Chapter 11

As I lay there in my bed replaying the events of today, I couldn't help but smile.

Why you ask?

Well, this is what happened at the meeting...

***

As I sat there, listening to them discussing the latest building materials and construction costs, I was pretending to be attentive, writing down the few details I heard.

I thanked the heavens when the waiter finally showed up.

"Good afternoon. May I take your order?" He beamed politely, a notepad and pen in his hand.

Mr Henderson ordered first, then Bryce. It was my turn to order when Bryce didn't even get the chance.

"She will have-" then he said some French words which I couldn't even pronounce, yet he did so fluidly.

"Any drinks whilst you wait?"

"Water would be great, for all us." Bryce affirmed, then the waiter left.

The two men I was currently in the company of resumed their business talks but I, on the other hand, was mad as hell.

I focused my death glare at Bryce's gorgeous face and I was sure he noticed. He didn't, however, flinch.

You stupid son of a bitch!

Being my childish self, I lifted my left foot, which might I add is clad in 3-inch black stilettos, and brought it down on his foot.

No response.

Oh, so he didn't feel that. Okay, then I applied some more pressure. I could feel the stilettos digging deep into his flesh.

Then he shot his other leg out and kicked my ankle.

Ah, so you felt that?

I smirked triumphantly. So, the bastard does have feelings after all.

The next moment, I felt him brush his hand across my exposed knee. It was a brief, almost unnoticeable gesture and yet it had my stomach doing a somersault.

"I need to use the bathroom." I squeaked, then mentally chided myself for it. I need to stop responding to his sex appeal.

They both nodded, but Bryce's eyes lingered on me for a moment to long, those silver pools dancing with mayhem.

I walked, more like dashed, to the ladies. Once there, I went to one of the wash basins and rinsed my face because it was on fire!

After washing it, I grabbed a paper towel and dabbed gently. When I looked at my reflection, my face looked flushed and so red.

"What the fuck is going on?" I yelled at the disoriented woman staring back it me. I could hardly recognise myself.

I hate what he is doing to me. He knows I am still attracted to him and he is taking advantage of that, sending me mixed signals. He is playing me.

I smirked at my reflection. I remembered the words I had said to him on my first day.

Two can play that game...

If he thinks he will get away with this gruelling game of seduction, I might as well give him a run for his money.

I pat down my long dusky locks, gave myself on last look and then exited the loo.

When I got back to the table, the food was already there.

Was I really gone that long?

The two were now happily eating and chatting, probably they forgot about my existence.

I sat down, grabbed a fork and knife, then dug in.

Oh my gosh. The food tasted sinfully good, and I couldn't help but moan.

Both their eyes snapped to me. I looked at them, blushing slightly. That was really inappropriate.

"That good, huh?" Mr Henderson inquired, and I laughed then nodded.

Bryce didn't say anything but just looked at me weirdly, like he was suppressing something. Maybe a fart?

We got back to our food, and their conversation after that. After eating, they continued to talk until they finalised everything.

Bryce extended his hand to Mr Henderson. "Thank you, sir, for engaging with Constructex. I promise you nothing but the best service." He said authoritatively, and Mr Henderson shook it.

Mr Henderson was about to ask for the check when Bryce stopped him. He said he would handle it. Mr Henderson got up, so did he, gave each other goodbyes, including me, then the friendly man left. Great, now I was stuck with the not so friendly one.

"That went well." I chimed.

He nodded. "Better than I could have thought." He looked at his watch, which I'm assuming is a Rolex. "It already well past noon. We better get going to the hotel construction site."

"Not so fast. What the hell made you think you could just order for me? I could do it on my own!" I yelled, but not loud enough for everyone to hear.

He shot me a poker face. "I doubt you could even read the menu; it was in French. Secondly, you know zilch about French cuisine."

He was, unfortunately, right about that. I just scoffed in response. "You really didn't have to murder my foot though. That was uncalled for, Aubrey."

I grinned. "You deserved that, Mr Roberts. What you did was ungentlemanly." I wanted to call him out for what he did with his hand, but decided against it.

His expression remained impassive. "Let's go. What's next is going to be time consuming."

And he was right, because we spent like 7 hours at the damn site. Everything was still new, so many people were scurrying about, doing this and that. Apparently, Constructex was known for its speedy projects and this hotel needed to be completed within 9 months. It belonged to some conglomerate.

We walked around for so long, that my feet were so numb. Bryce seemed completely energetic, going from one team to the next, checking up on things. The way he interacted with the employees was so friendly. Who knew he knew how to be something other than an asshole?

On our way back, we rode in silence. It helped that the radio was on. We reached my apartment block around 8 p.m.

He cut the engine. "Are you sure you’re comfortable where you live? I can’t help but feel like it isn’t safe." He uttered from nowhere.

I shrugged. "Well, I look for a better place once I have enough money-"

He cut me off. "No. That will take way too long. I can't have you living so far from the office and me." He paused, then cringed. "I mean, I might need you to run me a few errands after work hour and you live so far away..." He went on, feeling a bit embarrassed.

I smiled slightly. "I will look for a new place once you pay me tomorrow."

He turned to look at me. "I'll arrange for you to move into one of my apartments."

Where was the grouchy Bryce? Could someone tell him not to come back?

"Okay." I muttered under my breath, then opened the door and stepped out of the Bugatti.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I said, to which he nodded, then he drove off.

I quickly stalked into the building and up to my apartment, wasting no time in showering, having some dinner and then going into the bed.

And that's why I was laying in my bed smiling. I could finally move out off here, and my plan for seduction will commence.

He won't see it coming.