The minute Mr Stone shuts the door to the bedroom I feel my eyes stinging with tears. I'm not gonna cry. I refuse to cry over a man that never promised me anything. Knowing I'm about to embarrass myself I grab my bag and get off my seat and hurry to the bathroom where I cry a little before getting back to my senses. I wipe the tears off my face before washing my face with warm water. My face is makeup free now and I look like myself again. I must say I look way better without heavy makeup.
I'm never going out of my way to please a man no matter who he is. Mark my words.
Sighing I exit the bathroom and head back to my seat. My "Mr Stone crush" is dead and buried never to rise again. It's not that I'm desperate for a man or whatever. It's just it's been forever since I've liked any guy. Sure I've gone on dates but nothing serious came out of it. Besides I've been focused on building my acting career but since it's on pause now I guess it's time to get back in the dating field and have a little fun. Can't risk making a fool of myself in front of Mr Stone.
A rich handsome man like him will never give me a second glance. I'll always be his secretary and nothing more. No matter how attractive he is I should constantly remind myself that he's out of my league. Well maybe when I someday get featured in a blockbuster movie I won't need to try too hard to get his attention. Roles will be reversed. Can't wait. I cover my mouth giggling to myself.
'In your dreams' the voice in my head says but I ignore it. Traitor.
It's a good thing his bodyguards have their headphones on watching movies or whatever. They'd have thought me crazy seeing me cry over their boss. I must admit though I sure am acting crazy. I moisturerize my face then apply lip gloss on my lips before taking a couple of selfies for my Instagram.
"Hello there" a voice startles me making me jump. I look up to see it's only the hostess.
"You scared me" I put my hand over my racing heart.
"My bad. Didn't mean to" she covers her mouth sniffling a giggle.
"It's alright" I wave her off.
"Would you like something to eat?" she asks.
"Sure" I smile.
She hands me a leather menu and leaves to get me something to drink. I pick something I wouldn't usually choose feeling the need to be spontaneous. I'm going to a whole new place with different everything. I might as well start trying new things. I have to keep my eyes on what's important and that is this journey of a lifetime. It's not everyday that I get to fly on a luxurious jet to Tokyo and I'm planning on enjoying myself instead of worrying who my boss is bedding. I look over at the door leading to the room where Mr Stone and that woman are in a disgusted expression on my face.
"Have you decided what you'd like?" the hostess places my mocktail in front of me.
"I'll have number five please" I hand her back the menu.
"Perfect choice" she flashes a smile.
"You guys have a chef in here?" I ask.
"We do. He's one of the best out there" she assures me.
Just then the bedroom door opens and Zoey bloody Jones exits. She's now in a gown and the sight of her makes me sick.
"Excuse me. You guys have melted chocolate and strawberries in here? Need to spice things up in the bedroom if you know what I mean" Zoey winks at the hostess.
"I'll see if we do have it. Be right back" the hostess hurries to what I think is the kitchen.
"Hello there little girl" Zoey turns to me with that infamous smirk.
"It's Claire" I glare at her.
"Oh don't be mad at me. It's not my fault Nash can't get enough of this" she gestures to her body like she's all that.
How I wish that suitcase on the luggage rack above her would fall on her head and knock her out cold for the rest of the trip. Okay I can't be around this woman seriously. Look at all the horrible things she's making me think about her. This is so not healthy.
"I don't care what Mr Stone likes or doesn't just so you know" I say through clenched teeth.
"Oh please. Look at that little skirt you're wearing. Don't think I don't know you wore that for him" she laughs humourlessly.
"I don't owe you any explanation"
"I saw the way you were looking at him. You want him you dirty little thing" she giggles. I know she's making fun of me.
"Oh please. He ain't all that" I lie through my teeth.
There's no way I'm confirming her accusations. I'm not trying to give her something else to laugh about.
"Nash is not emotionally stable. I suggest you keep your feelings in check unless of course you want to get your little inexperienced heart broken" there she goes again calling me immature.
"You don't know me so don't act like you do" I keep a straight face but inside I'm burning with rage.
"I know a little girl when I see one. Toodles" with a grin on her face she turns and goes back to the bedroom.
Arg she's so annoying. I hate that she can see right through me. She's right I'm very much inexperienced when it comes to men but that doesn't mean I don't know how to handle myself. She should just shut up and let me be.
I don't know what she meant when she said that Mr Stone is emotionally unstable. What I do know is that I should just forget about him. I mean it's not like I'm short on suitors or anything. This cute guy called Kace Johnson from the accounts department has been pursuing me for the past two weeks or so. Maybe it's time I accept his proposal to go out on a date.
***
Wednesday morning I tag along with Mr Stone to another business meeting. During the meeting my eyes are on anything but Mr Stone the entire time. I even tried holding my breath so I don't inhale his rich manly scent that I loved while we rod here but ended up getting light headed and resumed breathing normally. Avoiding the things I loved about him is going to be harder than I thought. I can't wait to get back home and kick start things with Kace Johnson. I'm in desperate need of a destruction.
After the meeting we head to a Japanese restaurant. When we're done with breakfast we get to business while our food digests before we have to leave. It's a good thing Mr Stone and I are having breakfast without that red head. I hope never to see her ever again but highly doubt my wish will be granted. We're both busy typing away on our gadgets when Mr Stone's phone rings. I glance at him hoping it's not bloody Zoey calling him. He answers the phone and talks to whoever is calling for a few minutes before hanging up.
"Wow" his face breaks into a smile as he places his phone on the table.
"Everything okay Mr Stone?" I ask for the sake of asking.
"We're going to seal the deal tomorrow" he throws a couple of bills on the table.
"That's wonderful news" I genuinely smile.
"I know. I didn't think it wouldn't take this long for us to get things done" he gets on his feet.
"Can't say I'm surprised. Your presentation earlier was good" I follow suit.
"You think so?" he cups my face but quickly notices he's overstepping his boundaries and quickly pulls away.
I'm left frozen in place wondering what was that. My face is tingling and my cheeks have probably gone pink. That's the effect his touch has on me. This is not good.
"I should get back and let Zoey know" he hurries back to his hotel room.
I sit back down trying to get my mind back on track. He only touched me for like two seconds or even less but it got my heart beating fast and my body buzzing with excitement.
Just days ago I told myself that my boss was out of bounds after my failed attempt to get him to notice me. Why did he have to touch me now the way his hands felt against my cheeks will never leave my mind. What's worse is that I want to feel that feeling again. Why did he have to do that. I was starting to get over my crush now I feel like I'm back to square one.
My phone buzzing snaps me out of my thoughts. I grab it and see that it's a text from Mr Stone.
MR STONE: Go out and see the city. A driver will be waiting for you upfront. We'll be going out for drinks to celebrate tonight. Be ready at 7.
I groan in irritation. How do I get out of this one. I can't be around him not after the way he touched me. I definitely don't want to share my space with Zoey a second time.
I check the time and it's only 11am. I decide to go out and see more that Japan has to offer. Hopefully I can forget everything that happened this morning. I grab my things and head back to my room where I change into a casual outfit and explore more of the city. I take lots and lots of pictures. I even video call my bestie Jeanie. Overall my day is well spent.
When I get back I take a bath and put on my black lace dress, red heels and red lipstick. I just want to look and feel good tonight not for my boss but for myself. At 7pm I head to the bar to wait for Mr Stone. Minutes later he arrives with his bodyguards who escort him anywhere and everywhere and maybe even to the rest room who knows. When I see Zoey I almost fake a medical emergency just to avoid her but that's just childish. I bet she wouldn't be surprised after all in her eyes I'm only but a little girl.
"Hey you" I see Zoey peck Mr Stone on the lips with the corner of my eye.
I watch Mr Stone pull out a chair for her. I can't help rolling my eyes she's a big girl she doesn't need help sitting on a chair.
"Hi" I glance at her.
"Hey Carol" she forces a smile.
"It's Claire" I shoot lasers at her with my eyes.
They order drinks and I see them back to being all flirty and touchy. The fact that every male here has their attention on her makes me feel like an ugly duckling. I mean she's with a man yet she's still attracting more men. Like what about us. And here I was thinking I was wearing my best outfit.
When the bar attender puts the cocktail in front of her I'm tempted to grab that drink and pour it over her head and watch her scream as the cold liquid runs through her hair, down her face ruining her make-up and all the way to her dress just to steal her thunder but quickly wipe off that thought. I still want to keep my job thank you very much. It's gonna be a long night.
BACK HOME...
When I get to work Friday I make my way to the cafeteria to get a coffee for Mr Stone. We got home yesterday and I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping. For the first time since I can remember I got to sit down for dinner with my parents and just hangout. Mr Stone must have been tired himself if he'd given me the rest of the day off.
I say hi to some of my coworkers standing in line. When my turn comes I place my order and with coffee on each hand I start for the elevator relieved to be back. I have so much to share with Jeanie lunch hour just can't come fast enough. I almost bump into somebody and when I look up I'm met by Kace Johnson's grey eyes. What a beautiful sight.
"Hey Kace" I flash him a smile just to warm him up.
He looks surprised probably because he didn't think I'd know his name.
Well of course I know his name. He told it to me but I had forgotten it the minute he said it because back then I wasn't in any way interested in him but Jeanie had told me his name again and added that he was a good guy probably because she knew Kace was into me.
He blinks a couple of times then clears his throat.
"H-hey Claire" he says hesitantly and runs a hand through his hair nervously.
"Would you like to have lunch with me say maybe today?" I ask after a short pause my voice soft and his eyes widen in shock.
His reaction is expected after all I had turned him down more times than I can count.
He looks like an honest guy, just a little taller than I am unlike Mr Stone who towers over me and is muscular. Okay why am I comparing Kace with that playboy. Focus Claire.
"Yeah sure t-that would b-be nice" he smiles. Yeah he's cute.
"Say we meet at the restaurant then" I say and he nods in agreement.
I bid him good-bye and leave him standing there as I make my way to the elevator. I can feel him watching my back but I don't turn to confirm.
When I get to my office I can tell that Mr Stone has arrived as I can smell his cologne all the way here. Remember he's emotionally unstable Claire. Right. I drop my handbag and my coffee on my desk then proceed into his office.
I knock twice like I always do then enter expecting to see Mr Stone sitting behind his desk working as usual but not today.
He's kissing some woman whose sitting on his desk while fondling her exposed thighs. I turn away gasping. What in the world. Does this guy not have any self respect sleeping with anything in a skirt.
They pull apart in a rush like two teenagers who've been caught doing wrong.
"Oh my goodness Mr Stone I'm so sorry. I didn't know you had company" I apologize a blush creeping up my cheeks from embarrassment.
The woman is fixing her clothing in place while looking anywhere but me.
"Next time wait for an answer before you just budge into my office" he warns.
I can hear the edge in his voice, he's pissed. I hope I'm not fired after this incident. I hand him his coffee before apologizing once more and he waves his hand in dismissal.
When I get back to my office I slump on my chair breathing in and out in an attempt to keep from throwing up. I cover my face with my hands not believing what I just witnessed.
Maybe Zoey was right afterall. My boss is emotionally unstable. It's not even twenty four hours ago that he was with Zoey Jones and now he's with a different woman, in his office. How can a man like this love anybody. He doesn't look like he loves himself. You know what it doesn't matter what he does with his life as long as I get my cheque at the end of the month. I have more important things to look forward to like my date with Kace Johnson.