Chapter 40: Zips and sexual attractions.

GIOVANNI.

From the moment she took the keys, I felt a feeling of doom wash over me. I couldn't believe she didn't even bat an eyelid at me. I knew she wanted to talk to me. But I had ignored her right from the plane ride.

It had taken me my self-restraint not to give in to the urge to speak with her especially as I could see the eager look on her face.

But amidst that, I couldn't believe that she forgot to book us a room. I didn't understand what came over her. I didn't get it. We were lucky to get ourselves a room, anyway.

Now, as I dried my hair, I could feel her eyes on me. She was gawking at me and she wasn't even hiding it. It was her confidence in me. I raised my head stylishly to sneak a glance at her.

Sure, she had her eyes on me. I wished I could stare at her the same way cos she was a real beauty to me. But I didn't want to speak to her yet. The longing was there but I needed her to understand that she was in the wrong this time.

I walked out on her to the closet to get my clothes on, all the way feeling her eyes on me. When I walked into the walk-in closet, I got my clothes on and dried my towels. I grabbed my card and stepped out with them.

When I walked into the room again, she was seated on the bed, her hair covering her side view with her eyes glued to her phone. I trailed my eyes down towards her thigh where the gown she had on had pulled up to her thigh due to her sitting position.

I didn't know if she wore the things she wore on purpose or whether she wore them to drive me insane. I didn't know if she was aware of the sexual attraction between us cos if anything I knew, it was glaring.

I sighed just by looking at her. She looked beautiful and calm. I looked away, avoiding her gaze when she started to look up from her phone. I grabbed some magazines I had snatched up earlier and sat on the couch when I remembered something important.

The business dinner we were to attend was in a few hours. Kiki doesn't have anything that would fit into the caliber of the event, I was sure. So, I knew I had to get her one if she was to come with me. I smiled and buried my head into the magazine.

“Get ready, we are going to the mall. I can't have you wearing frumpy wears at the business dinner. I can't afford to taint my reputation.” I ordered her, leaving my tone sharp and edgy.

Since my head was buried in the magazine I was pretending to read, I didn't get to see her reaction but I knew she heard me. So, I did nothing and just pretended to be engrossed with what I was doing even as I heard the shuffling of feet drawing nearer to me.

She stood before me awkwardly without saying a word. I knew Kiki to be a very blunt and sharp-mouthed person but to see her this quiet meant she was uncomfortable.

“Sir?” She called out to me lowly. I raised my head to her after a few seconds.

“You are ready? Let's leave.” I told her, my voice cold. When I met her eyes, I could see the apologetic look in them and my gaze softened a bit. But I had to keep up the act for my sanity. At least, till we were out of this hotel.

I grabbed my phone, shooting the driver a quick text as I began to walk out of the room when she grabbed my hand.

“Giovanni,” She called. “I'm sorry.” She apologized and my heart broke at her soft guilty tone. Ignoring her words, I walked past her out of the room. It took her a moment to follow me. We took the elevator down to the ground floor where we met our chauffeur.

Just as discussed on the phone, he drove us to the mall, all the way quiet. Even the chauffeur felt the awkwardness in the car. I could tell by the way he kept glancing back at us. And Kiki, stayed in her corner of the car maintaining her lane by looking out of the window while pursing her lips.

I wanted to reach out to her and tell her that it was fine. She had sounded apologetic for real. I was making the job too hard for her anyway but I just wanted her to prove herself. I wanted her to be competent enough to stand other EA.

I guess I was too harsh.

But this strain between us was just the best at the moment. It was the best so I wouldn't do what I would regret later on.

When we got to the mall, I called for an assistant to guide her through the selection process, ordered them both to be quick, and stayed behind to lurk around sightseeing since I didn't need anything. When they came back with a few things, I sent them back to get more so they won't be a delay.

We soon arrived back at the hotel to get ready for dinner which was to start in an hour. I took the closet to get dressed while she took the room.

I took my time styling my hair. I was dressed simply. Not too simple but yet sophisticated. After making use of my cologne, I stepped out of the closet with the belief that she should be done dressing up.

I was right. She was done but it didn't appear so as her right hand was behind her struggling with something on the black colored dress. Her brows were drawn in concentration but now and then at another failed attempt at zipping up her clothes, she let out a groan.

She hadn't even noticed me yet. I was about to turn around when she gave up trying and raised her head only for her eyes to clash with mine.

The world stopped at that moment.

Her face was made up in light make upstroke. It wasn't noticeable. Her earrings were dangling down her shoulders and her hair which had not yet been attended to was still flying all over her face. She averted her gaze while moistening her lips with her tongue.

“I'm sorry. I will slip into another dress now. Something seemed to be wrong with this one.” She apologized lowly. I said nothing staring at her. Her expression showed this downcasted look which made something tug at my heart. She wasn't even psyched for the event.

I took a few steps toward her. I was going to save her the stress of selecting another outfit. “Let me help you with it,” I whispered when I was close enough. She didn't say anything, she just turned around quietly to permit me.

I heaved a sigh and gently brought my fingers to move her hair gently, my fingers grazing her skin. She shivered against my touch and I inhaled.

Slowly, my hands reached for the zipper and I started to move it upwards while the warmth from her body clashed with mine. At that moment, only the sounds of our breathing were heard. I finished zipping her dress and when she I wanted to bring my hand down did she grab them from her shoulder and swirled around to face me?

“I'm sorry.” She whispered. “I didn't mean to come late. I also didn't know I was supposed to make reservations. I'm sorry if I'm not the perfect personal assistant for you. I'm sorry, Gigi.” She mumbled lowly.

My head snapped up at my nickname and my gaze softened at her eyes. She had not even finished dressing up yet she looked incredible.

“It's okay,” I whispered, my eyes fixed on our locked hands where the tip of my thumb was grazing the back of my hands gently. It was like water to my withered soul.

But I had to stop this for my sanity.

I nodded, pulled my hand from her grip, and started to make my way out to the living room. “I will wait for you,” I told her before shutting the door. My back rested on the door frame and I sighed. A sigh of relief that I didn't step beyond my bounds.

Because to be honest, it was starting to get hard not to.