Chapter 9: The Business Dinner

Elliot's POV

Aiden walked up to my desk on Thursday afternoon holding a folder which usually meant he had work for me, but instead he just stood there looking at me weird.

"I have a business dinner tonight with some investors," he said. "I need you to come with me."

I looked up from my computer confused. "You want me to come to dinner?"

"Yes," he said like it was obvious. "I need someone there who actually understands the numbers we have been working on.

My usual people are useless at explaining things."

"Okay," I said even though my stomach flipped at the idea of being alone with Aiden outside the office. "What time?"

"Seven," he said. "Wear something nice. We are going to Aurelio's."

Aurelio's was one of the fanciest restaurants in the city which meant I needed to go home and change because my work clothes were not nice enough.

Aiden must have seen the panic on my face because he added "Nothing too formal, just a button down and nice pants."

"Got it," I said. He nodded then walked back to his office leaving me sitting there wondering what I just agreed to.

I left work early so I could go home and stress about what to wear for an hour. I finally picked a dark blue button down that I bought for job interviews.

Black pants that were probably too tight but it was all I had. I looked at myself in the mirror about twenty times before finally leaving my apartment.

The restaurant was in Manhattan, so I took the subway then walked three blocks trying not to sweat through my shirt.

Aiden was already there waiting outside looking perfect in a gray suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.

"You look nice," he said when I walked up.

I felt my face get hot."Thanks," I said. "So do you."

We walked inside together where a hostess led us to a private room in the back. Three men in suits were already sitting at the table drinking wine.

They all stood up when Aiden walked in so we did that whole handshake thing that business people do.

"Gentlemen, this is Elliot Hayes," Aiden said while gesturing to me.

"He is essential to my success at Blackwood Tech."

His hand touched my back when he said it. Just a light touch but it felt like electricity going through my whole body. The investors noticed because I saw them look at where his hand was, then look at each other.

We all sat down so I ended up next to Aiden at the table. The investors started talking about numbers and projections, while a waiter brought out fancy food I could not pronounce.

I tried to focus on the conversation but I kept thinking about how close Aiden was sitting to me.

"What do you think Elliot?" one of the investors asked suddenly. I looked up realizing everyone was staring at me.

"About what?" I said.

"About expanding into the European market," the investor said. "Aiden says you have been working on the projections."

"Oh," I said, then cleared my throat.

"Based on our current growth rate and the market research we did, I think we could see a thirty percent increase in revenue within the first year if we focus on Germany and France first."

The investors looked impressed. Aiden smiled at me in a way that made my stomach flip again.

"See," Aiden said to them. "This is why I keep him around."

The rest of dinner went smooth. I answered questions about numbers while Aiden talked strategy. At some point his leg touched mine under the table.

Neither of us moved away, when dinner ended we all stood outside the restaurant saying goodbye. One of the investors clapped Aiden on the shoulder, then said something about how lucky he was to have such a smart assistant.

Aiden just smiled but did not say anything.

A photographer walked by taking pictures of the restaurant. I did not think anything of it, because people took pictures in the city all the time.

We got in Aiden's car so his driver could take me home. The ride was quiet but not uncomfortable. When we pulled up to my building Aiden said "You did well tonight. Thank you for coming."

"No problem," I said. Then got out before I could do something stupid like tell him I would go anywhere with him.

Friday morning started normal until Rachel from PR rushed past my desk looking stressed. Then two more people from PR walked by in a hurry.

Something was wrong.

Around ten my phone started buzzing with texts from people I worked with. I opened the first one to see a link to a business magazine article.

The headline said "Blackwood Tech CEO and Mystery Companion Spark Romance Rumors."

My heart stopped. I clicked the link so a photo loaded showing me standing next to Aiden outside the restaurant. His hand was on my back and we were both smiling.

Another photo showed us sitting at dinner looking at each other. The article talked about how close we seemed and questioned our relationship.

I felt sick, this was bad. This was really bad.

My phone rang, i saw it was Aiden calling. I answered with shaky hands.

"Come to my office," he said then hung up.

I walked to his office feeling like I was going to throw up. When I got there he was standing by the window looking out at the city. He did not turn around when I walked in.

"Close the door," he said. I closed it then just stood there waiting.

He finally turned to look at me. His face was unreadable.

"Have you seen the article?" he asked.

"Yes," I said quiet.

"PR is working on it," he said. "They will release a statement saying we are colleagues and nothing more."

"Okay," I said because what else could I say.

He walked closer until he was standing right in front of me. "Do you regret coming with me last night?"

I looked at him surprised by the question. His eyes searched my face waiting for an answer. I could lie, I could say yes which would make everything easier but I was tired of lying.

"No," I said honest. "I do not regret it."

Something changed in his expression. His eyes got darker and he stepped even closer.

"Good," he said quiet. "Neither do I.”