Chapter 33: NOT ALWAYS FUN
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Alex’s POV:
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It feels like a whole week passed in a blink. Seems like only yesterday I was partying and going out on trips and now I’m signing deals and attending meetings. Again.
It’s not always fun.
I scrolled through the contract papers of Scott Industries as I also referred to the sales charts. The numbers weren’t adding up, it needed an update.
“What are you still doing here?! Everyone is already in the conference room” Nick suddenly bursted in through my office door and I almost jumped, startled.
“Oh shoot!” I quickly grabbed the required documents and dashed out.
How the heck did I forget about the meeting? I looked up at Nick “What would I do without you?”
Nick opened his mouth to answer, but I cut him off “don’t answer that.” He just settled for a smile.
“Conference room number three.” Nick hollered when I took a wrong turn.
Oopsies!
Reaching the correct room, I took a deep breath and gripped the door handle firmly.
Just as I entered, I mumbled a quiet “sorry” for being a couple minutes late, and quickly took my assigned seat. The lights were dimmer in order to work the projector.
Jensen looked at me and raised his eyebrow.
He was seated across from me and my eyes had no problem taking in his handsome face even in the dull lighting, before I mentally chastised myself. Kate was sitting next to him, and making notes in her small notepad.
I smiled at him apologetically, and then turned to look forward at the man who spoke about our current project.
This meeting with the advertisement company was mostly an explanatory presentation which we had to sit through as the plans for the month were laid out briefly.
In other words pure torture.
I tried not to yawn and fall asleep. The fact that the room was dark definitely wasn’t helping.
I looked around to find that no one else looked tired and bored here except for me. That just can’t be true. My eyes lingered on Jensen and I saw his lips lift a fraction into a small smirk, he mouthed “eyes on the screen”.
Shit! I flushed red and turned to look ahead at the presentation that went on and on and tried to concentrate, with little success.
My phone vibrated on the table and the screen lit up. I picked it up with every intention of switching it off but I stopped short when I noticed Jensen’s name flash up on the notification tab.
What?!
With wide eyes I looked up at him to see he was looking forward at the big display screen.
It was a text message from him. This was one of the few times he had texted me, he usually just calls me up if he had to talk and mostly it’s regarding work.
Jensen Black is texting me in the middle of a meeting? This has to be a joke…I clicked on the message and it opened up.
Jensen: Would you at least pretend to not detest the harmless presentation, or is it too much to ask?
My thumb began typing as I tried to be as discreet as possible.
You: Of course it’s too much to ask, you of all people should have known that. But for your sake I’ll play pretend.
I didn’t expect a reply but my phone buzzed again.
Jensen: For my sake? I feel like I should be grateful.
His cautious sarcasm made me smile as I began typing on my phone again.
You: No need to thank me.
I tried not to look at him. I needed to keep it together, I couldn’t laugh out loud in the middle of a presentation but a part of me was dying to see his reaction at my blatant ignorant response.
He didn’t reply after that, and the weird conversation stopped there. But he surprised me today when he texted me in the middle of work. It was so unlike his usual stoic demeanor and once again, I was left wondering about what goes on in his mind.
The meeting went well, after which everyone returned to their own offices.
I gathered all my stuff and was about to leave when my eyes met Jensen’s and he mouthed “stay”. I froze and nearly dropped my papers. He smiled subtly as he looked away.
Him and I were the only ones there after everyone left, Kate was the last to leave and she made sure to wink at me as she went.
Jensen walked closer and stopped right in front of me as he reached for my hand. “come here, I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while.”
I smiled at him while rolling my eyes “That’s because you’ve been too busy.” I said, basking in the warmth his touch created as he intertwined our fingers together.
Jensen gave it a thought and said “You’re right. Maybe I should take a break. What are you doing this evening?”
I was not expecting that but I blurted out my usual plans “Probably working… getting bored and sleepy for sure and then maybe later ordering in Italian, or maybe chinese food…haven’t decided that part yet.”
Jensen chuckled, his grey eyes looked brighter, less tired, “That sounds…. tedious.”
I shrugged “It is what it is.”
He grinned, “You were always too honest.” He mumbled.
“One of my many flaws.” I dramatised.
Jensen smiled and I should have known he was about to say something cheesy when he put his arms around my waist and pulled me closer, “I don’t think so… you just seem more perfect.”
I had to stop myself from groaning “stop getting all corny on me.”
But he just chuckled as I squirmed and then smiled that beautiful smile of his as he asked, “Wanna go out with me?”
The question completely caught me off guard, my eyes widened as I said “Today?”
Jensen nodded, “Yes.” looking straight into my eyes.
“like…on a date?” I definitely couldn’t believe it, hence the need to confirm.
Jensen leaned in and planted a swift kiss on my lips making them tingle with warmth, “Yeah, if it’s alright with you.”
It was more than alright. I had to fight a smile but it was a losing battle and I didnt mind. “I guess it’s about time.”
Jensen leaned closer to whisper in my ear, his lips brushed my cheek as he said, “I’ll take that as ‘yes’.”
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I couldn’t wait for the workday to end, there was a jittery nervousness within me that I tried to ignore. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been on a date in a while. After college I kinda gave up on the whole dating and relationship side of life, but with Jensen it doesn’t feel all that difficult.
Lunch with Kate was very hyper because she found out about the date and fussed over me and my outfit for the day. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it but according to her it was ‘dull and boring’, I decided not to argue with her.
When I sank in my chair and looked at the pile of paperwork in front of me, I decided to quickly get it over with. The marketing team had submitted five shortlisted marketing plans and ideas for the aviation domain but none of them were good enough. I’ll have to combine the best of these ideas and make up a new one. It was due tomorrow. I sighed.
I quickly lost track of time as I immersed myself in work while the sunlight slowly but surely disappeared from outside my window, giving way to the night sky. My phone rang startling me but when I glanced at the caller ID I smiled. My eyes flitted to the digital clock that said it was 7:30 in the evening. I panicked as I answered his call.
“Where are you?” His deep voice asked.
“I’m still in my office, almost done for the day where shall I meet you?” I asked as I quickly saved my work on the computer and reached for my bag and spare car keys because the ones I had before were now lost to the elevator underworld.
“About that, something came up we’ll have to postpone.” he said, sounding exhausted now that I was paying attention.
I froze and then slowed down as I dropped back in my chair, disappointment washed over me, I tried to mask it but the fact that I didn’t speak another word gave it away.
“Don’t be upset..” he said seemingly worried
“I’m not, it’s not that… What happened?” I asked, concerned.
“Carson.” He said, sounding tired. “I need to go, meet my lawyer.”
“Alright… Should I come with you?” I offered.
“No, it’s okay, you should go home and rest. I’ll take care of it.” He said and then sighed, “Dammit I was looking forward to the date…” I heard his car engine starting in the background.
I had to smile, even though I was feeling a bit disconcerted. “Me too…”
“Next time… I promise I’ll make it up to you.” he said.
“If you must.”
“I have something for you in my office, sorry I can’t give them to you in person.” He said.
“Really?” I smiled wider. “What did you get me?”
There was no answer for a while and then he said, “you know what…. Never mind, it’s stupid.”
“What? No! I have to know now!” I complained as I looked in the direction of his office as if I could suddenly gain x-ray vision and see whatever he was trying to hide.
“You won’t like it…” He insisted. “I don’t know what I was thinking… Just forget about it.”
I got out of my room and walked to his door, only to find it locked. “I don’t care, I want to know!” I tried yanking on the handle but the lock didn’t move. I tried peeking in but the lights were switched off so it was pitch black inside.
“Damn, I shouldn’t have mentioned it at all.” He groaned.
“Well you did, so now, either you tell me your code or I’m breaking into your office.” I said flatly.
He chuckled.
“What?” I frowned. “You think I’m kidding?”
“No of course not, it’s just so you…” He said.
I shrugged, “I’m gonna take that as a compliment…. Now, are you telling me the code or should I be getting a dynamite?”
He laughed. “I don’t wanna know who taught you breaking and entering.”
“I taught myself.”
“I should have known.” He sighed.
“The code, now!” I was getting impatient and didn’t plan to keep it a secret.
“Alright…alright, 73745218”
I entered the code and the door opened with a click. “Got it!”
As I stepped in the automatic lights flickered on, I was momentarily blinded by them before my eyes adjusted.
I smelled them before I saw them, there were a bunch of white lilies on his table. I walked closer and picked them up, a smile already forming on my lips.
There was silence on the phone as we both didn’t speak for a minute.
“You did some research?” I asked, since lilies were one of my favourites.
“Kate helped.” He admitted. “So you like it?”
I liked to grow them, but I didn’t tell him that, not when he was already so reluctant. “They are beautiful… thanks.”
“So, you’re not gonna tease me till the end of time, for being a sappy idiot?” He said.
I smirked, “I never said I wouldn’t.”
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