It had been two weeks since I began working at Hixon & Co and to say I was hating it would be an absolute lie. I was actually liking it. I loved handling the tasks and I got to acquaint myself with a couple of other employees. I’d gotten to accompany Mr Hixon to more meetings than I can count and the New York expansion was well underway. He was planning on expanding all over the States and overseas too so things were about to get a whole lot crazier.
Being by his side has been a weird experience. For starters, he’s so cold and unfriendly. Being around him makes me apprehensive and the way he looks at me with his silver eyes unnerves me, I don’t know why he does it. But I like how he never failed to conduct himself in a professional manner. He was always so poised, eloquent, in control, rarely had any outbursts and so alpha male. I’m sure someone could have described him as hot. Not to me, but to someone else.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that!
Today was Saturday and I had the whole apartment to myself. Araminta had gone to some conference with her boss and a couple of other work mates in Huntington Beach and she’d be back tomorrow morning. So, I woke up, did my bed and headed to the bathroom to do my business with my Bluetooth speaker blaring music loudly. When I got out of the shower, I headed to my closet and opted for a purple crop top and shorts that were quite short. Nobody would be seeing me so it was alright. Turning off my speakers, I put on my wireless Beats headphone and began to play Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. Singing out loud, I burst my door open and shimmied over to the kitchen.
“I’m too hot, hot damn. Call the police and the fireman. I’m too hot, hot damn. Make a dragon wanna retire man. I’m too, hot damn. Say my name you know who I am. I’m to hot…” I sang out loud as I threw in a couple of dance moves. I opened the fridge and took out some juice. Placing it on the counter, I began to dance as they did in the music video. I was so caught up in the music that when I saw Mr Hixon standing in the living room passing me an amused look, I shouted and fell backwards and flat on my back.
Wincing in pain, I took off the headphones. When I looked up, he was in my line of vision. “Mr Hixon, what are you doing here!” I said breathlessly despite my obvious embarrassment. That fall had really winded me.
He smirked down at me. “The question you should be asking is how did I get in here,” he said arrogantly, extending his hand to me. I took it and he effortlessly lifted me off the floor but I ended up pushing into his hard chest. I looked down at his clothes; he was dressed casually in a black t-shirt, dark jeans and black timberlands. He looked so attractive-
Now wait a second, where was my mind going?
His eyes were lingering on my clothes, well at my exposed belly and I was proud to say I had a really flat one too. I felt the heat of his gaze and pushed away from him, maintaining some distance. I was probably a bit hazy from the fall I had sustained which is why I allowed him to be that close to me. Or maybe it was his rich cologne? Shut up Alexa!
“Well?” I asked, crossing my arms on my chest in a pathetic attempt to hide anything. Gosh, why had I opted for this skimpy outfit? Well, maybe because you weren’t expecting your boss to show up out of nowhere!
He cleared his throat and then directed his eyes at me. “I own this building,” he remarked and I snorted. Of course, he does, but yet again, doesn’t he own most of Malibu and a big chunk of Cali? “As to your first question, I got an invitation to some benefit tonight. And since you’re my P.A you are coming with me,” he replied coolly, putting his hands in his pockets. I glimpsed at his well-defined arms and muscular torso. Wow, did he work out or-
Shaking my head at my wayward thoughts, I said, “So you barged into my apartment just to ask me to be your date to an event tonight?” I mused, trying to understand the situation because thus fair his reason for coming here was absurd. Couldn’t he have told me over the phone?
He averted his gaze from me and looked behind me. I smirked at this. “You will be accompanying me solely for business purposes. A lot of clients and business associates will be there, along with some potential ones too. I need you there to assist me,” he replied but I could sense the hesitation in there. What was the real reason for this visit?
I walked over to the island and took a glass from the top cabinet. “And why would you need your P.A there exactly? I’m sure you can handle things fine without me. After all, you’ve been doing this for years plus I have plans,” I countered as I poured myself some juice. He came and stood at the other side of the counter and put his hands on the edge. He huffed in annoyance as I took a sip.
“What plans exactly? Going out with someone?” he mocked and I laughed inwardly. Wow, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say Mr Hixon was scared to go to this thing. Wait, was he?
I placed the glass down and propped my elbow on the island so I could support my head. “Are you afraid to go by yourself, Mr Hixon?” I teased him and he rolled his eyes but he didn’t respond. Aha! So, he was indeed scared! Wow, who would have guessed? “I’m shocked. You, Mr-I-Own-Everything-In-Cali, are afraid to go to some charity event?” I taunted with a smirk and moved to gather the ingredients to make some pancakes.
“I am not scared,” he grumbled and I scoffed. “I haven’t been to one in a while so-,”
“You need me to escort you. Yeah, I got that bit. Since you put it that way sir, I’d love to go with you since you are practically begging me,” I said with a smile. I was never this verbose in his presence and he was not being his usual cold self. Huh, must be because it’s the weekend. So, he must be a part-time grouch then.
He glared at me. “You’re forgetting that this is part of the job, Miss Winston so you will do as I say. I didn’t come to ask; I came to tell you so let’s get that straight. Now, I expect you to be ready by seven. I’ll pick you up and we will go there together,” he sliced in an arctic tone and I internally rolled my eyes. Ah, there’s the domineering man I know and partially fear.
“Yes sir,” I responded automatically as I continued to scurry about the kitchen. “I’m making breakfast, would you like some?” I asked him, despite the fact that he was an uninvited guest.
He shook his head ‘no’. “I’m going now, so I can give you some time to yourself. By the looks of it, you weren’t expecting any company,” he said emphasising the word ‘company’, eyeing me with his scorching grey eyes. I gulped at their intensity. Why does he always look at me like that?
Without another word, he made for the door and took his leave. I exhaled a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. That man makes me so uncomfortable for mysterious reasons. He was curious about me, this much I’d figured out but was that all there was to his lingering looks and ambiguous words?
Not dwelling on it further, I finished prepping my food, ate and did the dishes. I needed to head out and find something to wear since I’d left most of my fancy clothes back at home. I really wish Deja was here with me. She always helped me out with these sorts of things. Would I find something decent to wear? Better yet, where was I going to shop?
Casting my negative thoughts aside, I went to my room and got ready to leave. I’d have to go there with no help.
It was certainly going to be mission impossible 7!
~~~
After spending a lot of hours running all across town to find a dress, shoes and accessories I headed back home at around 4 PM and started getting ready. I was exhausted to say the least but after taking shower, my aching sinews detangled and I felt refreshed. I curled my hair and brushed it to one side before pinning it that way. I applied minimal make up; just maroon lipstick, mascara, some eye liner and I was done. I slipped into my new dress and heels which cost quite a lot before looking at myself in the mirror.
My Armani Privé gown had a red sleeveless top, which connected to my black high-low skirt. The daring gown was also backless, and paired perfectly with my pointed pumps.
I thought I look really great to say the least. I sprayed my favourite perfume, added in some emerald earrings, a jade necklace and a golden bracelet. Taking my clutch, I checked my phone to see it was 6.50 PM. It pinged a second later with a message from Mr Hixon informing me he was waiting downstairs. Oh, so he has my number too? Placing it inside my Versace clutch, I exited my room and started for the front door. Once I was out of my apartment, I locked the door and made my way to the elevator. Extiting, I passed through the lobby and past the glass doors.
Mr Hixon was standing by a sweet cobalt Porsche in front of the building, typing away on his phone. I cleared my throat to catch his attention and when it worked, he looked up at me and did a double take. I smiled at him, more so his reaction. He was looking sharp in a white dress jacket, a crisp white shirt with a black bow tie and black slacks. His feet were donned in expensive black Italian shoes and his hair was jelled back to perfection. And of course, his beard was trimmed neatly.
“That’s a cool car you have there, sir,” I said to him. He looked at it over his shoulder and then back at me.
“You like it?” he asked, eyebrow raised. I walked over to him and stood about two feet away.
“Yeah, I have one just like it back at home. Only mine is white,” I replied and he smirked.
He gave me a once over. “You look stunning,” he said huskily and I gulped softly. Why did he have to say it like that? And why the heck do I feel like the temperature just rose? Where there heck is this all coming from?
“Y-you don’t look too bad yourself,” I said but with a stutter. Once again, he smirked at this and I mentally chided myself. Since when do I stutter? I never do that and yet all it took was for my boss to just give me a simple compliment. I didn’t like how things were going so far.
He then opened the passenger door for me and gestured for me to get into the car. When my bottom hit the plush leather seat, I was hit by a strong sense of nolstagia. All this car did was remind me of New York…my home. I was feeling very homesick but on the other hand, California wasn’t that bad. In fact I was starting to like it.
If only I had known not to have spoken too soon.