I decided on the black dress, I spent about an hour trying to pick which one to wear, but it was no use without knowing where exactly we were going. I obviously didn't care too much because I refused to call him and ask. I was stubborn. I needed this to stay professional.

I don't know if he just wanted to frustrate me or what sexually, but I didn't have it. I had asked other girls in the office what they thought of him, and many of them had slept with him before he even took over. He was a player with many girls ready to be his at the snap of a finger except me. For me, it was that one mistake and nothing more.

So why kiss me? To prove that he could have me? To prove I was no different than the rest? Well, maybe I wasn't, but I am not falling for it.

I assumed we would wait for the lobby and that he was finished and had been waiting for me to meet him there, so I rushed my hair. I let it fall naturally in its shiny brown and curliness.

I made my way to the elevator and hit the button. At the same time, another hand reached for it. I looked up, half expecting Markus, but thankfully it wasn't. I don't want to be in another elevator with him for a while.

It was actually a nicely dressed man. My age but looked older, probably his large beard would normally bother me, but it didn't. He was smiling, and I couldn't help but smile back. His eyes were nothing like Markus's eyes. His were much softer.

"Sorry." He pulled his hand back but didn't stop looking.

The elevator didn't take long, so we were on it in the next few minutes. "Going to a party?"

I turned and smiled, "what makes you say that?" Forgetting that I was obviously dressed up.

"Well, your outfit. You either have a date, or you are going to a party. I'm hoping it's the latter."

I looked down and remembered I was wearing my dress. "Oh, yes. I'm on a business trip. Party or dinner with the boss. I'm not entirely sure; he didn't say which." I said, feeling my cheeks redden.

"Good, then perhaps you wouldn't mind having dinner with me sometime?"

I had never been asked out before. Not once, I know, surprising. I was usually the one doing the asking. My college boyfriend didn't even ask me; I asked him out.

"Um, sure." I didn't see why I shouldn't. I'm a beautiful single woman on a business trip.

"Great," he handed me his phone, "Put your number in, and I'll give you a call." I took the phone and programmed my number in, and handed it back to him. "I'm, Julian by the way." The elevator doors opened on the lobby floor, and we both stepped out. We said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways, but before we were too far apart, I heard him say my name and turned to see him looking at his phone. For some reason, it made me smile that he knew my name.

"Who's that?" I heard from behind me. I flinched, startled, and turned to see Markus in a suit.

"Someone," I said and began making my way to the main entrance of the building, which is where I assumed our taxi was waiting.

"Someone who?"

"Just a guy I'm going to dinner with at some point. Why do you care?" I said, turning to him as he caught up with me.

The look on his face made it seem like I insulted him somehow. "I don't. Just curious. You look nice, by the way." He opened the taxi door, letting me in first, and climbed in after me.

"Thank you." I fixed my dress as we rode around. "So, where exactly are we going?"

Markus looked up from his phone as if he didn't hear what I said, so I repeated it with a slight attitude this time, which he caught wind of.

"A dinner with an investor. The attitude is not needed."

An investor? What was he investing in, the company or a book? I honestly didn't really care, and I don't see why I had to join him in this.

"Well, as your secretary, I should have known about this weeks before we were even set to leave; an attitude is what you deserve," I said, staring out the window but gaging his reaction from the reflection. He looked like he was ready to speak but decided not to push the issue.

The ride wasn't long, but it seemed that way with the silence. I usually don't mind silence, but this was different. This was tension on top of silence and a little anger mixed in.

When the taxi stopped, Markus wasted no time stepping out. He waited for me to exit before closing the door and paying. He led me inside another hotel, which confused me until I realized we were going to the restaurant inside. I followed closely, trying to keep up but at the same time trying to look like j belonged there. The place was incredibly fancy like I wasn't allowed to touch anything. I felt out of place, and this dress wasn't helping.

Markus spoke to the hostess, leading us to a table in the back, away from most of the people already there. He pulled my seat out, and I sat, scooting closer to the table. I watched him sit next to me.

"When are you going to dinner with him?"

I cocked an eyebrow, "I don't know. Whenever he decides to call and let me know."

He didn't respond, only made a face and nodded his head slowly. I don't know what that was supposed to mean, nor did I have time since Markus stood as two other men approached the table. I stood as well as Markus introduced me to the first man, David. He was older, but his hair was far from greying. I couldn't tell if he was dying it or not. He looked very athletic for his age.

David turned to introduce the second man, and it was Julian. My smile grew bigger, and so did his when he saw me. David went to introduce me, but Julian stopped him, "We've met actually. Nice to see you again." He said, taking my hand and giving it a soft shake but didn't let go too quickly.

Markus cleared his throat, causing Julian to release my hand. "Let's talk business."