01.

Dalia’s POV

This wasn't my first time booking a flight. I had mixed up the dates of our departure with our proposed departure date and had to reschedule the flight multiple times. At the airport, I nearly crossed through the security check without dropping off my bags, Jeffrey shot me a stern quizzical look that read, stop playing around. It was all chaos from start to finish.

 I smiled to myself when I recalled I had almost forgotten my suitcase when Jeffrey called me, ‘I hope you went over your lines properly, you’ve been quite absent-minded these past week.’ He tapped agitatedly on his lap as I nodded in the affirmative. If I said a word, he would proceed to ask me to recite it before him and I wasn't in the mood for that. It was going to be a long flight. In all my years of working with him, a deal had never bothered him like this. I was also quite nervous, because of all I knew about West Inc. Emily and I loved their clothing line. We were so excited when I told her I was going to Paris to meet with their CEO, the enigmatic Eros West. Young and immensely successful. This was a dream come true, for everyone.

 ‘Can we help you with anything, sir?’ an air hostess inquired from my boss, her face wore an irritated expression masked with a plastic polite smile.

 ‘Not at all,’ Jeffrey replied. I let out a little chuckle. His cold responses always took people by surprise even when they braced for it, it was expected from the owner of a big company. Years spent by his side had paid off, and we had developed an understanding that almost felt like a parent-child relationship. However, in times like this when we had serious business to attend to, you had to tread softly. I stared out the window, wondering what Eros would be like as I watched the pink and golden clouds through the window.

‘Wake up!’, it was my boss, he looked at me crossly, ‘you’ve been asleep all through the flight.’ I stifled a yawn and stretched, ‘I'm up.’ Almost incidentally, the pilot announced our arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport.

At the border check, there were lots of smiles and acknowledgements once people recognized Jeffrey. I knew he enjoyed the attention. Before long, we were being driven to our hotel by a driver, courtesy of eros west. It was quite kind of him I thought out loud to Jeffrey. ‘He’s just being polite, dalia.’

‘Why do we have to meet him immediately after our flight if he’s so polite then? We haven't even recovered from our flight.’

‘Haven't you learnt anything from me, time is not a thing you can afford to waste. This is the fashion world darling, you take off a few seconds, and you're old news.’ he tapped thoughtfully on his lap before finishing, ‘good thing you slept throughout the flight, i expect you to be quite sharp at our meeting tonight.’

La Blanche Maison hotel was the epitome of class. Its astonishingly large grounds had marble statues of Greek legends and gods in classical poses. My favourite was a fountain of what seemed to be Aphrodite pouring water out from a vase and the water flew down three layers of receptacles. Our rooms had already been booked and the bell-boy took our bags, leading the way. I didn't bother to listen to what he said, my French was next to nothing, and all I knew was bonjour and merci. ‘Be ready by 10;30, don't be late,’ he said before shutting his door.

I exhaled as I closed my door and walked to the bed, my heels resounding in the empty room. It smelt of roses and that distinct hotel odour. The chandelier glittered brilliantly above, and on the dresser was a complementary bucket of champagne. This was it, here at last.

After a little meal and some rest, I took a shower and got dressed. I wore a red lapelled gown that accentuated my curves and stopped several inches above my knee and my favourite strappy heels. I wondered what he was going to be like, the tabloids were full of opinions on the young CEO of one of the most successful fashion companies in the world. He barely took photographs and so little was known of him, but it was said he was very cold and ruthless in his business dealings. I'm sure he and Jeffrey would find common ground, if not for anything, but for their business methods. By 10:30, I was ready. I didn't do much makeup, just a touch of some concealer, mascara and lipstick. I twirled before the mirror, took a deep breath and stepped out. Jeffrey was leaving his room at the same time and bared his teeth at me in what I understood as a smile. As always he was in an immaculately tailored navy blue Louis Vuitton suit and a red tie. He gave his watch a quick glance and walked briskly towards the lobby, I trotted behind him in pursuit. The driver was already waiting for us outside to take us to where we would meet him. The other members of the team followed us in another car.

The hotel we were brought to was more magnificent than the one we stayed at. Even at night, it was well-lit and as bright as day, with huge gardens and artificial ponds, in a British-styled plan. The restaurant was tucked beside the 20-storey building at a corner near the Olympic-sized pool. He had already made a reservation so the waiter ushered us to our table. I picked up the menu that was like a scroll and read it to pass time whilst Jeffrey ordered a glass of water. I looked around, taking in the restaurant’s rustic decor then settling my eyes on dessert when I heard footsteps approaching our table.

‘Ah, Mr Jeffrey, it is a pleasure to meet you. How do you do?’ I nearly gasped, towering above where I sat was Eros west. The media didn't do justice to how good-looking he was, his blond hair has been gelled and slicked to the back, giving room to emphasise his perfectly sculpted jaw. He shook Jeffrey's hand and flashed a smile at me, ‘and you must be the assistant, Miss Daria, a pleasure.’ I reached and took his hand in mine and squeezed firmly, ‘Dalia. Dalia Thompson.’ he nodded and took his seat, and I noticed his eyes which were a piercing green, like gems.

I got out our business proposal and handed it over to Jeffrey who began talking. All the while, my mind wandered towards the man before me. I noted how his fingers pressed on the table when he disagreed with Jeffrey or the way he threw his head back, baring his pale neck when laughing. Those short outbursts were all part of business, barely touching the eyes, all calculated performances at scripted cordiality. Jeffrey too would grimace and crack a joke or two. ‘Allow Dalia to present a slideshow of the expected market coverage.’ I snapped back to why I was here and smiled nervously. My iPad had been on my lap all the while and wasn't turned on. After some minutes of awkward looks and Jeffrey killing time, I got started.

‘...The marketing team has made an estimated calculation of the consumer reach. We believe with a joint partnership, we can get a combined reach of 64% within the 18-35 demographic. Way more than either of us when working alone…’

After we were done with the proposal, he excused himself to discuss it outside with his lawyer. ‘What were you playing at? That was so unprofessional, I told you beforehand to be ready!’ I knew he wouldn't let the iPad situation go. ‘I'm sorry jeffrey.’

Nearly thirty minutes later, he returned, ‘We look forward to working with MELT.’ I broke into a smile, I couldn't believe we were going to partner with West inc. After the documents were signed and hands shook, Jeffrey called for the waiter and ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate. ‘I would love to stay but I better be going.’

‘C’mon, one glass won't kill you.’ Eros looked at his lawyer who stood up and excused himself then yielded.

‘Cheers to a wonderful partnership,’ Eros proposed. ‘To a wonderful partnership,’ we chorused. I took little gulps of the wine, analysing the taste in my mouth before swallowing whilst stealing glances across the table at him. He had already downed a glass and poured another one, his eyes fixated on his phone. Occasionally, he would clench his jaw and look up, instinctively, I would turn away. I was soon pouring another glass when Jeffrey got a call and excused himself. On returning, he said, ‘There's at the hotel, and  I have to go clear it.’ Please excuse me, he gave me the don't go anywhere look and practically ran out, on his phone with the other members of the team.

I brought out my phone and began going through it mindlessly. I had many messages but ignored them all, not now. Eros West, a billionaire mystery, was sitting across from me. I wondered why he had not left, after all, Jeffrey always said time was not to be wasted. I looked up and found him staring at me, his green eyes boring into mine. ‘You have lovely grey eyes, Dalia.’ I giggled and replied, ‘Thank you, Mr Eros.’  I do not know how long we sat, but the bottle was tilted and champagne was poured out at intervals by two hands of different shades and soon, the pinstripes on Eros's suit started blurring. ‘I-i think it's getting late. We better head back.’

‘I was about t-to say….that too.’ I slurred out. His lips were a perfect cupid bow and I just wanted to reach over and kiss him. I stood from my chair and paused to get my bearings, then gathered my things and bag, when I noticed he was waiting. Together, we staggered out of the restaurant.

 ‘We haven't paid for the champagne.’ I exclaimed when we had nearly gotten to the entrance of the hotel. ‘Don't fret love, it’s on my tab.’

I stumbled and he caught me, holding me in his arms, he said, ‘you seem to have had too much to drink.’ and to that, I shook my head. He gazed into my eyes, then lingered on my lips and whispered, ‘I seem to have too.’

He bent closer until I could smell his champagne and mint-mingled breath, and I licked my lips reflexively. ‘What are we doing?’ I asked with a coy smile.

‘Something we might both regret,’ and he closed the distance between us. What started as a soft kiss turned into something more demanding, and as his tongue gently prodded its way into my mouth, I decided I wanted to fuck him.  He bit down on my lips and tugged on them. I felt woozy and let out a soft moan, and then he stopped and drew away. We looked at each other, my lips were tingling and it was like the earth was spinning. He reached up and tucked my hair behind my ear. ‘I can't get you back to your hotel in this state, I'm afraid you'll have to sleep here.’

I stared at him in surprise, ‘but i can't possibly stay here, what of Jeffrey?’

‘I'm sure he has other things to attend to, and he can always call to find out your whereabouts.’ I nodded gingerly, I was going to be in big trouble.

We staggered to the lobby where Eros managed to book a room for me. He took the key and led me to my room, opened the door and let me fall to the bed. He turned to leave but I held onto his hand, ‘stay.’

‘You know I can't do that.’ but he didn't move, then I drew him closer until he fell to the bed with me. Soon we were tangled in each other's embrace, fumbling to get out of our clothes and kissing frantically. ‘God, Dalai, you’re so hot he kept murmuring as he kissed a trail from my lips down my neck while his hands caressed my body. This was not happening, what was I doing? But I couldn't stop, soon he was atop me, kissing his way down.