Chapter 17 17
Chapter 17
Damien's POV
It was a boys' night out. It'd always been a tradition. Friday night was for drinks and cards.
Bringing me to why I was here earlier than the rest of the guys and sipping the glass of vodka that I'd already ordered.
My brothers and friends would be here soon and I needed a clear head before they arrived. I needed to put my thoughts in order.
There was a certain blonde-haired girl infiltrating my thoughts. One with plump lips and brown big eyes. One whose kisses made me crazy.
"You here pretty early," Xavier said, as he clasped my shoulders before settling in the seat next to me and rapping his fists on the table.
I finished the remaining vodka in one gulp before placing the glass back on the table.
"Yeah, left the office earlier than usual" I answered dryly, not wanting to give him details. It was partly the truth, though the main reason was my avoiding Tessa until I had a ground plan.
"Hm," Xavier beckoned to the waiter, who crossed over to our table.
"Two glasses of Brandy," he ordered and the waiter bowed lightly before leaving. We were one of the VIP customers Terry's Lodge had.
"So, you're gonna tell me what's wrong with you? It's unlike you to be early" he muttered, glancing at me. I raked my hair with my fingers.
"Nothing much" I shrugged and he eyed me.
"Nothing wrong means everything is wrong. Your girl still giving you issues?" A smirk made its way to his lips. I only found it annoying.
Before I had the chance to reply, George and Tristan arrived sitting opposite I and Xavier.
George's eyes darted from me to Xavier suspiciously.
"Should I be alarmed to see Damien here?" He asked and Tristan chuckled.
"I met him here. The dude arrived two hours ago," Xavier said, I didn't miss the sarcasm in his voice.
"I think I'm scared now" Tristan muttered, just as the waiter brought the two glasses of Brandy Xavier had ordered.
"Additional two, please," He said, before turning to the guys. "Would you like something else?" He asked, they shook their head.
I could feel George's eyes on me. He's always been the calculative one. The same one who had a private investigator, I still had no idea what he was doing with one.
"Something's wrong" He stated dryly giving no room for argument. Xavier nodded furiously as he took a sip of his drink.
"Woman problem," He chipped in and the guys' eyes fell on me as I ran my hand over my face.
Jesus, the guy couldn't keep a damn secret.
"Damien is having women issues? That's strange" Tristan muttered, his blue eyes meeting mine. Tristan was George's best friend and had grown to become one of us.
He was always present and never missed boys' night. Somehow, he knew George more than Xavier and I did.
"Very," Xavier who'd turned into a reporter said. "Well, it's the Tessa girl" George's eyes met mine and he raised his hand to his mouth to hide his smile.
Bastards.
"You said you'd find her yourself. My PI would have done the job" He muttered, Xavier shot him an irritated look.
"He found her himself and well, she's his PA now" He smiled, definitely feeling proud of himself for giving out the information.
I closed my eyes and reopened them.
The waiter returned with the two glasses of Brandy, placing them in front of George and Tristan.
"This is not what we're out here for" I grumbled, but no one gave a reply.
"He found her. Good news," George said, shooting me a glance.
"He made her his PA. Fucking bad news. What were you thinking dude?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Cancelled the interview after he found his missing rib" Xavier chuckled and I pinched his arm, and he yelped.
"What's wrong in his making her his PA?" Tristan asked. At least one person was on my side. George glared at him.
"His dick made the decision," He said dryly.
"Well, she doesn't want to have anything to do with him again. Blue balls" Xavier muttered, raising his glass to his lips and watching George through the rim.
George blinked. No one expected that, not even me. Tessa was the first woman to give me a hard time. I was the one who normally ended everything with the ladies, not the other way around.
Was this some sort of karma?
"Woah. That's huge" Tristan gulped his drink, before beckoning to the waiter.
"Can you guys please drop the topic" I groaned but they looked so interested in my dilemma.
"She rejected you?" George directed the question at me. I grabbed my glass, swirling the liquid inside.
"Not necessarily. The attraction is still there. Something is holding her back" And merely thinking of it is grating on my nerves.
"Because you are her boss?" George always knew what to say.
"I'm thinking of firing her and then chasing after her"
Xavier snorted.
"Pussy- whipped" He mouthed. I glared at him.
"This doesn't make sense" Tristan butted in. A lock of his brown hair fell over his eyes.
"She wants you, you want her. Screw the fact that you're her boss" I nodded.
"She believes everyone would see her as the boss's slut" I muttered. The anger that I'd manage to douse was slowly rekindling.
How would she think of such a thing?
"Firing her seems like the only option she's leaving me with," I said.
"Why not let her go?" George asked, his question taken me aback just as it annoyed me.
"Letting go of her isn't an option" I shot back fiercely. Thinking of letting Tessa slip away was something I couldn't and wouldn't think of doing.
There must be some other way.
"What do you want?" Tristan asked and I smiled bitterly.
"I want her to want me so badly to the point she wouldn't be able to deny the chemistry between us," I muttered, before covering my face with my hands.
"I just don't know how"
The guys exchanged a look I know so well.
"Fine. We're gonna help a brother out here"