Part 15

/His POV/

As Damon walked back to his office, he realised that Mia had power over him, unlike anything he had ever experienced. He was naturally so drawn to her, and it felt impossible to resist her. Finally, in the relative safety of his office, he collapsed on the couch, a breath escaping his throat.

The CEO stroked his hair, throwing back the mess of sweaty strands, trying to calm down. Sweat clung at his neck, hyper-aware of what he did a few minutes earlier. Thinking about it only made his cock twitch.

From the second he entered his office for that morning meeting he spotted Mia. He was dumbfounded for a few seconds, staring at her as she leaned against the railing, her delicate fingers tracing the window panel. Damon tried not to make a sound as he was sure that she must be thinking the same thing. He was unable to form any coherent thoughts, let alone make an entire presentation.

He didn't know what came over him, but he had to remind her of their workplace boundaries. That's hypocritical considering he couldn't do it himself. At this point he was grasping at straws, asserting to be unaffected when in reality the situation was different. Oh, so different.

A loud knock on the door startled him. Followed by another. And one more. He composed himself trying to put on his best face—no expression whatsoever.

"Come in" He cleared his throat.

Mia peeked her head in, a nervous smile on her face as she scanned his office room. There was still heavy flush on her cheeks, lips swollen and red. Knowing that he's the reason behind it allowed a smirk to crawl on his lips. Her hair fell slightly over her eyes and with one swift motion in her neck, she tucked them back. The CEO held his breath as she locked eyes with him.

"Uhh...There's a message for you from Miss Hopkins. She's that reporter from Daily Male enquiring when you are free to do a photoshoot?"

Damon loudly swallowed. Oh. He almost forgot about that photoshoot.

"Tell her I am free on the weekend."

"Okay," She nodded and was about to close the door when he made a sound. For some reason, Damon didn't want her to go.

"Miss Grace?"

"Yes?" She stepped in; fingers wrung together awkwardly.

His chair spun around, so he was gazing into the afternoon sky. "Lovely, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes, it is."

He spun his chair back around, so he was facing Mia again his fingers drummed on the desk in front of him.

Just then, the door to his office was abruptly pushed open. Damon was about to curse, but he stopped when he noticed his father.

"Damon!" He stopped and looked at Mia, who was all tense, clenching her fists until her knuckles were white. "Mia,cara, are you okay?"

She straightened up and immediately plastered a wide smile on her face, nodding quietly.

"You don't look so well," His father said, narrowing his eyes at her. "You look hot."

His employee coughed nervously. "Actually...I am really feeling a little weird."

"Well, you should go home then. You have a hectic work schedule, and also last semester to finish, no doubt you are tired."

"We have a busy day today, dad. She cant go" Damon said, turning to face them. How was he going to get through the rest of the day without her? Its impossible is the thing.

His father glared at him. "I am sure you can manage on your own for one day, son."

"You can go home, cara."

Mia meekly smiled. "Thank you, Mr Rossi."

"See you tomorrow morning, sir."

There's this weird feeling starting up in his chest, just as Mia stepped through the doors and left. He knew what it is, but given how impractical it is to have a crush on his employee, he rolled his eyes and told himself to get real. It just so happened that Mia was his type, but that won't change anything.

With a quiet breath, he turned to his father, who had a frown on his face. Why was he angry? Damon should be the one furious.

"What is it, dad?" He asked.

"You could be a bit kinder to her, son" His father sighed. "Consider yourself lucky that she still works for you. It's very difficult to find such a dedicated, loyal employee like her"

"Whatever"

His father made a sound. "Anyways your mother called and asked me to remind you about the dinner tonight."

Damon cursed under his breath. He almost forgot. "I'll be there, dad. Don't worry."

His father approached the door, stopped and turned over the shoulder. “And please be on time, son.”

“Yes dad!" The CEO yelled behind his back. One time he's late, and they never let him hear the end of it. Finally, all alone in his office, Damon slumped back and felt like he could breathe again.

***

When evening dawned, Damon drove to his childhood home so that he can have dinner with them. Just as he promised.

“Honey, I wanted to ask you something" His mother suddenly spoke up, swirling her drink of wine.

He looked up from his delicious plate of lasagna and arched his brow. The table was filled with so many dishes even though there's only three of them. Every time he's home for dinner. It's a feast of some sort.

"Could you invite Mia to dinner next week? Please, I don't want to hear any excuses. She has to come."

He grunted in response and received a quick kick in the knee from his father along with a pinned look. The CEO tried not to show it on his face. The last thing he needed was Mia in his family time too. She was already messing with his head in the office.

His mother straightened up. "She's alone in a new city—"

"Mom" Damon let out a sigh, "She has lived here since college. It is no longer a new city for her."

"You're right," Mrs Rossi bit back at him. "But I have always seen her alone at the parties. I have known Mia for a long time, and she is gorgeous and a lovely person so I would like to introduce her to someone."

His fork froze halfway to his mouth as those words sunk in. Why was his mother trying to find a boyfriend for her? The thought made his blood boil. Damon gritted his teeth. Why would he be angry that his mother wanted to find someone for Mia? Probably because you're sleeping with her, you dumbass. More like slept with her. Once.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Right. I will talk to her. But don't get too excited. Miss Grace is very picky."

"You know," His father started, "I think everyone but you get along with her and cannot see how wonderful she truly is."

He looked around the table, frowning to see his mother agreeing to that statement. The rest of the night they talked about his work which he didn't mind. Damon was also able to find out the guy who's going to be set up with Mia. Jake. He's the son of his mom's best friend and very much single.

The CEO couldn't help but smile at that. The last time he saw Jake, that guy was cursing like a sailor and had spiked hair. He highly doubted Mia would go for someone like him.

***

Damon woke up early every morning for a run. Right around five-thirty in the morning when the sky is still that cerulean blue and the sun's not quite ready to greet anyone. The breeze kissed his skin as he ran past it. Sometimes he stopped for a sticky bun and a coffee at the shop near his penthouse. He followed it up with 20 minutes of weight training before taking a long shower and had his breakfast.

That's how he started his day, but he was so occupied with his thoughts that he slept in. At eight in the morning his phone rang loudly, making him jump in the bed. Checking his phone, he groaned, sitting up against the headrest. Its a message from his father.

There's a new hotel going up in Spain, set to be finished by three months. A Rossi establishment of course. And as he stayed in Spain for a while, he has been tasked with overseeing the construction and design there. But the thing about positions like his is that there isn't much to do. He didn't have a role that requires his constant attention. As a board member and CEO of Rossi Groups, he's required to attend every meeting when one is in session.

"Should I ask Mia to book tickets then?"

"I need someone to accompany me" He typed back.

"No problem. Take her along with you then."

His face broke out in a smirk, and he texted back a thumbs-up emoji. It should be fun.

***