Part 36

When her doorbell rang, she knew. Somehow in the middle of brushing her hair in front of the vanity mirror, Mia knew that its Damon on the other side of the door. The thought caused her to breathe deeply and freeze in her spot until the next one rang more urgent and loud. Keeping the hairbrush on the table, she rushed towards the door, her heart in her throat the entire way. Why was he here? What did he want now?

There was no way Mia wanted to see him after what he did. Where was her friend when she needed her? Maybe she should have asked Jane to stay over.

With hesitant breaths she opened the door and wanted absolutely nothing more than to jump into his arms. Also be pinned up against the wall and kissed until the air had trouble finding their lungs.

Damon appeared so gorgeous and ethereal and staring at him only hurt. She couldn't help but be reminded about his betrayal. Mia wondered if that would stop anytime soon. That feeling.

"Shit," He croaked finally, and his voice, Mia had to close her eyes, "Hi."

Mia couldn't speak for a few seconds.

"I'm," Damons started quietly, looking two minutes away from pulling at his locks. That's how exactly she felt, "Mia, please something. Please, I just. I can't bear your silence anymore. You walked out before I could explain and these last thirty-six hours have been hell for me."

Yeah well, Mia could say the same thing. Only that it been more hours for more as she had to worry about his whereabouts an entire day. When she didn't say anything for quite a while, the CEOs face veritably cracked into two in front of her at the sheer silence. Mia was never the one to be frozen silent. Her boss knew that. His face was one of absolute terror, and she wanted to hit him and kiss him so much that Mia leaned her head on the door, made herself breathe.

He's right there.

"You won't pick my calls or check my messages" Damon started quietly, didn’t dare step inside, "this is all I've got. I'm...I've got nothing else, Mia. This is it. Please. Please just say something. Say anything."

It almost made her want to laugh because Mia had so, so many words, and now, here, she couldn’t move an inch. But when she's standing at her door, the thought it maybe be the end gripped at once. That perhaps she'll never be able to do this again, never be able to see him again.

She still didn't say a word. Her head was messy, and her eyes felt like they're burning, and Mia turned from the door and let it swing slowly towards closed. The assistant pressed her palms over her eyes for a moment, before walking over to the sideboard, grabbed her phone and keys. As the door's about to slam shut Mia pulled it open again, Damon on the other side of it still stared at the wooden door, bewildered.

Maybe if she'll hear him out, he'll leave her alone.

That's the only thing in her mind. Her brain's in overdrive, and she's locked the door and this, she decided that they have to talk. For Mia, there are so many things to consider. Her future in his company, the relationship she shared with his family and moreover their fling or whatever it was.

"Let's go" Mia motioned to him.

"Where are we going?" Damon asked as they get to the car park, voice echoing hollowly between the concrete, "Mia...where are we going?"

She rounded on him, and his eyes were wild. It's the first time Mia looked at him properly; shadows cast deep across his face. The CEO appeared tired, it only made her feel unhinged, now, and every time she looked at him, it's so, so overwhelming. She didn't understand what to call it.

"I don't know," Mia said finally, "but we're going to drive for a long time because I don't want to do this in my apartment. I don't want to do this somewhere I might be again. Do you get it?"

She wanted him to say something in return, maybe protest at her decision to air their laundry in public, but he didn't even say yes, just got in the passenger seat and waited.

***

Finally, they stopped in the cosy looking cafe, far away from the main streets. It was deserted, so Mia immediately slid in, and Damon followed her. They managed to get a seat in the corner of the cafe.

"So?" She croaked, finally lifting her head to look at him.

"I didn't cheat on you."

Oh, so they were jumping right in. Alright, no awkward fillers. She can do it.

Mia crossed her arms together defensively, leaning back, her nose flared. "I saw you, Damon. She was wearing your shirt!"

The CEO pinched at his forehead, "I know that but trust we did not do anything! She came over with breakfast and accidentally spilled orange juice all over herself. Her clothes were in the dryer, so I gave her my shirt in the meantime."

Mia swallowed loudly, suddenly her throat feeling dry. Oh. She jumped to the conclusion without even thinking there may be another reason. Her cheeks flushed, the urge to crawl in the ground and hide forever intensifying.

Meekly she lifted her head. “What about the day before that? Where were you?"

"Lily was being sued by her new investors. I know lawyers that's why we were together all day. You have to understand Mia. I am a man of my words. I would never do that to you."

Tears pricked her eyes, and she slapped a hand over her mouth. Mia felt so silly and ashamed at the same time. The assistant could have easily heard all of that on that very day instead of running away.

"I'm so sorry" Mia sniffled, her voice hoarse. "I thought...I couldn't think anything other than the obvious thing. Please forgive me, Damon."

The CEO sighed, pulling her hand towards him. His huge hand enveloped hers. "I know. You have to learn to trust me more, Mia."

"I will" She nodded her head. "I promise. I will do better."

Her eyes fluttered close, long eyelashes brushing against the darkness of her under eyes. Damon reached out, fingers brushing the line of her jaw. She gasped- a quiet little inhale that sent tingles down her spine. Mia licked her lips, drawing his keen attention to her soft, pink lips.

"Mia" he whispered, so quietly it weaved almost completely in with the background hum of the cafe around them. Her lips parted, leaning closer. He followed, an invisible magnet pulling them closer and closer. Suddenly the loud clatter of drinks being set on the counter in front of them snapped them apart.

Mia winced as her ribs made contact with the hardwood surface. She glared at the oblivious server who immediately left to assist another customer.

The CEO sheepishly smiled at her. "What do you say we go on lunch together? Just you and me?"

Realisation dawned on her. She already called and set a meeting with Jake. Mia had to tell him, knowing that he was going to be upset about it.

"I can't" Mia breathed. "Not today."

Damon scrunched his face. "Why? I thought you trust—"

She clenched her eyes shut. "It's not you. Jake wanted us to have lunch for a long time, so I called him"

"I can't believe this. You accuse me of doing things with Lily and..." He shook his head. His jaw was clenched, and she could see the glare in his eyes. Mia suddenly felt small and wanted to disappear. "Never mind. Its not too late to cancel."

Mia made a sound. "No! I can't do that. It's so embarrassing Damon if I cancel on him again. Just because you said so."

"What does that mean?" Her boss snarled.

Mia let out a sigh. Things were taking turn again, for the worst, and she didn't want that. "I don't want to talk about him now. Please let's talk about something else."

"Great!" Damon stood up abruptly, "I have to go. Don't let me keep you from getting ready for your lunch date."

***

The lunch date went great, despite the internal struggles Mia was having. Initially, she intended on following Damon's word and cancelling it, but then she didn't. It was not Jakes fault, so she didn't want to make him feel bad about it.

Besides, Jake made her feel comfortable the entire lunch, and it only made her remember the reason she liked talking to him. He was easy going and funny. Also, he was wearing a jean jacket, a white shirt underneath it with black jeans and white sneakers. He looked good.

When she went to shake his hand, he shook his head in disapproval jokingly and gave her a half hug with his right arm.

"So I'll see you again?" Jake raised his brow.

Mia sighed, "Umm...I'm still seeing Damon so...I don't think I can."

"Oh," He chuckled, shaking his head. "That's alright. I hope we can still be friends."

"Sure" Mia smiled.

***