The next few days had been hectic. Hectic was an understatement. Unbearable was more, I liked it.
Phone call after phone call, email after email about 'Mr Vasilios latest doll' . At least, that's what the tabloids were calling her. With blonde hair and the perfect designer heels, she looked as bit the role model toy that all girls loved, a Barbie doll.
It was exonerating, to say the least. Shutting down rumours about a secret baby. "No. Mr Vasilios and Miss Artino do not have a secret son. You have a lovely day today," I put the phone back down for the thousandth time today, I'm sure.
The buzzing was starting to get to my head, and I was already close to marching over to his office and leaving it there so he could solve this whole mess himself.
The selfish bastard had left me to fend for myself against countless reporters and journalists while he was out. With her, no less. Phone ring.
Uggh, I need a drink.
"No, Mr. Vasilios and Miss Artino do not have a secret baby. Good day," I replied, annoyed. "Good to know. Sorry, am I speaking to Miss Diaz?" asked the caller. "This is she. How can I help you?"
"I'm Mr. Santos. Miss Artino's assistant."
"Oh. I'm so sorry. My phone has been driving me crazy all day."
"Yeah, I know the feeling," he laughed on the other side.
We spoke about setting up a meeting to finalise their statements to the public in confirmation of our PR teams. We settled on the day before the Perez ball, to which they were both invited too. Chido. An evening of seeing them all over each other.
It was all so weird, to be honest. I had never seen him so fond of a girl before, let alone in public, but the pictures were there. Feeding her a piece of steak during dinner. Covering her with his jacket when it was a cold night.
"What if we get wet?"
"We won't. I'll cover you with my jacket."
"Jesus Sophia. Are you trying to burn yourself!" Warned Andy as I poured the hot water out of thought. "Sorry. I've just been so out of it lately," I wiped the countertop.
"I can't imagine. It's all unbelievable, really. I didn't think I'd ever see Mr Vasilios dating someone," she said as she placed the kettle back in its place.
"Yeah. I know the feeling," I whispered as I mixed my coffee.
"Actually, I am pretty sure the whole office was convinced you and Mr Vasilios were together. All those late nights alone I the office? I wouldn't blame you, honestly. The Vasilios family gene is To. Die. For," she laughed off. "Yeah, well luckily for me. I know how to set my professional boundaries straight, do you not?" I bit back. "I wouldn't risk my job just for a good-looking face."
"And money. Don't forget money. Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. It was just a harmless rumour," she quickly apologised. "I'm sure it was. Though if I were you, I'd make sure Mr Vasilios never hears of it. Have a nice day, Andy," I left to my office, my hot beverage in hand.
I wasn't oblivious to the rumours. I always knew of the whispers happening around the office. Suspicions that Nicolas and I were screwing around when everyone had knocked off. And I knew that he knew too.
But we never acknowledged them or spoke about anything relating to the sorts.
I mean, we hadn't even spoken about our own past. How he left so abruptly. Though I don't think I was ready for that conversation either.
Every time I had even thought about it, there was this unsettling feeling like my chest was tightening all over again. How he was there after him. The painful memories. Of him. Of my dad. My papa.
"Papa wake up. Papa?!!" I relentlessly shook his body. "Papa, please wake up."
I blinked the tears away, wiping my eyes with my sleeve. Great, now I have eyeliner all over my sleeve. I hurried over to the bathroom to clean up. As I finished washing my hands, the bathroom stall opened up, revealing a tall figure. Zaina Artino.
5 ft 8 of silk ivory skin, dressed in the best designer clothes. All made from organic or recycled materials, of course. She lived for the whole 'Save the Planet' campaign. Her done so perfectly you would swear she never had the experience of a 'Bad Hair Day'. She wore white. Total contrast to my mostly red wardrobe.
"Sorry. We haven't before. I'm Zaina. Zaina Artino," she held out her hand after drying them with a towel. "Sophia. Sophia Diaz. Though you probably don't know who I am," I smiled. "Uh, the famous Sophia Diaz. I know you perfectly well. If memory serves me right, from everything Nico has told me about you," she smiled back. A very genuine smile, actually.
"Mr Vasilios has spoken about me? With you? I find that quite hard to believe. I'm not anyone... special anyway."
"Oh, I find that hard to believe. I think you are more special than you think. Anyways, it was nice running into you. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of each other. Which I am looking very much forward to," she took her purse of the sink countertop. "Likewise."
"Well, I am glad you found your way back to your office. Or did you happen to forget the seat from which you run a multi-billion dollar company?" I stormed into his office, not even bothering to knock.
"Well, it seems someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Did your mother not teach you how to knock?" he smirked as he continued to type on his laptop.
He backed away a bit, taking a sip of his drink. I don't know when or how my legs even got there but somewhere between him taking a sip of his drink and me shouting at him, I was now standing in between him and his desk; his legs man spreading as I crossed my arms across my chest.
"I am glad you have time for jokes. Maybe I missed an email, but I don't think it is polite to not inform your assistant that you are seeing someone. Do you know how many calls I had to answer today? All about your alleged under the wrap secret relationship? Hmm? How long have you been dating Zaina?" I inquired, my tone annoyed and vexed.
"Are you jealous ,Miss Diaz?"
"No." Though the answer was so quiet, I wouldn't have believed me," No. I'm not jealous. You can date whoever you want, Mr. Vasilios," I replied, my voice more assertive this time.
"Are you sure Miss Diaz?" He asked as he stood up, standing so close I could practically feel the heat radiating off of his body. He was so close, the smell of a rainstorm about a touch away, consuming my thoughts that I almost forgot he asked me a question.
"Positive," I breathed out. Fighting off how he was making me feel.
I shouldn't be feeling this way. He's my sister's brother. That didn't stop you last time, did it ? Well, he is my boss now. Nothing good could possibly come out of this. And plus, he left. He left, and he didn't even say goodbye.
And that thought alone was enough to fight off whatever I was feeling.
"We have a meeting this Friday. With Miss Artino and her assistant so we can sort out how we will be handling any further PR on your...relationship. Also, I have applied for a day of leave for this Saturday. So, if there is any work that needs to be done on the day, I'd suggest you give it to me on Thursday."
I stepped away. He looked at me as though he wanted to say something, but it never came, so I made my way out, "Mr Vasilios."
"Miss Diaz," his voice hoarse.
Suddenly, the room had felt too exposing. My office. The way I could see into his and he could see into mine. It felt like too much. Maybe I should make my desk face the other way around. No, that would be too easy. Like admitting defeat.
And I wasn't about to do that. Would only inflate his ego. Well, that's if there is any space left in his big head for more ego maniac energy.
Surprise, surprise. The rest of my day was spent trying to complete my work for the day while trying to manage calls and texts about their relationship. I had a meeting with PR on managing media on the current buzz story. We came up with a portfolio plan to present at our meeting the following day with Miss Vincent and her assistant. Though I had to hand it to them, they definitely knew how to do their job.
I couldn't help but think that his voice, Miss Vincent's assistant, had sounded so familiar. Like a distant yet close memory. Probably just my head playing games on me.
Boy, was I wrong.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎
"Sophia?"
"Lucas? What are you doing here ?" I hugged him back. "I work here. What are you doing here? Wait, you wouldn't have to be Sophia Diaz, would you?" He asked. "Yes, actually. Wait, are you Mr. Santos?" He nodded in agreement to my question.
"I knew you founded familiar. I just couldn't pinpoint from where. Oh, this is my boss. Mr Vasilios," I gestured to Nicolas. Though he was already taking the initiative, his eyes darkened around the edges from the site of my interaction with Lucas.
"Mr Vasilios. It's a pleasure," Lucas let his hand out for him to shake. "The pleasure is all mine," his voice a low warning husk. I could see his grip tightening around Lucas' hand. Veins at the increase of the pressure. Not knowing what to do, I brushed the back of my hand lightly over his other hand, hoping to ease whatever was going on. It seemed to work as he let go of his hand, but the act had sent jolts up my arm.
I hadn't missed the quick glance he cast my way as he flexed the hand I had touched, seemingly affected by the act as I was.
"Miss Diaz. A pleasure seeing you again," Miss Vincent cut the tension in the room. "Miss Vincent."
"Please feel free to call me Zaina or Zee. Whatever makes you more comfortable," she held me in a heartfelt hug. "Well then, feel free to call me Sophia or Soph," I replied as I hugged her back, giving her a smile as we let go of each other.
"Shall we get started then, hmm? Mr Vasilios, Miss Diaz. If you'll follow me," said Lucas as he led us to a room. Nicolas and I had fallen into step, walking next to each other as Lucas and Clary led the way.
Dios , I wanted nothing more than to run away home right now.
The tension had been so thick that you cut through it with a pair of shears. I didn't even understand why he had related that way when it was so clear he didn't want me, right? He was dating someone else, for goodness sake. And I was his assistant and sister's best friend. Right? That's all I was. But it didn't feel like it every time he cast a quick glance my way, thinking I would miss it. Or when our hands accidentally touched as we walked through the large hallway, which seemed too small right now.
"So it's settled then. We will have an official conference announcement with at least 10 poplar magazine journalists and 8 most read and trusted tabloid editors in attendance for the announcement. Paparazzi tip will be given for the time after as Miss Artino and Mr Vasilios leave for lunch at Frapé, to which Miss Diaz and I will follow behind as set courtesy of assistants of the hottest new couple of the century. Any questions?" informed Lucas as we worked through the plan.
We all shook our heads, as everything was well explained in our agreed portfolios .
"Perfect. Well then, I look forward to working alongside you, Miss Diaz," Lucas shook my hand. "The pleasure is all mine, Lucas . Zaina," I nodded as I followed Nicolas, who was already out the door.
"That was rude, you know. You didn't even day goodbye to your girlfriend," I broke the silence as he focused on the road ahead.
He didn't reply, though, only kept his eyes on anything but me. "Or did you forget that you have a girlfriend now. Someone who you actually need to be nice to?" I pushed further. His jaw clenched as he gutted through his teeth, " Don't test me, Miss Diaz."
"What? I am not doing anything. I'm just reminding you how you should be treating your girlfriend ." I had purposely emphasised the last word.
"Miss Diaz," he warned. "Mr Vasilios," I continued to push.
"If you want to keep your job. I would suggest you keep quiet."
"Please, as if. You wouldn't fire me. Plus, your grandfather, the actual head of the house, is the one who hired me. So you couldn't even if you wanted to."
"You want to test that theory," he said as he finally turned to face me, stopping at the red light. He continued to lean in until his lips were barely an inch away. My breath got stuck in my throat. I was about to lose. Who am I kidding? I already had .
"Ni modo.Fine, I'll stop," I managed to breathe out as I watched his eyes drag across my car, his eyes quickly glancing at my lips. A flash of emotion crossed his eyes. An all top familiar emotion. Lust. Desire. And something else, though, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
He shifted back comfortably to his seat as the traffic light hit green. The only word leaving his mouth at satisfaction, " Good."
This man was going to be the end of me. But I had a feeling that the feeling was awfully mutual.
_______ ఌ︎ 𝙶𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚛𝚢 ఌ︎ _______
Chido~ 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡
Ni modo~ 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟