THIRTEEN: RAVISSANTE

NOIR

I sighed as I glanced at the watch. It was 10pm and I'd arrived later than I expected.

I assumed everyone was asleep except the guards on duty.

I took of my coat and walked up the stairs silently.

I was just about to walk into my room when a sudden urge to check on her took over.

Her door was slightly open so I pushed it slowly and leaned on the frame. The lights were dimmed and I could see her lying but I knew she wasn't asleep.

I walked in and she sat up, slightly confused.

"You're awake," I stated.

She nodded.

"Why are you awake?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"I don't sleep."

I sat beside her on the bed.

"Why?" I asked.

She sighed and shook her head.

"I used to have horrible nightmares," she shivered slightly.

"And I would wake up screaming, so I started forcing myself to stay awake."

I smiled slightly.

"What do you do when you're awake?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"Nothing."

"I don't believe you," I said. But I didn't plan on pushing for an answer.

"What about you? Why are you awake?" She asked.

"I just got home," I replied.

"Where were you?" She asked.

"At a meeting," I replied.

"You look so tired. When last did you get some sleep?" She asked.

I had to ask myself the same question. I didn't even know where all the stress was coming from. It was new and it was getting out if hand.

"We're you able to finish?" I asked, changing the topic.

She smiled. "Yeah. You'll be impressed. Sam made a few people cry today but it was worth it. Everything is set for tomorrow night."

Finally. Some good news.

"Alright. I'll just go and check it out," I said trying to get up.

I'm so tired.

"No, it's a surprise," she said, grabbing my arm.

I frowned.

"I need to make sure–"

"What you need is sleep." She cut me off.

"Look who's talking," I said rolling my eyes.

"You need help with that. Its not healthy," I said.

I'd given up trying to get up.

"Alright just go to bed and trust Sam. She's doing a great job," she said giving me a reassuring smile.

"Okay. Goodnight," I said, finally getting up.

"Goodnight, Asher."

I walked into my room and went straight to my bed, sinking into the soft sheets.

I sighed at the thought of having to get up the next day.

I got back off, half asleep, and took off my clothes.

Once I'd found comfortable clothes to sleep in, I laid back down and closed my eyes.

I fell asleep immediately.

After what felt like 2 minutes, my phone buzzed.

I sat up, trying to rub the tiredness out of my face.

I stumbled out of bed and dragged myself downstairs.

I need a vacation.

"Good morning, sir!" Mia chirped, handing me a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," I said.

I walked away wondering why anyone would be so excited in the morning.

...

Two hours later I gave up on my work and stepped out for breakfast.

I decided there was no way I could get anything done if I was so tired.

Neil and Danica were already at the table, seemingly in the middle of a conversation.

I sank into my chair and watched Mia's face brighten up. She walked over with a tray and set it in front of me. She said something but I was too busy staring at Danica to listen to her.

The way she tried to make herself smaller anytime she felt like Neil asked a sensitive question.

I faced Mia and gave her a fake smile.

"Thank you."

She returned shortly after with Neil's breakfast and he gave her a compliment, as usual.

I started eating, thinking about going back to sleep for the rest of the day.

I zoned out for a while until a loud bang brought me back to reality.

My head snapped up at the source.

Danica seemed as surprised as me but Neil had his smirk in place, as usual.

Mia had slammed Danica's tray on the table, sending a very clear message.

"Here you go!" She seethed with a fake smile.

Danica didn't know how to react and neither so she just stared at the food while I found myself laughing.

I was so tired and out of it that I just didn't know what to do anymore.

They all turned to me, confused by my amusement.

"I'm so tried," I said finally.

"Mia, if you ever disrespect my guests in front of me I'll make you miserable."

I said it with a blank expression on my face but I knew she was sure I meant it.

"Excuse me? Sir, I have no idea what you're talking about. You know I would never do that," she said.

"Have you ever considered a career in acting?" Neil asked.

"Don't. You suck," he added, sipping his orange juice.

I rubbed my temples.

"Get out," I said to Mia before she could irritate me any further.

"She likes you," Neil stated casually.

I rolled my eyes.

"I don't care," I said, returning to my food.

"You still need some sleep," Danica said, avoiding eyes contact.

"Yeah you look like shit," Neil said.

"Mmmm," I agreed.

I got up and left without another word, falling asleep almost immediately my body made contact with my bed.

...

I woke up hours later feeling less horrible.

I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Its open."

Mia walked in.

"Good evening, sir. I came to make sure you are awake so that you can prepare for tonight."

"Thank you, Mia," I replied.

She blushed and rushed out.

I took a quick shower and stared at the empty wall as I brushed my teeth.

I got dressed, grabbed the tablet and walked down the stairs to make sure nothing was out of place.

Samantha was already here.

"Samantha," I greeted.

She stared at me wide eyed, then she smiled.

I walked into the ball room with her and I was surprised by how well she was able to put everything together.

Guests started arriving and they all seemed impressed. They created small talk and I have the most perfect and reasonable answers to all their questions.

Then I realized I needed my assistant.

But each time I tried to walk out, a new guest arrived and I had to have a short conversation with them.

Neil showed up, already drinking. I rolled my eyes when he told me I looked "dashing."

"Could you please just go get Danica?"

He glared at me.

"My assistant?" I continued with a smirk.

"Sure," he said walking away.

Alex walked in with his girlfriend, Cindy.

A wave of guilt struck me when I realized I hadn't spoken to him in almost a week.

I hadn't even been at my main office in a few days.

"Hey, Asher" he said with a smile. We shook hands.

"Cindy," I greeted as she moved in for a brief hug.

"I have to go now but we'll catch up at the table," I said as one of the maids walked over to show them to our table.

I watched Jay walk past me. I didn't even know she'd arrived yet. Neil and Sam also walked past me but Danica seemed frozen in her own steps.

She gaped at me but I was too busy wondering how anyone could look so breathtaking in such a simple dress to make a cocky remark.

Dammit. Focus.

"You look ravishing," I said honestly.

She blushed then choked out a "thank you."

"Here. You'll need this to take notes. Anything I tell you to put down. And in case of any appointments or meetings. That's all you have to deal with. My other assistants handle everything else that you're not qualified for."

She snatched it quickly.

"Yes sir," she said, looking up at me with a small smile.

I cleared my throat at the innuendo of that simple phrase.

Gets me every freaking time.

"We'll discuss the rest later. Don't worry they're all simple tasks."

I stepped beside her and guided her down the stairs. Her grip on my arm was firm and it tightened as soon as we walked in.

We seemed to have drawn a lot of attention.

I was already used to it but she definitely wasn't.

They started playing the next sing and everyone took that as their cue to stop staring.

We walked over to the big table with our name cards already at our reserved seats.

More people surrounded me and we had a brief conversation in the same routine.

They walked away and I turned to see Danica staring further into the room as if she'd seen a ghost.

My hand landed on her back.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

She gulped and nodded, then she forced a smile onto her face.

"I need some air," she said, waking away quickly before I had the chance to say anything else.

I wanted to go after her but the entire space was now occupied and it was time for me to say something.

I knew I would regret it but instead of following her, I convinced myself that she would be fine and headed towards the front of the room.

The music died down causing everyone to focus on the far front of the huge room.

The words came naturally and I didn't bother forming a smile.

"You're all welcome," I started as soon as a microphone was handed to me.

"It's been a long week so I hope you all finally get the chance to relax and enjoy the food. And if you don't then you better pretend that you did because you all work for me."

They laughed at my joke and I laughed at the fact that they thought I was joking.

I handed the microphone back to whoever that guy was and rushed out quickly before anyone could stop me for another unnecessary conversation.

My heart sank in realization as I spotted her, talking with Yvonne.

"Miss Anderson. Glad you could make it," I said hoping she didn't sense the sarcasm in my voice.

"I see you let this one walk around in public without a straitjacket. Careful, she might bite someone's ear off," she said.

Bitch.

"The only person that needs a straitjacket is you," I replied in the same tone. We all let out a fake laugh.

"I don't bite. Unless you want me to," she said in what was meant to be a seductive voice.

Jay showed up out of nowhere, pulling us out of the conversation.

I was glad she was smart enough to sense the tension.

As I had expected, Danica didn't take the encounter lightly.

Luckily Neil came to the rescue.

"She's having an anxiety attack," he said.

"No shit," I mumbled.

"Yeah? well I blame you."