Chapter seventeen

Alison took a look at her new office and gleamed at Paige, who smiled in return. With her role in the Adriano project, she was given an office at the Branch HQ. She was to resume today, Alison was happy with that development given that working directly from the site wasn't effective and on her part, she had a lot of regrets working there. One that could compromise her position with the company, she still had her mind reeling over what happened yesterday night. For some reason, she could not erase it from her thoughts. The way he touched her, reminded her that wasn't the first time Leonardo would do such.

His touch had a different feel to it, his gaze made her weak knees.

She has resolved to stay clear from his path. And their friendship, if they even had one was over. With their supposed friendship, it could compromise her work ethic by making it look like they were involved in a romantic relationship.

That was one, secondly, she can't simply want to love again. There was too much risk on her side.

It was better if she stays far away from Leonardo before she does something that would forever cause her regrets or raise her hope.

"Ali's, back to earth." Paige waved at her to get her attention.

"Were you saying something?" Alison asked.

"Yes, I was asking how to make the arrangements and where to keep our files," Paige said.

"Oh sorry, I didn't hear you, you can put the file in the cabinet we would figure the arrangements later," Alison instructed taking a quick look at her modern office. It had a very rigid, business-like tune to it, the walls were painted professional colours. The desk stood a little close to the wall, the desk was made of glass with efficient adjustments features. Though her present office was smaller than her old office back at home it looked efficient enough.

She stood by the side as Paige methodically placed the boxes into the polished wooden office cabinet, "Anyways, what were you thinking about?"

"Are you talking to me?" Alison said a bit surprised.

"Yes, who else here?" Paige said with a smile on her face.

"Why do you want to know what I was thinking about?"Alison muttered.

"Hmm, You love answering a question with a question. You were late yesterday night, I don't think taking a dip in a steaming pool will take long," Paige furthered, Alison was stuck in the middle at this point.

"Weren't you asleep? Or you were just pretending. And yes, taking a dip in the pool did take a very long time."

"I see, so you were alone, I thought you may be discussed with someone or had a new friend who kept you company. But, that seems not to be the case."

Alison smirked at Paige attempt to find out what happened yesterday. She was grateful Paige don't know Leonardo that well and how close she and Leonardo were as friends if Paige had a whiff of it, she would never hear the last of the issue.

Paige has been responsible for setting up blind dates in the past by faking that the other oblivious person was a client.

"Where are we?" Alison said taking her seat in her new chair, it smells so good better than the one back at the office which she spilt coffee on.

"At work, why would you ask that question?"

"I asked to make sure you are also aware of that fact, and at work, I am your boss and you, my assistant, so you are not allowed to be personal to me here," Alison said rotating on her chair. She had an office ball in her palm which she occasionally tossed around.

"Okay, Ms Jones," Paige played along and earned a smirk from Alison.

"I need you to go to the finance department, to collect the files that are needed."

"Okay, unlike you I would be able to make new friends." Alison mock rolled her eyes and shooed Paige away who pouted at her rude gesture.

With Paige gone concentrating on her work was easier, gently adjusting her chair closer to the computer. She started on the few modifications that were needed in the Leonardo restaurant. For now, the primary designs would do for the construction but she needs to start on the interior look, that is where Paige specializes.

Presently, just making the structure would do, later Paige would fill in the details in the plan.

Her screen brightened up as John sent her a message. Her face slackens as she read, she placed her necessaries in her bag. She was about to zip it up when Paige entered the office struggling to keep a load of files on her arm, she trudged towards the desk dropping it with a thud, "I think I can't feel my arms anymore, we have a hell of paperwork to go through."

She noticed Alison was more focused on zipping her bag, "Hey, where are you going to?"Paige said her eyes scanning Alison and her bag.

"To the site, there is a problem with the plan. Do read these files and create a summary for the necessary ones and when you are done start on the design I was creating," Alison ordered rolling her chair backwards for her to stand. She adjusted her dress and hurriedly left the office.

*

"You mixed up the plans," Alison said pointing out the difference between both plans.

Sighing at the way the work slowed down she gave a day off to all the workers so she can organise things in a clearer form. She spent the remaining day with John trying to conclude in their discussion to effectively work on the mistake done. It was tiring as the night was approaching, the little indigo and pink hues on the sky signified the onset of sunset.

"It is getting late, we would continue tomorrow when I finish from the office, also I would make corrections to the areas you pointed out," Alison said appreciating John for being efficient and diligent. She was glad he saw through everything before actualising it.

"Okay, tomorrow then. Do you know your way around here?" he asked concerned.

"Not really, I would use a cab," she placed her jotter into her bag, zipping it up.

Slinging it over her shoulder she shook hands with James, "See you tomorrow," she said.

"Let's go, I don't plan on staying here either," she waited as she watched him pack some of his. essential.

Finally done, he walked up to Alison giving her a quick smile, "You know instead of going through the stress of looking for a cab, I could give you a lift," John offered, Alison was a bit surprised at his offer.

"No, no I don't want to be a bother, and besides we might be heading different ways," Alison said trying to dissuade. He just wants to help, it might be trouble on his side, but her response earned her a smile.

He does have a boyish smile with the crease forming each time at the sides of his eyes.

"Unlike you Alison, I know here like the back of my palm, and you are not a bother to me at all," he said.

He saw the hesitation on Alison's part, "Okay if you insist," She broke the silence. A smile hatched on his face, they stopped in front of his car. A grey SUV, the soft light of the sunset reflected on its surface.

Johnson pressed a button that clicked the door open, he walked towards the other door and opened it for Alison, "Thank you," she hopped in and felt the soft thud of the car as he closed it.

He got in and they both strapped their seatbelt in, Alison felt awkward sitting in John car, the opposite of what she felt in Leonardo car. That had his subtle traces of his colognes infiltrating her nasal system. While here it just smells like some fruit-flavoured air freshener.

Stop comparing, she shunned herself.

"Are you comfortable?" John asked softly searching her eyes for some answers with his bright blue eyes.

"Sure, I am comfortable," he is offering her a ride and her comfort is his priority, well that makes him one hell of a nice man.

He started his ignition and zoomed off, "So where do you stay?" he asked.

"Um.. at the Adriano hotel," she said trying to mask an indifferent look on her face.

It was no big deal right?

Until John decided to make it sound like it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, "You are staying at the boss hotel."

"It is not really his hotel more like his dad's, he got me and my assistant's accommodation covered," She tried to keep the pride away from her voice.

"It is sir's Leonardo hotel or would soon be," John said.

"What are you saying he owns only the restaurants," she argued, John just smirked at her statement and stopped for the red light

"No, his mother handed all her shares to Leonardo, and not quite long after his father announced his intention to hand it over to him due to his health problem," John said watching for the green light to pop on.

Alison kept mute, "Very soon he might be the owner of the Adriano hotel worldwide."

*

"Wait, I have another one," John enthused as he stopped the car right at the entrance of the hotel.

She was in for another journey to funny town, "Okay, we were building these houses and we noticed one house was far behind in weight."

"So I asked which house has the least weight?", and my workers said, " It is the lighthouse."

Alison threw her head laughing back at his joke, "You should have been a comedian, not an engineer, you are cracking me up," Alison said smiling.

John had this content look in his eyes, somehow how her smile brought radiance in him. She filled his car with laughter, not the usual radio melody that keeps him company when going back home.

How wonderful would it be for her to always laugh at his jokes?

"Anyway thank you for the ride," she said removing her seat belt, he wanted to get down to open the door for her but he felt her hands on his. He felt tingly and alive by her touch, her hands were so soft, "Don't bother, I can open the door for myself," She smiled at him, opening the door and got down.

She closed the door and waved at him, he smiled briefly at her inhaling the new smell his car carried. They smelt like freshly baked pies, spring flowers.