The Blazer
348 Words
8:00AM. Cole Tower.
Damien was wearing the same blazer from last night.
Navy. Crisp.
I knew it was the one because… I could still smell myself on it.
My perfume. Light. Vanilla.
He didn’t notice. Or pretended not to.
“Morning, Mr. Cole.”
“Ms. Lane.” Eyes on his screen.
But his fingers paused on the keyboard for half a second when I said it.
10:30AM. All-staff email.
*Subject: Mandatory Q4 Strategy Retreat – Seaside Cove Resort, Maldives*
*Dates: 5 days, 4 nights. All executives + senior staff required.*
*Depart: Friday 6AM. Return: Tuesday.*
My stomach dropped.
Maldives. 5 days. Same resort. Same dinners.
With him.
Damien walked out 2 minutes later.
“Conference room. Now.”
Everyone filed in. I took notes by the door.
He stood at the head of the table. No smile.
“You’ve seen the email,” he said. “This isn’t optional. We’re restructuring APAC. I need my best people on an island with no distractions.”
No distractions.
His eyes flicked to me. Then away.
“Ms. Lane,” he said. “You’re coordinating travel, rooms, and schedules. You’ll be on the executive floor.”
Executive floor.
Where his suite was.
The room went silent. Everyone knew what that meant.
“I— Yes, Mr. Cole,” I managed.
After, HR pulled me aside.
“Just so you know,” she whispered. “There’s only one executive suite left. You’ll be in the room next to his.”
Next to his.
Thin walls. Tropical nights.
I went back to my desk.
Damien’s blazer was hanging on his chair. He’d taken it off.
He walked past me to get coffee. Close enough that I caught the scent again.
Me. On him.
He stopped. Didn’t turn.
“Ms. Lane.”
“Yes?”
“Pack light,” he said. “It’s hot there.”
Then he kept walking.
My face was on fire.
*Note to Self: 5 days. One island. A wall between us.*
*Note to Self #2: He told me what to pack.*
He’s never told anyone what to wear.
- Writer
