BASH
"That's all. Thanks, everyone," Dad wraps up after the long hour of meeting regarding the expansion of Hughes Industry to East Asia.
Everyone gathers their things and rises from their seat, including me.
I zoned out a couple of times, and my mind kept taunting me with that mind-blowing kiss.
I really should talk to her. I need to see her. I need her.
"Bash, what's wrong, son?" Dad's voice catches back my attention.
I raise my brows. "Nothing's wrong, Dad."
Shit.
"Bash, you can't just zone out like that during the meeting. I need your mind and heart to focus on our discussion. Leave your baggage at that door as soon as you enter this room. Do you understand me?" Dad says firmly as he points his finger to the conference room's door.
He's right, and I should've focused next time, and soon, I will take over his seat, and I can't just disappoint him.
"Bash, don't disappoint me again. I let you study abroad for our businesses, and you will be the CEO soon. I've been in your position once. I worked hard for our company when your grandfather let me take over his seat. I did everything to prove to him that I was not a disappointment and not just a manwhore. I worked hard every day and night. Now, look at me, and I proved to Dad that I deserve to be here."
I swallow hard. I know Dad when it comes to business. He is ruthless, ambitious, focused, and determined.
"Lizzy will take over the King Hotel Chains and restaurants, and you will take over the Hughes Industries. Your mom agreed with my decisions. She didn't want to merge Hughes and King's businesses. Lizzy agreed with this idea, and now she's working hard to learn. This is your future, son."
I nod as guilt twists in my belly. I purse my lips together because I don't know what to say anymore. I'm running out of words.
"Follow me to my office," Dad finally says.
I can only mutter a word, okay.
I sit in an empty seat in front of Dad. He is still on the phone with Mr. Shin from South Korea. His son is a friend of mine. We both studied in the U.K.
I rub my starting to throb temples. I'm not overthinking what my father said earlier. In fact, I'm not thinking about it at all.
I'm thinking about the redhead woman who's taunting me every second.
My head snaps to the door when it opens. My eyes widen instantly, and I feel my mouth gape. Just the one I've been looking for.
My headache is gone in milliseconds. I sit straight while my eyes follow every step Trinity makes.
Her white and red striped dress fits perfectly on her figure, and she's wearing red high heels this time. Jesus! This woman is killing me.
Her hair is still the same messily-curled. Seriously, I don't know what they called it, but she looks sexy as hell.
"Hello, Mr. Hughes." She's very professional.
Even Dad insists on calling him uncle at work, but Trinity is Trinity, and she doesn't want special treatment. Dad smiles at her before he gestures to an empty seat across mine. She walks toward me like she owns the floor.
Dang woman.
"No, hi for me?" I ask in a low tone. Our eyes meet-her eyes are filled with joy.
"Hi, Bash," she says awkwardly.
"Tri, are you ignoring me?" I ask immediately, looking at her beautiful face that I missed for two horrible days, and she even seems surprised.
"You didn't answer my call, didn't call me back. No text, no email, no voicemail at all." I demand an answer. "Why are you doing this?"
"I was busy," she answers shortly.
I snort. "Seriously? You're avoiding me and ignoring me because you thought whatever happened between us that night would just be awkward to talk about it."
"Bash," she whispers.
"If you will not talk to me like we talked before, I swear to God I will tell your friends and your date that we kissed." I know it's unfair, but so is she.
Her green eyes grow wide as saucers. Her face turns red as she purses her lips into a thin line.
Dad is done talking on the phone.
He moves closer to us and sits on his chair. "So, let me start now that you two are here."
I don't know what this is all about, but I feel anxious as hell.
"Kiara, as you've heard, we are expanding our company worldwide, and this time, our next target is East Asia. I need a team to go to Seoul to close the deal. I'm supposed to go there with Abby, but I guess I have the perfect candidates since you two are still learning." Dad pauses, looking at us- at our reactions.
My brows raise.
"I have decided that the two of you will be the best candidates to go to South Korea," Dad affirms.
My heart beats faster. When I look at Trinity, she looks pale and shocked. I guess she doesn't see that coming, either.
"Don't you like the news?" Dad asks while waiting for our words.
"Why us? And why me and Trinity?" I ask out of curiosity if I have to spend some time alone with Trinity, by all means.
"It's your first deal, Bash. Although the deal is done, and all you have to do is see the site personally, meet the Korean team, and sign the contract, you also need to explore that country before you start the classes. They're great people with a rich culture and history. What do you think, son?" He has a wicked grin when he notices Trinity is looking down at her fingers, frowning.
I shake my head slowly. Jesus, he sets this up and knows we can't say no.
I hear Trinity clear her throat. "I think Bash needs a well-experienced partner, Mr. Hughes. We're both your new employees-"
Dad raises his hand. "You will say no to me, Kiara, and that's part of your job to follow my order. So all you have to do is pack your things, and the jet is taking you to South Korea," Dad says firmly, rises from his chair, and buttons his suit before he faces the glass window.
I glance at Trinity.
"You two can go now," Dad dismisses us.
I follow Trinity outside Dad's office. She strides, which leaves me a little far behind.
I sprint to catch her pace. "Tri, wait!"
She ignores me like she can't hear me. God, this woman is so stubborn.
"Trinity! Just stop!" My breathing catches with anger. I hold her arm before she can go far from me again. "Why are you doing this? Why are you avoiding me?" I sound so desperate, but I don't care because I am.
I've never been so desperate in my life, especially regarding women. It hurts when she's acting like I don't even exist, and I can't let her get mad at me without knowing why she's doing this to me. I need at least to see the reason and say it to my face.
"Do you want to go to Korea with me?" I ask again when she still doesn't answer my questions.
She leans herself on the wall. "Do you want me to come with you?" At least she looks me in the eyes.
She looks hurt, and I don't know why? It's killing me to see her hurting. I can't help but run the back of my finger on her smooth face. She stills, and thank God.
This place is empty.
Dad's PA is maybe on her break.
"I would love you to come with me, Tri," I whisper, leaning my forehead on hers.
She gasps at our nearness, and my heart starts pounding in my chest. She stays still, doesn't push me away, and neither pulls me closer. I press my nose over hers.
I press my lips on hers. She sighs as I move my lips, smirking, and that's when I hear a clearing of a throat near us. We both stiffen and pull ourselves away like a deer caught in the headlights.