Mia met David and Fiona outside while someone had a trolley carry her suitcases.

    "You brought all these?" Fiona asked her, pointing to the suitcases.

    "I did." Mia nodded.

   "You didn't think it was over the top for a two weeks stay?" Fiona asked.

    Mia chuckled... "Of course not. It's the least I've travelled with."

   "Wow. I came with a small bag and my mom was screaming it's damn big." Fiona said. Mia saw the bag she was talking about.

   What?! That bag couldn't handle her shoes! As a lady you have to be prepared for anything. But Mia didn't say that. "I pack a lot." Mia said with a smile.

    "Let's leave." David told them.

   They were half way to the hanger when Ryan called Mia.

    "Go on. I'll join you guys." Mia told Fiona and David before going to met Ryan.

    "Where are you going? You're flying with me." Ryan told her, taking off his shades.

   "What? No one told me that." Mia frowned.

    "I thought you would want us to leave in the same plane." Ryan said to her.

    "Ryan I don't want to go with you. I wanna go with the team." Mia told him.

    "Mia, are you afraid of flying with me alone?"

   "No. Why would I be? I know you can't try anything because I could easily kill you if you do." She said and Ryan chuckled. "I prefer to travel with the team. I don't want them thinking that I am getting any sort of special treatment." Mia told him.

    "Fine, but I was really hoping we could fly together." Ryan said.

   "We could fly together. Why don't you fly with us?" Mia suggested.

   "Me? No no. I can't do that -"

   Mia rolled her eyes... "You won't get a disease from flying with the team, no one's gonna try to murder the high and mighty Mr Webster, well no one, except from me." Mia shrugged and Ryan laughed. "Come on Ryan, fly with us. If you go alone, you'll get bored sick staring at empty seats and space."

   Ryan watched her try to convince him and it was actually working. She was the only person that could change his mind.

    "What do you say?" Mia smiled at him, batting her eyelashes to look cute. Indeed she looked cute.

   "Jeez, stop doing that." Ryan closed his eyes because it felt like she was placing him under an enchantment and it was working.

    "So does that mean yes?" Mia smirked.

   Ryan sighed, opening his eyes. "Okay."

    Mia gave him a slight punch playfully in his chest. "I knew you'd come around."

    "But on one condition."

         "What?"

   "You'd sit beside me."

    "Sorry but I promised David I'd sit beside him." Mia shrugged.

    "Well forget it then." Ryan raised his brow.

    "I wonder why I even tried. Fine then, go. Go alone." Mia glared at him slightly before turning to leave.

     Damn Mia! She was gonna be his downfall if he wasn't careful. "Okay universe. You win. I'm coming along with the team. Happy?" Ryan said as he was defeated. Now that he and Mia finally had the perfect understanding, he wasn't gonna screw everything up.

   Mia turned back to look at him. "Really?" Her face brightened.

  You only have that effect on me........ But he didn't tell her that. "Really. I'm only doing this because -"

    "It's the right thing. Come on let's go, hurry, everyone's waiting for us." Mia beckoned on him. She didn't wait for him to join her, she left in a hurry.

    "Universe wait!" He tried to stop her from leaving him. "Let's go toge-" Ryan wasn't able to complete his statement as Mia disappeared quickly. "She's driving me crazy. What is she doing to you Ryan? Argh." Ryan massaged his temples as he walked towards the plane.

   Mia watched Ryan enter the plane. She was the only one not surprised that he was flying with them.

    "Dude, you're flying with us?" David arched his brow.

    Ryan cleared his throat. "What does it seem like I'm doing?" He glanced at Mia.

    "Don't get grumpy." Mia bit her lips from smiling.

    "Olivia, get the paperwork for tomorrow's meeting." Ryan said, before walking to his seat. He sat at the far end of the plane, isolating himself from others.

    Olivia stood up instantly, gathering some documents.

    "I'm drafting a layout for the presentation tonight with Mr Pressman, do you w-" Olivia gets interrupted.

     "You can finish it. I'm gonna work on this." He scanned the paperwork.

    "Are you sure? It's gonna take hours to finish them alone." Olivia told him.

   "I know." He nodded... "One more thing. If you need to tell me anything urgently, text me. I don't want to be disturbed." He didn't spare her a glance as he was focused on his papers.

"Alright." She nodded dutifully before leaving.
✴✴✴✴✴✴

     "You've been looking over the seats ever since the plane took off, is something wrong?" David asked her.

    "No." Mia shook her head. It's been only an hour, David kept telling Mia about his trip around the world and honestly, she was getting bored. She couldn't help but strain her neck to find out what Ryan was up to.

    "Could you excuse me for a minute?" Mia finally asked David.

"Take your time." David nodded.

    She stood up, walking towards Ryan. When she saw him, he was busy, with papers around the table.

   "Olivia I told you If it's urgent then text me." Ryan didn't bother to look up.

    "I'm not Olivia."

   Ryan looked up, surprised to see her. "Universe?"

"You're quite busy. I'll just check on you later." Mia nodded with a smile.

     "No no. Stay for a while, I've been meaning to talk to you." Ryan said to her.

   Mia sat beside him. "About what?"

     "I'd be going to the foundation today, Olivia told me you wanted to check it out, so I was thinking we should go together." Ryan spoke.

     "Sure. That would be great." Mia nodded to the idea. She glanced down at the papers. "Do you need help?" Mia asked him.

    "It's a lot but I can manage." Ryan gave her an assuring smile.

     "Come on, if it's something I could do, let me help." Mia reached for a paper. "I don't mind."

     Ryan stopped her, holding her hand. "No it's fine." He looked at her fingernails. "You got your nails done." It didn't sound like a question. Her nails had a color he wasn't familiar with, possibly nude mixed in pink? It had small rhinestones at the base of each fingernail.

    "I always get my nails done, you just don't notice. But yes. I did get my nails done, yesterday." Mia stated. "Do you like it?" Mia looked at him.

    "They are lovely." He caressed her fingers with the pad of his thumb.

"Thank you. David actually picked the color." Mia smiled at him. She liked that he liked it.

     "That's nice." He smiled at her. "And that perfume of yours, what's it called? I love it. You always smell of fresh jasmine." Ryan leaned closer to her, inhaling her bewitching scent. He could keep her close all day.

             Mia blushed and turned into a tomato. She pulled away her hand from his touch. "It's not really a designer perfume, as a matter of fact I made the fragrance myself." Her face lightened up with enthusiasm.

             "Really?"

     "Yes. The thing is my mom and I had gone to this fragrance store in Italy, in this store, you get to make your own signature perfume by yourself. They have all the extracts from flowers, fruits, different things! All you have to do is mix the extracts you want. I chose jasmine, blood orange, peaches and voilà, I have my own perfume, made by me." Mia grinned. She was really proud of it.

"Wow. I'd love to make my own fragrance." Ryan liked that she was so enthusiastic about telling her story.

    "That's fantastic! We could go to Italy together and-" Mia paused. Suddenly the excitement died on her face.

     "And what?"

   "Sorry. I don't know if you'd want to come along but in case you go alone then I'll surely di-"

"I'd rather go with you." Ryan laughed.

   "Okay!" Mia went back to smiling.
✴✴✴✴

   Two hours on the plane. David was asleep, Fiona was reading a novel, Olivia was arranging and sorting files, Nick and Carlos were playing cards. Mia was playing candy crush game on her phone.

    Ryan dropped his pen, flexing his hand a bit. He turned to Mia who was fully concentrating on her game and he smiled. Ryan leaned in, crooning against her neck.

Mia was startled by his action that she froze her breath.

    "I'm happy." Ryan spoke softly against her neck.

    Mia felt the vibration of his voice and the heat of his breath when realized she was holding her breath. "What do you think you are doing?" Mia said in a whisper.

   "Relaxing." Ryan pulled away and looked at her.

      Mia heaved a quick sigh. "Why did you do that?" Mia looked at him with a frown.

    "Did I make you uncomfortable?" Ryan suddenly had a rush of panic that maybe he had done something wrong.

   Mia had seen it in his eyes. "No. I just wasn't expecting you to do that." Mia licked her lips. "Y-you took me off guard." She stuttered nervously.

   "Are you sure?" He tucked away the strand of hair falling to her face.

     Mia blushed... "Let's get something straight. We are friends right?" Mia asked for clarification.

      "Mhmm." He nodded.

    "I don't think friends should kiss each other intimately, or get romantic with each other. Especially if one of them is in a committed relationship." Mia pressed her lips waiting to hear what he had to say.

    "You're right. But ours is a different kind of friendship."

     Mia frowned at him, folding her arms. "You don't mean friends with benefit do you? That's disgusting, if that's how you want us to be." Mia wasn't finding it as a joke.

    "Hey hey, don't take it the wrong way. I never said that universe, you came up with that idea."

      "Honestly Ryan, I'm not used to having a lot of male friends and you treating me this way is making me scared. Ryan what do you really want from me?" Mia didn't want games. She knew things would end up badly if she continued to pretend they were just friends.

    "I really wanna keep it as friends between us..."

            "But what?"

   "I've fallen in love with you." Ryan told her plainly. "I'm sorry that I feel this way but I can't help it."

     Mia swallowed down. Her heart was pounding against her chest and it was getting unbearable to breathe. It was not the first time someone was telling her that cliched line but it was the first time her heart was reacting.

    Ryan cupped her face in his hands. "It's my heart and mind that feels this way, I really wish I could make it stop but I can't. I'm not forcing you to feel the same way, but don't stop me from feeling what I feel. I can't make what I feel go away and you can't make it either. If you try to stop me, you'll only make it stronger." Ryan said his mind.

    Mia sighed... "You can't fall in love with me. It's not right. You might end up hurting yourself in the end." Mia told him.

  Ryan chuckled, taking his hands away. "I wanna get hurt. Sweetheart, it's my heart. You don't have to change how you see me, just keep being you."

   Mia smiled half way... "There's something you should know."

    "What is it?"

    "Well, you're the one thousand and infinity person on the queue. You might not last long, you'll fall out of love quickly." Mia shrugged at him.

    Ryan laughed. "Is that a challenge? Don't underestimate me universe, I'm a lot tougher than I sound. I simply can't unlove you just because of that."

   Mia nodded... "If you say so." She wanted to ask about his girlfriend but she decided to shut her mouth. "Are you done with what you were doing?" She asked, jerking her head towards the papers and file.

   He looked down at his papers... "Not all of them."

    "Keep up the good work." Mia nodded.

They were quiet for a while then Mia fell asleep halfway through the journey to New York.
✴✴✴✴✴

      "Mia. Mia... Universe... Mia." Ryan cooed quietly.

    Mia slept on his shoulder peacefully.

    "Universe wake up, we're here. Wake up." Ryan nudged her but she didn't wake. "Universe." Ryan called her.

    Mia tilted her head up, still asleep. Ryan looked down at her face.

     "Mia." Ryan called again, holding her chin between his fingers.

   Mia opened her eyes, feeling a bit drowsy. "What?" She raised her head forcefully, hitting Ryan's jaw. "Oh shit! I'm sorry, I'm sorry Ryan." Her eyes opened wide.

He winced, holding his painful jaw. "Argh."

    Mia tensed up. "I'm sorry. Let me see." She held his jaw. "Does it hurt that much?" Mia frowned, examining his jaw.

      "Ow!" Ryan yelped when she touched the painful part.

    "Sorry sorry." Mia bit her lip nervously. "I'm so sorry Ryan. I didn't mean to hit you."

            "It's fine."

    Mia massaged his jaw. "Does it hurt as before?"

     "Not anymore." Ryan shook his head.

    "Are you sure?" Mia was worried that she might have broken his jaw.

     "Yeah." Ryan nodded again. "You do have a strong head."

    Mia chuckled... "I'm sorry though. I should apply ice on it to help-"

  "There's no need for that." Ryan assured her. "I'm fine."

   "Okay." Mia nodded, relaxing against the seat.
✴✴✴✴

    "Olivia, organize the meeting with Pressman. I'm going to the Webster Foundation." Ryan said walking to his Mercedes G63 limo.

   "Okay sir. Do you mind me asking what you're going to the Webster Foundation to do?" Olivia said following him.

     "I'm paying a visit. There's no need to join me, besides, Mia is coming along." Ryan said to her. "If I need something, she'd help me."

"Mia? You mean t-the event planner?" Olivia was shocked.

    When one of his bodygaurd sighted him, he opened the backseat door.

Ryan turned to Olivia when he arrived at where his car was parked. "Yes."

"Why is she going with you? She's not an assistant, I should be the one joining you." Olivia stated.

    "Last I checked, you're not my assistant either. You're just a secretary. Mia's going to check out the paintings at the foundation. I don't think I owe you any explanation." Ryan raised his brow.

   She cleared her throat, adjusting her glasses. "Sorry sir." Olivia stepped back feeling a bit nervous.

   "I've given you an order, carry it out." His voice was laced with authority. "Understood?"

   Olivia lowered her eyes... "Understood." She answered.

   Ryan saw Mia approaching, he undid the button of his suit jacket and waited for her.

   "Shall we?" Ryan gestured to Mia, holding his hand out.

   Mia looked at him and blinked. "There's no need for you to help me in."

   Ryan rolled his eyes. "It's a friendly gesture."

   Mia ignored him and turned to Olivia. "Bye Olivia." Mia smiled, giving her a small wave.

   Mia carefully entered the car while Ryan followed after her. The bodyguard jammed the door shut and walked to the passenger seat.

    The car drove off. Mia admired the interior of the car, it looked lavish and expensive. It was very beautiful. She kept looking around when her eyes landed on Ryan. He didn't look happy as he was furiously tapping his phone.

      "Ryan?" Mia called him quietly.

   "What?" His voice was cold and he didn't bother to look at her.

    "Why do you sound like that? You sound grumpy." Mia eyed him.

   "I'm busy. I can't engage in petty talks." Ryan said to her. He was sounding cold and distant.

   "What's wrong?" Mia frowned. "Are you upset?"

   Ryan ignored her completely.

   "You don't want to talk to me? Is that it?"

    "Imbeciles!" Ryan said to his phone, throwing it down. He was upset about something but wouldn't say anything.

   Mia stared at him and saw a hint of anger in his eyes.

    "Stop looking at me like that." Ryan's husky voice spoke.

     Mia looked away. She picked his phone, placing it on his lap. "It's my fault isn't it?" She said quietly.

    Ryan glanced at her. "I'm not in the mood." He leaned back, against the seat.

    "What did I do this time?" Mia frowned. She'd be hurt if he didn't talk to her.

   Ryan closed his eyes, ignoring her.

    Mia sighed... "Stop behaving like a child." She leaned closer to his face. "What's got you upset?" She asked him.

    Ryan opened his eyes. Finding her so close made his heart melt. "You bruised my ego." Ryan said.

   "I did?" Mia looked confused.

    "I extended my hand to help you and you rejected me. Am I that bad?" Ryan asked her, looking into her eyes.

Mia remained speechless....