Stopping in her tracks she had rounded on him “Why do you think I said no to you Alexos? God I was so stupid, part of me really wanted to stay…I was even prepared…”
Biting back the words, not prepared to admit to him that she had considered coming back after the project, she had paused, calming herself as her look had been scathing, a self-deprecating light coming to her eyes.
“But thanks for helping me see what an idiot I was. My team have the month off, I don’t…and the month is needed because all the research we have done so far needs to be collated…and guess who gets to do that…me”.
She had ignored the strange expression which had crossed his handsome features as she had moved passed him picking up the computer and trying to lift the two large boxes full of paper, Alexos moving to pluck them from her with an ease that had mocked her attempts.
“What will you need?” his voice had been gentler as he had placed the boxes in the small trunk of the sports car. “I can set up a small office with computer access, printers phones…anything else you need”
Flicking him a surprised look, she had moved into the passenger side, nodding, managing a stilted “thank you” before she had looked away. As he had gunned the car, moving quickly back to the villa, she had found herself once more experiencing the same exhilaration as she had the first time he had driven her along the same stretch of road.
Entering his home, he had led her into a smaller living room asking if it would be suitable for her purposes, Grace skimming the room with appreciation seeing the long desk within the generously proportioned room.
“Tomorrow I will have fax machines, printers and anything else you might need installed” Grace silently nodding her head as he had written down information with regards to gaining access to the WIFI as a guest. With a stilted thank you she had turned to face him hearing his small laugh.
“That must have hurt you” Grace gritting her teeth before nodding “It would have been a lot easier in my own office, and given the circumstances …” before she had moved over to the desk itself. Frowning softly he had watched as she had pulled out some paper “Don’t you think that we should eat first?”
Grace had shaken her head. I am really still not that hungry, perhaps a sandwich later, not even looking at him. With a frustrated sigh he had moved around, placing his hand under her elbow before bodily walking her to the dining room, Grace gasping in surprise and indignation, spluttering out her demand for him to let her go, Alexos ignoring each and every one.
“No…you have eaten nothing all day, and you WILL eat with me”
Glaring up at him she had given a small noise of anger, struggling unsuccessfully to pull herself free as with little gentleness he had deposited her onto the seat closest to his, his eyes daring her to move. Sitting back with arms crossed she had glowered at him “You have no idea how much work I have to do, and thanks to you it is three times as much”
Smiling, his mouth curving as though humouring a small child he had rang the small bell for the meal to be served
“What difference does it make where you collate your information? You will have everything you need…so stop being so dramatic Grace and eat your dinner. The last thing I need is a drama queen on hunger strike because of her hurt feelings”
Grace had glared at him, although could feel her stomach rumble as the aroma from the food had reached her nostrils, the realisation that she had indeed ate nothing the whole day hitting her.
“Fine” she had bitten out, her tone huffy as she had began eating.
“So…how was your last day…did you manage to get all the research finished?” His tone had been calm - friendly almost, Grace spearing some of the food wanting to ignore him. However, as the silence had stretched out as he had patiently waited for her answer; her manners so long drilled into her by her mother had taken over.
“Yes. Thank you”
He had nodded before asking more specific questions, Grace slowly relaxing as she had answered, her love for the subject finally seeing her start to talk animatedly about the work being done, and some of the unusual findings that had already been discovered. Alexos had seemed genuinely interested, no doubt contributing to her opening up to him.
“Why did you say I had increased your workload three fold?” His question had caught her unaware as she had frowned softly.
“Because I had two research assistants booked to validate the information on the sheets with data entered in the field… now I have to do it myself”
“I see” he had mused softly, his expression thoughtful.