The Next Day....

Allison's POV

"I guess we'll have to reschedule."

"Definitely! I'm so sorry Ryan. I really wanted to go but James threatened to fire me if I didn't work tonight," I sincerely apologized to Ryan.

His face showed sadness and disappointment. I looked away, hating myself well more James for causing him to feel this way. I was currently attempting to let Ryan down easy about canceling our date tonight and part of me felt as if I was doing the right thing which is incredibly weird.

"How about tomorrow night? Just you and me. But this time, let's not tell anyone in the office," Ryan asked me with a knowledgable expression.

I smiled and a second later, I thought of the conversation I had this morning with my brother and sighed, "I can't tomorrow night. I'm having a sibling movie night with my older brother and we haven't had one in a while."

"But what about Sunday?" I added with a hopeful tone of voice.

"Can't. My brother and his wife are coming over for dinner on Sunday. I haven't seen them in a long time and they are flying in from California. But you are more than welcome to come," Ryan said to me with a warm smile.

"I'll have to get back to you on that." I told him, unaware of two familiar women watching our interaction.

He nodded and picked up the file from my desk. "I'll see you later, Allie," with that, I watched him walk away, still feeling immensely guilt.

I groaned and fell back into my desk chair, putting my head in my hands. I can't believe I canceled on such a great guy all because of James. That handsome jerk had been ruining my mood since I got here this morning.

"Oh someone's having a bad day. What's wrong, Allison?" A woman's voice suddenly asked me, followed by a light sound of clapping hands. 

I lifted my head up to see Paloma struggling to carry her black purse and a smiling baby boy, who looked almost identical to Enzo. I quickly stood up and helped Paloma with her purse by setting it down on my desk.

"Thank you so much! I'm here to speak with Adrian about Olivia's party and Enzo's mom canceled on me so there's no one to take care of Noah. This is why I tell Enzo that we should leave Noah at my parents' sometimes." Paloma ranted in frustration.

I smiled at the humorous scene in front of me due to the fact that I got to see a different side to Paloma. Her motherly, impatient, and small amount of anger towards her husband.

She readjusted her hyper two year old on her hip before saying, "Sorry. Enough about me. Tell me what's wrong. I came over after you were talking to that cute man and let me tell you that you both would make such a good looking couple. But you looked sad after he left."

I blushed at her words and explained, "Ever since my ex boyfriend cheated on me last year, I hadn't built up the courage to go on a date and now that I possessed a chance, I had to turn it down!"

"Why?"

"James apparently needs me tonight to work on this presentation or something like that at his house! I was looking forward to a nice evening with Ryan. Then on the other hand, I got in a fight with Camilla because of her secret boyfriend that I have yet to meet!" I frantically yelled at the end. 

"Well I think I can help you with your Camilla situation. However, your other issue can only be resolved by James if he let you have the night off. Which I don't think will happen since he is as stubborn as a bull."

I nodded my head in understanding. No one could possibly fix my ruined date except the person who screwed it up in the first place, James! He has the tendency to always bother me or interrupt any encounters I have with attractive men!

"Now tell me every detail on what happened. I know we have just met but I want you to have complete confidence in me and that I won't tell a soul." Paloma told me and lightly bounced Noah in her arms, "and neither will Noah."

I chuckled and Noah smiled. He was the cutest baby in the world. He had bright blue eyes and black hair similar to Enzo's. His cheeks were a bit fuller and suited his wild personality.

"Okay. I can sum up the whole morning. I asked her when I was going to meet this secret lover of hers and she freaked out saying that if I kept being persistent she would never introduce me to him. Camilla was hysterical. In fact, she almost looked guilty and nervous as she spoke to me. Some harsh words were said and it even got to a point where Camilla threw a vase at a wall."

"Wow."

"Yep. Wow is the perfect word to describe Camilla and I's current situation." I leaned back in my seat and hung my head with disappointment.

"Maybe Camilla has a lot on her plate right now. But I would definitely try talking to her again. From what you've told me, she seems to think that you may not approve of who she's let into her life."

I shook my head in disagreement, "It's not that. I feel like she sort of feels guilty of whom she's dating in regards to me. Like is it one of my ex boyfriends?"

Paloma chuckled and switched Noah on to her other hip. "Has she told you anything about this mystery man of hers? Maybe that could give us a clue to who he is!"

"Well he works at the police station with my brother," I revealed to her while trying to think of who Camilla would be interested in.

Noah started to become fussy causing Paloma to rock him back and forth, giving me a look of apology. I waved my hand around, signaling that I was fine. I couldn't comprehend why I truly valued Paloma's opinion. She possessed this presence of a motherly and sisterly figure.

If anyone saw Paloma with Noah, they could see the bond that everyone talks about between a mother and her son. The sight was truly beautiful.

"Why don't you ask your brother if he knows anything? But ask him smoothly. Don't just go straight into the topic." Paloma advised, looking down at a sleepy Noah and then back at me. "Or you can just leave the subject alone, repair your friendship with Camilla, and wait until she's ready to tell you."

I sighed and weighed my two options in front of me. One could turn out a complete mess because Daniel hated Camilla and won't help me when it comes to her. The second one would kill me slowly everyday since Camilla isn't in any rush to tell me who her lover is.

I met Paloma's eyes and took a deep breath. I'm gonna have to go with my gut feeling.

"I'm gonna ask my brother and see what's going on," I made my decision.

"More like who." Paloma added.

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hours Later......

I reached over my desk and turned off my small lamp before tucking in my seat neatly. I grabbed a few folders and my laptop, placing it into my purse. I was too busy cleaning up my office space to be aware of someone standing behind me.

"Miss Green." I sprung forward, startled by the abrupt sound of another person's voice. "Why so jumpy?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. De Luca. I was cleaning my desk and I didn't hear you." I said to him and stepped away from my desk with all belongings.

James nodded his head slowly and I smiled sheepishly. An awkward silence came between us for a moment until seconds later he extended his arm out to me. My eyebrows rose in confusion, resulting in him rolling his beautiful blue eyes.

"We are leaving to my home office. Now ladies first," James elucidated with a kind smile and signaled for me to take his arm.

I cautiously took his arm and we made our way down the hall. I tried to ignore the small sparks that rode up my arm at James' touch, but failed miserably. I looked to my right in order to hide the growing blush on my cheeks and James chuckled smugly.

"It's nice to know I have this affect on you, Miss Green." The elevator doors opened and we stepped in, James immediately pressing the button for the lobby.

"One, I have no idea what you are talking about and two, I remember asking you to call me Allison," I corrected James while unwrapping my arm from his.

"I'm very sorry, Allison. But the way you blush can't be held a secret when you are around me. It's understandable with my charming good looks and intelligence anyone would do as you did." James stated cockily and fixed his suit with great arrogance.

I scoffed and looked at him in disbelief. How could someone be so arrogant and be viewed as one of the kindest men in New York? Well according to his clients that is.

"You are unbelievable," I muttered as the elevator doors opened. We continued our way to his car in silence, neither of us knowing what to say. I was still angry about our whole him canceling my date situation that I rather keep my distance.

"Jeffrey," James greeted a middle aged man as we stood outside of the company building. "How's your son been?" 

"Elijah's been doing good. Your brothers and him are still good friends." Jeffrey smiled, reminding me of my father, who I haven't seen in a while.

"I'm glad. Those three have been inseparable since their first day of kindergarten together." Both men chuckled and I grinned at James' happy expression. It seems like he's known this man for a long time.

"Now who is this lovely lady?" Jeffrey questioned.

"Oh I almost forgot. Jeffrey, I would like you to meet my assistant, Miss Allison Green," James introduced me and put his arm around my waist, bring me closer. "And Allison, I would like you to meet my occasional chauffeur and big time family friend, Jeffrey."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Green." He tipped his hat and shook my hand.

"The pleasure is all mine and please call me Allison," I said to him shyly.

"Well Jeff, could you please take us to my house? We need to do some work," James demanded kindly.

Jeffrey nodded and held open the door for us. I got in first and sat towards the window. I needed there to be space because my strange feelings for James were returning and I didn't need that right now.

'Remember, he is your boss and you are his employee.' I reminded my self in my head and repeated it a few more times.

The limo door closed and the sudden realization that I was going to be with James possibly alone at his house finally hit me. What if something happened?

James gave me a smile and I mirrored his behavior except with a small grin. He turned his attention back to the window, allowing me to release a deep breath.

'Could I be okay with James tonight?'

                 ~~~~~~~~~~~
MEANWHILE...

Samuel Costa's POV

I took one last breath of fresh air before opening the restaurant door and stepping into the familiar café. I stood by the hostess podium and waited to be seated at my regular table.

My heart rate sped up as I caught site of her, giving her award winning smile to a senior customer. I'm glad that she didn't know the power she held over me.

She makes me want to hold her everyday and try to give her the world. I was completely in love with Victoria and I only hoped that one day she would feel the same about me

"Well if it isn't Samuel Costa. Here to see Victoria?" Camilla asked with a small smirk, raising her eyebrows suggestively and interrupting my thoughts.

"I'm just here to get a cup of coffee like I always do," I explained nervously and avoided eye contact with Camilla. "Plus why would I want to see Victoria?"

Camilla briefly laughed as she grabbed a menu from the side of her podium and led me to my usual area. "Maybe because you are in love with her and come here almost every day to see her. I'm pretty sure the whole restaurant knows you're crazy for each other."

I suddenly felt very warm and by Camilla's giggling, I realized that I was blushing profoundly. I took a seat and she handed me my menu.

"Your waitress will be just with you," Camilla told me with a smile. "Well in your case Victoria and when she comes over here finally ask her out!" Camilla added and patted my shoulder before walking away.

I groaned and placed my head on the cold surface of the table. I have tried to ask Victoria out many times but every time I would begin my mind would go blank from the nerves.

I continued to wait patiently and gripped the menu harshly in my hands, unable to relax myself. I heard soft heels hit the dark hardwood floors and I felt as if my world was becoming one.

I met her familiar light brown eyes and suddenly it was as if I had all the confidence in the world. I needed to do this for myself and the love I felt for this woman.

"Hey Samuel. We've missed you around here," Victoria told me with a small smile, pushing a strand of her loose hair behind her ear. "Do you want your regular?"

"Victoria, you and I are going on a date tomorrow evening at 8," I blurted out and soon watched a bright smile grow on her face.

|~~~~~~~~~~~~\
Sorry for not updating in a long time. I had finals, summer homework, and I know have a job + cheerleading. It's going to be a very busy summer and I'm just happy that I got the chance to update. I will try to get updates quicker but my schedule is unpredictable and I hope you can bear with me.

Please comment, vote, share, and follow! I promise the next chapter will be a lot more interesting!! Just wait and see!

This chapter is dedicated to:
whynotread24
who happened to see me at work today!