"Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching our destination. Please fasten your seatbelt," the intercom buzzed.
A flight attendant stopped in front of me. "Ma'am your seatbelt."
My gaze remained on Damon and she touched my shoulder gently.
"Ma'am?"
I blinked. "Yes?"
"Fasten your seatbelt, please."
"Oh," I said, and did as she asked.
I stared out the window. I could see the blazing lights on the runway. The sky was starting to get bright. It was morning.
The ride to the hotel was quiet. Damon stared out the window the entire time, completely ignoring me. He checked the time and mumbled something under his breath. George pulled into the hotel driveway.
"Welcome Mr. Walker," a man said, stretching out his arms.
Damon smiled and shook his hands.
"We got your suite prepped and ready for you," he said.
He paused and stared at me. "Oh, who's this?"
"Just someone," Damon answered coldly.
"Is she going to be staying with you?" he looked confused.
"Is there a problem?" I asked.
"We only have the presidential suite prepared."
"I'm sure she can manage in any other room," Damon said.
The man coughed. "I'm afraid all the rooms are booked."
"What?"
He scratched his neck. "There was an issue with reservations, the room we booked for your bodyguards is taken-," he paused when he saw Damon's stare.
"I apologize, Mr. Walker. Our new employee-."
Damon stalked towards him. "I have a very important meeting in thirty minutes. Will you take responsibility if I happen to be late?"
He bowed his head. "My apologies. I'll take you to your suite."
I stayed beside him quietly. I could tell the meeting was important to him, so I didn't bring up any other matters—including where I was going to sleep.
A couple of men clad in suits were in the conference room when we entered. They stood up when they saw Damon and waited until he sat before they did the same. He looked hot in that moment. I'd always seen him as a soft-hearted attractive guy.
But seeing the respect others had for him made me realize he was more than just a handsome face. He'd worked tooth and nail to build his company from the ground up and had managed to make a name for himself in a competitive industry.
I stood beside George as I watched him from afar, looking around to make sure there were no suspicious people lying in wait.
"You're gonna disappear from his life when we get back home," George said.
I noticed a man sat opposite Damon staring at me. I furrowed my eyebrows as I glanced at him. He didn't look familiar, nor suspicious.
"What makes you think so?" I asked George, my gaze still on the man.
"It's what Damon wants. I'm glad he finally sees you for who you are," he smiled.
"Sure, sure."
"Are you listening to me?" he sounded angry.
I tore my eyes away from the man and stared at George.
I shook my head. "Not really."
He folded his fists. "When I finally find out who you are, you're gonna regret ever knowing me."
I nodded. "Yeah, yeah."
I focused on the man whose gaze was still on me. I didn't feel good about how he blatantly stared at me. There was something oddly familiar about it—and unsettling.
"I look forward to working with you," a man said, as he shook his hands with Damon.
"Likewise."
They laughed.
"Hi," the man from earlier walked up to me with a smile.
My gaze flicked to Damon.
"Are you with Mr. Walker?" he asked.
"Who are you?"
"Isaiah Jobbers," he handed me a card.
Isaiah Jobbers, Managing Director of Jobbers Holdings. The company's name sounded familiar.
Damon walked over and glanced at the card.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"I was just inviting the lovely lady to the party tonight," Isaiah smiled.
"Ivy is my bodyguard," Damon said defensively.
Was I now?
"Really?" Isaiah stared at me in surprise. "So, does that mean I'll get to see you tonight?"
"I'm afraid Ms. Wells is unavailable tonight," Damon said.
"Sure, I am," I interrupted.
Damon's jaw tightened as he stared at me.
He didn't want me at the party, which meant I couldn't be there to protect him.
I turned to Isaiah and smiled. "I'll see you tonight."
I couldn't let that happen.