Chapter Twelve
"That isn't possible, sir as long as I work for you," she said, horrified at the thought of calling him by his name at office. Which assistant does that!
"Then I guess I've to change that, " he smirked. She gaped at him. Was he going to throw her out of her job just because she wouldn't call him by his name? She looked out of the window dumbstruck by his words. They soon reached their hotel.
"We're returning tomorrow morning. Be ready by 8 o'clock, " he said, looking at her face, her plump lips longing to hold her and kiss her. Carmella noticed where his glance was hooked onto. She blushed to the roots of her hair as her glance took in his parted lips as he wetted them again and again.
Would he kiss her like he kissed that woman who was special to him? The one who inspired his new designs.
"Yes sir, good night, " she sighed as the thought hurt her more than she wanted it to. Why didn't he goto his special person instead of bothering her? She turned and walked over to her room, closing her door and leaning against it.
Jaxon stood there, rooted to the spot. He wanted to kiss her so badly and she just walked away. He'd go crazy like this. After a tortuous night, Jaxon at last closed his eyes to sleep. He didn't want to return to Las Vegas but he had a hectic week ahead of him with the meeting with the Council as well as the International Fashion Week. Afterwards he had to return to New York to launch his latest designs.
The next morning they boarded their flight to return back. Jaxon was busy on his laptop conferencing with Ralph and the others of his production team regarding the designs for the International Fashion Week. They weren't ready with all the outfits for the event and Jaxon was furious. Carmella sat quietly noting down the points which were being discussed. After a gruelling 5 hours, the discussions were over. Jaxon sipped coffee and typed furiously on his laptop. Carmella had forwarded him her notes from the meeting and he had thanked her.
She noticed a change in his attitude towards her. He didn't growl or bark at her even once since yesterday. While he barked at the others, his tone changed the moment he spoke to her. She couldn't fathom his mood and therefore stopped thinking about it altogether.
She dozed off after a few minutes when he informed her that he didn't need any other help. There was a jolt and she woke up with a start. What was that? She looked around her and saw that she was lying in the bedroom of his jet, with a duvet covering her. How did she reach here? Did he carry her to the bed like last time? She blushed at the idea. Again there was a jolt and she sat wide awake.
Jaxon came into the bedroom with a worried expression on his face. "Whats going on?" She asked in panic.
"There's a thunderstorm going on outside, so we're facing turbulences," he informed her calmly, sitting on the bed with her. Her eyes widened with terror and her face paled.
"I'm scared of thunderstorms, Jaxon," she whispered. "I don't want to die."
"Come here," he whispered back, pulling her onto his lap as she clung to him. He embedded his face in her neck. "Do you trust me?" He asked and she nodded.
"Yes," she mumbled.
"You know I won't let anything happen to you?" He asked and she nodded clinging onto him tightly, hiding her face into his neck. He smelled so intoxicatingly good. She could stay in his arms forever. He held her till the pilot's announcement came through the speakers that they had crossed the storm and it was now safe.
Carmella released Jaxon and shyly got down from his lap, her face red with embarrassment. He stared at her with his eyes dark with desire. He had loved it when she called him by his name. He was now determined that he would have to think of something to compel her to call him by his name everytime. He was determined to explore his feelings for her.
"Come outside. We're about to reach," he said, reluctantly getting up.
She followed him outside and sat down awkwardly opposite to him. She couldn't look at him after that stunt she had pulled. She had even called him by his name and most embarrassingly sat on his lap. Jaxon was quiet too throughout the time as he closed his eyes thinking of a way to get her back into his arms again.
They reached the airport and there was a car ready to take them home. "Freshen up and come to office in two hours. There's a huge backlog and we have to blast the production team for non-performance," he said.
"Yes, sir," she sighed.
He gave her an odd look,"I wish I could produce more thunderstorms," he sighed. She smiled and got down in front of her house. Bobby unloaded her luggage.
"See you at office then, " she said, pulling her trolley suitcase along towards her house. Jaxon waved and drove away.
After an hour and a half she reached office and saw a conference meet was scheduled within thirty minutes with the production team. She quickly prepared for the meeting. The next whole day, she was busy with Jaxon, struggling with the backlog and coping up with deadlines. With only two days remaining for the event, there was not a minute to be wasted.
However despite being so busy and stressed, she was glad that Jaxon hadn't yelled at her even once. His change in behaviour towards her even caught Ralph and Gilbert's eyes.
They winked at Carmella and tried to talk to her but Jaxon was always around her, beside her, near her and they didn't get any opportunity to get her alone. At last the hectic day came to an end and she could go home and sleep.
The next two days were the busiest in her life trying to keep up with everything but she didn't fail Jaxon. He was impressed with her capabilities and thanked her on the eve of the fashion week. The meeting with the council was postponed to be held after the fashion week. Carmella was excited since this was the first time that she would be attending a fashion week.
The next day after a whole morning of slogging, Jaxon sent her home with a designer dress to get ready for the event. It was designed by him and he wanted her to wear it. It was an aubergine, scuba crepe a-line sleeveless dress. She left her hair cascading down her shoulders and added on a pair of ruby stud earrings. She added some ruby red lip gloss for a dramatic effect. Wearing her comfortable pumps, she was ready to go. Bobby came to pick her up and take her to the venue where Jaxon and the rest of the people were.
She walked up to the group where Ralph was waiting with many others from her office. They hooted seeing her, "Carmella, who are you dressed up for girl?" Asked Francesca and the others whistled.
"Who else, the one and only who's forgotten how to growl and bark," laughed Dexter.
"Shut up, Dex," said Carmella as a blush spread across her face and neck.
"Tonight you're my date, okay?" Asked Ralph.
"Do you have a death wish Ralph?" Asked Gilbert with a grin.
"Isn't that dress you're wearing, a JC creation?" Asked Megan, inspecting her dress minutely.
"Yes, he gave it to me to wear it tonight," said Carmella nervously.
"Whoa, he gave you to wear it? He's very possessive about his designs. None of us have ever got to wear them till date," informed Tom with an eyeroll.
"She's special guys and Jaxon's whipped with her," said Glenn.
"It's not at all like that. He has someone special in his life already who's inspired his latest designs, " informed Carmella with red cheeks.
"That special one's you, girl, " grinned Gilbert.
"No, you don't know the truth," she said wanting to escape these people.
"I'm his best friend since childhood. I know all about him," Gilbert said with a grin and a wink.
"I'll go inside I think," said Carmella, now really wanting to escape the topic.
"Yes, let's all go in," they agreed and went inside to occupy the seats near the ramp.
Ralph ensured that Carmella sat beside him. Gilbert sat on the other side and clicked a selfie of the three of them. After a few minutes an impatient Jaxon strode upto them, "With all of you partying here, who'll supervise the models?" He spoke in annoyance. "Francesca, Megan go and check the models," he ordered.
"Yes sir," they chorused and left.
"Ralph, check when my designs will be showcased. I think it's the last event of the night," said Jaxon, rubbing his temples.
"Yes Jaxon, " said Ralph, going away to do as asked.
"Carmella, shouldn't you be with me? Come here," he said, his eyes softening as he took in her whole look. All the others watched them with interest.