A huge sense of relief fell over me as I realized that Sebastian kept my secret and did not tell everyone who Brian was. I didn't want to dwell on the subject so I answered her question and then changed the subject.
"Yes, thank goodness, so I won't have to worry about him anymore. What time is my first meeting today? I know that I am going to be slammed trying to catch up on everything.”
She gave me a huge smile and told me that she had kept my morning clear so that I could take some time to catch up.
“Bev, thank you so much, that is exactly what I need. I’d like to comb through the marketing techniques for the hotel for the past year to figure out what needs to be tweaked the most.”
We worked tirelessly for the next few hours and then we broke for lunch. I ate at my desk but did take a few minutes to go outside and walk around the block. I saw Sebastian on my way back into the building just as he was walking out. His eyes lit up when he saw me but that light was quickly replaced by pain as sadness fell over his face. He stopped in front of me and smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. He was so beautiful.
“I’m glad to see you out and walking about, you look fantastic Elena. How do you feel?”
“Much better, thank you. It feels really good to be back at work, I want things to get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
“Just don’t push it, if you need to rest you should go home.”
“I will, but I feel fine, really.”
“Well, I don’t want to keep you, have a good afternoon Elena.”
“Thank you, you too Sebastian.”
I walked to the elevator and stood there in a cloud of sadness. I wished so badly that things could go back to the way they were when we were in Brazil, I was so happy then. If only Sebastian had told me about Jaden and his real history with Sophia. I couldn’t believe that he kept that information from me. As the elevator door opened I tried to shake it off and switch my focus back to work but all afternoon, Sebastian’s face kept popping up in my head.
The next few weeks passed quickly and even though Sebastian kept his distance, he sent me a rose with a note every week. Bev got really excited every time she brought it in to me because she thought that I had some special secret admirer. The notes were always short but very sweet; things like, ‘you look beautiful today’ or ‘can’t get you off my mind’. I thought about him all the time. I started to doubt my reasons for staying away from him and I found that I missed him like crazy.
One Friday evening I was working late when I heard a knock at my door and looked up to see Sebastian standing there looking gorgeous as ever.
“Hi, do you have a minute?”
“Sure, come in.” I was happy to see him but I didn’t want him to know that.
He sat in a chair across from my desk. “My brothers will be in town next week to discuss strategy for a new hotel we are opening and I would like for you to be in that meeting.”
I was completely shocked. “Really?”
“Yes, your marketing ideas have been brilliant and to have you on board during the launch of a new hotel will be invaluable. We are opening a new hotel in Dubai in two years and we break ground early next year. It is a very exciting time for us and I want you involved from the beginning.”
“Wow, thank you Sebastian, thank you for the opportunity. Do I need to prepare anything for the meeting next week?”
“No, it will just be an informational meeting going over the proposed timeline for everything. The meeting will be at 2:00 next Wednesday so have Bev block off three hours for you.”
“Okay, I will. So I will get to meet Spencer and Shane, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Your father won’t be there?”
“No, he’s not really involved at this level.”
I instantly felt nervous when he told me his brothers would be there. It was totally intimidating and I didn’t know that I had the nerve to actually show up, but I knew I had to.
“Okay, I will be there.”
“Good, I think it will be good exposure for you.”
I really appreciated that. “Thanks.”
He sat there for a minute, looking down at the floor, and then he raised his eyes to mine.
“I miss you, Elena.” His eyes were unwavering.
I didn't know what to say to that because it was still too soon for me to think about us in that way. Nothing had changed since our previous conversation and I wanted him to get his shit together first.
“Sebastian, I can’t.” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings and even though I missed him too, I just wasn’t ready for anything with him.
He took a deep breath, tore his sad eyes away from mine, stood and walked toward the door. He stopped and turned before he left.
“I meant it when I said I’m not giving up on us.”
He closed my door quietly behind him and I dropped my head in my hands, raking my fingers through my hair. What am I going to do about you Sebastian Blu?
Chapter Fifteen – Blu Men Group
Wednesday morning I arrived at work at 7:00 a.m. because my stomach had been in knots all night and I couldn’t sleep anticipating the big meeting with Sebastian and his brothers. When I saw the first peek of daylight I hopped out of bed and took my time getting ready making sure that I looked super professional.
I had brainstormed some ideas for the meeting even though Sebastian said it would be informational because I wanted to show them that I had good ideas. There was a definite buzz in the office that day and everyone seemed excited that all of the brothers would be there. Bev was acting like an excited schoolgirl, buzzing around my office. From everyone’s reaction you would have thought that these men were pop stars or movie stars or something.
As 2:00 drew near I became increasingly nervous. I had not seen Sebastian all day so it was looking like the first time I would be introduced to everyone would be at the meeting. It hit me a few minutes before 2:00 that Shane probably knew about me and my relationship with Sebastian since he was so close to Sebastian, and I had a mini panic. I literally had to count to 20 before I started walking down the hall to the conference room. One of my hidden talents was that I could read people really well so I was sure I would be able to tell quickly if Shane knew about us. I knew that Spencer would not know about us, and neither would anyone else since we had to be discreet. The only one I was worried about was Shane. I didn’t want him to think of me as his brother’s love interest, I wanted him to think of me as a colleague. I smoothed my hair one last time as I walked toward the conference room, straightened my blazer, took a deep breath, and opened the door.