27 - reunions

Amina

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For the 100th time, Dominic and I were not on speaking terms. It had only been three days but I was stressing out because we didn't finalize anything for our project.

Maybe I shouldn't have asked him that night. Especially branching off from a conversation about why he doesn't like his dad. I didn't know their history but the dislike seemed very one-sided. Mr. Taylor was always chasing after Dominic who wanted nothing to do with him.

I was in the office once again, fueling myself with nothing but coffee and saltine crackers. I hadn't eaten dinner because I was up completing a quiz and I didn't eat breakfast because I overslept. But I kept a smile on my face as I worked tirelessly throughout the day.

Our weekly meeting had been called for the business analytics team, marketing team, and the finance team to check in and keep each other in the loop. It was online, so thankfully I didn't have to leave my desk. The meeting began as we went through report after report and updates from each department. I took note of what I could, not bothering to look up at the screen as I listened attentively.

"And lastly I would like to welcome Acme Corp's newest member of the marketing team, Aaron Baker. He will be joining us as a marketing assistant." My eyes widen and my stomach drops as I look up at the screen.

There in a little box was Aaron's smug face, smiling for the camera.

"Good afternoon everyone. I'm so happy to be here."

"Why don't you tell us a little about yourself?"

"Yes of course. I'm a current marketing student, graduating next semester. I'm in school part-time and working full-time. I played basketball at the University of Los Angeles and I'm excited to join the team."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Joining the team.

I had to be hallucinating. Yeah, that was it, this was a fever dream. I'm sick from overworking myself and not eating, and now I'm having a fever dream.

Because there was no way Aaron Baker and I were working for the same company. Not only that, he was above me! A full-time employee while I was the part-time intern!

"Amina? Amina?" A voice calls repeatedly, making me snap back into reality.

I look up at the screen, "Oh yes?"

Felix chuckles, "The meetings are over, you can end the call now."

I laugh dryly, "Oh right. My bad." I end the Zoom call and turn around my seat. "Out of curiosity, the position of Marketing Assistant. Is that at the Dallas location? Or maybe a remote position?" I ask hopeful that Aaron and I were not currently in the same building.

Felix shakes his head, "Nope, right downstairs with the marketing team." He places some files on my desk, "These are from Tasha, let me know if you have questions." He says before walking away. I couldn't respond, I just stared blankly at the ground. Aaron was here, just two floors below me. And he was going to be here, every day.

I wanted to get up and go for a brief walk, maybe clear my head. But that would only increase my chances of running into him. So I stayed put, not bothering to get up for any reason while I attempted to do my work.

For the next few hours, I was like that. Unable to fully focus and work at half the speed I normally did. I now felt self-conscious that I couldn't see behind my seat. Afraid of who could be behind me every second.

When work finally ended for me I rushed out quickly, happy that my work schedule did not coincide with everyone else's. I walked down the steps of the front of the building as I waited for the Uber I called to arrive.

"Ami." A voice says from behind me making me freeze. I turn around, my breath hitched in my throat to face him. "You're not leaving without saying hello are you?" He smiles wickedly.

I take a deep breath before speaking. "Well sorry if I didn't feel like speaking to you."

He chuckles, walking down the steps to be at my level. "Oh come on baby, you're not still mad at me are you?"

"You tried to strangle me."

He shrugs, "Sure I got a little rough. I apologize for that. I'm a better man now."

"I hope you are Aaron, I really do. But I'm not interested." I reply looking back down at my phone and trying to locate my Uber.

He frowns, "Why?"

"I'm focusing on myself."

"Or you're focusing on Dominic now. I see you two around campus."

"No, but if I were it wouldn't be any of your business."

He snorts out a laugh before analyzing me with his eyes. His hand caresses the side of my cheek, making me flinch. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"I would like to believe that." I mutter. My phone begins to vibrate, indicating my Uber had arrived. "I have to go. Goodbye, Aaron."

"See you tomorrow." He says with a wave as I rush to my Uber.

As soon as I got into the Uber I let out a shaky breath and the tears started to flow as I buried my head in my hands. I wanted to scream, cry, and throw up all at the same time. How could this be happening? His presence alone had me shaken to my core. He was going to ruin everything somehow I just knew it.

The Uber arrived at my apartment complex and I mumbled a thank you before rushing out of the car. The Uber driver probably thought I was crazy but I was thankful he minded his business.

As I rushed up to my apartment I felt myself bump into something hard, so hard I fell back to the ground.

"Amina, what the fuck? Why do you never-" He stopped talking when he saw my current state. His anger vanished as I pulled my knees to my chest to hide my face and kept crying. I was in hysterics at this point. He crouches down to the ground, "What happened?" Dominic asks gently.

I couldn't respond, I could only cry. Any attempt at a word led to sounds of incoherent gibberish. "Okay, let's get you off the sidewalk and inside." Suddenly I'm lifted bridal style and carried up the stairs into his apartment.

He placed me down on the couch where I proceeded to curl up into a ball. The crying had calmed and now only silent tears stained my cheeks. I felt a blanket cover me in its warmth, and slowly but surely I drifted off into sleep.

-

I woke up in a daze, vaguely unfamiliar with my surroundings. I was on the couch and suddenly I remembered why.

"You awake now?" Dominic asks appearing from the kitchen with two cups in his hand. He places one down in front of me on the coffee table.

"Thank you." I mumble, picking it up to take a sip. It was hot cocoa, which felt nice in the cold weather. Los Angeles wasn't nearly as cold as San Francisco, but some days in the winter you could feel it and today was one of those days.

"Are you feeling better?" He asks.

I nod, "I'm sorry for running into you."

He shakes his head, "That's the least of my worries." He looks me over, "What had you crying like that? Is everything okay?"

I sigh, looking down at my cup of hot chocolate. "It's nothing."

He raises a brow before taking a seat beside me on the couch. "Amina, what's going on?" He asks again.

I let out a deep breath before replying, "Aaron got a job at Acme. Then he approached me after my shift."

Dominic wasn't looking at me, he stared straight ahead but his jaw was clenched. "What did he say?" He asks slowly.

"That he was a changed man."

Dominic scoffs, "You don't believe him do you? Because when a man-"

"I don't." I interrupt, not needing a lecture.

"Okay, good." He sighs looking over at me. "What are you going to do?"

My eyes begin to water again. "I don't know." I reply, my voice cracking. Dominic pulls me to him, allowing my head to rest against his chest. "Things were going so well. This is the internship I need to maybe get my dream job. I don't know what else to do." I admit as he gently rubs my back. "And I can't quit anyway. I signed a contract and an NDA."

"You're not quitting. You got there first, you're not backing down to him."

I shake my head, "You don't understand. I don't feel safe there knowing he's just around. I can't focus, I can't work, I blank!"

"I can handle it. He and I can exchange words, man to man. He won't bother you again after that."

I sit up from his chest, shaking my head at him. "Dominic, do not approach him. I don't want him to get any angrier. And we both know you won't be doing any talking."

"But I'll just-"

"Dominic no! Okay?"

He sighs, before nodding at me. I let out a sigh of relief before he spoke again. "Then what are we going to do?"

"We?" I ask, raising my brow. "Why do you care to be involved?"

"I've been involved since Halloween, whether I like it or not."

"You don't have to be," I mutter resting back against the couch and looking away from him.

He chuckles, taking one of my hands and urging me to look at him. "I'm not leaving you to handle this alone. Whether you want me to or not I'm going to be right there with you."

"I thought you were mad at me?" I ask quietly.

He shakes his head, ushering my head back down to his chest. "It's the past now."

I nod relaxing on his chest. It felt nice, his body heat keeping me warm as his cologne filled my airways bringing me comfort. He reaches for the remote, turning on the TV to play something at random.

It was weird us being together like this after fighting just a few days ago. I guess Kendra was right, we could never stay away long enough.

"I'm sorry though." I say just as he switches to another show.

"Sorry about what?" He asks, still focusing on the TV.

I sit up to look at him, "I didn't think when I took your father's offer. Maybe I was just thinking about me and not considering that there's a reason you don't go to those events." I sigh, "I'm sorry."

He gives me a light smile, "Thank you. You shouldn't have to apologize though. You don't know my relationship with my father and he's very good at convincing."

"But now I know. And moving forward I'll keep it in mind." I reach out my hand to him to shake, "Friends?"

He looks down at my hand before sighing. "I also owe you an apology."

"For what?" I ask in surprise, taking my hand slowly back.

He sits up from his resting position, "I've been acting like a selfish asshole." He sighs, "I know how you feel about me because you made it clear. But I haven't been honest with you." My heart begins beating rapidly in my chest. "On Thanksgiving, I told you that we couldn't happen. I think I was just scared and trying to push you away. I still don't think I can give you what you want right now because I'm just not ready. But it's also really hard to stay away from you." He admits.

"I don't know if I'm ready either, to be honest." I chuckle, smiling lightly at him before looking down. "I mean look at me, I'm a mess. And I told myself no more boyfriends."

"So what do we do then? About us?" He asks.

"Stop hating each other and try our best to be friends for now. I don't see how else to handle this."

He chuckles, "I never hated you. I don't think I could."

I smile, "The feelings mutual."

He smiles back at me, his gaze occasionally glancing at my lips. Before I knew it he was leaning in, cradling the side of my face with the palm of his hand his lips brushed against mine. The kiss was sweet and slow, and I felt a pot of fire erupt in my stomach. I moaned slightly and he pulled away smirking. "I just had to be selfish one more time."

With a heated gaze, I bring his lips to mine again. His arms wrap around my waist securely pulling me closer to him. I straddled him as his hands ran up and down my body. The kisses were more intense but just as slow and passionate as the first one.

I pulled away suddenly, my face heated from embarrassment for going too far. "Sorry." I mumbled, climbing off of him and back onto the couch.

He shakes his head, "I started it."

There was a moment of silence between us as we both sat there avoiding each other's glances.

"How are we going to do this?" He asks breaking the silence.

I sigh, "Using a lot of restraint."

He chuckles, "Okay, friend."

"Sounds good, friend." I reply quietly, "I think I'm going to head home." I say looking up at the time. It was almost 8:30 pm.

"Okay, I'll walk you out."

I chuckle, "I literally live on the other side of this wall."

"And I'll still walk you out." He repeats. I allow him and get up after collecting my things. He follows me to the door, following me out into the hallway of our building. "I guess I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, next week for sure for our next meeting."

"Okay." We stood there awkwardly not sure how to say goodbye. "There was nothing in there about hugging right? I can hug my friend goodbye."

"Right."

He chuckles, reaching over to hug me. I embrace him as his arms wrap around my body securely. His body was warm as it pressed against mine and I basked in the scent of his cologne.

"You sure you're okay?" He asks still holding me against him.

"I'll be okay."

He sighs, "Goodnight Amina." He says pulling away, but his arms are still wrapped around my waist.

"Goodnight Dominic." I said, allowing him to release me from his hold.

I walked next door to my apartment, turning to face him when I reached the door. I gave him a small wave, in which I saw him return before I entered my apartment.

———

How long before they slip up again?

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- AuggiePooh_