Dare Me Not | 18+ ✔

20. Hold Back (Parker)

"Can I skip this?" I ask, staring at the trip itinerary.

Margie smiles at my pouty expression. "I'm afraid it's part of the tasks."

"Then why is not Xander coming?"

"He hasn't confirmed anything yet, but seeing how tight his schedule is, I think he won't be able to make it."

I groan inwardly. A business trip on the weekend is never appealing. And how can Xander let me go only with our Marketing chief and his secretary? "This is supposed to be about me observing an important client meeting, right? How will he know I comprehend everything correctly if he is not there, to begin with?"

"I reckon Mr. Perez knows what to do."

I furrow my eyebrows. "Can we even trust his judgment?"

"He won't have his Marketing chief seat if Mr. Hayes and Mr. Hunt don't trust him," she says matter-of-factly. "He's an incredible man with excellent skills. You will be in good hands."

I can't help letting out another groan, audibly this time. "This is just ridiculous. Can I go on Monday morning instead of Sunday afternoon then? I'd rather be home and relaxing on Sunday."

Margie sighs, but the smile never leaves her face. "I know it's inconvenient, but the meeting is on Monday morning. Unless you take a midnight trip. But there are no flights after eleven p.m."

"Alright, alright! I get it." I snatch the paper and stomp away like a kid, but I stop at my doorway. Turning around, I look at Margie again. "I'm not angry at you. I'm just...tired."

She gives me an understanding nod. "Busy with your thesis?"

"Yeah, kinda. And I think this trip is stupid."

She chuckles before lowering her voice. "I hate business trips, too."

Well, if I can be honest, it's not the business trip that annoys the hell out of me. It's Xander who is not coming with us. I get that he doesn't want to make the same mistake by avoiding being in the same space with me. But throwing me on a business trip alone like now is downright irresponsible —such a coward.

It has been almost two weeks since we kissed, and Xander has thoroughly created invisible walls around him. And the fact that he was away on a business trip without me earlier this week smacked me in the face. Why didn't he bring me considering I'm his trainee? Of course, he had a perfect answer to that question: it's a highly confidential meeting. Very well played, Hunt, very well played...

The more I think about this, the more I get pissed. And the obsession to take him down is becoming my life goal.

***

Mr. Perez, our marketing chief, and his secretary aren't as terrible as I thought before. Antonio, the name Mr. Perez wants me to address him, is in his fifties, handsome, friendly, and has an interesting sense of humor. I thought I would see signs of shenanigans between him and her assistant, but I was wrong. Their relationship is like a father and a daughter, and it makes me sad for some reason.

After dinner, we head to our hotel rooms to rest even though it's only ten-thirty in the evening. How the hell am I going to lie down and rest if I spent the three hours of flight drooling on my neck pillow? Snatching my phone, I walk out of my room and head to the hotel bar. A few glasses of cocktails sounds like the best lullaby before I force myself to sleep.

"What can I get you?" asks the bartender as I flop down on the barstool.

"Surprise me."

He tilts his head, peering his bright blue eyes into me. "I need some hints. Are you bored?"