Chapter 5

We said goodbye to the Italian clients and they left. Before that happened, I could see the extent of Miss Lancaster's professionalism. She communicated with one of the clients using the Italian language. I loved her accent and how she expressed herself, always using her hands in her explanations, even though I understood practically nothing, but she always translated for me.

I had a more than pleasant conversation with the other Italian who was very fluent in my language. We met at a restaurant of their preference. They said it was the best in all of Massachusetts. I confess the dishes were delicious. And then we resolved the whole matter in this meeting.

"What do you think about taking a walk before we go back to the hotel?" We leaned against the car and the driver waits for us inside, as I told him to stay there.

Mia looks at something on her phone while holding the notebook, seemingly ignoring my question, but then says, "It's already 11 o'clock... we should go back to the hotel."

"I don't want to go back yet." I say in a complaining tone.

"The trip back to New York is scheduled for 10 o'clock... you, I mean, Miss, need to rest."

"Who said I'm tired?" I ask and pull her closer to me. And she almost resists.

Well... I did that on impulse, however, I touched her, even if only for a few seconds.

"No one said," she responds, looking into my eyes, "but if you don't want to go back to the hotel now... I'll go back alone."

"You can't do that!"

"Yes, I can... my work schedule is already fulfilled."

"Still... I want you to accompany me."

Mia turns without caring about my request and opens the car door. I quickly close it and lean against it so she can't get in.

"Miss Hannah... excuse me?"

"No!"

"Great... I will return by taxi."

What is her problem? I just want to have one more moment with her, even if it's in silence. Since she doesn't even try to smile at me. But for anyone else, her smile goes from ear to ear.

"No!" I hold her wrist. "I just want you to accompany me. I've never been to Massachusetts, so I want to see a tourist spot. Since it's bustling here, there must be something... it can even be nice."

"Miss... I'm sorry, but I'm tired... I need to rest. Plane trips make me a little sick."

"But you slept almost the entire journey! Thirty minutes after the jet took off... you fell asleep."

"I'm aware of that."

"But... why did you fall asleep so quickly?" I let go of her wrist and cross my arms, trying to understand that fact.

"Because I took motion sickness medication and it ended up making me sleepy... I always take that medication to avoid sickness on planes."

And here I was thinking she had a rough night and didn't sleep well, how naive of me to worry.

"But after the trip... what were you doing that you didn't rest?"

"I was reviewing and memorizing the topics that would be discussed in the meeting."

That's why the little one did so well.

"Speaking of that... you were great."

"Thank you," she says and nods without showing any expression. And here I am, trying hard to at least get a smile from her.

I look around and then decide to forget the idea of going for a walk, it was already late and she was tired, but not because she said so, but because it was visible in her droopy eyes.

I get into the car. I was leaning against and sit in the middle, intending to be close to her. But Mia gets in behind me, throwing the notebook into my hands as if I were her maid.

I move away from her, leaning against the window, and leave the notebook on the seat between us. She manipulated me into doing that. Quite clever.

The driver heads towards the hotel and a moment later, I decide to ask Mia some random questions. However, I don't even bother to look at her because of her behavior towards me and because I was keeping an eye on the illuminated streets.

"So, Miss Lancaster... what's your nationality?"

...

"How long have you been living in New York?"

...

"Do you have any siblings?"

...

I become angry when I don't receive any response and feel an overwhelming urge to shake her to get my answers, but when I look at Mia, I find her sleeping with her head leaning against the car window.

Just seeing her so quiet and fragile, I feel reassured. She is so tired that the rocking of the car put her to sleep.

Once again, I cover her with my jacket. This time it's not cold because the car's heater is on, but I did it on purpose.

I see through the rearview mirror that the driver is looking at me with a kind gaze. He is a good worker, reminds me of Ian, too bad he didn't come on this trip to be my driver because he's a bit sick.

"Miss Blackwood?"

"Yes, Murphy?" I respond while looking at the rearview mirror.

"My condolences... Mr. John was a good man."

"Thank you," and I look back at Mia. Even when she's asleep, she is beautiful. It seems like she has so much peace and no worries.

We arrive at the door of the room where she was staying. She breaks the silence that has accompanied us since we left the car, saying:

"It wasn't necessary, but thank you," she hands me my jacket gently.

"Um."

"So... goodnight," she says, opening the door to her room.

"Goodnight," I step back...

"And by the way..." I stop, turn around, and meet her eyes. "I'm French. I've been living in New York for four years and I have a sister."

Oh my heart. She heard me!

"Ah."

Mia briefly smiles to the side and enters her room, closing the door. At least I got the answers I wanted and a smile from her that night. Oh, my heart. Don't freak out.

Then I go to my room and throw myself on the bed to rest and wake up ready for another trip.

Back in New York...

"Goodnight, Lili."

I say as I sit at the rectangular table in the dining room, it had several seats, but almost every night I occupied the one at the end. That was John's favorite spot and where he used to sit for his meals, read newspapers in the morning, or talk to a staff member.

"How was the trip, dear?" Lili asks, sitting next to me.

"Like every other."

"Was there anything important... or new?"

"No, Lili... I traveled just for business."

Of course, there was something new. The young secretary who accompanied me. Too bad she kept her distance. She only talked about future business of the company on our way back to New York.

"Right. Shall we eat?"

"Of course," I agree as soon as I notice Jennifer's presence. She had already placed my plate in front of me and was serving Lili.

"My dear... would you like something to drink?" Lili asks, and I shake my head negatively while discreetly glancing at Miss Jennifer.

I confess, it's a bit strange to see someone who easily gave in to my desire every day and act so naturally. She agreed it would be casual and was taking it seriously. After what happened in my office, she didn't speak to me again, except in public.

I called her to my office after dinner and she came to me.

When she enters my office, I, who am seated in the armchair, ask her to lock the door, and she follows my order.

I call Jennifer and have her sit on my lap. Jennifer obeys and sits on me, leaning against my shoulders.

First, I inhale her scent and then I undo her hair. I am in love with long hair because it enhances a woman's beauty.

I touch her hair gently and move my hands to the buttons of her uniform, unbuttoning them. Jennifer bites her lip, once again showing her attraction to me, and tries to kiss me, but I turn my face, rejecting her.

"What's wrong?" she asks, trying to make me look at her.

"I don't want you to touch me!" I say, gripping her wrists.

"Then tell me what you want."

"It will be like the first time... I will touch you, but you can't touch me and this time, you will not make any noise."

"I will do whatever you want."

"Good girl..."

And once again, I dominate her.

Throughout the entire time that I listened to the muffled moans of the woman seated on me, I remembered Mia Lancaster, how sexy she looked in that robe, how perfect her shoulders were, and how her loose bun made her even more enchanting. It wasn't right to be with one woman while thinking about another.

Was I wrong? Yes! But I can't control my thoughts.

Two days after the trip to New York...

I walk through the department with my unsweetened coffee and wave to Miranda, who smiles in response. I notice that Mia is busy on a call and doesn't even bother to look at me. It's uncomfortable.

Distracted by my beautiful secretary's rejection, I end up being run over by a cart full of papers and documents, causing me to fall and the coffee to spill on almost all of my clothes. Luckily, it wasn't too hot. This can only be bad luck or the fault of a little word called blindness.

The employee who ran me over with the cart is wearing glasses. He helps me up, and at that moment, I see all the employees looking at me with concern.

"Sorry, boss?!" says the fair-skinned, desperate, and embarrassed young man.

"It's okay... I'm fine, just a little..."

"Wet!" says a familiar voice.

That word takes on a double meaning in my head because it was Mia who spoke.

Mia is now by my side, examining my condition. Did this have to happen for me to get her attention? If that's the case, I'll always fall in front of her.

"Please, boss... forgive me?"

"Don't worry, kid..." I didn't even know his name, poor thing, "it's just coffee."

"But... Miss, you might have gotten burned." He tries to touch me, and I step back, but at the same moment, Mia stands between us as if she wants to protect me from him. Hmm...

"I think it's best if you get back to work, Bill."

"I'm sorry."

"Get back to work!" I order and enter my office, sparing myself from further chatter and unnecessary apologies.

I reach my desk and take off the slightly wet suit. My blouse, on the other hand, is practically soaked and dirty. Since it was white, it turned brown. Despite being unexpected, it was kind of funny.

I unbutton a few buttons on my blouse, and that's when I see Mia enter with a white towel, possibly brought from HR.

I don't know if I should clean myself up in front of her. I rethink it. I grab her towel, which she silently stares at.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Perfect." I continue unbuttoning my blouse while maintaining eye contact with her. "Did you happen to stop by HR?"

"No... there are plenty of them in the pantry."

"Hmm... great."

Then all the buttons are undone. I'll see if she says "yes" this time...

"Do you want to help me clean up?"

"No!"

How can she say no? Now I'm angry at this stupid girl. If Jennifer were here, she would clean me up using her tongue because she wants to touch me more than anything.

"Then if you're not going to help me... why are you here?"

"I need to know if you want me to arrange for another outfit."

"No need... Miranda does that. She knows my size."

Mia rolls her eyes.

And oh, how I wish she also knew my size, especially the length of my fingers.

"Okay... I'll leave now... I have calls to take."

"Miss Lancaster..." I call her as soon as she opens the door, and she looks at me curiously. "I apologize for wasting your time."

"No problem... I'm here to help."

Oh yeah? Then why don't you want to clean me up? That thought bothers me.

"Alright... and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Could you buy me a coffee? I haven't had anything today."

"I can do that."

"Thank you."

She nods and leaves, closing the door.

All I have left to do is call Miranda to arrange for a new outfit for me, as this Monday will be a long one.

But I'm sad that I didn't feel Mia's hands cleaning me. I rarely let anyone touch me, but the one who insists on keeping her distance is someone I would allow to touch me.

I'll persist and seize the opportunities of fate.

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