My Expectation (My Escort Series Book 3) (4 page)

              “That’s exactly why I am asking you,” I said with a faint laugh.

              “I’ll always be here for it. I honestly don’t think you have anything to worry about. But if you do, just talk to him or have a few days off to clear your mind. Right now you are just throwing around ideas and thoughts, you can’t accuse him Clover. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

              I looked at Hayden for a long time with amusement. When did he become so wise? He was always foolish and charming outside of work. Even during work he used that charisma to his advantage. I couldn’t help but think that maybe this relationship talk of his was actually some soul searching he was doing himself as he still looked into the dating world seriously. I placed my hand on his, he was surprised by the comfort.

              “You are doing good,” I said in a promising manner. Without having to explain myself and the many previous talks we had before about his recent dating dramas, he seemed to know what I had meant.

              “And so are you,” he smiled. He raised his beer to mine. We tapped the bottles together and I attempted another fowl swig, deciding it really wasn’t to my taste.

I
became more apprehensive and struggled to sleep that night. The bed felt lonely without Damon in it. For some unimaginable reason I tortured myself with the question of what I would be like now by myself and without him. I rolled over in frustration. I knew Hayden was right. Damon had done nothing wrong and yet my body just felt as if something had. I could no longer tell if my heart or mind was the one playing tricks on me.

              Everything was perfect so why was I so muddled and with mixed emotions? I scrolled through my phone looking at photos of us together. I wanted to call him, simply to hear his voice but it was now two in the morning. I boggled over the thoughts of what he might be doing and found myself tossing and turning even more as very distasteful thoughts came to mind.

              I was so frustrated with myself for thinking so stupidly. I texted my sister frustrated by my complicated thoughts, ‘I think I am having a midlife crisis or turning into a psycho girlfriend.’

              Much to my surprise I got a response back within minutes which helped me deter those wondering thoughts. ‘Well we are part Latino and Mom’s a bit of a wild child. I turned out perfectly fine however so I must have skipped a gene’. I smiled at that. A follow up message came. ‘You all good?’

              I held my pillow tightly and insecurely to my chest. I was so tired from pointless thoughts that I couldn’t think anymore, which I was grateful for as none of them were even logical. Megan tried to call me but I didn’t answer. Even though I wanted to talk to her, I was just too tired to even try to explain. I couldn’t even explain these emotions to myself.

              A text popped up instantly. ‘You have me worried, you don’t sound like you.’ I sighed and replied before attempting to sleep once again.

              ‘I am fine, thank you baby sister. I’ll call in the next coming days.’ I turned my phone off and rolled onto my back on the king size bed with arms sprawled wide. I stared at the ceiling tiredly. I will sort this out. I had to. Damon will be home tomorrow and I have missed him like crazy. It terrified me because I felt like I was almost lost without him over the past few days, even though in a sense I felt like I was pushing him away.

*

After my usual cardio workout in the morning I quickly laid out on the bed my outfit for tonight. Damon and I were making an appearance at a gallery opening. We ventured to many events and I had to admit that the gallery nights were one of my favorites. We had been to one before and I enjoyed the people who attended, and the concepts of the art pieces and sculptures. I didn’t have much of a creative flare myself but appreciated art and people’s many gifts. We had come home with three pieces that night. One of which I sent down with Hayden to my mother.

              The dress was a beautiful red with a flowery textured pattern dress and it tightly fit, which accentuated my curves. I picked it out specifically for Damon wanting to wow him. It cut low on the back giving it a very classy yet sensual look at the same time. I admired it for a moment deciding that I would wipe away all the insecurities and apprehensions I had over the last few days. I knew that they were foolish and I was excited to take Damon’s breath away tonight. I knew that he loved how I looked, even in my sweatpants, which I felt he too often saw.

              I took a shower and got ready for work, then prepared for the meeting that we were to have after Damon’s conference in Los Angeles. There was a smaller more focused press there, which was attached to Be True magazine. It was an LA focused edition which didn’t bring much profit, so only a few staff managed it. It was efficiently run by the manager and few journalists down there. Damon had thought of cutting it a few times, however it still brought in a small profit. It was also something his father had decided to originally start, so because of that Damon was hesitant.

              We had our usual monthly meeting today with the other columnist and journalists going over the usual. We would speak about upcoming events, the pieces we were working on, new ideas and themes, and how sales of the current month stood.

              I plaited my hair before running out the door. It was near untamable today. Damon loved my curls but I found them unmanageable unless straightened. I quickly patted Pudding goodbye and ventured downstairs to grab a cab. This was now my daily routine and one that I enjoyed. I always felt busy but not under pressure like I had only two years ago. So much had changed in that time. I had changed for the better. Or so I liked to believe.

I
sat in the meeting room with a few colleagues. Hayden sat beside me busily typing on his phone with a promiscuous smile.

              “That can’t be good,” I said while waiting for the others to come in. I looked at the watch on my wrist. We were ten minutes early. I hadn’t yet heard from Damon and worried that he might have gotten in later than he predicted with traffic. If that were the case, I could imagine him now fluttering about in his office on the top floor grabbing the last of his things.

              “I just made a good business deal. I’ve been trying to get this guy in for a while and finally,” Hayden showed me his phone screen as some form of evidence. “Bingo. Amber is handling the contract now. I am satisfied with how today’s started.” He arched back into his chair with a wide grin and stretching.

              “If you have time to lounge then do some work,” Damon joked with a smile as he walked in. A young woman with black hair and porcelain skin followed behind him. She seemed shy and deterred her eyes from everyone. “Good morning everyone, this is Nae,” he said. Everyone greeted her, including myself. I gave Haden an inquisitive glance and he too looked unsure as to who she was. Damon walked behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder briefly as he walked past and began fixating on his things near the projector. I suddenly felt rather clingy, considering my previous days of peril and now I wanted Damon’s attention.

              “Like you’re one to talk. Haven’t seen you working here for a few days now,” Hayden mused.

              “You only got in yesterday,” I reminded him with bitter sarcasm.

              “Do you mind if I take this seat?” Nae asked. I was surprised by her youthfulness she looked as if she was fresh out of college.

              “Of course,” I offered her. “So what are you in here for?” I asked curiously.

              “Ah,” Damon said with his brilliant smile. “No questions. It’s a surprise.” Nae flushed red and dipped her head slightly. It was odd to see such a shy personality in a room full of journalists and columnists, who were often charismatic and seemingly confident.

              We waited as the last of the department’s representatives came in, the last one closing the door behind him. Damon began his presentation focusing on the two percent decrease in sales from the previous year. Nae jotted down numerous notes beside me in her small notepad. Others also took notes as they grabbed the information that affected their department.

              I grabbed my notepad lightly sweeping away the summer heat. No one else seemed to be affected by it. Even Damon gave me a quick curious glance. I wanted to moan in annoyance, was I going through menopause and a midlife crisis? I heard the two usually went hand in hand.

              I tried to focus on Damon but the information wasn’t processing, which made me angry. I had never in my working life been like this. I was always focused and able to grasp new concepts and presentations. I felt like a rebellious juvenile.

              “Now everyone this is Nae,” Damon said as he opened his hand out welcomingly to her. She looked shy by the amount of eyes on her but greeted them sincerely. “As most of you know I was in Los Angeles for a few days. Nae is starting an internship here. I want her to go to separate departments to study and find which area best suits her writing. She will serve to be a fantastic addition to the team and I want everyone to welcome her. I will be alternating her in between the sports and travel department. Hayden, while you are here for a few days I will leave her in your capable hands and then Clover’s in travel. She will then go to fashion and then gossip. We will re-evaluate after that. Any questions?”

              No one said anything, but I assumed that we were all thinking the same. This situation was bizarre. It didn’t often happen and especially the way it was being handled. Lucy across from me looked up at me, as if questioning me about the decision. I felt in a sense annoyed. Even though it wasn’t my choice and I had to comply with what my boss was telling me, it seemed random and Damon didn’t give any real reason as to why. Not that he had to justify himself, what he said went and he had only improved the magazine. I pondered what Michelle would say about this. It was somewhat controversial. Everyone in this room had worked hard to climb into the position they were in. I could see the tension they already held for her and looked at her as a child. It didn’t do her any justice that she was evidently insecure. I was annoyed by the decision but still felt bad for her and that this intimidating room of people was not at all welcoming for her.

              “I can give you a quick tour of the building,” I said with a warm smile. She was very receptive and nodded her head with a flattered smile. I looked back at Damon with an accusing glare. I didn’t mean for it to be so direct, but I hated it when I couldn’t understand his motives. I felt somewhat protective of the young woman, whose insecurities alone reminded me of a child. It felt as if he threw her to the wolves.

              He gave me a cocky smile unaware of my irritation and searched the room to see if anyone had anything else to add.

              “Well, I think that settles today then. Thank you everyone for attending,” Damon adjourned the meeting. Everyone gathered their things and slowly left. A few lingered around to ask Damon a few questions.

              “I will try not to be a burden on you both,” Nae said. Her green eyes were beautiful, if only she looked up more to greet others with them. Her black hair didn’t look natural and by the paleness of her skin I imagined that she was naturally a strawberry blonde. She had a few freckles over her nose. She just seemed so young.

              “How about you and I go grab a coffee,” Hayden said to Nae as he stood from his chair. “Clover you want the usual?” Hayden asked.

              “Yes please.” I stood too, but waited patiently for everyone to leave so it was only Damon and I in the room. The last person had closed the door behind them leaving us in privacy. Damon was waiting for the door to shut before he walked over to me with a smile.

              “I missed you,” he said cupping my face. I gave him a smile back enjoying the touch of his warm hand. He wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me in slowly. He kissed my lips sweetly and rested his head on my shoulder for a moment. I stroked his hair lightly. He was exhausted; I could see the bags under his eyes.

              “I missed you too,” I said kissing the top of his head. His arms tightened around me as he stood tall again and looked at me. It was true; I had missed him so much. There was still pain when I looked at him, for some reason I felt like he had done something. I took a large shaky breath trying to push away that distasteful and accusing thought.

              “Why the apprentice? I don’t recall you mentioning it,” I said. I knew it sounded harsher than it was meant to be. But in most business decisions, Damon always had confided in me and asked for my advice. I felt offended that he didn’t this time. He gave me a small knowing smile and pressed another kiss to my lips.

              “I fear the day if I ever run for president,” Damon joked. “You would be one unstoppable lady.” I rolled my eyes and gave him a small smile.

              “You can’t even manage to get enough sleep let alone run a country,” I said. I raised my hand to his forehead now noticing how hot he was. “Damon you have a fever.” He gave me a sluggish smile and rested his head on my shoulder again.

              “Nae. She is the daughter of Tony who manages the LA edition for me. He asked this of me as a favor. I never knew, but apparently his parents were the godparents of my mother.” He gave a sluggish smile. “I don’t know, it just made me feel a little bit closer to her, oddly enough. I know how stupid that sounds, and I wouldn’t hinge my business on it. But I thought, why not give her a chance. It never hurts. Despite her awkward personality she has some beautifully written pieces in her portfolio.”

              I continued to brush through his hair, worried about his fever. It was once so hard for him to speak to me so openly. He was very close to his mother and her death still left a scar on him. I too had lost my father. We connected a lot after losing a parent. If I found out the same trivial kind of information I probably would’ve done the same.

              “You should go home and get some rest,” I said dipping my head to look at him. He cupped my face again with a charming smile.

              “I am not the only one who is burning up, dearest,” he mocked. “You have a fever too. Have you been sick?” Startled by his accusation I checked my own temperature. I felt hot but not sick. But I had been ill the past few days maybe that was why.

              I quickly kissed him with a smile. “Stop sharing your germs and making the office sick. Go home; we should cancel tonight,” I said as I walked out swaying my hips sassily.

              “We aren’t cancelling. I know how much you love those galleries, and for you my beautiful I would do anything,” he said with a charming smile as he bowed cockily. I looked over my shoulder with a smile.

              “If you will do anything I say, then please go home and get some sleep.” I opened the door with my notepad in the other hand. “I love you.”