✔|Entwined With You|

Chapter 23.

●Miami●

The Bellboy brought my luggage in, which I simply pushed over to one side. I'm feeling really exhausted after being woken up by Mr. Ainsworth, so I'll just sleep now. Quickly changing into shorts and a tank top, I threw myself on the bed.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Turns out, I forgot to put the alarm on my mobile phone and ended up oversleeping, Mr. Ainsworth is waiting outside for me while I'm here, trying to tie my hair.

With a groan of frustration, I took out all the pins and ran a hand through my hair, not even properly brushing it. Grabbing my purse, I hurried out as quickly as possible.

"Oh hey there!" Mr. Ainsworth remarked sarcastically.

"I-I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to be late. I was... I... overslept and then I had to-"

"Enough explanations. We need to rush." He showed me his palm and led me towards the elevator. "And take this." He gave me my glasses which I've been looking for since long. "I took them off in the flight when you had slept off. Remind me to give your book as well."

"Thanks." I mumbled.

We were silent inside the elevator. Until, my stomach grumbled.

"Did not take your breakfast?"

"Nooo... I had to rush so..." I wavered off, not knowing what to say.

"We'll grab some breakfast for you and then go to the meeting then."

"Oh it's fine. I will just have it after we come from the meeting."

"No it isn't. Like, what if you fainted or something?"

He cares?

"Who would write down the notes for us?" He continued and I fought back the urge to roll my eyes.

Expect less, Isabella, expect less.

He took me to this 50s Retro style restaurant. It was quite loaded for an average Tuesday morning, yet we found a seat.

I took the menu and tried deciding what to say, which is really really hard. I mean, just give it all to me.

"Try the Hot Malted Waffles."

"Okay then." I motioned for the waitress and gave my order.

"What about you?" I asked him.

"I don't really have breakfast."

"You should. You know, Cat gave me a nice lecture about the importance of having breakfast. And now, I try to never skip it." The blonde waitress stomped her feet lightly, waiting for the order. "So do you want me to give it to you or will you have some breakfast instead?"

"God! I'll just have some breakfast instead." He mimicked, making me smile. "I'll have an oatmeal please." The girl nodded, and scurried off to the kitchen.

"So how was it?" Mr. Ainsworth raised his eyebrows as I devoured the last piece of waffle.

"Delicious!" I breathed out.

"Come on then, we need to leave." He said, fishing out a 100 dollar bill from his pocket.

"I'll pay." I insisted.

"As if I would let you." He scoffed. "Look, you're my employee. We are on a business trip, so I should be the one paying."

"Oh come on, Mr. Ainsworth! I don't want these stupid stereotypes, okay? Please just let me pay." Finding a courage buried deep inside me, I held his hand lightly. He looked down at our hands and then back up at me.

"Fine. I'm doing it because I can see the.. the... you know, hunger for doing this in your eyes. But next time, I'm paying."

There will be a next time?

***

"So the main purpose of our being on this trip is just signing various contracts and knowing their details?" I asked inside the car as we drove back to the hotel. I had suffered from another boring meeting.

"This has got you all bored, hasn't it?" He chuckled.

"Well, kind of." I honestly shrugged.

"Then let's cheer you up. We'll go take a walk at a beach."

"You'll take me to the beach?"

"No I'll hire Shrek to join you. Obviously I'll take you Isabella."

"It's really not needed Mr. Ainsworth. First the aquarium, now this. I mean, we are just on a business trip, right?"

"Isabella, trust me. You deserve all this." The car stopped and he walked out before the driver, followed by me.

"Can you please slow down a bit?" I asked, embarrassed, as he quickly walked towards the elevator, pressing the button.

"You are a shortcake, aren't you?"

I rolled my eyes at him, offended by the remark regarding my height. I'm still fine, it is him who is the 'tallcake'.

"You aren't supposed to roll your eyes at your Boss." I rolled them again, assuming that he was joking.

"Don't try to fight me Isabella."

He's serious?

"I'm.. I'm sorry." I whispered, taking a step or two back.

"There you go. Scared Isabella is back." He gave me a sad smile, shook his head helplessly and left the elevator.

***

"Drive." He ordered the driver. He was looking marvelous in this pastel blue shirt and brown Capri pants. His hair looked like he had combed, but then just ran a hand through them.

"You look...." He gulped, "good."

"Thanks." I smiled, looking down at my outfit and mentally blessed Catalina for forcing me to carry 'possible' outfits.

I wore a white wrap shirt covered with cute yellow flowers on some high waisted denim shorts along with some flip flops. I'd tied my hair in a ponytail and was also wearing Cat's hoop earrings.

"So what's the name of the beach?" I asked, breaking the silence after a few minutes.

"Key Biscayne. Trust me, you'll love it."

"I'm sure I would." I nodded.

"Oh come on. Become the old Isabella again. Bring that shine back in your eyes. Just like they had shone at the aquarium."

"I don't know what you are talking about." I broke eye contact and turned to look outside the window.

"Never mind. I know they will surely shine once we each the beach." He shrugged confidently.

And they did.

~

Author's Note: Sorry for a short and boring chapter. But the beach would be better. Oh and in case you are wondering that you want to read a particular chapter in the other character's POV, no need to worry cause after I am done with the book, I'll also post extras.
A bit of stupid fluff in the next chapter, please don't hate me *cringes*