"Sure, I'll get back to you once I get Mr. Longwood's confirmation. Thank you." I placed the phone back grinning ear to ear.

Looks like destiny had already planned something to spoil their romantic date. I swirl leisurely leaning on my chair imagining how would Miss. Martin would react.

Picking up everything, I leave my cabin carefully balancing them.

I knock at his door with great difficulty and enter in pushing the door open by my shoulder.

"Phew," Realising a heavy breath I placed everything on his table.

"Good morning, sir." I wish him and he passes me a nod picking up one of the files.

I divided the files into three sections. "So these are the files that you need to approve, these are the reports that you asked for and they contain the details of people who came to visit you, here's the presentation."

"Very well Miss. Ashton, now bring me a cup of coffee." He says without glancing at me.

"Oh, and I received a call from Mr. Bryant Black's assistant," I told him that Mr. Black requested his meeting to be preponed that was supposed to happen tomorrow as he will leaving for Seattle due to his personal reasons and he wants to meet Ian before he leaves.

He remains silent for a few seconds leaning against his chair.

Come on Mr. Longwood. Please say yes. I mentally chant.

"Fine, go ahead and fix the meeting." He said, going back to the file. It took every ounce of self not to pump my fist in the air.

I turn around on my heels to make his coffee happily. I walked towards my cabin after giving him his coffee.

I pushed the door open with my thoughts wandering around here and there randomly. With great difficulty, I restart my work.

The clock was ticking painfully slow.

Finally, it was my lunchtime. I pick up my bag after fixing my earring that was constantly falling out of its place and walk out to meet Austin and ken.

I tap my foot waiting for the elevator door to open following the number. The door finally slides open but I wasn't able to step in as a familiar voice stopped me.

"Where do you think you're going?" I swirl around to face him frowning with confusion.

"To take my break, Mr. Longwood," I answer back exhausted. He starts walking towards me.

"Get back to work, you're aren't
going anywhere."

"What? Why?" He can't deprive me of my rights and order around.

In reply, he brings his hand towards my face, and I pull my back due to his sudden action.

But it doesn't stop him from what he was doing. He continues to bring his hands closer to my ear.

I can feel his warm yet rough finger on my earlobe as he fixed the earring for me before retrieving his hands.

"You dared to lie to me and thought that I'll let it slip that easily?" His voice was low and luscious that makes him look all the more fierce than he already was sending chills.

"Mr. Longwood, I'm extremely sorry about that, I won't repeat. Now can I take my break?" I reply giving him a smile as sweet as honey.

"No." Was the only word that came out of his mouth before he walked inside the elevator with a smug look on the handsome face of his.

The rude bastard is here. I hate you, Ian. I curse under my breath walking back.

But that doesn't stop me from gulping a couple of cups of coffee.

I prepared Miss. Martins's schedule for the coming week, she will be trained by him for a month or two, and I had to take care of everything.

Babysitting a fully grown adult was the only thing left in my life. Great!

***

I put in extra effort to look presentable with my off-white jumpsuit and blazer to give it a more formal look.

The hotel was opulent and glamour with dozens of flowers on display creating an exclusive ambiance. I made myself comfortable on the sectional couch in the lobby.

I picked up my phone to check for new messages, and I had frecking fifteen missed calls from an unknown number.

Nevertheless, I called back and the news that I got from the other end was enough to make the ground underneath me wobble.

I didn't waste any more time and dialed Ian's number, to my surprise, he walks in as the door slides open for him clad in a jet black suit looking heavenly handsome.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to admire his magnificence.

Everyone around greets him with a light bow and he acknowledges them with a curt nod.

How am I going to give him the news that Mr. Black is in a medical emergency and wouldn't be attending today's meeting? That his assistant had called me to inform this hours ago but I didn't bother to pick up the call.

I hope he won't take out his anger on me, he stands a few feet away taking in few seconds to scan me.

"Evening, Mr. Longwood."

"Has Mr. Black arrived?" He comes straight to the point.

"Ugh...umm.. About that.. Mr. Black wouldn't be joining us today, he is under a medical emergency and is hospitalized." I went on explaining how it was my fault that I couldn't pick up his assistant's call as my phone was on silent mode.

"I'm sorry," I say in a shameful voice, this is it, he is going to fire me.

He pinches the bridge of his closing his eyes for a few seconds, I know he was calming himself.

"You push me to my limits Miss. Ashton." He hissed turning around and starts discussing something with the executive, I watch him carefully trying to comprehend what he was whispering.

"Let's go." He announced.

"Huh? Where to?"

"To have dinner, where else?" He mumbles in a cranky tone.

"But the meeting is canceled," I say in a matter-of-fact tone.

"For once do as I say, Miss. Ashton. Will you?" He bites out and I know not to annoy him anymore, so I quietly followed him. 

A man dressed in a suit led us to a table for two.

The table was decorated with fragrant fresh flowers, I roll my eyes, it's not like we're on a romantic date.

"This wasn't necessary, Mr. Longwood." He brushed it off saying that I should probably take this as his way of compensating for he made me skip my lunch.

Now that makes a lot of sense.

Everything around me was exotic with a glass wall solely dedicated to a collection of wine.

He leans back scanning the menu, the waiter arrives soon after which he ordered 'Cabernet Sauvignon' which was one the finest wine.

"Mr. Longwood?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry for spoiling your date with Miss. Martin."

"It was a welcome dinner, Miss. Ashton. Not a date." He replied in monotone.

"Oh," His statement eased my guilt to some extent.

We were interrupted by the waiter who came to take our order, I went for Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

He ordered something which I couldn't pronounce properly.

Our food arrived shortly and I dug in with soft and calming music playing behind us.

Halfway through the dinner, I gasped looking at the scene in front of me.

"What is it?" He asked genuinely confused with my dramatic actions. I gestured for him to look behind.

A man in his late twenties went on his knees with a ring in his hand for his lady. I could tell that he was confessing something to her from here.

I balanced my face with my elbow admiring them in awe as he slides the ring into her finger after which they sealed it with a lip lock.

"You seem to be fascinated by them." He says raising one of his sharp brows.

"It's love Mr. Longwood, how can I not? Beautiful isn't it?"

"It is." He replied in his sensual and masculine voice looking directly into my eyes.

Somewhere inside, a stupid part of me was telling me that it was for me.

But, he motioned to look behind me when I peek at him secretly.

He could see the couple through the massive sun rays mirror fixed on the burgundy and golden wall behind me.

I understood for whom that 'it is' was meant for.

I smack my head cringing in embarrassment.

He was smirking at me and I know he too realized what was going inside the silly little head of mine.

All of my amusement and awe vanished into thin air when I noticed the woman admiring her ring with happy tears.

It wasn't just a ring, but a ring with a striking ruby red stone.

I fist my palms together in an attempt to control my emotion. The ring looks similar to the one Liam gave me, which is still sitting on my ring finger.

"I'll be back in a few minutes Mr. Longwood."

"Is everything alright?"

"Uh, yeah," I mumble, he gives me a nod in approval.

I wanted some fresh air, there was a transparent door towards the right side of the dining area.

I was able to see the green grass from the lights that were shining inside, but it was dark on the other end with only a few round golden lights that were lit up.

Pushing the door open, I walked inside clutching my hand that was decorated with Liam's ring close to my heart.

I never dared to remove the ring for some unknown reason and moments like these make me vulnerable reminding me of him.

The cold wind rushes past with the ruffling of the leave.

I take a deep breath inhaling the sweet smell that was mixed in the air standing alone in the darkness as numbness seeps through me.

How how long? I don't know.

In a split second the entire place comes to life, cutting off the darkness.

An involuntary smile made its way with my eyes drinking the view in front of me.

I whip around when I heard the clicking of shoes.

With legs crossed and hands shoved, leaning against the wall, stood Ian Longwood with his beautiful ocean eyes.