Chapter 28

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The next few weeks went by quickly. I slowly got used to the role of being Colton's girlfriend and it was actually easier than I thought it would be. I was good at the smiling and waving when needed, being in his arms at the right moments, going to brunches and dinners and also making the media happy and keeping their attention away from the picture that started it all. Barely anyone was talking about it anymore. I even slept over at Colton's place frequently, but we haven't slept together since that one time. He hasn't made a move on me, keeping our relationship strictly friendly, which I was happy for. I didn't want to get in too deep with him and make him think that I actually wanted a relationship, because I didn't. I only had to keep up this ruse for one more week and then I would be able to pretend that we broke up and decided it was easier to be coworkers and friends. I couldn't wait to stop being someone's arm candy.

            Roman was still treating me like he didn't care about my existence, and I was actually getting used to that as well. I didn't have late night dreams about him anymore and I rarely saw him in the weeks that passed because he was apparently on business trips around the states.

            "Are you even listening to me?" Lisa asked me, irritation evident on her face. I blinked, getting out of my thoughts.

            "Yes. You said after five minutes, you want me to jump in and ask a question to prompt the others to start joining in on the discussion." I responded with no enthusiasm at all. She grunted and went back to her papers. She opened her mouth to speak again, but her office door opened, making her look up.

            "What do you want, Drakos?" she asked with an annoyed tone, and I didn't even react like I would've before. I just concentrated on the papers in front of me, trying my best to pretend I wasn't even in the room. His minty scent filled the room and I inhaled discreetly just a little bit. He may not have much effect on me now, but he still smelled good.

            "I'm going on a business trip to New York for a few days, maybe a week depending on how long negotiations take. I need you to come with me."

            She made a face. "Why? I have so much to do here and don't want to waste it being your arm candy."

            Roman sighed. "Lisa, that's literally the point of this business relationship of ours. I need you. Please, just do this for me."

            Hm, so he used that line on everyone I see. I shifted in my seat, still pretending not to be here.

            "Like I said, I'm going to be busy. Take Violett here with you. She's arm candy enough."

            I straightened up when she said my name with an almost compliment and immediately shook my head. "Nope. I'm good, I'll be busy as well." I did not want to be stuck with Roman for a few days to a week. Not when he was barely acknowledging my presence and I finally stopped caring. Lisa waved her hand in the air.

            "You're not going to be busy. I can easily have someone replace you for the meeting. Plus, the media believes you're happily in love with Colton. If they spot you two together, they'll only assume it's business."   

            I gritted my teeth, knowing there was no point in arguing. "Fine. When do we leave, Mr. Drakos?" I asked without turning around. I said his name formally like he asked and there was silence in the room before he responded.

            "Tonight. Pack for the cold and for business meetings for up to seven days just in case we stay there that long. I'll text you the rest of the details." Roman told me and before I could give him a response, he was gone. Lisa was already looking at her papers again and started talking.

            "Okay, where were we?"

***

Lisa let me go home early so that I would have time to pack for the trip, which was surprising, but I didn't complain. I needed time to process everything anyway. I've only been to New York once and didn't have much time for exploring. I pulled two suitcases I hadn't used in a while from the back of my closet, and I stuffed it with the proper clothing. Winter was approaching, so I put clothes that would be appropriate for the cold weather and clothes for business, casual, and relaxing. I packed shoes in the other suitcase and when they were both full, I packed my large purse with everything I would need for the plane ride over. I still had time before I had to leave, so I decided to take a nap. I hadn't been getting much sleep from stress about the entire situation with Colton and the upkeep it took to be his fake girlfriend, so I was always tired.

            I slept for about an hour before my phone ringing woke me up. I reached for it blindly and answered it without looking.

            "Yes?" I spoke, my voice muffled by my sheets.

            "Are you packed and ready?" Roman asked me and I sighed, slowly sitting up.

            "I am." My answer was short and to the point.

            "Good. I'm ready now. I'll be at you place in about thirty minutes." He hung up and I tossed my phone to the side, running a hand through my curls. Blinking the sleep away, I looked around to see if I needed anything else for the trip. I had my laptop in my large purse, which was the most important thing to me. I couldn't think of anything else I needed, so I dressed down in a gray sweat suit for the plane ride and brought my bags to the front door. This was going to be a very interesting trip. The wait didn't seem long at all and soon Roman was calling me to let me know that he was outside. I rolled my suitcases with me down the stairs and paused at the bottom when I spotted a black, sleek limo parked in the street. A window rolled down from the back and a hand reached out, beckoning at me. A limo? Really? It was just a ride to the airport. I shook my head as I walked to the limo. A man exited the vehicle and approached me with a smile on his face.

            "Good evening, miss. I'll take your bags for you and place them in the trunk." He opened the back door for me, gesturing inside. I thanked him and entered the spacious limo, sitting on the open seat with my back facing the front of the limo. Directly in front of me with his long legs stretched out and spread wide, was Roman. He was still in his black suit he was in earlier at work and there were a bunch of papers in both of his hands that he was squinting at and also a laptop resting on his lap. I didn't say a word to him, and he didn't even acknowledge my presence. That was fine with me. I stared out of the window, watching as cars and houses passed by. Soon we were on the highway, and I got lost in my thoughts. Being as stressed as I was, wasn't healthy at all. Was this job even worth all the stress? I was getting paid handsomely, which I appreciated, but still. If I did quit, I wouldn't have another job to fall back on. Maybe it was time to start looking into other jobs. But I was also starting to actually like my position. I was in with the top executives of the company and had access to so many things that regular employees weren't even privy to. Lisa no longer treated me like a personal assistant and even had me taking over for her position sometimes when she wasn't able to make it in. She still had an attitude, but I learned she was like that with everyone. There were as many pros with this company as cons. I would have to think more on it. But during the trip, it wouldn't be too bad to start scouting out other companies, see what was on the market.

            "We're here." Roman's voice startled me, and I looked up to see him staring at me. I glanced out the window to see that we weren't at an airport.

            "Where are we?" I asked, trying to figure it out for myself.

            "An airstrip where my private plane is located." He responded nonchalantly and I nodded. Of course, he had a private plane. The door opened and Roman took his time packing his things in his bag. I exited the limo and squinted as the wind smacked my face. The sun was setting, and it was chilly on the airstrip. I loved this time of day, where everything was slowly coming to a close, the time to let everything go and relax until it all started again the next day. Sitting only a few feet away from me was a large private plane with the name Drakos painted on the side of it. I walked toward the plane where the stairs were already down, waiting for someone to climb it. There was a woman in uniform standing next to the stairs as I approached it.

            "Welcome. I'm Teddy and I'll be your pilot for the night. I hope you have a great time on this flight." She smiled at me, and I held my hand out.

            "Nice to meet you, Teddy. I'm sure I will enjoy it, thank you." I gave her a smile and she shook my hand, nodding. I looked up the stairs before grabbing the side rails and helping myself up the stairs. I'd never been on a private plane before, but it seemed to be just like a regular place, except smaller, but more spacious. The interior of the plane was beautiful with plush maroon carpet and the seats themselves were dressed in black fur it seemed as I passed my hand over it. I picked a seat by the window and placed my bag on the seat next to me. A week seemed like forever, but hopefully it went by quickly. I would attend a few meetings and then spend the rest of the time with myself, exploring all of New York. There was some chatter behind me, and I heard Roman's voice as part of the chatter. For some reason, hearing him made my stomach turn in knots in nervousness. Maybe because I was going to be alone with him for an entire week. I hadn't been this close to him in almost a month, and we'd never been so close to one another for as long as we were about to in New York. It was going to be new territory for me. I glanced up when I felt pressure on the top of my seat and my brows dipped when a bag was placed on the seat next to the one in front of me. Roman entered the row after he dropped his bag and sat down in the seat in front of me. I scoffed when his long legs brushed mine.

            "Um, excuse me. There are literally seats over there." I pointed to the side where four seats sat empty. His gaze followed my finger and he looked back at me, shrugging.

            "This is where I always sit. You're welcomed to move if you need to."

            I huffed and stretched my own long legs in his space, forcing his legs to spread open more. He looked up from his papers, brow furrowed. I shrugged when we made eye contact, not moving. If he wasn't going to move so that I could have my own space, then he would have to deal with my legs invading his space. He shook his head and turned back to his work. The plane took off a little bit after we boarded, and I gripped the armrests as there was slight turbulence. Once it was over, I relaxed again and kicked off my shoes, getting comfortable. For the first couple of hours, I stared out of the window, watching the sun set and then as night settled in. It was beautiful. Though there was a little light shining over Roman because he needed to see his papers, the rest of the plane was dark and I slowly closed my eyes, letting sleep take over.

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