Midnight Lovers

When The Boss Is Jealous

"Why am I coming to this dinner?" inquired Grace as she followed Daniel to the limo.

She was thoroughly confused about the fact that he had practically demanded that she join him for the dinner meet-up with one of his clients.

"Stop asking questions. You are my secretary and I want you at the dinner to help with any misunderstandings that may crop up," growled Daniel Stevens as he leaned against the seat.

Grace sank into the leather interior of the limo and huffed out an annoyed breath. She had thought of joining her work companions at the bistro down the street but Mr.Stevens suddenly demanded that she go with him to the dinner meeting with the Goldsteins.

"Next time give me some warning, will you? I think it is highly unfair that you don't give me enough warning so I can at least be more prepared." protested Grace, "A little common courtesy is all I ask. Is that too much?"

Daniel Stevens looked at her briefly, he wondered why she was complaining about this dinner meet-up he had wanted her to come to. Usually, she doesn't complain about anything.

"What would you have to prepare?" he asked briskly, "You are there to help mediate and take notes."

"A dress maybe. So I don't look like some floppy homebody. You do realize we are having dinner at the most expensive restaurant in the city, right?" she snapped, "I hardly doubt they will approve of my attire."

Daniel just shrugged, he doubted that with the money he was forking over for the VIP room and food that the staff would say or do anything to his secretary.

The limo pulled up to La Orange Beautie and the driver opened the door for them. Grace and Daniel stepped out of the limo and headed inside.

"Mr. Stevens, your guests are already at the table waiting," the waiter stated. This seemed to surprise Daniel.

"My first time that the clients reached the venue before I did," he muttered under his breath, "Impressive."

They headed inside and towards the VIP section where a private room was set up. They entered to find three men standing and waiting for them.

"Daniel, what a great choice of restaurant," declared the older man, "This is Vincenzo Argent, my son's secretary. My son Arnold, whom I am grooming, to take my place in the company when I finally retire.

Daniel shook hands with the three men and Grace stood back to watch. She didn't say anything as the men talked, since Daniel had not done the courtesy to introduce her.

Insulting, but Grace took it like a champ. She fiddled with her iPad a bit. Arranging things on the schedule as the men talked and laughed.

"I see you have brought someone with you. How unlike you, Mr. Stevens. Introduce the lady to us," encouraged Vincenzo.

Daniel's cool eyes landed on Grace, who just watched with amusement.

"This is my new secretary, Grace. She has only been with me for a few months. I thought it would be good for her to accompany me so she can take notes for us," Mr. Stevens stated.

"Well, Ms. Grace you look amazing. If a bit casual for such an outing at such a fine restaurant," Vincenzo stated as he approached Grace.

"Mr. Argent, it's a pleasure to meet you," Grace said, shaking the man's extended hand with a firm grip, "I admit, I was not prepared for this outing at all. Since Mr. Stevens had said he would come alone. I guess he changed his mind. I will make a decision to pack a bag to be in the office should this happen again."

Vincenzo gave her a charming smile and gently placed a hand on her lower back. Urging her forward.

"I imagine you must be starving. Let's eat, shall we?" Vincenzo urged with a gesture to the seats around the round table.

Grace took the seat he pulled out for her with a small smile as a thank you.

A waiter came by to distribute the menu to them and they each ordered their preferred meal.

Grace chose the cheapest meal offered.

Vincenzo noticed and raised an eyebrow, doubling his order.

"You should really order more than what you did, Ms. Grace. I guarantee this restaurant has great food," urged Vincenzo.

Grace smiled, "Thank you, but what I ordered will be enough for me. Thank you."

Vincenzo gave her a quick smile and then focused his attention back on the three other men talking about their plans. Grace followed suit, making notes on her iPad as they talked. She would speak up about scheduling meetings with the financial department or other departments that were at the company so that they had a smooth run.

By the time the meal came, the men had finished talking and were now just talking about personal matters. Vincenzo leaned over to whisper to Grace.

"You are phenomenal, even better than me. Too bad you work for Mr. Steven's or I'd suggest you come work for my boss. He can be quite a handful." he murmured, giving her a wink.

Grace blushed at the compliment, she picked up her orange juice and took a sip. It felt nice to get a compliment. Even if that compliment came from another man working for someone else.

Grace continued to talk with Vincenzo, he was extremely polite and a little amused by the small jokes that he would tell her. It was pleasant, and he wasn't all that bad-looking either. She let out a little laugh when he once again told her a joke and the sound of cutlery clattering on a plate made everyone stop talking.

Daniel stood up, wiping his mouth with his napkin, "I think we should go. I'll handle the bill, George."

Grace stood up quickly saying good bye to the men at the table and grabbing her iPad before following behind Daniel. Practically jogging to keep up with his ground eating strides. They came out of the main doors and the limo was waiting with the driver holding open the door.

Daniel slipped in and Grace practically jumped in behind him, breathing hard.

"That was extremely rude," she said to him, as the driver merged with the traffic of the city, "We didn't even get to finish our meal."

Daniel shrugged and didn't respond to her. His gaze focused out of the window.

Grace huffed out a breath and opened her iPad to go over what she had managed to get done while the men were discussing things. She made notes and appointments. It wasn't long before they were back in the office. She went straight to her desk and started to work while Daniel entered his office. Slamming the door behind him.

"Cranky," she muttered.

She worked on the emails to be sent to the heads of the departments, and soon was engrossed in her work. She was just finishing up a call when she saw Vincenzo walking towards her.

"Mr. Argent. What brings you here?" she inquired, standing up to greet the Goldstein secretary.

"I brought your left overs," the man said, placing a bag with a takeout container in it on her desk, "I didn't know your number so I couldn't call to ask to see if you wanted it."

"Thank you, I was a little bummed that we left so suddenly," she replied with a friendly smile, "Thank you so much Mr. Argent!"

"Please call me Vincenzo," the man said, "What are you doing this weekend? Would you care to get some drinks with me sometime?"

Grace was touched by this man's gesture and his question. She wasn't one to flirt with men, and he was quite charming.

"Grace has to work this weekend," came Mr. Steven's cold voice from the doorway to his office. Startling the couple, "She will not be able to attend your event this weekend."

Vincenzo looked at Grace and she just shrugged, "I guess I'm working," she said, "Sorry. Maybe some other time."

Vincenzo smiled, "Let me know when you're free," he said, giving her a wink. He turned and walked away whistling as he waited for the elevator. The moment the elevator doors closed behind him, Grace turned to her desk and started set the bag of food on the desk beside her.

"Remember you are working this weekend," reminded Daniel as he stepped back into his office and shut the door with a final thud.

Grace rolled her eyes and marked it on her calendar.