CHAPTER 11

(Mae's POV)

It's been a week since the incident in the BNB, Jayce promised to keep his distance from the BNB as long as they won't do anything stupid. He also asked me to stay away from them, which of course I did.

"Boss, Mr Conde is here," Aiden said while leaving a bunch of folders on my desk.

"Let him in," I replied. Not long after, he entered my office with a bouquet of flowers.

"Uhm... what are those?" I asked him.

"Can I not give you flowers? You've been busy lately and like I said, I want to get to know you more," he replied with a smile on his face.

In all fairness, I am beginning to trust him more and more already. On a personal level, he's not a bad guy at all. He's not the bastard and demanding a-hole CEO that I know.

Did I judge him too quickly?! Maybe... But I can't help it. He's been a client and he's really a pain in the ass. But now... well now he's been investing A LOT!!!

I mean for business, it's a good thing right? But what if he need something more aside from money?

Am I just being paranoid?

"Hey... Mae! Are you listening to me?" he asked and waved his hand in front of my face.

Shoot! I was so lost in thought I wasn't listening to what he said.

"Sorry, what?" I asked and looked at him.

"I said let's have dinner at the Empire restaurant," he smiled.

"Oh sure, what time?" I just asked.

"8pm," he said and I nodded, it was still 5pm so I just went back to work.

Jayce went to my side to look at what I was doing. "Do you really have to be hands on in all your projects?" he asked.

"Of course, it makes me have a better idea of what they want," I said and buzzed Aiden to my office.

"Yes boss?" he asked and popped his head on the door.

"Before you leave, please email the designs for the STB project to me," I said, he nodded and bade goodbye.

"You let your secretary go home ahead of you?" Jayce asked.

"Sure, he's a single dad, so he has to pick his daughter up from school by this time," Jayce just nodded.

"Anyway, we still have 3 hours, don't you have to do anything? I still have to finish looking at these project proposals," I asked Jayce who's now looking outside from the floor to ceiling window of my office.

"I do have a plan," he said and sat on my table. I looked a him with furrowed brows.

The next thing I know, he cornered me on my seat and kissing passionately. His kisses went down to my neck, I can feel his hands explore my body as he leaned closer. I gave a moan when I felt his hand caressing my thigh.

"Can I have desert first," he said beneath his breath. I giggled and pulled away from him.

"Not so fast Mr Conde, we're still getting to know each other right?" I teased. He let out a groan, I couldn't help but laugh.

"God... I hate you right now!" he said and went straight to the restroom. I laughed even more.

I went back to my work while Jayce was doing his 'business', after a few minutes, he went out of the restroom.

"Are you not done?" he asked. I looked at my watch and it was only 6:30.

"You said 8pm so I'm maximizing my time," I said and looked at him.

"Can we just talk...like you know... get to know each other," he said in an annoying tone.

"Ooookkkaaayyy? I guess. So what do you want to know. I mean, we've been married for three weeks," I said and I finally closed the folder I was looking at.

"Hmmm, okay be honest. What was your first impression of me?" he asked.

"Arrogant, annoying, and a total a-hole," I replied without blinking.

"WHAT?!" he stood up from his seat.

"You said be honest." I replied. "Besides, I have first known you as a client so that was my impression to you," I added.

"Since when was I an annoying client?" he asked he even crossed his arms.

"You remember the Evol Project three years ago? It was for a hotel," I began, he nodded. "That was the first time I saw you as my client. You demanded for a different contractual crew because you said you don't trust our men, then when the men you hired failed, you blamed my company. After that you demanded a refund because the project was botched, which may I add, your fault. Then you became a full blown a-hole when you asked your legal team to file a breach of contract on my company..." I said and looked at him, he didn't respond.

"So I'm sorry if I have a bad impression on you. You cost me a lot back then," I said.

"Sorry," he said and just looked out the window. "I was having a bad time back then," he explained.

"Care to share?" I asked, he didn't respond immediately and gave a sigh.

"Something I want to forget, I... I made bad decisions that almost cost me everything," he finally replied.

I wanted to ask more but he kept putting off the topic and diverting it to different stuff like hobbies, likes and dislikes and other get to know slam book questions.

----8pm

We got into the restaurant and was seated in the balcony, the ambience was romantic and the breeze was cool. Jayce ordered steak and wine, while waiting for the food to arrive, we chatted for a while.

"So what is your favorite design?" Jayce asked me.

"Mostly I like minimalist designs," I replied. "Honestly, for me, simple is better, but of course if a client wants something otherworldly, I'm up for the challenge," I added.

"So do you have any plans for the house?" he asked. I smiled... I was about to answer when someone behind me spoke,

"Jayce? Mae?"