Anastasia

"I don't care what you have to do. Just get it done!"

"Ana they want to meet with you again, just to make sure they are comfortable with selling the company to you, that's all."

"That's bullshit Robert. I was in New York City for five days. Five fucken days! If they wanted to 'make sure', they should've just attended their scheduled meeting in the first place, instead of cancelling." I'm beyond pissed off.

Not even ten minutes after I fell asleep as Christian left my house on Saturday morning, I woke up to my phone ringing non stop. Apparently the owners of the publishing house I've been wanting to buy , want another meeting to speak about the takeover.

I believe it's just the wife who needs more persuasion or maybe a new price number. I swear as I sat across from them the first time we met, I saw money signs in her eyes.

She's an attractive woman who has reached 53 years of age, who looks immaculate. Well groomed but you can feel her pompous attitude. As for her husband, he's a sweet man in his late 60's, kind brown eyes, and silver short thinning hair. He's dressed in non brand clothing, which I find humorous, since his wife is dressed in expensive clothing.

That's what actually caught my attention in the first place as I was searching for a new takeover. Out of all the houses based in New York City, I fell in love with, "Little Blue Publishing". Not because of the title, but because of the owner, who was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to give me a tour as he spoke about how he started his publishing house.

Turning my attention back to Robert who's sitting patiently, across from me, waiting for my answer.

Taking a deep breath and shutting my eyes I ask., "When is the meeting?"

"Tuesday." Fuck!

"I cant, I made my dad a promise..." He cuts me off.

"Take him with you. Tell him you want to take him on a trip, I don't know Ana, just... You have to be there." I know I have to, but that doesn't mean I want to.

"Fine." I say as I turn my attention to my computer as it has alerted me to an incoming email.

"Good." He smiles and stands from the seat he has been occupying, but before he reaches my office door I say, "You're coming with me, and that's final. I'll need you to entertain my dad while he's there." I smile when I see his shoulders slump with disappointment.

Serves him right for scheduling an appointment, when he knows I like spending lunch time with my father on Tuesdays.

Robert hates going to New York. He's always complaining about the traffic, the many people on the sidewalk, the impossible parking, the list is endless. You would never be able to tell he was married to a woman and has three kids, by the way he moans and complains about irrelevant shit.

"Fine." He answers as he gives me a glare over his shoulder and closes the door behind him, causing me to laugh out loud.

I swivel my chair towards my computer on my right hand side of my desk.

Clicking on the inbox icon, I feel my eyes widen and my heart has quickened.

I debate with myself, if I should read the email, but curiosity has gotten the better of me and before I know it, I've opened the email.

Anastasia,

My sincere apologies for not calling you in the past six days. I feel truly shameful for my actions and would like to invite you to dinner. Don't worry, we are just friends getting to know one another. Please agree to go out to dinner with me. If you will, I've sent my cellphone number, my office number, as well as my address in the attachment. Hope to hear from you soon.

Christian

I can't help the smile that has displayed itself on my face. Christian wants to go out to dinner... With ME!

I've read his email a dozen times, but yet I haven't been able to type my response.

I want to say, 'Yes.' but I can't. Christian is Elliot's brother, which means he will be around me since Kate and Elliot are dating. I know how impulsive Kate can be. If something happens between Christian and i, Kate will get involved, voluntarily. Who will then most likely, take out her anger on Elliot, if Christian would ever hurt me.

"I can't." I sigh and close the email icon, choosing instead to read through four contracts of up and coming new authors.

I don't know how long I've been sitting at my desk looking at the same contract, before I'm interrupted by my cellphone ringing.

"Ana speaking."

"I don't care what you say, you're going out with me tomorrow morning. You ditched me last Saturday, without even telling me where you went..." I ignore Kate as she rambles on. Lifting my head, my gaze lands on my computer screen that reads 7pm. Shit!

"Ana? Where are you?" Kate stops her rambling to ask as she's probably heard the clicking of the keyboard, the slamming of the file cabinet, and the low curse that passes through my lips.

"At the office."

"An..." I cut her off.

"And before you finish that statement, I was busy trying to figure out a way to get out of an meeting for Tuesday." I tell her as I'm running out my office and straight to the elevator doors, with my purse in one hand, while I hold the phone to my ear with the other. I know it's a lie, but I can't tell her the truth.

"Well... I guess, I can let that slide." I roll my eyes. She might be older by a couple of months, but I'm more mature than her by years. I giggle at the last part.

"Don't forget tomorrow morning. Where something nice... Nevermind I'll be there early to help you. Okay bye Ana, be careful and call me to let me know you arrived safely." She says and hangs up.

Pulling my phone away from my ears, I stare at it as if it has grown a head, as I walk inside the elevator. What was Kate talking about? I ask myself as I press the 'G' button.