I arrive at the office much later, I am clammy and drained I had to drop Crystabel off and speed like a madwoman to the office. I look up smiling broadly at the large board that reads "Robert fame".
I remember how hard I had to work after leaving the hospital. I took online courses cause Livy was still scared of my mental health and didn't like the idea of me going to school well I also didn't argue cause I wasn't ready to mingle with people.
At twenty, I launched my first ever business idea which I named K2. I had been shocked when companies reached out to me and were ready to pay a lot to get it. I made a lot of money after selling it. With the money and also the help of livy I started my own company.
I clap my eyes on Quinn my cousin approaching me with a grin. She is a slim lady and she also has the look of an actress, she has perfect skin one you would argue has never seen the sun. She fancies short hair and never keeps hers below her shoulder. Trust Quinn to always look astounding.
She is wearing a strapless short blue gown with black heels. Quinn is a tall woman like her mother Livy and even without the heels, she is a good six inches taller than I am. She embraces me, then steps back to look at me.
'Malory's handiwork right.'
'Hello to you too.'
'You look spectacular Eva, let me take a moment to digest this you don't look this dreamy every day.'
'What?' I smack her playfully.
'I missed you, baby girl.'
'Now when did you get back.' Quinn had traveled to Canada for her masters. After I came back home from the hospital, I felt so guilty that she had to put her school life on a hold because all the funds were going to my hospital bills. Quinn had always wanted to be a lawyer ever since we were kids. After I came home, I worked my ass off to make money, maybe part of the reason was my guilt I wanted to make enough money to ensure she went to school.
Months after K2 sold out, I made sure she traveled out to do what she always wanted.
'I arrived yesterday.' She replies patting her face. She would retouch her makeup even in the labor room.
'I didn't see you at home yesterday.
'Relax mummy I didn't lose my virginity last night.'
'You were at Gideon's.' I comment dryly referring to her boyfriend who I didn't like.
She rolls her eye at me, Quinn is older than I am. She is 25 years old and I am 23 I have this motherly instinct it all started with Crystabel she learned over the years to put up with me acting like her mother.
'Easy ma I am here now.'
'Don't call me ma, am I late?' she checks her watch nodding
'You are an hour and twenty minutes late.'
'What! tell me he didn't leave already'. I am moving fast to the door, I quickly sight livy. 'Morning'.
'You are late.' She stops on her track observing me 'You look good.' she resumes her walk to the conference room.
'I will get you coffee'.
Quinn had called me last week and said she wanted to work as my secretary part-time until she has to go back to Canada.
'Mr. Scott'
'He arrived thirty minutes ago, so you are still kinda good.'
I half walk and run to the conference room, I am late and I hate being late what must he think of me, I stop to catch my breath
'Eva you look so stunning, now don't get teary.' Quinn says to my back 'Go do what you do best, after a long nice bath I have a lot to tell you about Canada.'
'That is the spirit'. I say dancing silently
Quinn starts laughing at my comment 'You are the best girl.'
I smile back at her, at least my day just got better.
***
I stand rather shakily trying to suppress my nerves, gathering up my satchel I make my way to the partially open door. I push open the door and almost stumble I try to avert my eyes when I feel his on me. I have to steel myself to glance up. Holy cow-he's so young
I am immediately captivated when I catch his eyes. Malory's synopsis did not prepare me for this man here, he is beautiful. He is looking at me, baring me with those eyes. I knew he was watching me when I came in and I had tried not to look at him.
He has dreamy eyes, one you would look at and see yourself in, his hair is perfect for that beautiful face, he has one stubborn hair touching his brows and my hands itch to push it back. His mouth, that mouth would do things to a woman. I begin to ache all over and breathing becomes very difficult.
No man has ever affected me the way Travis Scott has, and I cannot fathom why. I look at him with pleading eyes and my brain is fuzzy. I don't know what I am begging him for, as if figuring out that he could only give me what I want in a bedroom he smirks and looks away.
I take few seconds to catch my breath before realizing the looks fixed on me, damn it, I am the late damsel who hasn't apologized yet.
'You kept us waiting, Eva'. Travis says smirking.
My name has never sounded better, this man-made it sound so sinful. What is it with first name basics today I think pouting? He may be arrogant, but then he has a right to be. I realize I have been silent since my entrance I immediately snap back to reality.
'We are both late Travis.' I say adopting the first name thing. 'I know you arrived not too long.'
Livy gawks at me with raised brows probably thinking I might have lost it, news flash I have. Quinn secretly pinches my lap which has me wincing.
He laughs, it sounds like good music that slow and sexual music you play so you can have a sexy dream of a prince on a horse...okay what am I thinking about right now.
'Miss Robert, I fear I like you already.
I am about to reply that I do hate him, anything to wipe that grin off his beautiful face but Livy beat me to it.
'Let's get to business shall we.'
***
'That obnoxious jerk.' I move my back into the hot water, I sigh once I get the contact I have been craving all day.
We are in the bathroom, Malory is seated on the toilet seat, Quinn is standing while I am naked in the tub.
'Eva I can't believe you are still furious, you were late give the guy a break.'
I face her looking stern, I wag a finger at her. 'Don't you dare start with me? You did your spruce-up, and also refused to take Crystabel to school. So don't tell me I was late.'
She starts giggling, falling off the toilet seat. I huff.
After the meeting which lasted way too long, I had ignored Livy and had gone home with Quinn who started rambling the instant she spotted Malory.
'You know what I say closing my eyes. 'You and Quinn pack up and go live with him. You should be supporting me.'
'Miss Eva, I fear I like you.'
I pop one eye open to see Quinn dancing in circles. 'It was so romantic, you should have seen Eva's face when he said it.'
'What!'
Trust Malory to be dramatic. 'He said he liked you o- my- God.' she joins Quinn in dancing, screaming, and jumping.
'No' I come out of the tub cloaking a towel around me. 'Sarcasm ladies.'
They seal their lips. 'I mean such a fine, rich man gets to work for you.'
'No not for me, he is helping me.' I correct Malory. 'We are under the water right now and Livy has assured me that Mr. Scott is all we need.'
'I mean that man has enough money to buy your company.'
'Thanks for the support Malory, but no it is not for sale.'
I laugh when I see fear cross her face because she thinks I might have taken it personally. 'Travis is going to be around for a while to help with the security issues, our computer system is wack, and security is a fiasco. He is going to ensure we don't have any problems in the future.'
'Wow, it is surprising he is doing all this. I mean he has money, he runs the best security company in the state this year his company ranked number seven in the world, you certainly can't afford his pay.'
'I also panicked about the meeting too. Livy seems to have favors everywhere.'
Malory and Quinn stare beat. I grin understanding their confusion, I was also shocked when she told me Travis was going to help me. 'She knows his father, and as much as I hate asking for favors, I knew we would run down if we didn't get help.'
'What?' Malory's screeching makes me jump this time. 'Your mother has a rich boyfriend.'
'Malory.' I call laughing. 'Don't get into the matchmaking spirit. His father is the same doctor that tended to me while I was at the hospital.'
That man is tied to me, to us all. I am not dazed that he asked his son to come to my rescue.
'I know his father is a doctor, I didn't know he was the same one that treated you, I never got to meet him.'
It is still a sore topic for me and I am glad Malory doesn't push it either.
'Well, his mother is dead, she died when he was ten. Travis went to a boarding school and won his first competition...'
'Stop' I gaze at Malory surprised 'Did you check all that.' I turn to Quinn for support and I huff when she shrugs her shoulders chuckling.
'All that matters right now is that he has a single dad who happens to be livy good friend. Travis is a superman, he could do this in other companies and gain a lot.'
Malory has a very wild imagination. they are just friends and nothing more.
'It would be more exciting if you marry on the same day, every newspaper is going to have you on their first page.'
'I would be his stepdaughter, and have so many shares.' Quinn says dancing again.
'You are both unbelievable.' Malory leans closer to me.
'He has dimples?'
'Oh, Malory that man is so handsome.'
I swish when they both start dancing and laughing. 'You two go live with him I am sure he has more than enough rooms in his house.' I toss my sponge at Malory and brush at Quinn when they keep dancing and laughing.