated from my ear,

"I am afraid not Ms. Parker, my family isn't so loving like normal families it's sad to say, that we take too much joy in taunting each other,"

"Oh, I am sorry,"

"It's ok... That's how it has always been and always will be,"

I heartfelt a little saddened by this, poor Hussain, he thought it was healthy to have toxic people around you, constantly draining your energy with their negativity, I might didn't know my parents, but my foster home was filled with joy and acceptance, not once did I feel out of place or I didn't belong. Staying there, in that city, in town... It was painful and that's why I ended up here, to start over fresh,

"Hussain, you say that as if you are ok with it,"

"I am,"

"But it doesn't have to be that way,"

"What do you me—"

We both shifted our gaze to the heavy knocking on the door, who can that be, I wasn't expecting anyone.

"Ali!" Her voice screeched on the other side of their door, "I know you in there you contract signing cock sucker,"

Swallowing the ball at my throat, I rubbed the back of my neck, lowering my eyes to the floor,

"You told her about the contract?"

"Yes, I—Well, she saw the email on my laptop,"

"Allison! Open this God damn door or I am going break it down," she continued to throw a tantrum,

"You did read the part about confidentiality right? if you disclose—"

"Any information about the contract, it will be terminated with immediate effect, but Toniann—I mean, Ms. Singh— was the one who drove me to sign it,"

"Alison! I can hear voices, I know you're in there with someone, is it Gary?"

"I see. And who is this Gary? I thought you are single,"

"I am... We dated for a while, but we broke off seven months ago,"

"Then why would she think he is the one in here and not me?"

"Intercourse will be only at a place of your choice was in bold letters Myers, it was hard to miss, so I guess she will be in shock soon as I open that door,"

"Still, you never answer the other part of my question,"

"Sorry, can you repeat it... It must have flown right over my head," I chuckled nervously,

"Allison!" I flinched when the door banged, possibly from Toniann fists, "You should get that." He nudged his chin towards the door.

"I should..." I cleared my throat, "I definitely should," I hurried to the door Twisting the knob, I pulled the door close to my body, leaning the door frame, blocking her view. With her hand rested on her hip, the other holding a bottle of wine, she stared at me with resentment,

"Toniann, what brings you here?"

"I don't know Allison, let's see... Oh right, you went an interview behind my back and Myers was the tell me and you have been ignoring my calls," she babbled

"I have been busy,"

"Doing what exactly? Shoving Hussain up your—"

"Nice to see you too Ms. Singh, especially outside of work," Hussain muttered behind me,

Rolling my eyes, I stepped aside, giving Toniann access to the apartment,

"Mr. Myers, sir... I wasn't expecting you to here," she slowly strode in, "I can see that Singh, but I came to compliment Ms. Parker here for a remarkable performance at the interview, and I wanted to congratulate her personally for securing the spot as my P.A," he muttered, gazing at me, frozen at the doorway. This man lied effortlessly with a bright smile on his face, he didn't even seem bothered by it, perhaps it's nothing new to him.

"You did... Dress like that?" Oh boy, I thought, rolling my eyes as Toniann challenged Hussain, this won't end well.

"What's wrong with my attire Ms. Singh, please specify,"

"I don't know Myers... White tees and sweatpants look more like a... A friendly visit than business, I mean... Allison and I are friends, and I wouldn't wear shorts and a crop top to tell her that her interview was successful, in fact, an email would have done the trick,"

"As I said, I wanted to do it... myself,"

"Oh, I know," Toniann looked around the apartment, "In here sure looks like a garden," she fondled the petals, flipping the tag between her fingers, "Mhm... That's interesting,"

"What is?" I mumbled "Signature here say 'H.M' I wonder who is that?"

"Maybe it's the brand of the flowers," I chuckled nervously

"H & M covers clothing Allison,"

"That's enough," Hussain spoke, "I am aware that you know about contract,"

"What contract?"

"Oh, for Christ's sake, Toniann, stop bullshitting. He knows... that you know,"

"Well... I guess I will be seeing more of you two at work, Glad to have you on the team Parker, see you Monday," he mumbled, Monday? And our date is Friday, was he doing this because he pities me, or because he wants to make sure I stick to the plan, whatever it was, I needed it the job.

"Singh," he nodded at Toniann walking towards me, Opening the door for him, he kissed me on the cheek, "Aiden will come to fetch you tomorrow, around 5:00 PM,"

"You're leaving and he hasn't arrived yet?"

"I will catch a cab, he is probably still caught up with... Whatever he is doing,"

"You're not afraid it will make headline tomorrow, Hussain Myers... The famous billionaire is in a cab,"

"I am not afraid of scandals Allison, trust me,"

"I guess I will see you tomorrow at five,"

"I guess so,"

Closing the door behind him, my cheeks were flushed as a faint smile crept up to my lips,

"So... Tell me why you haven't called," Toniann lower the wine on the counter "Come on Toniann," I ambled towards her, "A phone work both ways you know, you could have called me as well, plus isn't that the norm for us,"

"I did call and it's not the same since you and my boss are now... In an entanglement,"

Ignoring her, I pulled out two wine glasses, setting them down on the countertop, I sighed,

"I saw Gary today,"

"You did! How is he? What did he say?" She launched questions at me excitedly, pulling out a stool,

"He's fine, looks great actually, turns out he is gay," I snatched the wine from before her,

"No way... Wow, that's a shocker," she stammered "Is it? Like come on there were always signs,"

"I guess you're right, I am happy for though,"

"Me too. He even has a boyfriend,"

"He does? I guess he has thought this through,"

"Yeah," I mumbled lowly pouring the drink into the glasses, Sliding Toniann hers,

"So... The guy he is with is the... You know, cute? "

"He didn't show me a picture," I chugged down the beverage quickly, groaning lowly as I set my glass down, "But I can tell Gary care for him, in the middle of our meet up, he texted him... Says he wants to go shopping for them both," I chuckled, "Allison, are you ok?"

Was I? I mean Gary was happy, while I on the other hand was not, I thought this contract would have given me peace within but seeing him today... It made me miss being in a relationship, it makes me wish I had someone like that...

"Toniann, I think I have feelings for him,"

"Oh honey, it natural, you saw him today and he is your recent Ex, of course, you're going to miss him,"

Lowering my eyes to the ground, I forced them shut, trying to fight back the tears,

"I wasn't talking about Gary."