After all, he’s the one who convinced me to give it my all, even if I couldn’t go back to my old set-up.
In my excitement, I don’t knock and just enter the room.
“How was your meeting?” he asks, motioning me to a chair.
“Oh my god, Valentin! It was amazing,” I squeal as I sit. ”The TriCore deal is officially signed. And get this—Jason's referring me to SkyMark.”
Valentin leans back in his chair and puts his arms behind his neck, letting out a low whistle.
“Look at you, Gela Jones. Hope you remember the little people when you get all famous,” he grins, staring right at me with pride.
“Oh, I’m not all that.” I blush, and my heart does this stupid little flip at how he calls me Gela Jones.
I've been avoiding being alone with him since that morning I woke up in his bed, making excuses to eat dinner in my room or work late. But now, back in his office, I'm reminded of that day when we first kissed, right here at this desk.
“Anyways.” I clear my throat. “I wanted to thank you for giving me space to work. The bodyguard arrangement is... surprisingly workable.”
He now leans forward and crosses his palms together, his eyes peering into me like he has sight for no other but me. “I'm glad it's working out.”
My pulse skyrockets at how dangerous it feels to be with him alone, at how good he looks, at how intense his gaze is, like he can read every thought crossing my mind.
I push back my chair.
“Well, I should get some rest. Big day tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Gela,” he says softly.
I head to my room, confused by the disappointing end to our celebration. I was the one who walked away, but why do I feel sick in my stomach? What did I want him to say? To do? I don't even know anymore.
All I know is that he’s not doing anything wrong, and I can’t seem to stop pushing him away.
***
Two days later, I'm sitting across from Alex Winters, the CMO of SkyMark. Just then, my phone pings.
Knock them dead. Proud of you.—V. I stare at theproudlonger than I should, before I turn my phone facing downwards/
“Jason wasn't exaggerating about your work,” Alex says, flipping through my portfolio.
By the end of our two-hour meeting, I've secured another major client. SkyMark plans to launch an aggressive campaign next quarter and has asked me to lead it.
As I gather my things, feeling like I'm floating on air, I scan the café for Dmitri. The usual corner where he sits is empty, which is unusual because he rarely leaves his post.
I begin to feel the softest embers of panic rise in my chest, thinking back to the time when Valentin had accompanied mefor that first meeting with Jason, when the Zakharov men found us.
I quickly look at all the people, looking for suits and dangerous tattoos, when I see none other than Valentin sitting at a table near the door.
His eyes find mine immediately, like he's been watching the whole time. I grab my things and rush over, wondering what the hell is going on.
Why is he even here? It’s just like him not to trust me to make my own decisions. I assume he’s here to yell at me, to tell me off because I forgot to inform him I was meeting the SkyMark guy today. He probably didn’t have the precious time he needed to conduct a thorough background check on the company.
When I reach his table, I cross my arms defensively. “Where's Dmitri?”
“I gave him the day off,” Valentin says and stands to face me.
“So you decided to spy on my meeting instead?” I can feel my hackles rising. “I thought we agreed I could come with a bodyguard! What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I wasn't spying.” He looks at me incredulously. “I was simply waiting!”
