Celebrity Crush

Chapter 31

Ezekiel's pov

"Alright, so after a few meetings with the team," Aven announces, bringing me back into focus, "we will go for the 2 full weeks."

There's a few mumbles of agreement and we all nod, "it took a while to get approval from a few members that wanted to only work one of the weeks, but we were able to get something that suited everyone."

"Will we stay on the boat the whole time?" Caylen speaks up, "or do we want a hotel for some of the nights."

Aven looks to me, raising his eyebrows in question, "I think just staying on the boat would be fun. I haven't spoken any Italian since school, so I definitely won't be able to check in to a hotel." I laugh.

Aven sits back down next to me, his arm resting on the back of the couch behind me. I wish I could lean into him more, but we aren't ready to tell the group yet and they're already suspicious.

The six of us keep chatting away, Bailey has been joining Sandra a couple of days a week. It's been good publicity for her 'relationship' with Aven that they've been showing up at the 'Earth Energy' building together.

We discuss a few final details about the Italy trip and Leanne brings up the business we are actually going for which makes me groan and throw my head back.

Aven laughs at my reaction, "Ezekiel and I will have to attend a few meetings while we are there but only in the first three days and the last two days, you will join us on the second one, other than that it's a leisure holiday."

"I can work with that," Leanne laughs.

"We just need approval from my father," Aven grumbles, "which should be fine. The only catch will be that there will be planted paps and journalists, but father will let us know what they're times will be, so we are aware."

"Oh, how exciting," bailey rolls her eyes, "you won't be able to resist me," she laughs, winking exaggeratedly at Aven.

"I believe you will be the one that can't keep your hands off me," he laughs back at her, "have you seen me without my shirt."

"Some would say it's drool-worthy," Bailey laughs, pretending to faint.

"Ok, you two, don't start making babies on the table in front of us," Sandra laughs.

This makes us all burst out in laughter, I use this opportunity to lean closer into Aven's side, his arm moving from the couch to wrap around me.

"Alright," I say, standing up after a while, "you have a meeting in 30 minutes with Carla from floor 18 and Ricky from floor 20. I'm going to head up to the office and fit the trip into your schedule. I'll have to adjust our August rundown and squeeze a few of the meetings and collaborations that were planned for September on either side of the trip."

I start to walk out the door, looking back over my shoulder to see him saying quick goodbyes to everyone before running after me.

"Did you really think I was going to let you go back to our office alone," he whispers once we reach the elevator.

"I only have to go up one floor and since the meeting is in the boardroom on floor 24 and you were already here, I thought it would be easier."

"But I have 30 minutes to wait," he pouts.

"You could hang out with our friends," I smile.

"There's no point if you're not there."

I take his hand once the elevator doors close and he places a gentle kiss on the top of my hand.

I look down trying to hide the blush spreading across my cheeks, but Aven's finger lifting my chin tells me I didn't succeed.

"I love when I make you blush," He says softly, both of us making our way out of the elevator, hands still intwined, "you are so beautiful, Z."