Not His Juliet

Chapter 3

Whenever I did see Nikki the cold shoulder, disgusted looks, and cursing word muttered under her breath came abundantly. I'm sure James presence wouldn't bring a halt to these comments in the slightest, it would probably give her more ammunition

"No." I answer sharply as memories I keep hidden behind dead lock bolts fight to escape.

"Huh?" James questions, giving me his attention once again.

As I've stated above James' knowelege on my history is highly lacking. He does not know a single thing of my history before my enrollment at Princeton University. Therefore it is understandable how if he is willingly giving information of his past why he might question or be surprised about why I won't return the favor. Or in my case, why I won't return the burden.

"I would not like to make a any plans for a trip to visit my family. However it would please me to personally share the news with your family." I respond to him formly, forcing myself to plaster a fake all business smile on my lips.

Honestly I'm truly intrigued to learn about James family. I'm pretty surprised he's even offered to make such a trip. Of course I would have met them at the wedding I'm sure, but never this personally. Putting my thoughts on hold I tune back into reality in time to see James give me a nod.

"So how long will our trip be?" I ask curiously as I mentally bring up my calender and check available dates for our trip.

Yeah I know curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back! The next three weeks for me are booked to compacity but I do have a low flow of important apperences and appointments the first week of august. I could reschedual them to the following monday so my weekend can be cleared for the trip. Perfect, literally.

When I notice James hasn't answered me or made any move towards doing soI turn to him curiously. I try to catch his eye which shouldn't be hard seeing as he's right  beside me but James' eyes move franticly all over the room avoiding my eyes.I catch a snippet of something as he mumbles a short phrases almost inaudible.

"Speak up James I can't hear you." I snap agitated with his stranger behavior.

"All summer." James states his voice filled with confidence but he still avoids my eyes.

I stare at James' blue eyes as he continues to look anywhere at me. Okay someone must have stolen my fiance and traded him in for some stranger. That must be it I'm being punked, ha ha, now give me back the man I know. The one who would never under any circumstances take a work leave for more than a week unless he was on his death bed, and even then I'm quite sure he'd be ordering everyone around for his laptop to do something productive. So of course this must be a damn joke.

"I'm sorry, I just heard you say all summer." I respond to him between my giggles

James turns to me and finally meets my eyes. However he doesn't begin laughing nor does a man in a suit pop out and shout 'you've just been punked'. No, what I see is worse. I see a serious expression on his face. I swear my blood pressure just raised.

"I did." James corrects me his face emotionless or formal, which ever you perfer.

"What! James I cannot leave my company for two month it'll crash and burn without me here! You of all people should know this. Can't we just go in for two or three days? Where are we even visiting? Can't they come here instead? I could have Avery arrange everything." I rant frantically.

There is no way I'm leaving New York for more than a damn weekend. I don't care if his family are king and queen of perfection.

"White Publishing will be fine. Cassie is capable." James mutters speaking of my newly unemploied personal assistant.