Unacquainted Affair

"Ms Naomi," Patrick's voice crackled through the intercom, pulling her from the blueprint spread across her desk. "Mr. Sinclair will see you now."

Naomi took a deep breath, smoothing down her skirt. She had expected him to make a call for her way earlier but he didn't.

She grabbed her tablet, her team's report and wore her most professional face. The walk to Damon's office felt longer than usual, if she was being honest, she didn't want to see him.

Not after what happened a few nights ago! She had broken down in tears because of Amanda. Her grip on the tablet tightened as she approached the exit of her department, gosh she felt so stupid for that!

Her team, oblivious to the problems, remained engrossed in their work. They've done their part and they've been able to meet their target before the deadline.

Everything else was in Naomi's court and she didn't want to fail them. She couldn't! Their jobs were at stake, they could get fired.

Reaching the double doors leading into Damon's office, Naomi paused. Ever since that night, neither her nor Damon had said a word to each other. He was gone before she got out of bed and she was asleep before he decided to go to bed.

Not once had they run into each other and seeing him now, her heart hammered in her chest wildly.

“Breathe…” Naomi muttered to herself, shutting her eyes and taking deep breaths.

It's a business meeting. She's at work. He's her boss. Nothing else.

She pushed the doors open, stepping into the office, a professional look on her face.

“You called for me , Mr Damon?”

Damon glanced up at her from her tablet, seeming confused. Mr Damon? Since when did she become so…professional? He was sitting behind his desk, his eyes glued to a folder on his table until she walked in.

A sigh of relief escaped him as he studied her, she's okay. That's all that matters.

He gestured to the chair opposite him, his face stoic.

"Have a seat."

She settled into the leather chair, crossing her legs at the ankle.

“The reports? Were you and your team able to keep your promise? I d0 believe you remember what is at stake.”

“Of course.”

Naomi handed him her tablet, his fingers brushing over hers so slightly but enough to send warmth down her spine. She pulled away, her attention returning to her report.

"The design team has been able to jump start the two projects as promised in one month. According to the principles that bind each and every one of our designs we ensure that every material is sustainable and aesthetically pleasing to draw in our buyers. We also communicated with the execution team as well and the engineers in charge and they assure us that we are good to go. We also make sure to reach out to the finance department as well as their advertising department. The projects are within budget and appealing to our target buyers. And the architectural models are ready. ”

Damon flipped through each slide in silence, they really pulled it off just as she had promised in under a month even.

“The models. Have you handed it over to the right department?”

"Yes. We are on schedule and within budget for the current phase. The team has been working diligently, and I am confident we will meet our other deadlines." She closed her report, placing it neatly on her lap. "Is there anything else you'd like to clarify?"

“No. It's self explanatory. Good job.” Damon said flatly.

"Thank you," she replied.

Naomi got on her feet, her report still in hand. She stretches her hands for her tablet, ready to walk out of his office.

His eyes met hers in silence and she stared right back. The warmth he was used to was gone, it was like the only thing that mattered to her was her tablet.

He hands it over to her. Naomi tucked the tablet under her arm and turned on her heels.

"What's going on?"

She paused, her hand gripping the tablet. She turned to face him fully.

"I'm not sure what you mean. My focus is entirely on the projects and the deadline you gave my department."

Damon exhaled. He approached her, covering the distance between them in two long strides but Naomi took a step back, her eyes fixed on him blankly.

"Are you certain?" he pressed, his eyes searching hers.

Naomi held back the urge to scroll at him, she's at work. She has to be respectful towards her boss.

"I'm being professional. You made that clear a few weeks ago. No one should know we're married."

"I know." He paused, his gaze unwavering. "Do you have anything to say?"

"No," she replied, her voice firm. "I don't. I hope you have a productive remainder of your day." She turned to leave again.

“Is this about the deadline?”

She stopped, her back to him, a sigh escaping her lips. “No, it's not.”

"Is this about Amanda?" he asked, his voice softer now.

Naomi paused, her shoulders stiffened as she turned slowly to face him.

"You're mistaken," she said, her voice tight. "I have no interest in your personal life."

"Don't lie to me." he countered, his tone hardening. "I know you're mad about something. It's written all over your face."

"You're wrong," she insisted through gritted teeth.

For all she knew, Damon nearly noticed her but all of a sudden he seems to care now that she wasn't bothering him or in his space.

"No, I'm not," he said, pushing himself up from his desk and walking around to stand directly in front of her.

“Listen, I don't care who you sleep with. I already told you that! It's none of my business.” Naomi snapped. “We have a professional relationship here, and that's all it needs to be.”

Naomi bit her lips. Despite her words, being delivered with anger, it held a vulnerability she immediately regretted.

Damon’s expression softened. He reached out, his hand hovering over her shoulder for a moment before dropping to his side.

"I'm not sleeping with Amanda. And I don't believe I ever gave you that impression of me. " He said, his tone laced with disappointment.

"Really?" she challenged, a bitter laugh escaping her. "Because from where I'm standing, it looked exactly like that. She came to your office so casually and you have her a ride to whatever hole she crawled out of. Do you offer a ride to everyone who stops by your office, Damon? Tell me. What exactly is 'it' then? What's the nature of your relationship with my cousin?"

He hesitated, his gaze shifting away from hers. "It's… complicated."

"Complicated?" she repeated. She scans his face, hoping he would explain but he says nothing. She chuckled.

"That's convenient, isn't it? What precisely makes it 'complicated'? Is she an old friend? A new client? Are you revisiting old flames? I'd genuinely like to know the details." Naomi said, eyes pleading with him to take her fears away.

He looked back at her, his jaw tight.

"I can't."

"You can't?" she repeated, her voice rising with disbelief. "You can’t tell your wife about your relationship with her cousin? The woman who terrorized my childhood?"Naomi exhales shakily, fighting back the tears that threatened to roll down her chin.

His eyes snapped back up to her, his brows furrowed. Is that why she was so mad about Amanda's visit?

Damon remained silent, not sure what to say. Telling her the truth would only make things worse, no matter how he tries to dress it up.

“I can't,” he said again, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond her shoulder.

Naomu took a step back, then another, creating a physical distance between them. Damon watched every step with eyes clouded in hurt, one he masked way too well to seem like he didn't care.

"Right," she said, her voice hollow. "I see."

Without another word, Naomi turned and walked out of the office, the heavy doors closing softly behind her, leaving Damon alone in the silence.

Damon exhaled, his fist clenched tight

He should have just told her.

He turned slowly towards his table and in one sudden motion, he swept off the entire desk in anger.

“Fuck!!”