He looked at her as if about to explain to a two-year-old what the sun was. “Exactly what I said, Miranda. I am going to Paris for a few days and as my personal assistant, I need you to accompany me there. I have that meeting with a few select French businessmen who want me to invest in their country and expand my business there as well. You know all this.”
Miranda was seriously getting ticked off by then. “Of course, I know that. I’ve been arranging all those conference calls for you and following up on agreements, etc. What I don’t understand is why do I need to go with you?”
He sighed loudly, as if it were a huge inconvenience to explain the obvious to her. “Well, it’s a big deal I’m about to close and I need my assistant with me. Who else is going to point out the important people and make sure I have the right papers and nudge me in the right direction? I need you there with me and so you are going.” Miranda opened her mouth to say something but he held up a hand to silence her. “Not another word, Miranda. This is non-negotiable. You are going with me and that is final. Now, please go and fetch me the Newman documents, would you? Thank you.” And with that he turned back to his laptop and began typing.
Miranda stood there for a few seconds, seething angrily. Then she stormed out of his office and went to fetch the said file. The rest of the day, Miranda continued to be in a bad mood. She didn’t want to go anywhere with this man whose only hobby was to flirt with any woman who would give him the time of day. She knew how the trip would turn out; she would be doing all the work, spending every waking minute preparing for the big meeting while he went off gallivanting with French women. She would have a front row seat to the spectacle that was Alec’s love life and she didn’t want anything to do with that. She’d also have to deal with his incessant trifling with her in the absence of any available French ladies nearby.
She went home to Jenny, who had a few days off from the cruise and was spending it at the apartment. They had been sharing an apartment ever since they graduated from college. When Miranda stormed into their apartment, Jenny saw at once that something was wrong. “Okay, so what did he do this time?” she asked. They had skyped every day and Jenny was pretty up-to-date with anything Alec related. Even though they talked daily while Jenny was on the cruise, still Miranda loved having her there in person for even the smallest things, just like it had always been.
She threw her bag down on the couch and crashed on it. Through gritted teeth, she spat out, “He. Is. Taking. Me. To. Paris.”
Jenny came to sit beside her and tried to hold in the laughter that was begging to burst out. “What a monster!” she exclaimed in mock horror.
Miranda turned to her and called out, “I’m serious, Jen. He didn’t even ask me, he informed me that I was to give up any life I had and follow him to another country like an obedient dog! Do you know how humiliating it was? And I’m going there for what? He can do his work for himself; he always does. He doesn’t need me there. He just wants to shirk his responsibility and have me do everything while he whisks away with some French bimbo! I won’t have it!”
Jenny put a hand on Miranda’s shoulder and said, “Well, honey, it is in your job description to do whatever he says. Be grateful what he’s asking is for you to go with him to Paris and not to finish a mountain of desk work. I think you’re overreacting just a tad. You need to calm down and think; will it really be so bad to go see Paris? You know you’ll have more than enough time to go explore the city without having to interact with Alec and be able to get the work done for the meeting as well. It’s a win-win situation. I say you relax and think of the plus points here.”
Miranda was forced to admit that what Jenny said made sense. She was acting a bit like a spoiled brat at the moment and it wasn’t necessarily so that she would end up having as bad a time as she assumed. She let out a sigh and said, “I hate it when you’re right. Fine, I’ll go to Paris but if it turns out exactly as I know it will, I’m having your head for dinner.” Jenny just laughed it off and Miranda calmed down. Jenny always had that effect on her and she was glad she wasn’t back on the cruise, leaving Miranda to handle the situation on her own.
Chapter 7
Miranda stood ready by the front door, waiting for Alec to pick her up. He had insisted that he come to get her from her home. Reluctantly, she had agreed and now it was thirty minutes past the time he had specified. Maybe he has forgotten that I have to go with him, she thought as she stood waiting. The thought made her smile a bit but it also made her feel dejected. She sat on the sofa and for reasons unknown to her, she felt sorry for herself. Just as she had given up hope that he would ever arrive, the doorbell rang.
She quickly jumped off the sofa and ran a hand through her hair. Checking herself in the mirror by the door, she stood up straight and opened the door with a regal flourish. Alec stood at the other side and my, did he look handsome. He had on a white polo shirt, salmon-colored knee-length shorts, loafers and a hat. His shades were resting over the hat and he looked like he had just walked off a modeling set for summer attire. His chiseled body strained to be seen through the clothes and Miranda suddenly felt the room was getting stuffy, fast.
She looked down at her own ensemble and wanted to groan out loud. She had on white trousers with brown belt and a light blue, flower-printed, flowy shirt. She looked like a plain Jane next to this model in front of her. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so confident about the whole trip anymore.
“Good morning,” Alec smiled. “You look ravishing, as always. Ready to go?”
Miranda knew that his compliment was just another one of his little things he said to everyone so she paid no heed and instead walked out of the apartment without asking him to come inside. “You’re late,” was all she said as she locked the door.
Alec chuckled softly before replying, “Yes, well, you don’t get perfection like mine by rushing things.” He grinned at her, expecting a laugh but she just looked him dead on before moving to the elevator. Sighing, he followed her and said, “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.”
“I don’t like to be kept waiting,” she replied, irritated. “Punctuality is the key to success I believe.” Alec mumbled something but she didn’t understand what it was and she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of asking. So it was that they spent the entire ride to the plane in silence. Well, almost in silence. Alec tried to make conversation with her a few times but she always shut him down with one-word answers and after a while he gave up. They were driving in a limo and Miranda couldn’t help but be a bit awed by it. It had luxurious leather seats and a mini fridge as well. Now, this was the way to travel, she thought to herself.
They reached the airport and drove right up to the plane. It had “Bane” written at the tail and it was a really sleek, top-notch jet. Alec offered his hand to help her up the steps but she ignored the gesture and climbed aboard. It was gorgeous and the interior was something out of a movie. Taking it all in, Miranda made her way to the back and dropped down into one of the lavish sofas that replaced seats. She looked out of the window as Alec climbed aboard. She saw from the corner of her eye that he was debating whether to come sit with her or not but at last he decided not to and took a seat at the front instead. She sighed in relief and closed her eyes as the plane began to ascend.
She hated flying. It always gave her anxiety and sometimes she was brought to a state of panic. She had always preferred sailing over flying and now that she sat there alone with nothing to distract her, the panic was beginning to take over. She breathed in and out in long gasps like you’re supposed to do in situations like these but it wasn’t having much of an effect. She gulped and begged God that she wouldn’t end up vomiting in this very expensive jet.
Her eyes were tightly shut and she was breathing in short gasps when she felt a hand wrap around hers. She opened her eyes to see Alec next to her. He gave her hand a squeeze and looked deep into her eyes. “Breathe, Miranda.” Obediently, she did as he asked and felt her body begin to
relax. Just having him sit so close to her, giving her his support, was doing wonders for her.
“Do you miss the cruise?” he asked suddenly.
Miranda looked up at him, puzzled. Where had that come from? “Yes, I do at times. I loved being out on the ocean and interacting with new people. I like your office and the people there, don’t get me wrong, but the ocean has its own charm.” Miranda was surprised she had said so much. She could only chalk it up to her panic shattering her filter.
Alec smiled at her answer and continued, “I understand and I’m sorry that you had to be transferred. If you want, I can have you sent back.” He looked away for a second as if saying the words had caused him physical pain. Miranda stared at him in wonder. Did he really mean it? She was surprised by how genuine and honest he sounded.
For some reason, at that moment Miranda’s thoughts were far away from going back to the cruise. All she could think in that moment was how warm his hand was as he held her, how he was ready to send her back if that was what she wanted. He could be sweet when he wanted to and Miranda found herself thinking she would like to know this version of him.
“Thank you, that is very kind of you to offer but I think I’ll stay a bit longer. I am learning quite a lot by working here and I’m sure it will only help me in the future.”
Alec was staring outside the window next to Miranda but she saw his shoulders sag in relief. She was baffled by his reaction but at the same time she felt elated as well. He really didn’t want her to go, he was only asking because it was something she wanted. That touched her heart as Alec had never done before.
After a moment, Alec turned to her and giving her a smile he said, “Have you ever been to Paris?”
Miranda shook her head and answered, “No. I’ve been to Italy and a few other stops with the cruise but never Paris. I hear it’s a beautiful city though.”
Alec got excited fast and said, “Oh, you’re going to love Paris. If you like I can show you all my favorite spots. It’s not just the usual tourist attractions I love but there are a few discoveries I made over the years. I can show them to you, if you want.”
Miranda grinned at his boyish excitement and couldn’t help but say, “Yes, I’d like that very much.” Alec beamed at her answer and then started asking her about all the places she had been and the places she hoped to go. Miranda found herself talking to him without any hesitation and she realized that he was actually pretty knowledgeable and nerdy. He knew some history of all the places she talked about and he didn’t just look at tourist attractions but rather set about exploring the inner workings of any place he visited. As they talked, Miranda could see that he was so much more than he usually came across. Under that flirtatious playboy routine was an intellectual, curious man who saw the world from a different angle than others.
They were in the middle of talking about the Maldives when Miranda realized that she wasn’t affected by the flying anymore. Alec had distracted her so well with his incessant talking and exchanging of information that she had completely forgotten about her fears. She looked down and saw that he hadn’t let go of her hand once. Having him care for her like this sent a warm sensation trickling down into the pit of her stomach. She looked up at Alec as he continued talking animatedly. She saw the little gold flecks in his eyes, she noticed his brown locks as they kept falling over his eyes and his smile as he talked about something of interest to him. He was a handsome man, there was no doubt about that, but when he was unguarded his beauty took on a whole new level.
The flight landed much too quickly and Miranda thanked her lucky stars that she hadn’t gotten sick; although if she were being honest, Alec was to thank for that. Alec led her to a car that was waiting for them. They got in and it pulled out of the airport. As they flew through the city, Miranda couldn’t help but observe the foreign land with a bucket of excitement. She literally had her face stuck outside the window as she took in all the beautiful buildings and colorful people. She breathed in the European air and giggled at the marvels of Paris.
Alec sat back in his seat and enjoyed watching her. He grinned at her exhilaration and couldn’t help but see the city through her eyes. When she turned to beam at him and point something out, he took just as much interest as if he were there for the first time as well. When they reached the hotel, Miranda was speechless. The hotel was magnificent. It was huge and the building itself was created so artistically. Lavishness oozed off the very building and when Miranda walked inside, she could see why.
The lobby of the hotel was like being in a large cathedral or so Miranda assumed. From a large dome high up an impressive chandelier hung. The sofas were in different arrays of red and beige and the walls were wallpapered to give an elegant effect. Bellboys ran about in their fancy uniforms and Miranda could see where the lobby opened into a restaurant, a bar, the elevators section and other places unknown to her. Seeing all this, she couldn’t wait to see her room.
Alec walked up to the front desk and soon came back with two sets of keys. He handed her one and said, “We have adjoining rooms so that if we have to work or communicate we are always nearby. I wanted to make sure that you wouldn’t feel alone on this trip even if it’s just me you get as company.” Miranda was touched by his thoughtfulness and she smiled at him as she said thank you and took the key he was holding out.
They went up to the rooms and Miranda entered hers. The first thing she saw when she entered was the little balcony at the end of the room. She rushed to it without so much as glancing at the rest of the room and swung the doors open. A spectacular view awaited her there. The Eiffel Tower stood in all its grandeur not too far away and it was lit up, pulling the eye towards it. She could see all the little houses strewn in between the different hotels nearby. People walked by, taxis drove on and Vespas were all the rage. She couldn’t help but grin at the sight. Not having her fill of watching the grand scene, she went into her suite and pulled back the curtains from her full-length mirrors. Now she could enjoy the beautiful sight right from her bed. She sank into the soft, plump bed and sighed with contentment. This was already turning out to be a much better trip than she had anticipated. Alec wasn’t exactly the devil Miranda had thought him to be and the view alone was sure to make Miranda never want to get out of bed.
There was a knock on the door in the middle of the wall that connected her room to Alec’s. Suddenly Miranda felt nervous. Could he just walk into her room whenever he pleased? Hesitantly she got up from bed and went up to the door. She saw that there was a lock on her door and she breathed out a sigh of relief. She quickly opened the door and was surprised to see that Alec’s room also had a door that he could lock as well. So, no one could enter without the other’s permission; that was a relief.
Alec stood there grinning as she opened the door. “I wanted to know if you wanted to go out for dinner or if you want to order in tonight? I’m alright with whatever you choose.” Miranda was startled that Alec wanted to have dinner with her instead of going and finding some hot French woman to dine with. But then again Alec was surprising her a lot on this trip. She smiled in answer and said, “I’m a little tired after the flight so I think I’ll just order in but you’re free to go out and dine or whatever else you’d like.” She wanted to give him the option to leave if he wished. She wasn’t sure if he was staying out of pure courtesy so she was giving him an out.
Alec looked a little put out by her answer but he kept a straight face as he replied, “I was hoping we could have dinner together. As I said, I don’t mind where we eat. But, umm, if you want me to leave you alone I guess I can do that as well.” And he turned to leave.
Miranda quickly called out, “No, I would like the company actually. So, yes we can order in.”
Alec turned and grinned at her. “Perfect. Come into my room and we can call for whatever you’d like.”
Chapter 8
The next morning Miranda ended up sleeping in later than usual. She woke up to loud knocking on the front door. Draggi
ng herself out of bed, she made her way over and opened the door to find Alec standing there. He had on another polo shirt, yellow this time, and light blue shorts. His dark sunglasses hid his eyes but one look at her and he started grinning like an idiot. Miranda was suddenly self-conscious of her flimsy, see-through baby pink tank top and matching mini-shorts. Her hair must be standing on end, she was sure of it, and she hoped she didn’t have any drool on her face.
Alec held out a disposable cup of coffee for her and said, “Morning, sunshine. I thought I’d check if you wanted to go sightseeing today. I woke you, huh?”
Miranda moved away from the door, going back inside the room. Alec followed her in and propped himself on one of the sofas. She shook her head as she went back to her bed to grab her phone from the side table. “No, I should’ve been up a while back but I guess I was more tired than I thought.”
Alec sipped his coffee and replied, “Must be the jet lag, I’m sure. Happened to me but now I’m used to all the time differences. So, umm, do you want me to leave you to your own devices or would you be interested in doing some exploring?”
Priceless Love Page 5