Page 16 of The Fake Dating Plan

“Doubt it. He has been single for five months and hasn’t been seen in the company of his regular type of girlfriend. You know, skinny, tall, blond, most likely to be a model.”

Five months since the first time I saw him again. I tried not to dwell on what was obviously a coincidence. “You should stop following gossip journos onTwitter,”I said as I sealed my suitcase shut, “You’re becoming a little obsessed.”

“Why not! Don’t you think it’s weird that someone who’s known to perpetually have a girlfriend on his arm is single and that someone is one of the world's most eligible bachelors? And oh, get this,” she tapped her chin with her finger, “it’s the same someone you’re going on a business trip with? Who is also your ex-boyfriend?”

“So now you’re in the Ax camp?”

“No. Never. But it is interesting.”

“It’s a work trip! And that’s all it’s going to be. There’s no way anything between me and him is going to happen. As you said, he’s clearly not into the short, curvy, redhead woman. Not anymore at least.”

She got up from the bed and neatly folded a shirt for me. “Petite. Don’t sell yourself short. Pun intended.”

When I arrived at the hangar, Ax was already there waiting for me. He stood casually next to the huge private jet. The black leather jacket, jeans, and white shirt, plus sunglasses made him look like the epitome of the playboy image the tabloids liked to paint him as. He looked good. Even I had to admit that.

“You’re late,” he said as soon as I got close to him. An attendant quickly whisked my suitcase out of my hands.

“You’re early.” I was only a minute late; he was being anal.

He stared at me for a few seconds. I wasn’t sure if he was glaring or fuming behind those glasses. Not that I cared. Regardless. I strode past him and got onto the plane.

The inside was furnished like any other gulf stream jet, not that I had been in many. This was my second time, but this one felt bigger and had more elegant furnishings. Instead of the usual cream and white, this jet had black plush seats with the KMVH logo on them and white interiors that looked almost like marble. I claimed a seat and watched as a moment later Ax came onto the plane. He strolled in like the king he was and took the seat directly opposite mine and took off his jacket, revealing a white t-shirt that showed outlines of his rock-hard muscles beneath. I mean, there’s a lot more seats in here plus a bed probably. Why sit opposite me?

I closed my eyes to the temptation and leaned back as the flight took off. He wanted to unnerve me. I wouldn’t take the bait. Partly because I didn’t want to focus on being in his presence and instead focus on our trip. The new store unveiling was being held in Singapore and I had done some research on the market. The clientele was into ostentatious items and had more than enough money to spend. That would be good for us since our brand was known for its big and showy pieces. TheVersaceof jewelry, one fashion reporter, had once called us. If we make a big splash in Singapore and our products take off, that might mean good money. We wouldn’t be launching pieces in a new market if it weren’t for Ax. That didn’t escape me.

I opened my eyes and found him staring.

“What?”

“Penny for your thoughts?”

He sounded cordial. I decided to be cordial too. Why rock the boat, or in this case the plane, when there was no need to. Besides, I wouldn’t put it past him to throw me out if I didn’t behave. “The launch. I hope it’ll be as successful.”

“Work? Are the gears always turning?”

“I can’t help it.”

“You should learn to have some fun. Or at least some rest. Your brain needs it.”

“I can’t think of anything else. We’ve been working overtime for the past few days to make sure we deliver the products on time and the best quality.”

“And I’m happy that you did, but can’t you stop talking about business for two seconds.”

I sat up straight. “What do you want to talk about?”

“You. Us.”

I felt an uncomfortable wobble in my stomach. “What about us?”

“Why did you come to me?”

This again.

“You know I have the power to destroy you if I want, right? I’m not the savior you might think I am.”

“I know. You’re the devil, but a devil I know.”

The devil I know.I kept thinking about this long after we landed. Long after, we went to the hotel and even on to the next day when the launch was taking place. So, she knew I wasn’t helping her out of some sense of altruism. But if she thought I was the better devil, then she didn’t know me at all. Regardless, I filed the information away and checked the elevator banks again. She wasn’t there. We both went to our rooms soon after landing yesterday and promised to meet each other the next morning in the lobby where I was now. I went back to my phone to check for messages, but I didn’t read them. My mind kept wandering to her. There was this odd feeling burgeoning that I hadn’t experienced in years. Nervous anticipation. It only came when I was happy about something, which made zero sense because nothing was exhilarating about cutting some ribbon. I had done it a thousand times before. The only difference was, no. It could not be her. I could not be happy because she was back in my life. That made the least sense. I brushed those ridiculous notions away and concentrated on my unread messages, but before I could, that same feeling bubbled up again. Stronger this time.

---