"We never truly know when we fall in love. It sneaks up on us quietly, when we're not looking, and changes everything without warning."
"Oops, my phone" thankful for the interruption. "See you some other time Mike and thank you once again, bye" I unlock the door and step out.
"Bye then," he says with a look of disappointment on his face. I watch him drive off.
I blow a kiss.
I remember my phone is ringing. Sinclair's calling. I pick up.
"Hello"
"We would need you to be in the office a bit early, we have a lot of work to do"
"Sure," I say. "Anything else?"
"No" the line goes dead. I roll my eyes. Is this the attitude I have to keep up with? Ugh.
I turn and head for the steps to the front door. I get into the house and sure Enough I see mum peeking through the curtains like she's starring in a soap opera.
"Whattt?" She's wearing a bathrobe robe looking comfy.
I narrow my eyes and shake my head. "Goodnight mum," I say as I make my way to my room exhausted. Couldn't wait to sink into soft sheets.
~~~~~~~~~
I check in to work early the next day and of course, Sinclair is in the seat. Already behind his desk, sleeves rolled up, he is typing like the keyboard has personally offended him.
"Good morning," I say as I walk into his office, soft smile in place.
"Good morning."
That's it. No you're early, no well done, no smile. Just two words, quick and sharp like everything else about him. I don't let it faze me. Instead, I walk further in and place the files on his desk.
"I went through the figures again," I say. "Tightened up a few things. You might want to have a look."
He stops typing. Eyes drop to the files. Then to me.
"Efficient, as always."
I raise an eyebrow. Two compliments in two days? What's going on?
"You'll run out of compliments soon," I say, just to see his expression.
"Unlikely," he replies dryly, he's eyes on mine. "You keep earning them."
I laugh lightly, even though the sound doesn't quite reach my chest. There is something about the way he's gaze is on me that throws me off balance.
I shift on my feet. "Didn't perceive you as the motivational type."
"I'm not," he says, sitting back in his chair.
That's when I notice it again, his jaw. Sharp and clean, the kind that doesn't need a filter. And his hands, large, firm, the veins on them prominent as they rest on the edge of his desk. I drag my gaze away before I linger too long.
There's a pause. A strange one.
He clears his throat. "There's an event next month."
"Oh?"
"My mother's 60th."
I blink. Not what I expected.
"She insisted I bring someone from work."
I say nothing.
"She mentioned you."
I raise my brows. "Did she now?"
He nods once. "You made an impression, apparently."
"I tend to do that." I fold my arms, a smile on my face.
"I didn't agree yet"
"But you're considering it?"
He is looking at me again. as if weighing his words. Just that quiet, piercing gaze like he's trying to decide something about me.
"You're efficient. Presentable. And she seems to like you."
Presentable. Wow. he thinks I am presentable. Of course. Duhh
"Well," I say slowly, "if you do decide… I have a dress that's been dying to get out."
He doesn't respond. Just leans back, his fingers curled under his chin, he is watching me like he's seeing right through me.
I smooth my skirt and turn to leave, the air suddenly a bit too warm in the room.
One step. Two steps. I don't look back, but I feel it, his eyes, still on me.
I smirk.
Sinclairs pov.
She walks out, hips swaying slightly like she's not even trying. Maybe she isn't. Maybe that's the problem.
I tap the side of my pen against the desk, eyes still on the doorway. She's efficient. Quick. Smarter than she lets on. And confident.
Presentable.
I could've said more. I didn't.
I glance at the file she dropped. Organized and no mistakes. Straight to the point. Like she knows what I want before I even ask. I wonder how my mum found her.
I lean back in my chair, and I drum my fingers against the armrest. My mother's voice rings in my head "Invite someone who isn't dry as chalk for once, Sinclair. What about that girl? That's Camila? She has spark."
Spark.
Right. That's what this is.
Not the way she looks at me sometimes. Or the way she lingers in the doorway just long enough to be noticed. Not the laugh she tries to hold in when she thinks I said something that doesn't make sense.
And definitely not the way my eyes follow her when she's leaving a room.
I exhale And Reach for the next file.
It's nothing. Just work. I leave the invitation card on my desk and shift my focus back to the report.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~It's afternoon, and I've just finished my lunch. The meeting with the investors went well, I presume. Everything's in order, and the numbers make sense. I lean back in my chair, letting the quiet moment sink in.
Then Camila steps in, the door clicking softly behind her. She's holding it open, waiting for someone.
"A lady?" I raise an eyebrow. "Let her in."
She steps aside, and in walks Chloe.
I don't need to ask why she's here. I already know. The last time we were in a room together, it was one of those nights that ended without a word. There were promises of course. But Sinclair doesn't keep promises.
Chloe is smiling too widely, she looks too comfortable. She steps closer, her heels making a sound as she walks.
"Sinclair," she purrs, leaning in just a little too much. "Been thinking about you."
She's practically in my personal space now, she's bent in such her way to expose her ample cleavage, leaning against my desk, her hand lightly brushing my arm. Her touch is soft, but there's something a little too rushed about it. Like she had rehearsed what she would do when she got here.
I shift back a bit, just enough to put a little distance between us. "Chloe, this isn't the time for a catch-up."
She doesn't take the hint. Instead, she tilts her head, that unserious look in her eye. "Oh, come on. It's been a while."
I don't bother responding to that. The moment she steps closer, running her fingers over my sleeve, I glance at Camila. She's standing at the door, observing, but there's no real shift in her expression. If she's bothered, she's doing a d*mn good job of hiding it.
I don't care if she's bothered. Chloe isn't a problem I need to deal with right now.
"Is there something you need, Chloe?" I ask, leaning back in my chair, trying to bring her to order. I've had enough.
Her eyes move to Camila for a moment, like she's just now noticing the other woman in the room. She smirks, a glitter of mischief in her eyes.
"Well," Chloe says, drawing her arms together so her cleavage comes out more, "I was hoping we could finish what we started the other night."
The air between us thickens for a second. Camila steps out quietly, like it's no big deal.
I glance at Chloe, keeping my tone even. "Not now. I'll be in touch when I'm ready to discuss anything further."
Chloe doesn't push any further. But lingers in front of my desk clutching her purse "You know where to find me, when you need me" Then, with a wink, she walks out.
The door closes behind her and the office is quiet again. Good, the last thing I need now is unwanted visitors trooping in just anyhow they like, I am too busy.
"Camile" I call out.
She walks in composed as ever.
"Please next time, give me a heads up will you" irritation in my voice.
She nods, she doesn't have any expression on, like ladies walking into my office dressed like that should happen every day
"Of course. My apologies." She says.
She turns and leaves. Doesn't stay or offer anything more. She's unreadable.
Camila's pov
I am at the hospital, and mom's there already. I run through the bills and deposit some extra cash for treatment. And join them.
I sit on the chair beside her bed. Rose and Mom are laughing about something, and I am not paying attention. My eyes are drawn to a bouquet on the table beside the rose.
I gesture towards it. "What's that?" I ask
"Ohhh, some guy named Mike?" Mom arches a brow "Dropped this off here, said he's a good friend of yours" Mom is eyeing me sheepishly.
"Mike?" A brief wave of anger flashes through me. What gives him the right to visit Rose at the hospital? "Oh, so they allow anybody into the room now," I say rolling my eyes.
"He was really sweet Camila," Rose says as she reaches for the bouquet.
I want to get mad, but I can't she seems really happy.
"That was so thoughtful of him" Mum leans in and smiles "he wouldn't happen to me the young man who took you on a date the other night is he?"
I sigh "he is mom, but we aren't that close, how does he know where Rose is, it's disturbing"
"Oh come on, he's so intentional, he wanted to surprise you, you should call him and thank him" she winks.
"Tell me about today," I say to Rose trying to change the subject. As she goes on and on about the cute young doctor who came in to check her vitals today, my mind drifts back to the office.
I wonder what he is doing now. Then I remember the woman, Chloe or something. Blond hair. Quite flat at the back but busty. Walked in like she owned the place. I think of how close she leaned on Sinclair's desk almost pushing her bosoms into his face, how he didn't push back, and how he allowed her to touch his arm.
I brush the thought away. Why am I thinking about Sinclair during family time? And why do I care if she has nice blossoms? I have a job to do and that's it.
I also won't be needing any distracting women. Seems he has a flair for women especially blonds.
I squeeze my face.
"Everything okay? Camil?" Mum asks, concern in her voice.
"Yes I am fine mum" I go over to her and take her in my arms. Poor mum. Always so worried. She also had to leave her coffee store in Texas just to be with us. "I love you, mum, you are the best"
"Love you too baby" she places a hand on my arm.