Subtle Endearment

11. A Warm Reminder

Ian

Where am I? I prop myself up against the bed frame and take in the scene before me. The room is clean like when I first checked in but something is off. Why do I feel so groggy?

I walk into the bathroom surprised to see all my belongings now missing. I walk back to the bed and pick up my phone that lies on the ground. There's a text message from Kira. As I read it, the events of last night suddenly come pouring in.

Mr. Dewan,
I'm sorry about last night. You were clearly drunk and I believe you mistook me for someone else. It was inappropriate behavior on my part to bring you to my room after finding out you'd lost your key. This will not happen again and if it's okay with you I think it would be best that we maintain a professional relationship only.

"No, this can't be happening. It was supposed to be a dream," I say, running my hands through my hair in frustration. I went too far this time. Why couldn't I hold out longer? She's never going to speak to me again. Still, she didn't seem displeased in the moment, or maybe I imagined that too. It looks like I'll never be able to confirm that now.

After asking room service to open my door I collect my belongings and prepare myself in a black suit. Everyone is already waiting in the lobby when I arrive. "We're thirty minutes behind schedule but we should make it on time since we don't board for another two and a half hours," Violet says. "Here is a copy of the contract. I sent the rest back to the office through email," She says handing me the document.

"The cars are waiting outside," she says, rubbing her head. She must have a hangover from last night. I'd say something but I have no room to talk seeing how my own drinking led me astray.

"Okay," I respond tucking the document into a folder in my bag.

"Also, Kira and I switched seats for the plane ride. You bothered her again didn't you?" She asks bluntly. I don't even have the strength to respond to her.

I glare at her as she questions me, if it weren't for her competence she'd already be fired. That and the fact that her power in the company was high due to her background.

"What does this have to do with work?" I ask.

"Nothing, Mr. Dewan... it's just you need to chill a bit, remember your role," she says before leaving. She nags too much.

As she walks away I spot Kira sitting on a couch talking with several of the other employees but as I walk closer to her I see that she's staring out into space as people talk around her.

"Good morning everyone, we had a successful day confirming the contract yesterday and today we're heading back. As usual you don't need to show up tomorrow for work but if you do it'll be rewarded as overtime. The cars are waiting outside, I probably won't see you all after the plane ride since I have another meeting to run to but I appreciate your efforts yesterday," I say, applauding the group.

They follow suit clasping their hands in applause as I finish my speech. Kira doesn't look at me directly as I congratulate them and is unenthusiastically applauding. If only I could see into her mind, by the sound of the text she left me it probably wouldn't be the best timing to address things. I close my eyes, tired from my hangover and the complexity of the situation I put myself in.

"Mr. Dewan, we're leaving now," Tim, the assistant of public affairs reminds me.

"Yes, I know I was just collecting myself," I say walking past him to my personal limo.

I slept the entire plane ride back. Everyone scurries to their homes as soon as we arrive. I don't even get the chance to talk to Kira before she leaves. As much as I want to catch up, I can't right now, seeing how I was summoned again after the meeting.