𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 | ᴊᴀᴠɪᴇʀ ᴘᴇɴᴀ |

~ 10 ~

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:

Days had passed since that night with Javier. The memory lingered, haunting the corners of my mind like a persistent shadow. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't shake the memory of his touch, the warmth of his lips against mine. But I had managed to avoid seeing him in person, keeping our interactions strictly professional. We communicated only through emails, and whenever Javier needed someone in person, I sent either Sarah or Mark. I immersed myself in work, burying myself in contracts and negotiations, determined to keep things strictly business and distance myself from the emotional turmoil that night had stirred up.

Every day, Javier tried to contact me, his name flashing on my phone screen like a persistent reminder of our complicated situation. But I refused to answer his calls, letting them go to voicemail, each message he left a painful reminder of the tangled web we found ourselves in.

One afternoon, as I was engrossed in a complex contract revision, Teresa, my secretary, entered my office with a sense of urgency in her voice. "Madison, Mr. Baker needs to see you in his office," she said, her tone grave.

I sighed, closing my laptop and pushing aside the stack of papers cluttering my desk. "Thanks, Teresa. I'll head over now."

As I walked towards Mr. Baker's office, I mentally prepared myself for whatever new challenge awaited. But as I opened the door, I was not prepared to see Javier sitting there, along with Sarah and Mark. Javier's gaze immediately locked onto me, but I refused to meet his eyes, keeping my focus on Mr. Baker, who stood behind his desk with a serious expression.

"Madison, please take a seat," Mr. Baker said, gesturing to the empty chair next to Sarah.

I sat down, feeling Javier's eyes burning into me. "What's this about, Mr. Baker?"

Mr. Baker cleared his throat, his gaze shifting between us. "As you all know, we've been working closely with Mr. Peña's agency to finalize our plans for the European expansion. After numerous discussions and securing the necessary contacts, we are finally ready to move forward."

I glanced at Sarah and Mark, realizing they must have had these discussions with Javier while I kept my distance. It was unsettling, but I kept my composure, nodding along as Mr. Baker spoke.

Mr. Baker continued, "We will need to accompany Mr. Peña to Europe to close these deals, but the someone will have stay in Los Angeles to handle the paperwork and contracts we receive."

I opened my mouth to volunteer to stay in Los Angeles, but Mr. Baker continued before I could speak. "Madison, you will be the head of the team, the three of you are going to Europe with Mr. Peña. This has been agreed upon as part of our contract. You will be going to France and Germany," he pointed at us. "This is something really important, so I'll be a part of the team and I'll take care of your work here."

I felt the floor drop out from under me, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. I looked at Mr. Baker, then at Sarah and Mark, who both wore expressions of surprise and sympathy. Javier remained silent, his face serious, his eyes never leaving Mr. Baker.

"But, Mr. Baker, I—" I started to protest, but Mr. Baker held up a hand to silence me.

"Madison," he interrupted, his voice firm. "This decision is final. Your expertise and familiarity with the project make you the ideal candidate for this task, and Sarah and Mark work really good with you. I trust you understand the importance of this assignment."

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. "Of course, Mr. Baker. I understand."

Inside, my mind was racing. How could I manage this trip with Javier? The professional part of me knew it was a necessary step, but the personal part of me dreaded the close quarters and inevitable interactions.

The meeting concluded with Mr. Baker outlining the next steps and logistics for the trip. Javier remained quiet, his gaze fixed on Mr. Baker, but I could feel his eyes on me every time I looked away. The tension in the room was palpable.

As we left the office, Sarah and Mark gave me encouraging nods. Javier lingered behind, waiting until the others had left before approaching me.

"Madison," he began softly, but I cut him off.

"Miss Rose," I corrected him sharply. "Please, Mr. Peña, send me the details of this trip via email, I will resend them to my team."

"This trip is scheduled for Friday, in two days," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "As you won't answer my phone, and only address the work parts of my emails, I need to inform you now that I'll pick you up at your place at five in the morning, Mark and Sarah will be picked up by my choffer."

"You don't have to," I tried to protest, but he ignored me.

"It's a ten-hour flight. The plane departs at six and arrives at two in the evening, which will be one in the morning in France," he continued, his tone firm.

I took a deep breath, struggling to maintain my composure. "Javier, don't do this."

"It's Mr. Peña," he corrected, his voice tinged with irritation. He took a cigar out of his pocket and rolled it between his fingers, his movements deliberate. "See you on Friday. Don't make me wait," he added, his words reminding me of our first date.

Without waiting for a response, he walked away, leaving me to grapple with the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. This trip would be a test of my resolve, and I was determined not to let Javier's charm and our complicated history derail my professional focus. But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be easy.

[To be continued...]