Chapter 22: FRIENDLY TERMS?
Alex’s pov
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It’s been two weeks since that “run from my very first paparazzi and bodyguard” Incident, and thankfully things have settled down to a dull humdrum.
Kyle initially got mad about the bodyguard thing but then I made him realise I was already mad at him, so he couldn’t stay mad anymore.
A bunch of articles were printed about me in a bunch of magazines and gossip columns, some positive, some not so, but I didn’t let that affect me too much.
My whole family and all my friends jumped to my rescue and help, like I was haunted by the mafia instead of harmless paparazzi, although Kyle said that they were worse than the mafia, and with his experience I decided not to question it.
Weirdly enough the list also includes my boss Jensen Black, because lately it feels like we are (dare I say it) on friendly terms. Gasp! I know… how did this happen?
I guess, when you formulate a plan and evade a bodyguard together, you can’t help but form a bond that’s equal parts weird and unique. It’s like escaping a high security prison, except not.
It was totally absurd at first, sometimes I would just gawk at him like he was some zoo animal whenever he casually started talking to me, but I’ve gotten used to it lately, the gawking has gone down considerably.
Kate was stunned into silence a few days ago when Jensen came sauntering into my office and told me to leave early expressing concern about my safety and security, instead of telling me to work overtime. Yeah. Color me dumbstruck.
I glanced at the wall clock in the living room, it was around eight in the morning, I sipped my coffee while preparing French toast for breakfast when my phone rang. I smiled at seeing Sam’s name blink up on my caller ID and answered with a chirpy greeting “Hey there my favorite ballerina, wassup? “
A stumped silence followed my words, but in that silence I could hear his annoyance loud and clear. He finally spoke in his defense “ballet is a very difficult and manly dance okay, you won’t believe the quad and core strength it requires to do ballet, it’s harder and riskier than most dance types and I know because I’ve tried them myself!”
“Sure it is….” I rolled my eyes as I balanced my phone with my shoulder since apparently french toast demands both working hands.
“Please stop calling me ‘ballerina’, for heaven sake Alex stop!” He groaned, making me smile at his growing irritation.
“Wow, you took that as a personal attack Sammy, I was only trying to compliment you.”
“Don’t you try’n get cheeky with me…” He warned, and then complained “geez you always managed to put me off topic, can’t you for once greet me like a normal person?”
Off topic? “Me? I did no such thing!” I gasped dramatically.
He decided to ignore that very concise reaction and said, “What are you doing friday night?”
“Let me see…..” I started thinking along my schedule genuinely, but he cut me off right away.
“Whatever it is, cancel it, I want you to attend my team’s performance in the Stephen-Roberts Music Theatre that night, I’m inviting others as well so don’t even think of ditching.”
“Awww…. Sammy, are you going to be dancing in a cute little tutu?” I coo-ed.
“I am the choreographer Alex, will you stop forgetting what I do for a living?” He was growing exasperated from this conversation. Choreographer, director, founder… I knew all about it, I just liked giving him a hard time.
“Okay, okay fine, I’ll be there with a bunch of stuck up audience to clap for you after the end of the performance when you’ll do your bow-y thing with your team.”
“You mean after I slay the stage with my awesome choreography.” He said, betraying a hopeful undertone.
“Nuh uh…. I’m pretty sure I don’t mean that, nonetheless I’ll be there.” I said flatly.
“You better,” I could hear a smile in his voice. “And I’m gonna ignore everything else that you just said.” Of course.
My phone pinged that instant and I checked to see, it was a reminder for today, and I turned pale from the shock it hit me with.
“Sam, I gotta go… ” I hung up in a hurry and accidentally knocked off my cup of hot coffee on my hand. Ouch.
I ran to hold my hand under cold running water and waited for the pain to subside while I was panicking internally. I’m so darn late.
I smelled smoke, only to find that my French toast has burned to a not so appetizing crisp and suddenly a siren started going off in my whole house, which I realised was the fire alarm.
Perfect.
Today’s work day was slightly different and dare I say interesting in more than a few ways.
I had to go look at the venue for the upcoming charity event and apparently had a meeting with someone called Mr. Jones. But of course I only cared to remember that a few minutes ago and suddenly my peaceful morning became a chaotic mess.
After dealing with my stubbornly crazy fire alarm, I quickly shoved my phone and a different set of car keys in my bag and hastily locked up my apartment before jabbing at the elevator button multiple times as if that would help speed things up.
Jensen was going to meet me at the venue and I was very obviously running late.
I maneuvered my way through the busy streets in my blue Volkswagen and only a tad bit of rash driving later pulled up at what I hoped was the correct address. “Hotel Bloomwood.”
A young man wearing a black cap that said ‘valet’ helped me with my car while I stood gawking at the sprawling lawns that looked like they were built for golfing.
A castle-like building proudly stood in the midst of all the greenery, I entered the open mahogany doors and found myself in the lobby.
“Well, I guess it’s my fault for expecting you to be on time.” A deep baritone voice startled me, making me jump. I turned in the direction of sound to see Jensen walking towards me through a long corridor.
I would have thought he was being arrogant if it wasn’t for that teasing smile on his face.
“Sorry, sorry….I slept late and then my alarm didn’t go off, and I thought it was a regular office day until I realised it wasn’t and then I toppled my coffee and burned my hand, burned my breakfast and then the stupid fire alarm went off and I had to deal with it before I could even think of…….Ugh, You don’t wanna hear it.” I ended lamely as I walked towards him, meeting him halfway.
“I’m sure I don’t.” He said simply, making me scowl.
“It’s not my fault you’re the mayor of punctuality town.” I defended myself quite lamely.
“Are you always this stubborn or are you just sleep deprived?” He said sarcastically.
“I’m not stubborn!” Just sleep deprived. He rolled his eyes, as if I just proved his point.
I didn’t realize we were both walking in another random corridor, wait, actually Jensen was and I was blindly following him. I hoped he had some place in mind or we’ll be walking this maze of corridors forever.
He suddenly stopped at a huge brown door and knocked twice. Before stepping back. A voice asked us to ‘enter’ and so we did just that.
It was an office room. My eyes roamed the space, taking it all in, the interior decorator had gone all out to make it look aesthetically pleasing and sufficiently comfy, without losing the professional touch.
“Oh it’s you… better late than never, I thought something happened, I was about to file a missing person report.” A voice said with obvious humor making my eyes snap to the man who spoke. He was tall 6’5 maybe, probably in his early thirties, he had straight dark hair and was dressed in a simple black t-shirt and blue acid-washed jeans.
Jensen subtly glanced at me at that comment, making it abundantly clear I have ruined his reputation. How very devastating!
“Stop being so dramatic David.” Jensen brushed him off, I was surprised he didn’t point out the fact that him being late was my doing.
He grinned at Jensen as he stepped out from behind his work desk to greet us. They did that handshake-pulled into-half hug, which was supposed to be cool and manly. David’s gaze kept flickering to me as if he was waiting for Jensen to make introductions.
“I would like you to meet Alex Brook, she’s planning the whole event, and this is Dr David Jones, he’s the chairman of Conquer Medical Center and several other things that I won’t bother listing.” Jensen introduced, and David’s warm hazel eyes shifted to look directly at me from behind his black-framed specs.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr Jones,” I said politely, and smiled as I offered a handshake.
“Lovely to finally meet you, Alex, call me David.” He smiled as he shook my hand, his grip warm and firm, revealing the strength of his arm. He was like a blend of nerdy and sexy, it was a good look on him.
He seemed very out of place compared to everything around him that was covered in shades of rich chocolate browns and cinnamon wood, but that only made him stand out more. David told us to make ourselves comfortable on the plush couch and joined us after ordering two coffees and one orange juice on the wireline.
We got to talking, and it was pretty obvious that Jensen and David were closely acquainted. “Where is Jennifer by the way, are you doing this all by yourself?” David asked, tipping his coffee mug to his lips as he looked at Jensen.
“Jennifer always takes care of this all by herself every year.” The words I don’t see why I can’t were implied. “And I’m only doing it this one time since she’s out of the city for some work, besides….” His eyes turned to look straight at me, “Alex is helping me.”
Oh my god, this was a pretty big deal. I stayed calm not letting my mannerism express the inner pandemonium.
Jensen pointed at the black leather file he had been carrying that now sat on the coffee table, “You might want to take a look at that.” David complied.
He then plucked the pen out of Jensen’s coat pocket like it was normal. “Where do I sign?” Jensen rolled his eyes but pointed out the dotted line to him.
I was totally out of the loop, “wait, what agreement is this?”
Jensen answered, “I’m buying this place.”
My eyes went wide, “this as in…..?” This huge castle-like place was probably built by some stuck up prince and was guarded by knights, serpents and dragons once upon a time!
“As in, where we’re currently at.” He explained, sounding amused at my stunned expressions. “It’s a business investment. “
It’s probably haunted and has some legend behind it like that of Bran castle and has tonnes of hidden routes and traps.
“I see… ” I said when I could finally speak, my mind was failing to be funny, interesting, relevant or cool at that moment. I should stop reading all those supernatural and fantasy books.
“But why are you selling it?” I asked David, unable to understand the reason behind his step. It didn’t seem like he was struggling financially, or maybe he was… how would I know?
David replied. “It’s just that I feel Jensen would put it to better work. It’s never really been used these days other than a few times when some filming takes place, besides he’s agreed to fund my research so… ” He shrugged, “I’ve got nothing to lose.”
“Your research?” I asked, my voice a blend of confusion and curiosity.
“I’m involved with researching several anti-cancer medications and Jensen is interested to help out…… ” that intrigued me and I asked him to elaborate.
David looked pleasantly surprised for a moment, he then dove into technical aspects of the medical research and I listened to all the various kinds of therapeutic measures and how his team was working to improve them by making it more effective and less expensive.
I asked a few questions here and there, and he looked rather impressed with my little knowledge. “Looks like you know quite a bit about medicine.” He noted.
“Not really, a few things you said didn’t exactly register, but I’m merely nodding along, I just couldn’t ask you to dumb it down for me because I’m certain I wouldn’t get it even if you did,” I told him honestly.
He laughed, then looked at Jensen and said. “I agree with Josh, she’s amazing.” I was glad he didn’t ask why I was so interested, I doubt I’d be able to lie and I didn’t want to ruin this nice atmosphere with my boring story.
“You shouldn’t agree with everything Josh says,” Jensen rolled his eyes, but I had a feeling he didn’t disagree. I tried not to smile too fiercely.
“He doesn’t lie though…” David said.
Jensen nodded, “not outright sure, but he’s biased towards women.”
“Hello! Don’t you guys see me, I’m right here.” What’s with people talking about me, while I’m in the same room?
Jensen mumbled something under his breath and I had no idea what.
David offered to give me a tour of the huge castle. I quickly agreed more than interested to have a look around and explore.
David led me down a corridor, while Jensen followed closely.
“Jensen and Josh had been telling me so much about you, I just had to put a face to all those stories,” David said casually.
What??! That doesn’t sound right. I stole a glance behind me where Jensen strolled casually like David didn’t just mention something bizarre.
“Oh man, it can’t be good,” I said.
“Depends on your sense of humour,” David replied with a barely-there smirk. “My favourite is the parking lot story.” He winked.
I groaned in embarrassment. “Stupid Josh and his big mouth!”
“You got that right.” David chuckled, nodding in agreement with my statement.
The narrow passage disappeared and the walls abruptly opened up into a huge space which I could only describe as a ballroom with huge pillars, high ceiling ornamented with crystal chandeliers and it had elegant spiral staircases at four corners of the huge room. A stage was set up front, big enough to accommodate an orchestra. An indoor fountain was the centerpiece and the floor was an intricate design of mosaic, etched into white marble.
“What do you think?” Jensen asked.
“This is amazing.” I said, awestruck. It was already beautiful, I could only imagine how great it would look with all the decorations set up on the day of the event. No wonder this place is used for movie shoots.
“So, have you decided anything yet?” David asked.
I continued to look around as I said vaguely, “I have an idea… ” I was thinking it to be a formal event.
But not too dull that you die of boredom.
Crystal Chandeliers, Silk draperies, fountains and flowers was a given, I just had to make sure it all goes well together but doesn’t steal the spotlight away from the artistic exhibits.
Sounds good?
Let’s see how well I can execute it.
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After that meeting with David which was more like a friendly hangout, Jensen and I walked along the lake behind the castle/hotel/palace. Yes, it had a freaking lake!
I took an estimate of how far I wanted the decorations and lighting to be extended and how much area was supposed to be off limits. The place was huge and beautiful with sprawling lawns and water in the lake shimmered with every undulation under the shining sun.
“So… you think this place is good enough for what you’re planning?” Jensen broke the silence.
I looked at him like he was bonkers, “Good enough?” I pointed at the lake or rather gestured at it, extending my arm incredulously, “Jensen this place is crazy.”
He laughed, “I believe you mean the good kind of crazy.” My hand dropped to my side and I rolled my eyes.
“In my opinion crazy is always good.” I clarified.
“I should have known.” Jensen looked at me peculiarly, before turning towards the lake. The breeze was pleasant with just a hint of humid warmth drifting across the unhindered space.
The silence prevailed for merely a few minutes as we stood side by side looking at the lake. “I was wondering…”
He turned sideways to face me, but I didn’t meet his eyes “if there’s any reason you’re investing in cancer research and planning this charity event?” I finally asked what I was meaning to, for a while now.
My question was met with a stoic silence and I didn’t know what to make of it. The change in the vibe was apparent and I pondered if I unknowingly crossed a line.
“Why do you ask?” He finally said.
This time I met his gaze, “would you believe I was merely curious?” His eyes seemed weirdly calculating, “And I had a feeling it’s more than just your philanthropist ways that made you do this.”
He hesitated, “I suppose there’s nothing wrong with curiosity, in fact I’m surprised you don’t already know…” he sighed before continuing, “A few years ago, my father died of lung cancer.” I gasped softly, not expecting this at all. “He never smoked you know… He wanted to set a good example for my sister and I…. but even then,”
“Me and my family, we did everything we could to save him, but he only got worse…” I felt so sorry for him.
He looked at me smiling a sad smile “It’s the most helpless feeling in the world to see someone you love dying right before your eyes.” In this silence that enveloped us, he was letting his thoughts sink and was reliving those sorrowful moments. I felt my eyes prickle, this was too close to home.
“You must be really close.” I said, assuming from the way he was speaking about his father.
“Dad was my role model. He was the best. My sister was closer to him than I was and both of them usually teamed up together to prank me, as I was the ‘youngest’ in the house.” He chuckled humorlessly.
I didn’t know what to say, what comforting words to offer, so I just stood there and listened without interrupting him.
“It was a huge shock to my family, we were all affected, most of all, Jennifer. She couldn’t believe it, but after he was gone she just slipped away, she has never been the same and there was nothing I could do to help her either, it was a difficult time for my family…” His voice cracked, but he seemed unaware, it seemed like he was in a different world, different time.
“My sister started this charity trust in his honor to help others going through the same thing, to help cancer patients and their families to cope with the loss and depression, I’m proud of her, dad would have been too.” He was finally putting his guard down, and to see him opening up like this thrilled me and pained me at the same time.
“So, you’re right, it’s not just a random philanthropic act to my sister it’s much more, I must say you’re quite observant.” He said, looking directly at me, his eyes intense and brighter than ever.
“He would have been proud of you too.” I said, still reeling from everything he just told me. I couldn’t imagine how he dealt with everything life tossed his way.
He smiled, his silver gray eyes wordlessly thanked me. A few more minutes passed in silence where I admired him more than I did before. The more I got to know him, the more he surprised me. My first impression of him couldn’t have been more wrong.
“So are you done with your estimate of this place, can we leave now, or is there anything else you’re wondering?” He asked, now sounding a bit amused.
“I’m done, I guess… ” I said vaguely.
“Com’on then, don’t just stand there, your food must be getting cold… ” He said and started walking, I was forced to keep up.
“You arranged for lunch?” I was confused and delighted at the news.
“Of course I did, can’t have you blaming me for your burnt breakfast and skipped lunch all in one day.” He mumbled quite audibly.
I smiled despite myself. So Jensen was sometimes thoughtful too, good to know.
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The rest of the day was a normal hectic work day after I returned to the main office.
I was left to deal with some clients and had to attend a few meetings with the marketing team and the real estate agents.
Nick was a major help as he kept track of my schedule and made sure I didn’t completely mess everything up since it was a chaos in my office as much as it was in my head.
Kate helped me out with a lot of event planning as well and I was absolutely exhausted by the time we wrapped it up and called it a day.
“Kate can you shut down my computer, I’m just gonna pass out here for a moment.” I made a whole show of falling on the big fluffy couch with my eyes closed and stayed there. I’m sure Kate must have rolled her eyes at my usual behavior.
A knock on the door interrupted my exaggeration, but I stayed put thinking it was just Nick.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore.” Said a fairly familiar deep voice.
It was like déjà vu, I frowned and a low irritated groan escaped, “Man, why can’t you ever find me while I’m working my butt off?”
A gasp and a chuckle made me aware that Kate was still in the office, apparently he noticed it too.
“Oh hey, Kate. I thought you already left.” He said. I forced myself to sit up straight and be civil in the presence of my boss.
“Evidently not. I was helping Alex with some event planning, and by helping I meant I did all the work.” She said and immediately I turned to take objection.
“Hey you can’t take all the credit! This guy already thinks I slack off way too much… ” I looked at Jensen and added. “Which I do not FYI.”
He laughed and then stopped with a wide grin. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” My jaw dropped. How could he-?
“Are you working overtime again?” Kate asked him, her hands were busy arranging the mess that was my work desk, her mild OCD is quite helpful sometimes.
“Yeah, some last minute details to finish up.” He said as she walked away from my desk and neared the couch to pick up her phone from where she left it on the coffee table.
“I’ll leave you two to talk, do you guys want coffee?” She asked, looking from me to him. I was about to yell. ‘Yesss!’
“If that’s not too much trouble.” Jensen said politely. She nodded, smiled and left, the sound of her clicking high heels abruptly faded as she left closing the door, and then Jensen and I sort of looked at each other awkwardly.
“Anyway, what brings you here…?” I gestured for him to take a seat on the couch and he obliged, his daunting height became less scary when he was at eye level.
Without beating around the bush he handed me a thick file and said “Read it thoroughly and make sure you go through the attendees list at least once-” he suddenly took a pause and then said “If you are done passing out that is.”
“Ha-ha hilarious!” I laughed without a hint of humor and shot him a deadpanned look.
He was obviously not at all bothered by my theatrics as his lips lifted up at the corners to form his amused smirk? I quite liked that playful look on him.
Liked? No I did not!
Disregarding my weird thoughts, I asked him something which was now on my mind “What’s this about?” I asked, lifting the thick file that he had placed in my hands.
“We are going to France next to next weekend.” He answered.
My horror stricken face was a reflex reaction, “A business trip?” I quickly composed and corrected myself, “I mean oh wow, a business trip!”
He shook his head and narrowed his eyes at me, making it abundantly clear that he wasn’t fooled by my act of fake excitement.
I pressed my lips in a thin line and shrugged innocently. “What?”
Ignoring my charade he explained, “There’s a meeting in Paris and our most important foreign delegates and investors across the world are gonna be attending” He told me seriously, in his ‘down to business’ tone.
My curiosity increased instead of diminishing and I fired questions at him left, right and center. “What! Paris? Us? Why? But why me? Why isn’t Kate going with you?”
He sighed. “You’ll know when you read this file and if you still have any doubts, I’ll just be in my office, besides Kate is my secretary and she’ll be busy here while we are gone, someone has to keep this place in order.” he explained and I still couldn’t grasp it entirely but I nodded nonetheless.
He looked down at his wrist watch and impatiently said, “I gotta go, have a teleconference scheduled in five minutes, tell Kate to bring coffee to my office.”
He was dashing away when I barely said “Okay… “
I opened the black file with the company logo in my lap, and started leafing through the pages, it held the record of last year’s foreign deals and sales reports in addition to the list of foreign delegates and most of the deals were signed under Olivia’s name, the former sales executive.
I looked up when Kate appeared with a tray balancing three cups of coffee. “Where’s Jensen?” She asked frowning at his absence.
“In his office, he had a teleconference.” I said. She left the tray on the coffee table and picked a single cup to take it to him, a few minutes later she returned while I was still immersed in the file I was reading.
“I took my time to be back thinking you guys must be having a heart-to-heart or something, but you both are completely hopeless.” She said in a disappointed tone as she picked up her coffee and sipped.
I thought back to earlier today when Jensen told me about his family at that lake and decided that it definitely qualified as heart-to-heart, but I wasn’t telling that to Kate.
Ignoring her implications, I whined, “he gave me more work.”
“Of course he did, what’s it this time?” Kate asked, only mildly interested.
“Apparently I have to go to Paris, there’s some meeting… “
“With the foreign delegates, I know!” She was suddenly more interested. “When are you leaving?” Her eyes were bright with energy.
“Next to next weekend.”
“That’s right after the charity event,” She noted frowning and looking at the thick file she added “you should get to it, a lot to prepare I’m guessing, considering that you’ve never met any of our foreign business tycoons.”
“Wow, you don’t sugarcoat, do you?” I leaned back on the couch, pretending to pass out again.
“You’ll get to spend a weekend in France though…. ” She said, “I’m so jealous.”
“Don’t be. The maximum amount of French I can speak is ‘bonjour’, and I’m sure I messed that up too.” I told her flatly and she laughed.
I pushed myself to stop feeling sorry for myself and picked up my cup of coffee before it could get cold. “Hey, by the way did Sam invite you to one of his performance thing-y?” I asked, looking at her sideways.
“Oh yeah, this Friday isn’t it?” She asked to confirm.
“I guess it is.” I mumbled. “Shall we go there together after work?”
“Sounds good,” she shrugged.
And so it was settled.
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