Part 27
The next morning they had to get back in work mode, getting ready for the most important presentation.
Damon insisted on them having a large platter of breakfast foods, coffee flowing freely in one of the small diner. Her boss believed that having food always braced them for the rest of the day. Mia couldn't exactly argue with that kind of logic.
They then headed over to Cromwell's office, precisely as Mia pictured it to be—surrounded by monumental buildings and a spectacular view of the HOLLYWOOD sign. She wouldn't mind working there just for the view.
The CEO introduced her to the important people, grinning the entire time when Cromwell asked if they were a couple. A question like that would definitely have offended Damon in New York, but in LA he simply laughed.
"Mia I'm so sorry but can you wait here with my assistant for a while? We can have a quick meeting" Mr Cromwell smiled at her politely, his eyes flickering to Damon for a second.
It didn't crush her. She knew that they would do that. After all, she's just a personal assistant. Instead of sulking about it, Mia nodded her head.
"Sure, no problem."
"Great! Andy show her around please" Cromwell pointed at his personal assistant before tugging Damon inside.
He gave her one last look before walking in.
***
It turned out there was a studio in the building, to photograph the models and also used as Cromwells personal studio. He was often photographed for magazines and newspapers which he chose to do from his own studio.
Andy was in her thirties, having worked for Cromwell nearly half a decade. She had long blonde hair tied in a pony tail and a glittering smile which made Mia wonder if she's also a model. They started talking on the way to the studio.
"Is this your first time in LA?" Andy questioned, a kind smile on her face.
Mia giggled. "Is it that obvious?"
The assistant shook her head. "No omg. I was just wondering because your boss never took his assistants to meetings."
At that, her stomach lurched. How did she know Damon? She tried not to let her jealously take over, and instead, calmly asked. "How do you know that?"
"Oh, he was here a few years ago. For Cromwell. All alone."
Relief sank in her bones at that. Mia actually imagined more to the story. She was glad that it was just that and nothing else. A few minutes later, the elevator came to a halt, and they reached the ground floor.
Andy showed her the way to the empty desk where they could sit for a while and talk.
"Hey, I'm Kyle," A voice suddenly said from behind her.
Startled Mia turned around only to find a cute guy grinning at her. He had his hair in a messy plop and sharp jawline. It also didn't help that he resembled her favourite movie star.
"You must be the cute New York girl who Mr Rossi brought along, I've heard all about you already." L
Mia blushed at the attention and started fidgeting in her chair, not quite sure how to react to the sudden male attention. Her eyes shifted towards Andy, who was glaring at him.
"Kyle, fuck off, leave her be," Andy huffed, swatting at his arm.
"Hey this isn't over" He made a face, winking at Mia before rushing out of the studio room.
As soon as he left Andy and Mia talked, mostly comparing what it is working for over-demanding bosses in the hippest and happening cities. Twenty minutes later, the door swung again and Mia lifted her head to find Kyle striding in.
The guy draped himself over the back of her chair, a hand coming to rest on her shoulder. "So, if you need a tour guide, I'm more than happy to show the sights and sounds of my fair city. I have a few things I would love to show you—"
"Well, it's a good job she has me for the next few days then, isn't it?" Damon rumbled, his expression stern and severe as he stood with his arms folded at the head of the table.
Mia gulped, loving how powerful the CEO looked right now. He was stood in a white shirt, unbuttoned at the top two, giving a peeking of his milky white skin and dark blazer hugging his sides. The outfit finished off with a pair of black leather boots and his most expensive watch.
Kyles face turned white as a sheet. "Shit...Hey Mr Rossi, didn't realise she was spoken for."
He held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. The assistant hurried to make a quick denial, to say that she wasn't spoken for when her boss cut in again.
"Well, she is."
"Sorry again."
Kyle scrambled off the door without even another glance in Mia's direction.
"Ready to go?"
When she stood up, Damon wrapped an arm loosely around her back, letting his hand come to a natural resting place on her hip. She couldn't help but notice the surprised expressions of Andy across the table, and she wriggled nervously, only making him dig his fingers in deeper.
"Lovely to meet you, Andy. I'll make sure to pop by again before we head back." Damon curtly nodded at her Andy.
Mia did the same, rushing out a quick thank you to Andy for keeping her company, not missing hers raised eyebrows as Damon pulled her away.
***
It was quiet between them as Damon hailed them a cab, pulling the door open for Mia before sliding in next to her, giving the driver the address of their hotel. They didn't talk for a while, but she wanted to ask, unable to bite her tongue for a long time.
"What was that about?" Mia asked softly.
The CEO flicked his head around to look at her, a bit surprised at her question.
"What?" He asked, his lips twisting as if he didn't know what she's getting at.
"I asked what that was. You coming out there and making out to my new friends that we were, well, something. You said I was spoken for, Damon." Mia frowned, crossing her arms against her chest.
"Did you want to run off with Kyle then?"
She let out a sigh. "It's not about that."
A frown took over the usual calm facade. Her boss shook his head; his eyes narrowed on her. "It seems like it. Am I supposed to apologise for not letting you go out with him?"
Mia exhaled loudly at that. Why was he not realising how stupid that looked? For both of them. She could have handled it instead of big boss speaking on her behalf and scaring that poor guy. Also, it's not like she was going to elope with him.
"You are supposed to apologise for fighting my fight. I could have rejected him on my own instead of you swooping in and playing my knight."
The CEO made a sound, slumping against his seat childishly. "Fine, I'll stay away from now on."
"That's not the point, and you know it."
"Whatever"
"Damon, we are on holiday. Can you not act like this?"
He didn't reply at all, instead choosing to look out of the window. So childish.
***
Along the ride, Mia managed to drift off to sleep, unable to keep up with the silence anymore. When the car came to a halt, she felt someone tapping on her shoulder. She blinked her eyes open only to realise they were standing near the Hollywood sign.
Mia just stood still, unable to believe this was happening.
"Sorry?" Damon sheepishly smiled.
"Oh my god," She gaped, her eyes widening. It was a sunny, clear day, and it was just the stuff dreams were made of.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Her boss agreed, staring out at the view himself.
She was against the railings now, and Damon made a bold decision. He stepped over, standing up close behind her and rested his hands on her hips. "Makes me feel quite insignificant, being up here. Like I'm just a tiny part of this world, that really, I don't matter."
"But you do" Mia whispered into thin air.
"Does that mean you forgive me?"
She giggled, turning around. "Yes"
The rest of the day went well. He led her around the city, showing off some of the more famous landmarks as well as a few things she didn't know too much about. How can she stay mad at him?
***
When they got back to the hotel, Mia laid on her back, hands linked underneath her head, staring at the ceiling. It had been a strange sort of day. Damon had been quite tactile from the moment they'd woken up, and it had continued throughout the day.
He acted so differently except for that childish fight on the cab. Besides that, they didn't fight all day and got along for a change. It had left her with a strange feeling, a sort of longing for some kind of intimacy. Mia hadn't had a boyfriend in a while now, but she didn't feel that way with him.
Mia's eyes drifted towards Damon beside her. He was sound asleep, soft snores echoing around the room and his hair all over his forehead. She smiled at him before closing her eyes, letting his deep breaths lull her into a sleep.
***
