I woke up to the sunlight streaming down the window and delicious smell wafting in the room. I opened my eyes to find the other bed empty, as usual. The headache was gone, and I felt revived.

I freshened up and walked to the TV room. A buffet spread of breakfast was kept near the table and Mr. Grumpy was on a call with someone. He didn't look very happy. His brows were knitted in concentration and he was listening intently. I waited till he completed the call while I looked in awe at the food he ordered.

"How do you feel now?" His voice boomed. I smiled at him. I was thankful to him and I also felt a bit embarrassed. He had to skip the fellowship yesterday because of me. When I recalled about the pill and goodnight kiss, I couldn't help but blush.

"I know this is a repeating dialogue but I'm sorry and thank you!" I was genuinely grateful.

"No thank you and sorry between friends right?" He grinned.

"Are we friends?"

"Are we not?"

'Well! you are my boss. You are considerate and you are kind and you are bloody sexy but are you my friend?'

"Looks like your answer is a no!" When I didn't answer his question, he sort of deduced the answer.

"No. Ahem. I mean-" Shit! He helped me so much and is this how I repay him? How do I put this in words? "Maybe we are borderline friends?"

"What does that even mean?"

"I mean we are not friends but we are friends-" This is so difficult to explain. "Like we are more than acquaintances but not quite there as friends yet. But maybe one day?" I tried to explain.

"Okay, let today be that day! Friends?" He extended his hand. I shook his hand and smiled.

"And now, breakfast! I don't know about you but I am famished." He said as he walked purposefully towards the food trolley and I followed him. "I thought you might feel comfortable eating in the room today." I was touched that he thought about me and ordered the buffet in the room. But there's something very important that I need to talk to him about.

"Mr. Holden. Errr... Don't get me wrong but I have a request."

"Tell me." He was already plating the delicacies.

"I met a few other personal assistants here at the conference. The thing is -" this is going to be embarrassing "- they are staying in small hotels. I mean – the one who are staying here -"

"Come to the point Amelia." His voice was calm but he stopped taking the dishes.

"You see, the ones who are staying with their bosses are for – are for other benefits." I felt the heat creeping up my neck.

"Okay. So?" he tilted his head questioningly.

"So, I am not staying here for any benefits. " I raised my chin. "Also, if someone else comes to know about this – They would – I mean -" It was tough to put it in words

"Amy! I've no doubts about your character and I'll never talk about this arrangement to anyone if that's what you mean." He turned towards me. "This would be our secret. Pinky Promise?" And he extended his pinky towards me. Suddenly, the mood lightened. I laughed and we locked our pinkies. He was fun!

"What time do we leave today?" I asked as I bit into a crispy buttered croissant. Yum! It was so tasty.

"I need to travel to Los Angeles. There's some urgent personal issue that I need to attend to." Suddenly his tone was serious. The change from fun to serious was swift. Like they say, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 0-100 mph in just 2.35 seconds!

"Sure. Mr. Holden." Maybe Regina misses him? Or maybe he misses Regina?

"Your return ticket is on the bedside table. Martin will be outside the airport and he will drop you at your apartment." He stated as if it was obvious.

"Thanks again, Mr. Holden." He thought about everything, didn't he?

"When will you come back?" I wasn't sure if I should ask him this. He said it's personal, didn't he? "Should I reschedule any of your meetings?" I hastily added lest he deduce that I was eager to see him again.

"I should be back by Wednesday. So, I'll see you in the office on Thursday?" He looked at me.

"Okay. I will reschedule the meetings until Wednesday." I said with a straight face as he smiled back at me.

Packing was quick as there was hardly anything to pack. Mr. Grumpy left earlier than me but he made sure that my cab was booked for the airport. I believe, Regina couldn't wait to see him, or was it vice versa?

The plane landed in San Francisco by evening. As told, Martin was waiting for me and I was comfortably at home before dinner. Steff and I had a good talk as we munched on salad and pasta. I told her all about the conference though I conveniently skipped the room sharing part.

It was our secret. Pinky promise!