Chapter 10 The Tension Between Us

Eva's POV

"I swear to...ugh!"

Scrubbing the plains of my face with my hands, I take deep calming breaths as my assistant, Freda, scampers about my office, looking for a file I'd asked her to specifically keep on my desk.

None of this would be happening if she'd done as I'd asked. I have a flight in the next hour and traffic in L.A is from the pits of hell.

A month ago, I'd promised my mom I'd be there for the "bonding" dinner she'd be hosting to introduce her fiancé's family to our small one.

I know next to nothing about the man she's about to get married to and I honestly couldn't care less about him.

But I love mother and I don't want to let her down. She's going to miss me if Freda doesn't get that file, pronto.

I can see the look of remorse on her features. Freda is competent, I'd give her that but I'm at my wits end here.

The file contains very vital information of the jewelry brand that had been assigned to my office for visibility.

The brand belongs to Ashe Tainter. Daughter of one of the biggest actors in the last three generations.

We'd asked Ashe's team for a digital copy of her jewelry's business plan but they'd sent a hard copy instead, stating that a digital copy was too risky as they didn't want to deal with leaks and copyright infringements.

I commend them for taking such precautionary steps but my media firm is one of the best in the country.

We've never had a scandal. We are the ones who put out huge fires from scandals so little, you'd think they'd been just a smoke signal.

"Freda, I have a flight in less than an hour. I need to forward that file to the graphics department. How will I trust you to do it in my stead when you misplaced the file?" I say with barely contained impatience.

The girl is already frightened and I don't blame her. I'd practically shouted in shock when she told me she misplaced the file, thirty minutes ago.

Freda nervously bites her middle finger as she darts around the office. Then she stops when she gets to the file shelf at the far right side of the room.

When she turns to face me, her features are etched with relief.

"I remember now!" She suddenly exclaims.

I watch as she darts out my office. In less than a second, she materializes before the door swings shut.

"I'm so sorry for the trouble, Eva. Please go ahead with your flight and let me handle the rest as a way to make up for my recklessness," Freda offers with remorse as she dangles the file like trophy in front of me.

I guess she'd left it on her own desk instead of mine. But the file had gotten here two days ago.

Thankfully, this firm isn't known for competition between departments.

I exhale a harsh breath as I round the mahogany desk to grab my hand bag.

"Freda, I'm not going to pretend that I wasn't mad at you moments ago. You've been the best assistant I've ever had so I'll let it slide just this once. Make sure the graphics team put together the exact images of the items in that inventory. They should use a typeface from the eighties and the colors should be warm and inviting, not warm and cozy. Got it?"

"Got it," Freda smiles dutifully.

"See you tomorrow," I say in a hurry as I eat up the distance between the desk and threshold. In the hallway, I'm speedwalking like my life depends on it.

At the elevator, as I wait for the car to come up to my floor, someone coughs behind me.

I catch a whiff of his imposing scent before I turn with a slight smile on my face to acknowledge him.

"Hey, Mason."

"Eva," he starts then stops, as he considers his words.

It's been a full month and a few weeks of being fuck buddies with Mason. I've been acting distant after our nightly sessions and I can tell Mason is getting tired of it.

I don't want to end this arrangement with him.

He's better than the three other guys I've ever slept with. I can't let go now, not when he's been really good for my body these past weeks.

I know he has feelings for me, it's why I've been distant with him. I can't tell him to go focus on another woman because it would mean being in a complicated relationship.

I cannot name or identify what kind of relationship our arrangement is.

"On your way to New York?" He asks. His eyes seem tight at the corners.

I choose to ignore the tension between us. "Yep, my flight is in forty-five minutes."

Mason's eyes relax with sympathy as he eyes me up and down.

"Are you sure you don't need a plus one?" He offers again.

"I'm sure, Mace. Really."

His eyes turn sad for a moment but he brushes that way and gives me a warm smile. His eyes return to being the kind ones that I'm trying hard to not swoon over.

"Enjoy your trip, Eva," he wishes gently. It's almost like he'd kissed me on the cheek.

"Thank you."

Before I do something stupid, like lean in for a proper kiss on the cheek in front of our coworkers and the whole world, I whirl on my heels and disappear into the car of the elevator as it opens up to the floor.

Nobody at work knows I've been bedding with Mason and I'd like to keep it that way.

Workplace relationship, office romance?

Definitely not the best kinds of relationships and this isn't because of the coworkers dating or being a couple.

No, that part of the relationship isn't the problem.

The problem are the other coworkers who feel entitled to your business. Office relationships crash because of other coworkers, not because of the couple.