Chapter 14

I relaxed my head on my chair and stared at the style I just drew on the white board in front of me. My eyes twitched, it has been twitching for quite some time now.

"Miss, do you think he'll like it" Jesse whispered behind me, she had sweat rolling down her forehead.

"I have no idea dear" I replied helplessly. I had put so much effort into this particular design. I would be heartbroken if Grey doesn't like it. I know I have potential but deep down I'm not so confident in my design. A 10 billion dollar outfit, is that even possible.

"Miss, if I may" I turned to my assistant who had stars in her eyes. "I-i feel this is the one". I could clearly hear her voice shaking.

"Thank you" I smiled slightly.

I picked up my phone to dial his number but for some reason my hands won't stop shaking. "Jesse..."

"Yes ma'am"

"A bottle of water, please I think I'm going to pass out any minute" Jesse ran out immediately to get water for me. I on the other hand flung my phone aside.

I had to steel my heart for a potential rejection.

My phone rang after startling me.

"Hello"

"Hi babe, it's Anna" I sighed, my entire body was tense.

"Hi Anna, how are you?"

"Fine, I just wanted to check up on you." She sounded odd through the phone.

"Oh, thanks I guess" my eyes were glued to my design searching for the slightest error to fix.

"So I was wondering if you'll be free this weekend let's say Friday"

"Hmm... I'm not sure I mean I have a lot of work to do and don't really have time for my self" I replied

"It's just a hangout with the girls on Friday night, we won't take long" was she whining like a kid?

"I don't know, we both know I don't have any friends apart from you back in college" I frowned at the context girls.

"Really? Says the girl who had the protection of the hottest guys in campus" she snorted in a way I found funny.

Looking back at the days I spent in college, I really didn't have any friends apart from Anna, Darren and German.

"I actually thought you were dating one of the college hotties" My cheeks became warm all of a sudden when she said that

"Huh?" I yelled " no no no I wasn't, well technically I was just a kid hanging out with her elder siblings that's all"

"Ahhh I see, so do you still hang out with this elder siblings of yours" she was literally teasing me.

"No" I felt a sting in my chest, was it natural to feel this way? I had the chance to actually hangout with Darren like we used to but I blew it. 'Oh Gwen

"So I'll pick you up on Friday"

"Emm, I'll try and make it just text me the location" deep down I didn't want to go this party or hangout and this was the best way to cancel rather than having someone pick me up.

"It's fine" I could hear her scoff on the phone, she didn't hide her annoyance towards me.

"Well, then I'll be meeting you on Friday" she hung up before i could even say anything. I could only sigh and place my phone on the table.

"M-m-mi-miss" I turned to Jesse who looked pale as paper.

"What's wrong Jesse?" I stood up to approach her but I leaped backwards when he emerged from behind her.

"Your assistant really knows how to rely a message" my stomach churned and my steeled heart turned butter in an instant.

"Mr Grey " I smiled sharply. I could feel my hands getting really sweaty.

"Hmm..." Grey wasn't paying attention to me at all. He was staring at something behind me "is this your recent design?"

"Yes" I replied sobber as he made his way to the board. All I awaited was the best downgrading of the century on the design on the board.

"I like it " I snapped at him in disbelief.

"Really?" He nodded with a bright smile. "You're a great designer Gwen"

"(Sighs)" I wiped off the excess sweat on my forehead with my hands. I hadn't realized I had held my breath the whole time. "You think it's going to cut the deal" I stood beside him and stared at my design doubtful.

There are obviously going to be much more attractive and alluring designs that would definitely outshine mine.

"Believe in yourself Gwen" I turned to Grey, he looked different today, I could put a finger on it. Was it the way he spoke to me or his gaze?

I nodded sharply and turned to my table. "So now we just need to pick out the right fabrics and decide which color we'll be going with"

Grey sat on the chair in front of my desk.

"What color do you think would fit the design?" At first I was shocked Grey was asking for my opinion but I tried to hide it.

"Black" for some reason my thoughts drifted off to the party I attended with George. Darren was wearing a magnificent black suit.

"You seem to like the color huh" Grey snapped me back to reality. "Your face looks flushed though"

"Yes" damn it, I was blushing.

We both stared at each other awkwardly, Jesse who has been standing at the edge of the room. Kept glancing between Grey and I.

His gaze was locked on me and I couldn't hold on. What was he doing to me I felt my entire face warm like I got instant fever.

"Are you busy right now?"

I looked at him with a mild smile "not really, I was actually heading home after our meeting"

"Let's have lunch"

"Me?" I pointed at myself. That was unexpected.

"Well, you and Jesse..." Grey's ears were flushed as a tomato. What was really going on with this man? "... So are we going or not?"

Jesse and I glanced at each other with confused looks. "Okay"

Jesse and I sat at the back seat staring at Mr Grey blankly. He seemed to be bottling something.

"Miss?" I turned to Jesse and smiled. Being brought up in a world entirely different from hers, I could understand her weary look right now. I rubbed her head gently to give her a little bit of courage.

"It's alright" she nodded and turned to the window staring at the city.

"Thanks for the offer Mr Grey" I tried to start a conversation with him to reduce the awkward silence.

"It's nothing you both deserve it after all" the man who drove the car seemed familiar to me, he was Grey's butler or so I thought.

"Do you really think the design would get the deal"

"It will, also people would always want to purchase a style recommended by Mr Harris Grey" he seemed confident, something i really need.

At a classic restaurant.

I held Jesse tight to avoid her tumbling over herself. She kept gawking at things outside the restaurant. To be honest this restaurant was rated 5 stars so definitely it lived up to the title. Everything about the restaurant was too shinny or too elegant. I could feel knots in my stomach. I could only imagine how much a meal would cost.

"Miss, I'm allowed to enter such a place" Jesse tailed behind me like a scared kitten tailing it's Mama in the dark.

"Of course you are, you're human after all so what's wrong" I walked a little bit slower to match her pace.

"But this isn't a place for mere humans" she stared at the door man who bowed to us as we entered.

"This are for the elites, the wealthy, business tycoons and multimillionaires not for personal assistants" this girl really need a self esteem, a strong confident one at that.

"Don't belittle yourself Jesse" I held her hand and squeezed it.

"Good evening sir"

"Good evening" Grey stood in front of a fancy desk with a female receptionist. She smiled brightly as she attended to Grey.

"She seems interested in Mr Grey " I turned to Jesse and smiled. I could see a slight tone of green peeking through her eyes.

"This way" a young man ushered us in and led us to a table. it was a golden table decorated with sapphire stones with 4 matching seats surrounding it.

"You're quite influential aren't you Mr Grey " i smiled and took my seat in front of him. While Jesse sat beside me.

"Well I don't brag" he joked with a jaunty smile. "So what would you ladies like to have?" A waiter walked to us holding a pen and a tab in his hand to take our orders.

I could see Jesse blush at his words. Oh this girl was some times...

I picked up the menu tab at the center of the table and glanced through the dishes. One would salivate at how good the dishes looked.

"It's hard to pick" I cupped my chin.

"I'll have beef stew and rice" I went with a meal I was compatible with.

"Same" Jesse smiled shyly.

"Quirk chicken and chopped leaf" the waiter bowed and left.

Grey and I talked about the new design we are working with and a few other trivial matters.

We ate our meals quietly once they were served. The 5 star was truly 5 star. The food was delicious, I haven't tasted this type of beef stew and rice in my life.

"You like?" I looked at grey and smiled before nodding slowly. If it weren't for the classy nature of this restaurant I would have used a huge spoon right now to scoop this meal in my mouth.

I turned to Jesse who was eating slowly. She was probably trying to eat ethically. A smile creeped up my lips, she was so cute whenever she focused.

Gwen had no idea that the whole time she had been eating Grey had his eyes glued to her. So much that he hardly touched his meal.

He had planned to talk to her today but he fretted and things went down the hill.

He couldn't stop admiring her, her beauty, her confidence, her talent, her accomplishments. Gwen was a rare piece of gem that Grey had never once believed he would find. He wanted this rare gem to be his. He wanted to be the owner of this gem to protect her and keep her safe.

Jesse watched Grey the whole time. Even without being told, she knew Grey had feelings for her boss. It hurt her a little but deep down she knew her feelings were useless. She couldn't hold a candle to her boss, everything Gwen had outshone her. But regardless Gwen was the kindest soul Jesse had ever seen. So kind she wondered how her boss survived this cruel world. It was obvious every man would fall for her.

It was finally time to leave. We all stood up and exited the restaurant.

"That was nice, thank you Mr Grey" and bowed slightly to Grey and walked ahead of him. It was almost time to pick August and I had to get my car.

"T-thank you M-mr Grey " I heard Jesse stammer.

We both walked down the stairs and head to the parking lot.

"I had a great time, it wasn't much but it was nice" Grey smiled at Jesse.

I was kinda happy. At least I had a load off my chest I couldn't wait to get home and just sleep. I searched for my phone in my handbag.

"Oops " I mistakenly hit someone and stumbled backwards and fell.

By fell, I mean fell in to someone's arm.

"Now you won't run away, Gwendolyn" my eyes widened and I turned to him stunned.

His arm was tightly wrapped around my waist and his face was up close to my face. I stared at those midnight eyes, midnight eyes.

He lifted my hand to his lip and placed a gentle kiss on it.

"Darren"

"Gwen"