Sebastian
Monday early morning, Sweet and I were back in New York. Sadly, we had to separate our ways. A helicopter brought her back to Dansville while I was getting ready to go to the office.
At ten o'clock, Mom entered my office smiling. She put her Birkin bag on my table and settled on the seat across from me.
"How's your trip to Paris with Sweet?"
"It was great." I smiled back at her.
"Did she enjoy it?"
"Yeah, she did. I showed her all the famous tourist destinations."
"You did not forget the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, right?" Her eyebrows rose.
"Of course, especially those two."
"Good. I'm happy that you gave her that weekend getaway. She deserves it and more after all those terrible things you did to her."
The corner of my lips lifted in a wry smile. "must you keep on reminding me about it? I'm doing my best to make up to her, Mom."
"You should and never stop. Did you talk to her parents about it?"
"You mean, apologized to them?" My eyebrows rose. "Of course I did."
It was the truth, but I never mentioned that Sweet's parents were still upset at me.
"Good. I'm glad you settled that. It's not good dating Sweet when you're still in conflict with her parents. It's not a good start in a relationship." She shrugged and shifted position in her seat. "Anyway, did you tell Sweet that I want to meet her?"
"Yeah, I did."
"And?" Her eyebrows rose, waiting for me to tell her more.
"Of course she'll meet you. We'll just arrange when."
"Hmm...how about my birthday celebration this coming Saturday?"
"I thought you don't want a party and give your budget to the orphanage?"
"Well, I will still do that. I'll have a little celebration, just for family, relatives, colleagues, and close friends. We'll be having it at the Stavrakos Hotel Grand Ballroom." She leaned backward, sitting comfortably.
"That doesn't sound a little party to me."
"It will be," she said firmly, "and don't forget to tell Sweet to come, okay?"
"Okay, I will."
"Good," she stood up ready to leave, "it would be a good chance for us to get to know each other well."
***
After my first meeting, I had a video call with Sweet.
"How's my lovely angel?"
"Doing good. How's my handsome prince charming?" She giggled.
"I have a hectic schedule ahead of me, but everything's manageable, especially that I got my vitamins now." I gave her a teasing smile. She knew she gave me the energy.
"Thanks. You're so sweet."
"By the way, babe. Do you have any plans for our next date?"
"Hmm, nope. Anything is good with me as long as we're together."
My grin widened. "I'm glad you feel the same way. There's nothing in the world I want most other than to be with you 24/7. It's been five hours since we parted and I'm missing you terribly now."
"Same here," she blushed. "You should plan our next date. You're good at it."
"Okay. Would you like to go to the shooting range? We can do some practice in the morning, go to the gym, then relax in our suite... make love."
"Yeah," she giggled, "I would love that last part."
"Nice." I gave her a teasing smile, "by the way babe, it's Mom's birthday this Saturday and she's having a dinner party. She's inviting you to come."
She looked surprised. "Me?"
"Of course. It's good that you come, so you'll get to know each other better."
"Are you sure she invited me?" She looked doubtful.
"Yeah, a hundred percent."
It took her too long to answer, so I asked if she was okay.
"You don't have to come if you're not comfortable. I'm sure Mom will understand." I said when I felt her hesitancy.
"I'm just nervous. But of course, I'll come." She assured me and that made me happy.
"Yes! You won't regret it. I'll make sure that you'll enjoy the party. Okay?"
"Just don't leave my side."
"Of course, baby. I won't. And afterwards..." I gave her a teasing smile, and asked, "will you spend the night with me, babe?"
Her eyes glistened, then she said, "you know I'd love to. But it would be a long day and an overnight...I don't think Dad would agree."
"Hmm. How about this? I'll pick you up on Saturday night for Mom's birthday party, then you spend the night with me. I'll take you back to your place on Sunday evening."
"Make it Sunday afternoon." She said, and I had no choice but to agree. I didn't want any trouble with her dad.
***
At four in the afternoon, I was so tired I needed a break. Together with Max and James, we went to the local coffee shop nearby, grabbed some coffee and sandwiches.
"Damn, I miss Sweet so bad." I hissed and took a sip of my coffee.
"Seems like your feelings for her are getting deeper, boss," Max said, then took a big bite of his sandwich. With a mouth full, he continued, "I think you're in love."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. The next thing we'll know, you're picking her an engagement ring," James said.
I waved my hand, "will you calm down boys? I'm taking this slowly but surely, you know. This is my first time feeling this kind of thing. And yeah, you could be right. I'm probably in love."
Both guys teased me.
"I'm happy for you, boss. It's good to know that now you believe in love." James smiled brightly. "So, what are you going to do about it?"
"What do you mean?" I frowned.
"You just can't stop on the dating phase. You need to advance to the next level, and that is, being in a committed relationship." James added.
"Women want to have something to hold on to their partners, a commitment that they're exclusive to one another." Max clarified.
"I already thought about that. That's why I'm planning on asking Sweet to become my girlfriend."
"Oh, really?" James looked surprised. "Now, I'm in tears."
Max laughed, "same here, James. I thought you'd never learn to love a woman, boss."
"That's what I thought as well. But meeting Sweet, she changed me. She's so exceptional, you know." Both men agreed, and I continued, "I'm planning to ask her to be my girlfriend this coming Saturday, on Mom's birthday celebration."
"You mean in front of everyone?" Max frowned.
"Yeah. Isn't that awesome? I'm so proud of her and I want to show her to the world."
"I know how you feel, boss," James said, "well. I think it's better to ask her when you're alone together. You're not asking to marry her, but to become your girlfriend."
"Okay, fine." I sighed heavily. "I should get her something, right? Perhaps a ring, or a locket necklace with my picture inside."
"No way! We're not in the medieval, sir," James complained.
"He's kidding," Max said to James. But actually, I was not.
"Maybe I'll get a matching bracelet with our names on it." I suggested.
"I think that's too much either," Max's lips twisted, "just get her an ordinary bracelet or a necklace for now. Maybe you can have matching bracelets, shirts, pajamas, or anything when you're dating for a while."
"Can I get her both? A bracelet and a necklace?" I said, and both men rolled their eyes.
"Just pick one, sir. Just one." James said calmly.
"By the way, I'm thinking...maybe I should tell her about my revenge plan. You know that stupid plan of making her fall in love with me, then dumb him when she did."
James and Max looked at each other, then said simultaneously. "Should you?"
"I feel I should be honest with her. For a relationship to last, it should be based on trust, respect and loyalty,"
"Good job, boss. You did your research well on the relationship." Max was being tactless again. "But I think you don't need to tell her about your revenge plan. Besides, no one knows but us."
"We don't know how she would take it. Maybe she'll get discouraged. It could mess up whatever you have with her now," James reasoned out.
"I agree. It's too early to spill things like that. Probably when you're together for long. You can joke about it." Max added.
I rubbed my nape, then said, "I read her blog about cheating and lying. She showed strong opinions on those topics."
"You did not cheat. You simply omit telling her." Max reasoned out.
"It's still a lie and a betrayal to her."
"Probably, she experienced it, or maybe her friend did." Max said.
"Maybe she did," my brows knitted, "I have to tell her. My conscience wouldn't let me rest. I'll do it this coming Saturday, when I'll ask her to become my girlfriend."
"That's a great idea, boss," James agreed.
Our topic changed to basketball and the latest world news, when someone tapped my shoulder.
"Hey man, what's up?"
I looked up to see Tucker grinning widely at me. A blond woman was clinging to his arm.
"I'm good, man. I miss hanging out with you. Join me sometime."
He sat on a vacant padded chair, and the woman he didn't care to introduce to us sat on the arm of his chair. Now, I'm convinced. He's treating her like his accessory, and she allowed it.
"You know how things are with me. After my recent scandal, my parents threatened to remove me from the board."
"You mean, with that hottie blogger, you're dating?" He smirked.
I frowned. He met Sweet and, referring to her as a hottie blogger, sounded disrespectful. But I let it slide.
"I have to prove to them I'm worthy of running the company. I'm vying to be the next CEO."
"Yeah, I heard that from Dad." He nodded. His dad, one of the board of directors in our company and among those who voted me out of the company. "But you need to take some time off. Hang out with the boys."
"I will when I have time, okay?" I told him to keep him silent.
"All right! I'll see you this coming Saturday."
"Nope." I shook my head. "It's Mom's birthday. I have to be there."
"Oh yeah. I have to be there too. Thanks for telling me, man." He tapped my back.
I wanted to tell him no, but ever since we were teenagers, he'd been attending Mom's birthday party together with his parents. It became a habit. My family didn't mind, because Tucker, being my closest friend, was like a family to us.
"I'll see you then."