I Hate You, Mr. Boss-Man [18+]

007

My grip on the armrest was monstrous, my eyes screwed shut as my stomach flipped, completing somersaults. I could feel the jet taking flight and couldn't bear the thought of this hunk of metal crashing down. 

"Are you okay?" The soft concern in the flight attendant's voice gave me solace, something to anchor me while the plane settled into the air. I hated flying, I found that out when I flew to New York from Houston. I could feel the sweat start to collect underneath my palms from the leather. I needed to get a grip. 

"Uhm..." I manage to choke out, cracking an eye open to meet her soft features. "Would it be bad if I said no?" I manage to joke, earning a small smile from her. I must've looked horrible for her to take notice of my state. What must a panic attack look like to an outsider?

"Can I get you anything?" She whispers, concern evident on her face. She looked genuinely worried about my well-being. "Whiskey, a sleeping pill?" I knew she was joking but, a sleeping pill was starting to sound good. 

"Just water please, If I drink, I'm afraid I'll only puke it out." 

"Okay, I'll be right back with that." She smiles reassuringly, her flats shuffling against the carpeted floors as she makes her way to the small kitchen. 

"Fear of flying?" Jesse chimes. 

"What gave me away?" I growl, my eyes meeting his across from me. "Was it the big neon sign above my head?" 

"Seriously, are you okay, Katherine?" His expression was etched with something I couldn't quite pin. 

I don't answer him, only shaking my head in response as the stewardess comes into view, handing me the small cup of water. I silently thank her and gulp it down. 

"You should've told me you don't like flying," He says softly, "I would've-" 
"What?" I mouth, placing the empty cup on the table across. "How else are you going to get to Italy?" 

"A boat?" He questions, pulling a smile from me. 

"Funny," I exhale through my nose, "That would take more than a week. I'll be fine, promise." Let's hope that wasn't a lie. 

>>>>>>>>>>

"The house has been in my family for ages," Jesse enlightens, his voice echoing inside the empty home as he pulls the sheets from one of the sofas. "Clearly we haven't been here for some...time," He coughs, swatting away the sheet of dust from his airways. 

The villa sat on a steep hill, with rolls of vineyards for miles. I peek my head into the kitchen, getting a view of the open porch, vines hanging overhead—intertwined with bulbs that must've twinkled once. "It's beautiful," I murmur, heading further as I make my way to the double glass doors. 

"Yeah, I used to love it here as a kid." He pipes up, his voice emerging from behind, I glance over my shoulder, meeting his face. His eyes stared off into the glass, taking in the countryside, he must've had so many memories here. "I can't remember the last time I came here with my family, not since my grandma died." 

I frown softly, my heart clenching inside my chest. "I'm sorry," I whisper, looking at his side profile as he stands beside me. 

"It's okay," Jesse shrugs, tucking his hands into his pockets, his head turning, eyes flickering to meet mine. "It was years ago, so..." I could start feeling myself get lost in his eyes, wondering how I could pick out the many variations of blue. They reminded me of the ocean, morning haze, lapis lazuli, and a deep pthalo I saw at a craft store once. I could lose myself in them. I inhale, snapping out of my daze—Stop it, Kat.

 "I uh...what's next?" I ask, taking a few steps to the left to create some distance between him and me. 

"Uhm," Jesse clears his throat, reaching for his cell inside his pocket. "Why don't you go and get, uh....settled and I'm going to make reservations for dinner tomorrow night. Sound good?" 

"Yep," I nod in agreement, heading straight for my suitcase that sat beside the entrance. "I just...pick any room?"

Giving me a thumbs up, Jesse pulls the patio doors open and steps out to make the call. 

Well, that had to be the most awkward interaction in my entire life, next to waking up inside his condo with nothing but a dress shirt on. I clear my head, lifting the suitcase off the ground to make my way up the cobblestone stairs. Framed photographs covered the walls, from wedding photos to family gatherings. 

Jesse must've had a big family, from distant aunts and uncles to cousins and possible nieces and nephews. The stairs finish at a hallway, with multiple doors placed across from each other. How many rooms did this place have? My heels click against the tile, pulling open the first door at the right. 

This room had to be bigger than my entire apartment, which didn't include the bathroom placed off to the side. The bed was the first amenity that caught my attention. The fluffy duvet and pillows just lured me to give them a try. Sleepy couldn't begin to describe the way I was feeling right now. I walk inside, setting my suitcase on the bench at the end of the bed. I take a seat beside it, groaning softly as I pry the heels from my aching feet. Red bottoms were not meant to walk on all day. 

"I see you found my grandparents' room," Jesse chimes in, leaning his shoulder on the door frame. My head snaps to his, my eyes widening in horror. 

"Oh!" I exclaim, rising to my feet. "I'm so sorry, I'll go to another room..." I grab my heels in one hand, my fingers slipping through the latch on my luggage to get a grip. 

"No, it's alright," He says, smiling reassuringly as he pushes off the frame. "It's about time someone's been in here or used it for that matter. I'd rather it be you than some stranger." 

My grip loosens on the luggage, my cheeks burning in embarrassment. "Are you sure?" I mumble, weary of the fact. "I don't want to, I mean...I couldn't possibly-" 

"Katherine, it's seriously okay." He chuckled, finding humor in my nerves. I didn't want to impose on the memories he had here, the smell, or the way his grandparents used to be. If it bothered him, I would leave in a heartbeat. Noticing the resistance in my features, he takes a few steps closer. "If I were truly uncomfortable with it, I'd let you know." 

I nod, sinking down onto the bench once again. "Okay," 

"Okay," He looks to the ground for a moment, his forehead creasing in thought. "I was going to head out for a bit, pick up some groceries for the week since we're so far from the market, I don't want to have to make so many trips." He lifts his head. "Are you going to be okay here all by yourself, just for an hour or two?" 

"Do you need any help?" I inquire, standing once again. "I mean, I can come with...? If you want, of course," I correct myself, holding up my hands in defense mode.

"I think I got it," He assures, "Not that I don't want you to go but, I'm sure you want to get settled, maybe explore the rest of the amenities?" 

"Yeah," I answer, nodding my head, flashing him half of a smile. "You go ahead, I'll be here." 

With a slight nod, Jesse turns around and walks out.