Chapter 37: Destination Paris
DESTINATION PARIS
RAYNE’S POV
Stacy and I had a brief chat before I let her go to carry on with her work. She was a very smart and friendly person. I think I’ve found myself a friend in this big, lonely mansion. As I turned around to head back into the house, I bumped into a hard wall.
“Ouch!” The intent to murmur died on my lips when I lifted my head and met Eric’s gaze.Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.
“I- I was bored, so I, uh, decided to take a walk around.” Probably because of the suddenness of his appearance, I found myself stuttering as I explained while attempting to step away from his huge, wall-like frame. But, my attempt was stilled when he grabbed me by my waist, holding me still in his arms. With my heart racing nervously, I lowered my gaze from his, but he lifted my chin so that I could look at him.
“Come with me.” He said in a commanding tone.
I frowned at him. “You could at least be nice and less commanding,” I murmured.
Following his command earlier, Eric and I were now on our way to a destination I was yet to find out. Staring out of the window, I tried to probably guess our destination from the routes we kept taking, but nothing was coming on.
“Smith, prepare the jet.” I heard him say to someone. I turned to him and waited for him to drop the call before asking.
“Where are we going to?
“Paris.”
“Paris?” I screamed mentally. I was confused and at the same time, excited. Paris has been my dream destination for years. It was the first thing on my to-do list. Going on a love trip with the one I love. But, did I love Eric? I glanced at him and saw his eyes smile at me. I immediately looked away.
About fifteen minutes later, we arrived at a jet terminal. The chauffeur whose name I was yet to know opened the door for me while Eric helped himself with his door. As I alighted the SUV, an inscription on a tall glass building in the opposite direction caught my eye.
‘Erickson Airways’. So this was a private airport, or jet terminal belonging to Eric? Great!
I stared in awe at the grey-cloured jets resting on Earth a few meters away.
Wow! Just wow! Now what else did I not know about the man I was married to? A blonde-haired man in a black nicely fitted suit looking to be in his early thirties, came hurrying toward us in long graceful strides.
‘Holy Lord! Did everyone around Eric have to be so fine?’ I murmured to myself.
As I walked toward Eric, he stretched out his hand to me and I took it, nervously.
“Bryce, this is Rayne, my wife, I expect you to accord her with the same respect as you do me.” Then he turned to me. “Wife, meet Bryce, your husband’s assistant.”
I felt my cheeks heat up as he introduced us. Did he have to use the term ‘husband’ to address himself? He could have simply said, ‘ Wife, meet Bryce, my assistant.’ But he just had to use that term so he could tease me. Bryce bowed slightly at me, “Hello Mrs. Arnold.”
I flinched a bit because of his actions. I’m sure I will never be getting used to this. “Hello, Bryce.” I smiled at him. Watching them stand together, I could have sworn they were brothers. Both men looked equally graceful and sophisticated and held their shoulders high as elites. But they weren’t brothers, Bryce was Eric’s assistant, which made me wonder why I had never seen him until today. Wasn’t an assistant supposed to stick with his boss wherever?
The two men had strolled forward to talk, leaving me standing at the spot we three had been earlier. A whoosh of air swept past me and I wrapped my arms around myself, thank heavens I wasn’t wearing anything less thick than what I had on right now, a purple sweater on purple panty hosts, and a hair warmer. Probably by now, I would have died from the cold or rather become a human ice block.
I glanced at the men in front, wondering how they get to be just fine in just suits that weren’t even made from materials so thick. Even in such weather, they still get to hold their shoulders high and their heads straight, and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was something that came with being wealthy or being a man. I saw them both glance in my direction and I was slightly taken aback. Were they talking about me? Bryce handed Eric a key and they continued talking, business I guess.
ERIC’s POV
“You’re really flying, when was the last time you did that?” Bryce inquired.
“A few years ago,” I replied, taking a look around the jet terminal. When was the last time I was here? Oh yes, two years ago when I had to travel to Florida for a certain someone’s wedding.
“You never like to fly yourself, why are you suddenly doing that?” Bryce asked me so casually with his usual poker face that I wondered if he had probably forgotten that I was his boss just as I was his best friend. But, I didn’t take it to heart. I knew he was asking out of concern for me. The thought of that made me want to tease him.
“Are you concerned about me, assistant Bryce?” I asked, and he suddenly went quiet. Got him.
“No, I’m not, I’m just concerned about the company it took you years to build.”
“Oh come on Bryce. Are you mine or the company’s best friend?”
“I’m your best friend and the company’s CEO’s assistant. I’d fly you.”
“Look Bryce, I’m trying to impress that woman over there and make her fall for me. If you fly me, I wouldn’t be able to do that. Now, let me have the keys.” I said. The poker-faced human stared at me blankly for a few minutes before handing the keys over. “I’d send a backup jet.”
“Do whatever you want, assistant Bryce,” I said and started toward my wife. I saw her run her arms and I frowned.
RAYNE’S POV
I felt someone drape a jacket over me and when I looked up, I saw Eric towering above me.
“How could you still be cold despite wearing something so thick? He complained. “Look, your lips are almost frozen, do you want me to warm them up with mine?”
“I-I’m fine,” I said avoiding his gaze. I thought he was still going to try teasing me again, but he didn’t. He simply placed his hand on my waist and walked me forward.
“And Bryce, don’t forget you’re my assistant.” Eric scolded Bryce as we walked past him and I couldn’t help but feel bad for him.
“Yes, Mr. Arnold.” He responds respectfully with a slight bow.
ERIC’s POV
Seeing Bryce bow to me was everything and more. I smirked at the sight of it and saw him roll his eyes at me. I was the boss, yet I always enjoyed teasing my assistant. Sometimes, I feel like Bryce and I swapped roles. While he always acts like he was the boss, I acted like the assistant, but that of course was only when we were alone. Only Bryce dared to talk down to me and yet get away with it.