Working for him

Off the clock

Bella spent the entire sunday trying not to think about what happened at the gala.

Which, of course meant she thought about nothing else.

Nathy came over armed with pizza and curiosity, demanding all the details as we watched movie and ate. Bella was already full.

"So let me get this straight, he gave you his black platinum card, couldn't take his eyes off you, almost kissed in a moonlight balcony and you still think there's nothing going on?" she said pausing our third episode of vincenzo.

Bella threw a pillow at her. "He's just my boss! That what's what going on."

"You know, for a girl so smart, you can be incredibly clueless."

"I'm not." Bella muttered grabbing another slice. "Everything is just wrong about this."

"Says who? It's not like there's a law against it."

"No, just common sense,company policies, professional ethics and oh yeah- the fact that he's a bllionare CEO and i'm his assistant from a small town." Bella shot back.

Nathy rolled her eyes "You're impossible, but you're going to have to face him tomorrow."

The thought of it alone was enough to ruin whatever sleep Bella had left. By morning Bella looked like someone who fought in her sleep and lost. She had to apply extra concealer on them.

The universe apparently having a good sense of humor, was determined to test all the patience and courage Bella had managed to gather, ensured that she and Ethan ended up in the same elevator that morning. He wore a navy suit that made his brown eyes stand out more. The tension in the small space was thick enough to slice with a knife.

"Good morning Mr Ethan." Bella greeted, feeling proud of how confident her voice sounded.

"Miss Bella." He replied, not sparing her a glance as all his attention was on his phone. "Clear my afternoon schedule."

Bella was taken aback "All of it?"

"Yes"

"But the meeting with-"

"Reschedule it."

"But they flew in because of-"

"I said reschedule it" he said in a tone that left no room for further questioning.

The elevator door opened and he strode out, leaving me to deal with the aftermath of his demands. I spent the next hour making apologetic calls and rescheduling meetings that had taken weeks to coordinate.

.....................

Ethan's pov

All efforts to take her off mind proved futile. This was very unlike me but for her i didn't mind.

I almost lost it when i saw her that night..She was so f*****g beautiful. I wanted to have that dance with her but Selene just decided that was the perfect time to create a scene for her father.

Not that i couldn't decline but i had to because of her father. A lot of backstory i wasn't ready to talk about. I have to put selene in her place, I was pissed that bella actually thought we were together. When i saw her in another man arms at the gala, the way he was looking at her made me wish i could pluck his eyes out. I didn't understand the feeling but i didn't want to either way as long as it led back to her.

It took the last bit of composure not to kiss her hard against the walls of the elevator when i saw her this morning. She had her hair up loosely in a bun. She was wearing a black blazar paired with nude corporate skirt that hugged her hips perfectly leaving scenarios playing in my mind. Her pretty blue eyes intrigued me anytime she looked at me and her voice made me feel things in ways i couldn't fanthom.

And that was exactly the problem.

...................

Few hours later, the elevator door opened to reveal Selene as she sauntered out wearing a skin tight pink dress.

Did this woman not have work to do?

Selene ignored Bella completely as she headed straight to Ethan's office.

"'I'm sorry" Bella called after her "Mr Ethan isn't taking any-"

Before Bella could complete her sentence, she had already walked past the door. Bella could hear Ethan's voice rise in irritation followed by the sharp click of his door closing.

Ten minutes later, Selene emerged looking smug.

"We'll be ready for lunch by one." she said dropping a buisness card on Bella's desk. "Make a reservation at Cipriani. Private Room."

Bella stared at the card, a knot formed in her stomach."

"I'll have to check his schedule"

"Oh,sweetie." Selene laughed "I already did. That's what we were discussing just now." Selene leaned in on Bella's desk. "Did you really think the gala meant something? Know your place."

Selene walked away leaving Bella feeling digusted by the everything. But Ethan said she was nothing? Nothing Indeed.

Bella was still staring at the buisness card when Ethan's office door opened.

"Miss Bella?"

She raised her head up to see Ethan standing in front her desk. His face showed no expression.

"Cancel the lunch reservation at Cipriani."

It was like a weight was lifted off Bella's chest as she sighed in relief. "I never made it."

Ethan gave a look of approval. "Good. I'll be in meetings until four. No interruptions."

He looked like he was thinking about something.

"Have dinner delivered to my office by seven. I'll be working late."

Then he hesitated. "Order for two. You'll be working late as well."

He didn't even give Bella time to process what he had just said and left, shutting the door behind him.

Bella sat there staring blankly. "Was he?.....No surely not."

The rest of the hours passed with activities. I watched as serious looking people passed in and out of Ethan office.

Ethan door opened. This time, people in expensive suits filed out, looking tired but satisfied. Once everyone was out. The room went quite, the sunset was already coming out painting the sky in brillant oranges.

"Come in, Ms Bella." Ethan called from his office.

Bella gathered her tablet and some files on her desk as she tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

Ethan had removed his suit, and rolled up his sleeves revealing strong veiny forearms. She wished she could trace them with her fingers.

His tie was loosened and his hair was a litle messy like he had been running his hands through them repeatedly.

"Sit" he said gesturing to one of the leather couch.

"Food should be here soon."

Bella. sat on the edge of the couch, clutching her tablet. "Successful meetings?"

"Very" he said pulling two glasses from his bar cart.

"Drinks?"

"I probably shouldn't.."

"You're off the clock." he said pouring out amber drink into the two glasses.

He handed her one of the glasses and sat beside her.

Not too close but close enough for her to perceive his cologne.

"About saturday night."

Bella chest froze immediately.

"I'm sorry if i made you uncomfortable."

"You didn't" Bella said quickly which she regretted the next minute.

Ethan turned to look at Bella. "No?"

"No." Bella took another sip of the scotch for courage. "But selene seems to think-"

"Selene thinks a lot of things" with his voice sounding rough "None of which matters to me."

And what concerns you?”

Silence.

“You,” Ethan said.

And just like that, Bella could feel the bid of sweat form at the back of her neck.