AMB~she~OUS

THIRTY FOUR

"I'm sorry Mrs. Daniels, I thought he had talked to you about the trip."

"What do I pay you for if I'm just supposed to assume everything." I asked exasperated, hands itching to throw something at the wall.

"It's only for a few days, he assured me you would be back in time for the opening and the gala. I apologize, ma'am, you must be flustered. I promise to do better." The sincerity in her voice was the only thing keeping me from lashing out at her.

It had been a busy couple of weeks with the hotel opening the following week and I really couldn't afford to take a trip with so much work on my plate.

I didn't need this, I didn't need everything Nick had thrown at me ever since he stepped foot here.

"Did he say what the trip was for or where we are going?"

"No, he refused to disclose any details about the trip but assured me that it was a business trip."

Was it normal to feel this annoyed and angry this early in the morning? I was starting to feel like I had reached my limits with this man.

My eyes narrowed at the curtain-covered glass wall separating me from the source of my frustration. I knew better than to confront him lest he found amusement in my misery but I was at his door before I think my actions over.

"Who do you think you are? You know how busy it is, how can you plan a trip in the middle of our busiest week?"

The minute-long walk to his office must have simmered down most of my anger because my voice didn't come out as strong as I intended it to.

"I have already asked someone to fill in for you whilst you're away and besides it's only for 3 nights, we'll be back in time for the opening." He spoke, his eyes trained in front of the laptop in front of him.

"You can't just change someone's schedule without consulting them first, we're running a business here not a circus."

"Would you have agreed?" He raised his head and gave me a questioning look.

"Pardon?"

"Would you have agreed to go on that trip with me had I asked beforehand?"

Absolutely not and he knew that very well.

"Pack warm and light." He said in a dismal tone.

"And If I refuse?" I crossed my hands and glared at him, hoping that a bit of defiance would give me an out.

"You don't have much of a choice, Mrs. Daniels, it's an order from your boss."

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"London?" I deadpanned at Nick.

It was an early Friday morning when we landed in Europe which was the only hint I had about my whereabouts. 

"Not even close." He said reaching over to me.

My breath stopped for a second when I saw his hands move over to my face and brush a couple of hair strands from my face.

This was the first close contact we'd had since that night at his childhood home. Nick seemed a bit more relaxed now than he was at the office when he had used the CEO card on me to get his way. A dick move on his part.

"I'm starting to feel like a hostage." I mumbled.

A soft chuckle left his lips, hands reaching over into a small bag that sat on the seat next to mine.

"Wear this, you're going to need it out there." A thick beanie was placed in my hands.

"If you're ready then we can go, I'm sure our ride is here." Nick said moving back but not before brushing his hand against mine, intentionally.

"Switzerland?" I nearly yelled out the moment I stepped foot on the wet ground.

"Took you long enough."

"What are we doing here?" Why did we have to fly across the globe to a country that currently had the most awful weather?

"You'll see." Nick smiled using his hand to usher me into the car.

The ride from the airport up into the mountains was weirdly comfortable. I had gotten so used to being worked up around Nick that any level of ease with him near felt alien to me. It felt like all the pent-up frustration had stayed behind at home and a new unknown emotion had settled in.

Maybe it was my exhaustion messing with my head, I was pretty certain I would be back to normal after a short nap. I couldn't afford to be too comfortable with him lest I fall into deep waters with no point of return.

"Katherine, wake up." A light tap on my cheek jolted me awake.

"We're here." Nick smiled down at me, his fingers giving my cheek a slight caress. I swear it was like a cage of butterflies was unleashed in my stomach.

I guess I needed more than a short nap to return to my senses.

"Where is here?" I asked practically shoving his hand away.

"See for yourself."

I begrudgingly pulled myself out of the car only to be hit by the coldest mountain air. I already had a thing against winter and now I had managed to get myself stuck in one of the coldest places in the world on a fucking...

"Skii resort?" I asked in total disbelief.

I was starting to feel like I had been tricked. How could this possibly be a business trip?

"Wouldn't it be profitable for me to venture into Skii resorts too? I hear they are an extremely popular hotspot for tourists."

Had I spoken out loud?

"There's already a plan to look into places with good mountain slopes and the perfect weather for skiing. It's a project we plan to start early next year, I thought you were aware of this."

With so much development at the company, I wouldn't be surprised if he had forgotten all about this particular project.

"Oh, I haven't forgotten about that."

"Then why...?"

I was confused but Nick smiled like there was something I was missing.

"I'm looking to invest in this property and I need your expertise to ensure I make the right decision." He said plunging me deeper into confusion.

"I'm lost." I frowned at him.

"What? Did you think I was just sitting around waiting to inherit my father's company? Let's go inside before one of us catches a cold."

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