40 Problems

The next two weeks whizzed by in the blink of an eye. Everything kept moving smoothly at work, as long as I was able to steer clear of Sybil Gray. Thankfully, Eric was able to understand that I had no desire to speak to the woman unless it involved work related topics and after meetings would start speaking to me as we exited the room, making it obvious I was busy. I appreciated his help in providing a buffer from the woman, but I knew I would have to continue to shut her down until she finally got the picture or I would have to involve HR.

Anna was finally getting back on her feet getting ahead on paying to keep her sister in the hospital to continue her treatments that she was having great results with. My whole team was doing excellent, having me mark down for their next review and for end of the year bonuses. Everyone got a flat amount of the bonuses, but there was a certain amount left over that I could reward where I felt it was deserved. 

I was concerned though for my friend Sarina. Her husband was facing an investigation from the medical board because her ex made some false and inaccurate complaints. They were doing all they could and knew they could beat the claims but it was still stressful for them and she was pregnant too. I offered to help in anyway I could but there was not much I could do at this time. I did finally make my way to her gallery and shop, dragging Jackson along with me to check it out. We were both pleasantly surprised when we arrived, even though we were not sure what to expect in the first place.

Jackson ended up buying a few pieces of art for his place that we both loved. One was by Sarina and the others were by other local artists. I fell in love with some emerald earrings she had and purchased them before Jackson tried to buy it for me. We went back to his house to hang the art work and then went out for dinner.

He was wearing a dark navy blue suit that made him even more alluring then normal. I could barely keep my hands off of him once he had it on. I wore a black a line dress, with a cowl neck line and paired it with some simple, black, peep toe, low heels. I wore my emerald bracelet from Jackson and my earrings I purchased from Sarina's shop. We arrive at the restaurant and are led to our seats and Jackson has wine while I have a peach lemonade. 

Enjoying our drinks and appetizers, chatting about the other art we saw today, we're interrupted by the last voice I wanted to hear like this.

"Why, Melita Xenos. Good Evening. Mr. Morgan. You two seem to be enjoying yourselves." Sybil Gray stands next to our table, smiling a triumphant smile.

"Ms. Gray." I say dryly. 

Jackson just clears his throat and turns his attention back to me. "As I was saying, the art there was quite intriguing. I'm thinking of going back and checking it out from time to time." He completely ignores Sybil, who's lip curls at the obvious show of disinterest.

"I'm sure she would love to hear how much you appreciate her work." I state, forcing a smile over the rim of my glass as I take a sip.

"So are you two renewing the friendship or are you seeing each other now?" Sybil directs the question towards me. 

My face becomes a blank mask as I cock my head at her words. Before I am able to say anything though, Jackson turns to her.

"Ms. Sybil Gray. I am trying to enjoy my evening with my friend. Not that anything either of us do is any business of yours." He says calmly, firmly stressing, "Your company is neither desired nor is it appreciated, enjoy the rest of your evening somewhere else." He dismissed her and sneered while she stood there, her mouth slightly opened and her eyes narrowed in outrage.

Her mouth starts to move but he just continues to shut her down. "Listen closely, Syphilis Sybil Gonorrhea Gray. You may work with Melita, but if you don't have something work related to speak to her about and you are not inside of your company's building, you don't need to speak to either of us. She will never become one of your Morally Gray Girls, that you can pimp out like common hookers. If I hear anymore about you asking questions that are none of your business or that you are giving Melita problems at work, you will regret it. I'll ensure that the only way you can make any business deals are the ones for ten dollar blow jobs on the corner. Do you understand?" He said everything so calmly and even toned that unless you could hear every word he was saying, you would think he was telling her to have a pleasant evening.

She harumphs, "You are a real piece of work you know that?" She glares at Jackson and then moves her focus to me, "I'll see you at the next board meeting, Ms. Xenos." She spins on her toe and heads over to her table, a smile already plastered on her face.

I cover my face and sigh, "Why do I feel like the fine line I've been balancing on was just hit with turbulent winds?" I set my hands back down onto the table and look at our appetizers, no longer having an appetite. 

Jackson leans back, sipping his wine, "I apologize for being so straightforward, but that is the only way that woman understands."

A thought runs through my mind, "You seem to know that from experience." 

Jackson grumbles, "Her and her girls slept with some of my employees on a different contract. I was not involved, that was until I found out that they contracted Syphilis and Gonorrhea from them. How do you think she got the nickname? Anyways, when I found this out, I had a phone call with not only her but also the board, that no one from my company would ever speak to her or someone from her department again. Hence when the I was told to do business with your company, it was me personally who came to do the negotiations and I'm guessing why your department was directly involved instead of hers. "

I nod taking in that information. "They, her girls. really spread std's like that?" I shake my head in disgust. "I'm so grateful for my private bathroom in my office now."

Jackson gives me a grimace and a visible shiver runs over his body as the waiter comes with our food.

"Jackson! Good evening, I thought that was you!" A man in a suit with a beautiful woman on his arm approaches our table and greets Jackson happily.

"Chris. It's been a long time. What are you doing here in Dallas?" Jackson smiles and shakes his hand before sitting back.

"Business as usual. I'm only here for the next three weeks though. This is my wife, Émilie, by the way." He gestures to the gorgeous, dark haired woman with grey-green eyes. "Émilie, this is Jackson Morgan. We've done business together in New York and London quite a bit over the years."

"Bonjour, Mr. Morgan." She greets him in a heavy French accent, "And who is your dinner partner?" She turns a bright smile my way and Jackson clears his throat.

"This is Melita Xenos, my..." He starts and I quickly intercept, holding my hand out to shake hers.

"His girlfriend. It's a pleasure to meet you Émilie. D'où es-tu en France? (Where in France are you from?)" 

She looks pleasantly surprised but answers me, "Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grenoble." 

I nod in acknowledgement before Chris speaks up, "We'll let you two get back to your evening. I wanted to say hello though. We should all get together while I'm here, maybe?"

Jackson nods, "I'll get in touch with you. See what we can do." 

They leave and Jackson turns to me, smiling widely like the proud cat who caught the canary. 

"What?" I ask, not sure why he's smiling like that. 

"Nothing." He suppresses a chuckle and forces his lips to lay flat, but the corners still curl up in amusement. 

"Doesn't seem like nothing." I quirk a brow at him and take a sip of my drink.

He taps the table with his fingers in thought, "I guess we're out in the open now?" 

Confused, I look around the restaurant. "Um, yes...? We're in a public place?" I drawl out, giving him side eye as I go to take a bite of my food.

Jackson snorts as he glances away before turning his full attention back to me. "You just admitted to being my girlfriend. No going back now." He sits up straighter and begins to eat his food too as I chew to answer him.

"I thought there was no going back a while ago. I told Sarina and the rest that you were my boyfriend." I roll my eyes wondering why he's so elated about it now.

"True, but that was your social circle, not our business associates." He starts to take a bite as I see where he's going with his train of thoughts. 

"So you're happy that I claimed you, in front of business colleagues?" I ask, making sure that I was thinking correctly.

"Yes. I do believe that means you're willing to be completely public about our relationship instead of, 'just old friends'. Am I right?" He takes a sip of his wine, giving me an inquisitive stare over the rim of his glass. 

"I believe that you are correct." I smile, taking a sip of my own drink.