Just One Kiss

Chapter 8

"I hope you're prepared for the upcoming Grand Prix weekend" Carla beamed at China, who sat across from her in Carla's large office." I can't wait for you to finally see our home office in Barcelona. That's where it all started you know."

"I know, I feel like I've barely had time to even look around due to all the traveling " China replied.

"Plus it's nice to have my partner back by my side." Duke, who had landed two days earlier to shadow the MotoGP length of the project, gave his best friend a nudge as he crossed his legs in the seat beside her.

"Well, I won't keep you long, I'm sure you have a lot of work to do" Carla stood, signaling the end of the meeting. The two stood to shake her hand before making their way out the door.

" I can't believe I'm in Spain" Duke whispered as they walked out of Carla's office.

" I know the fashion, the history,-"

"The nightclubs" Duke continued, making the two of them laugh.

"If there's time, remember this is still a work trip for you" she said, pointing her manicured index finger at him, which he playfully swatted away.

"Indeed, I get to see the hunky billionaire in action." Nicolas had sent China, Martin, and Duke an email with the itinerary of what he expected them to do while in Barcelona for the race, which China couldn't wait to explore after the Grand Prix.

China and Nicolas had begun texting back and forth to coordinate the schedule and what was needed, since he was at the headquarters in Barcelona. They had started to actually grow a friendship out of whatever nonsense they cooked up while intoxicated, though it was much easier since they had not physically seen each other in weeks.

Their time in Indiana was still a consistent topic of conversation between them, such as the copious amounts of wine they drank and the stories they told, though the last parts of the night were never discussed. The two still have not spoken about that incident, and in China's opinion, she never planned to.

Before long, Duke and China were standing at the airport in the warm Barcelona sun waiting to meet up with Martin, who had arrived earlier in the day.

Duke was on the phone with his daughter and wife, who continue to update him on Juliana's calendar during the course of his trip to ensure that there was time for them to sit down and have a meeting whilst he was in Spain. A black van pulled up to where they were standing with Martin stepping out of the backseat, giving China a serious case of déjà vu.

"Wonderful to see you again. Miss Ali."

"Please Martin, call me China" she said, giving him a handshake. "This is my assistant and partner in crime, Duke." She introduced the two men as they entered the car with Martin giving them an itinerary of their plan for the next three and a half days.

"So you have the rest of today free, but tomorrow is bright and early at the FloraTech office, so be prepared." The two in the backseat thanked him as the car approached their hotel. By the time they were fully checked in and both in their respective rooms, China was exhausted.

She flopped on her bed, just as a message rang on her phone. It was a text message from Charles to see if she had gotten to the new city safely. China looked at it and locked her screen again, not bothering to answer the message.

Since they had moved in together, everything was working the way they had planned, but China still felt like there was something missing. They didn't talk the way they used to when she first came to Spain, with the phone calls becoming less and less frequent. China was either too busy or too tired to answer, until one day, it just stopped being a priority.