02.

Dalia’s POV

I opened my eyes slightly, it was morning and the rays of light from the window were harsh enough to jolt me awake.  I was about to shut my eyes once more when from the corner of my eyes, I saw a tall figure putting on a shirt. I let out a yelp and struggled to get out of bed. This wasn't my hotel room, and why was Eros West here? Then I realised I was naked. I dragged the sheets over my body and the events of last night came rushing back to me in fuzzy recollections. I had gone and drank more than I could handle again, and this time Emily wasn't here to stop me from making bad decisions. My head throbbed and the room spun around me. Eros kissed me, I raised my fingers to my lips and blushed. We had sex last night! He turned to face me and turned away, tightening his tie, his face was stoic and cold, and I almost detected a tinge of disgust. 'I-i…about last night—'

'That was last night and it has gone. The driver will be here to take you back to your hotel in 30 minutes.’ How could I have been so stupid, I wondered what was running through his head. This was my business partner, the number two rule I had always been taught was to never mix business with pleasure. This was such a mess. A terrible thought suddenly ran through my head, what if this would affect our partnership? Or worse, what if he taught this was all a plan to cement the deal?

‘Oh, and not a word of this should get out.’ He said while heading for the door, his coat in his hands, ‘Or else, I'll make sure you lose your job and all you've worked for. This is not a threat. Good day.’

 The door clicked behind him and I fell back on the bed, my head buzzing. This wasn't my first one-night stand but Eros west had somehow found a way to make me feel bad and disgusting. Those green eyes of his had barely looked at me and when he threatened me before leaving, they seemed to hold disdain. I wiped out a stray tear from my eye, get it together! Who did he think he was anyway?

My phone began ringing, and when it stopped, I checked the screen. I had close to 60 calls and 10 messages! Sigh, this was going to be one hell of a day. I had not told Emily, my dad or my sister when I got to Paris or anything about me having to meet in person with Eros. They were all probably worried, rightfully so. And knowing how obsessed Emily was with West Inc, most of her calls were meant to be inquiries on if I caught a glimpse of the young billionaire. I wasn't sure if I was going to mention to anyone what had transpired between us last night. The rest of the calls were from Jeffrey, he was going to be so pissed.

Boss: where are you? I've been calling you since, call back when you get this! (1:12 am)

Boss: dalia?!(2:00am)

Boss: It's morning and you aren't at the hotel yet. This better not be one of your pranks, I am not amused. (5:17 am)

Emilyyy: daliaaaaaaaaaa(12:13am)

Emilyyy: babes I'm so worried, how did the deal go? Did you meet with…him?!! (12:18 am)

Emilyyy: answer me!!! Don't make me call Jefferey(12:47 am)

Emilyyy: and my cousin is in town, he’s been asking when you’ll be back. What do I tell him? (1:1am)

The first of my problems was Jeffrey, I would have to come up with something plausible enough to cover up for my absence since last night. I couldn't imagine getting lost. I think the best option would be to come clean, more or less. ‘Hello,jeffrey, I'm really sorry—’

‘Where have you been!’ he barked out, cutting me off. ‘I was with Eros…we stayed out waiting for you, and when it got late, he suggested I stay at the hotel till you returned.’

‘Why couldn't you call me?’ I could decipher his reaction over the phone but he sounded convinced.’The alcohol got to me, I'm really sorry.’

After a few minutes of convincing, he hung up, and then I quickly replied to Emily. Mostly short and vague replies, when I got back. We would have more than enough time to catch up. The funny thing is she mentioned Nick, her cousin. She knew how I felt about him but always brought him up whenever he came to visit. I heaved and got out of bed to get ready, I had to get back to my hotel.

The next few weeks ran quickly, all over the news, headlines were speculating on a partnership between MELT and West inc. though it was yet to be formally announced.

 ‘I can't believe you met with him in person!’ I rolled my eyes and put my head in my palms. I knew telling Emily what happened was not a good decision but she was my best friend. We told each other everything and I needed to get it off my chest. 'And even had sex! Dalia you sneaky bitch, no one knows about Eros' sex life. He's so private but the dream man. That intense look of his would have any girl's panties in a twist.’ Yes, just like mine.

‘It's not that much of a big deal and he's a horrible person anyway. You had to have been there to see how he looked at me.’ I replied quietly. I still felt really bad.

Emily stirred, took a sip of her coffee and laughed. ‘I wouldn't mind any of that, you don't get that kind of man anywhere.’  Emily's designer West bag sparkled on the table and I thought it was quite ironic how I was the one who encountered Eros west. Emily was a model and most of her shoots were for big fashion houses and industries like MELT and West Inc. The day she caught a glimpse of Eros in person, she was an absolute mess for weeks. She spent all her money on acquiring West designer items. They were even more exclusive than Gucci.

‘Do you remember the time it got out on the news that Eros was having an affair with Sina terozzi?’ she asked.

‘Yeah…who didn't? And her career crashed and no one hears anything about her anymore.’

‘Nothing of that sort will happen to me. I'm not in front of the camera. My work is beside Jeffrey doing the paperwork. And it's just you and I that know.’

 A waiter interrupted our conversation, she had with her the cupcakes we had ordered beforehand. Emily and I rarely met anywhere but in this little cafe that was outside where I worked. Our busy schedules always clashed and when I had free time, she was either in Milan or South Africa or some exotic place walking down the runway or at a shoot.

‘These are so good! Even better than last time.’ she exclaimed but I knew she was lying, she'd barely taken a bite. Typical Emily. She was probably on a diet.

 ‘Oh yeah, Nick's in town. He's been asking for you.’

‘Why do you keep trying to set us up? I'm not interested.’

‘No this has nothing to do with me. I gave up a long time ago, I'm just passing the message. He said you blocked him on all socials….’

I zoned out of what she was saying and looked out the window. ‘Earth to Dalia!’ she snapped her fingers before my face and I broke into a smile. ‘I'm sure you didn't hear a word I said.’

‘Sure I did. You were talking about nick.’ Nick was the literal definition of the sort to never fall for. He was always surrounded by girls, designer items, expensive cars, drinks and the paparazzi. Billionaire Play Boy. he came to New York occasionally for business and would ask to see me at either a restaurant or hotel. The few times I would yield always ended up with him trying to convince me to go out with him, and I always said no. But he was quite fun to talk to and had lots of stories. I missed the times when he was just Emily’s fun cousin that came to visit once in a while. I used to like him a lot but knew if things were to go anywhere with him, I’d end up heartbroken. My life lately was just filled with men and not-so-pleasant situations, I couldn't wait for my break.