"Last night I waited for you so we could have dinner and let you know how I truly felt but…" he paused, "I didn't know you would go out on a date with someone."
Did he know the gravity of what he was saying? Was he deliberately swaying my heart?
My lips parted slightly to show the shock I was in and for a fleeting moment, his eyes darted to my lips before going back to my eyes. It was very obvious.
"What do you mean?" I acted ignorant as I got lost in his gaze.
"Isn't it obvious? You affect me in ways no woman has ever. I can't sit still when it comes to you, Arleen. I have feelings for you."
My breath caught in my throat as I quickly tore my gaze from him. I could feel my heart race nonstop and it was making me go dizzy in love.
When the silence stretched between us, I glanced at him and found him staring at me without touching his meal. It was overwhelming.
"It hasn't been easy to keep it in, Arleen. You've been in my mind ever since you became my secretary and everyday my feelings for you grow stronger." He revealed and I shifted my attention back to him in astonishment.
"Am I being too blunt?" He asked and finally looked away.
"Yes," I answered.
"Should I take it slow then?" He inquired.
"No," I blurted out without even thinking.
"Then will you accept me not just as your boss but as your man?" He proposed.
**
{9:44 am that morning}
I couldn't help but stare at our intertwined hands as we sat side by side in the airplane.
We were currently on our way to New York as planned and I would've never expected things to go the way it was going now.
Damion's question came so sudden that I had hesitated to answer.
When we left his house, he had been very clingy to a point it became obvious to Karl that we were now a thing.
I tilted my head slowly to face him and this time, he was fast asleep.
We were using first class, so we had all the privacy we needed.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my left hand and as I checked to see who it was, I got reminded of last night.
It was a message from Clifford saying; 'Can we meet tonight?'
I didn't need to think twice to know the answer I would give. So I simply typed and sent; 'Sorry, but I'm currently unavailable.'
What was I to do now?
I found a very serious secret about my boss and Clifford wanted me to be his woman.
Yet, something in me wanted to overlook everything and just enjoy this journey with Damion. But if I stayed by Damion's side then I would get mixed in his mess. Was it worth risking everything, Arleen? I asked myself.
Another message came in and I checked it. It read; 'I'm guessing you're with Damion at the moment. Please, don't hesitate to meet me when you're available.'
I sighed and closed my eyes as I gave it a deep thought.
All I saw every time I looked at Clifford was a one night stand and nothing more. So wasn't it wise to do away with him and ambrace someone who I saw as a partner and not just a one night stand?
It would be very unwise to keep seeing Clifford when I and Damion were now official.
Was I making the right decision?
"What's the matter?"
I stilled at Damion's voice.
When did he wake up? I wondered.
Facing him, I smiled just to ease his worries. And just mere looking at him took away my worries and made me feel at home.
"It's nothing to worry about," I lied.
"You're lying," he frowned.
The way he could read me was like magic but I kept a straight face so as not to give away anything.
"I'm just thinking how everything will go in New York."
He watched me closely and when he was convinced, he smiled.
"Everything will go well as long as you're there with me."
This wasn't the first time he said that to me. The first time he said it was when we were going for a runway show back in California and it was my first.
Now, thinking about it only confirmed that he really liked me back. Actually, there were things he did over the past which made me finally realize it was all because he was into me.
Like how he would get riled up at the thought of me seeing someone.
Especially if someone picked on me at work or anywhere. He didn't appreciate anyone looking down on me.
He's my biggest supporter.
How could I leave him? How? My heart would break.
"When we get back, I'll finalize the deal with Beverley Coleman while you'll meet up with Mr Clark regarding their recent collection which is to drop soon."
At the mention of Beverley, something in me tightened in jealousy. Why?
"Mr Damion?"
"Damion," he corrected.
"Damion…I'd like to ask something personal."
"Go on," he permitted.
"Are you into Beverley Coleman?"
At my question, he sniggered as if it was not worth being brought up.
"Of course not. She's not my type and I act the way I do just because it's business," he explained.
I felt like a heavy burden got lifted from my shoulders and it made me feel happy.
As if sensing why I asked the question, he gave me assurance.
"Don't bother about it, okay? You're my one and only type."
Now that was refreshing to hear. However, he didn't stop there.
"That being said, will it be wrong for me to ask you to cut all communication with your delivery guy…what's his name by the way?"
"It won't be wrong. His name is Clifford." I replied.
"Clifford…" Damion absentmindedly repeated the name before further saying; "Kindly do that then."