Becoming His Woman

Chapter 14: Australia

A day had passed and finally my most awaited flight to Australia is almost up!

 By tomorrow afternoon to be exact. Mr. Dexigrous was thoughtful enough to send me home early and prepare for my things. However, with the seducing appeal of my bed, I just doze off the supposedly packing time given to me…and now I’m rushing to prepare everything up before proceeding to a long night sleep. 

 I’m listening to December Avenue’s song to stay awake and fight off the sleepiness knocking on my head. I can feel how my eyes struggles to stay wide open…but I still continue. 

 Picking the right pairs of clothes to wear on the good for five days escapade with the boss, I realized how much a luggage monster I am. An average woman would definitely raise an eyebrow on how many bags I packed for just a span of days.

 Well, I really care less as I am naturally a sophisticated person specially on my personal hygiene and fashion outfits. My mind was disrupted from thinking too much with the three consecutive knocks on the door. I wouldn’t have to look at it to know who it was.

 Shhhhhh! The door of my room swung open revealing my cousin in his sleeping SpongeBob pajamas. His hair was tussled around as if he had gone a girl dragging hair fight. “I can’t sleep darling.” He said as he makes his way to my bed. I raises my eyebrow.

 “So?” I practically throw a sarcasm. Really! What does it have to do with me? What does it have to do coming on my room this late hours of the night?

 “I can’t sleep because of you. Didn’t you actually realize your music is too loud, disturbing the neighborhood?” Alexis practically shakes his heads in disbelief on my insensitivity.

 “Oh! I thought the volume was just right, my bad!” I then sets the volume a little bit lower. My cousin raises his right hand for a thumbs up. 

 “Now can you leave my room in peace?” There’s no need for him to stay really. 

 “Are you in a hurry to get rid of your ever hunky cousin Ms. Fernatto?” Alexis toyed with my phony last name. 

Rolling my eyes heavenward, I just shut my mouth. 

With a man like Alexis, this firing back of questions will just continue in a cycle if I don’t give way. I leave him be, sharing with the warmth of my comfy bed while I continue packing my things up. But I can’t seem to just leave my cousin be… 

 “What are those for? Are you finally deciding to buy an apartment and leave me here all alone?!” He hysterically nags which made me roll my eyes for the second time around. 

 “Goodness Alexis! Can’t you be less dramatic, can you? I’m just going for a business trip.” I cut short his drama before it gets more serious. 

 Acting like a naïve kid, Alexis immediately jumps off in joy… “Just like I thought…you sure cannot live without me,” he proudly said. 

 “Whatever!” Can someone actually tells me if I am living with an eight-year-old boy or a grown up man? The way I see it, Alexis is acting way far from his age just now. I wonder if my personal assistant knows this childish side of him he hides from the public.

 Speaking of which, something suddenly got reprimanded on my mind… “By the way Alexis, how did it go with that night?” I asked. 

 “As you all know, we lost the Gun of Yakuza to the Dexigrous,” Alexis, with lowered shoulders, said. I snap my fingers. 

“I’m not talking about that,” I hissed. My cousin then looks at me and throws me a questioning look of ‘what-the-hell-are-you-talking-then.’ 

 “How did it go with Lyra that night?” I restated my question with complete info. 

My eyes couldn’t miss to see the sudden glimpse of spark in my cousin’s eye as I said my personal assistant’s name. Hmmmm…I smell something's fishy here. I couldn’t help but to grin form ear to ear. 

 My cousin seems to notice it and throw a defensive statement… “What you’re thinking is wrong Herena?”

 “How do you know it is when I didn’t even told you what am I thinking in the first place?” I challenge in confident grin. 

 “Lyra and I are just in a typical boss and employee relationship. Nothing more,” he defended, confirming what I have in mind.

 Confirmed! Alexis Devaraux has finally fallen for a woman in the person of Lyra Amigo!

 “I didn’t even say anything and yet you threw a defense? Hmmm…” My grin turns into a playful smirk. 

 “Don’t play innocent darling. You know my guess is right. Even without any further word, I just happen to figure out how your mind works… “And I know just now how your little minds goes on imagining romantic scenes with your boss in your trip to Australia.” It was now his turn to put me into a hot seat, brushing off the smirks on my face. 

 Wait… Did he just said Australia?!

 As far as I can remember, I never told him about the whereabouts of the business trip. Alexis seems to really know how my mind works as he already provided answer to my query without needing words. 

 “I practically set an eye on you darling. I couldn’t just simply let you be in the hands of the enemy…” Alexis' last word echoes in my ear. …enemy …enemy …enemy “Any Dexigrous here on earth are considered an enemy of the Laghberg. I hope you won’t forget your real identity while living your phony one,” my cousin last said before he marches towards the door. I was left lost on the words he just said. …my real identity? … … … 

 After quite some time, I’m finished with my things. I immediately step on my shower room to clean my body before proceeding to bed. Feeling the cold splash of clear refreshing water cascading my body, I couldn’t help but to ponder on Alexis' reminder of who I am… 

 Indeed, I am Herena Maxine Devaraux…and in my blood runs the loyal blood of Herbert Devaraux, the best friend of Tyrion Laghberg, the former boss of Laghberg Mafia, but more than that… I am Herena Maxine Devaraux, who holds undying love to the man I had eight years ago… Thus, Calix Cole Dexigrous was never been an enemy for me! 

***

 “Fasten your seatbelt dear passengers and secure all your belongings. Flight 1809 McArchie Plane is taking its flight off the ground in the following five minutes!” 

I heard the stewardess announced on the built in speaker. Dexigrous Empire is no doubt financially able to send us in a private deluxe plane which I heard was one of the many owned plane by the empire itself. I am sitting right next to Mr. Dexigrous and I couldn’t help to miss how he impatiently looks at his watch every now and then to wait for the five minutes to be over. Geez! He values every tick in the clock too much. 

 “Starring doesn’t make the hand of the clock moves faster than it is Mr. Dexigrous,” I couldn’t help but to say hiding the forming amused grin on myself. I behave way disciplined and respectful enough since the first day of being his secretary. Well, except on the county kissing encounter . Perhaps, a little change in my personality this time wouldn’t be bad. He looks a lil' bit surprised with my sudden casual remarks before finally regaining composure and backfires at me. 

 “Says the one who couldn’t wait to be on the beach,” he said while gingerly eyeing my lacey long sleeve black top barely covering my inner black bra. If I am eating something, I would have definitely choked by now. What the hell?! How did Calix even think my designer’s trendy blouse a two piece in disguise?! 

 “Come on Mr. Dexigrous! This is called s-t-y-l-e! It’s one of the fashion trend on ladies casual wears nowadays. How can you intertwist it with beach wears huh?” I tried to sound less annoyed as much as possible. I didn’t expect Calix would be this alien on women’s clothing. Maybe because he spends most of his time in his office rather than on clubs and parties, which I find hmmm…beneficial on my part. I would definitely hate it if he had gone womanizing all these years that we’re apart. 

 “Whatever you say Ms. Fernatto, but we’re ain’t going for a summer beach party on the coast of Australia. Purely business…” he said trying to kill any spurting hope in my heart. 

 Ugh! Calix, why do you to be this rude? My thoughts was disrupted with the announcement coming off the built in speaker yet again.

 “Five minutes was finally over. For the final time dear passengers, please fasten your seatbelt… “I repeat, please fasten your seatbelt...” the same stewardess voice warned as I felt the plane move still gracing the spacious alley. 

 “Flight 1809 McArchie Plane is off in five…four…three…two…one!” It was an automatic reaction of my body to grip on the hand rest of the leather chair as the plane slowly rises to the air. Not long after, the plane neutralizes, implying that we are now successfully floating on the designated level in the atmosphere where planes are recommended to fly. Those tall and standing proud skyscrapers and building are now just a size of a pea. And the cars on the busy roads of New York, now appears like toy cars instead of real ones. Feeling the pang of dizziness brought about by riding a plane, I shut my eyes to sleep. I should better doze it off if I want to avoid the afflicting aftermath of jetlag.

 ***

 I slowly opens my eyes upon feeling how my head hurts for oversleeping. Oh did I sleep that long? I never had to look on the clock when someone provided me the answer on what I’m about to ask. 

 “Witnessing your almost noon waking hour in the North Light City Hotel, I wasn’t surprise with your straight three long hours sleep,” Mr. Dexigrous said as he slowly lowers the newspaper he’s reading. 

On his side placed a pile of magazine, he probably had already read? Ignoring his seemingly nagging remarks, I excuse myself to use the comfort room. My urinary bladder couldn’t seem to hold my water waste already. I need to micturate…

 After getting myself relieved from discomfort I flush the toilet bowl and proceeded outside. Just then I saw the stewardess talking with Calix with a flirty smile on. I intentionally stop on my track to observe from here.

 “Good day Sir! What would you like for lunch? Perhaps something fresh and delicious like our El Salvador macaroni pizza,” the stewardess said in a professional yet flirty way as she bites her lower lip afterwards.

 Too bad I couldn’t see my boss reaction from where I am standing. I couldn’t seem to stand seeing the annoying flirty smile on the stewardess' face that I wanted to wipe it off. 

 ‘Get off my man b*tch!’ I saunter back our chair while making sure that the stewardess see the challenging smirk on my face.

 “Good day ma’am!” the stewardess tries to give me a bright smile but that ain’t changing my impression of her. I ignore her greeting and pretended not to hear it at all. I slyly glance at my boss to check his reaction...Hells on this b***h as he is already busy looking at the food menu. 

Good boy! He didn’t give shits on flirts. 

 “If you excuse me please…but you are blocking my way,” I said wearing a fake smile. My eyes didn’t miss to see the rising of this b***h right eyebrow towards me before masking it with a professional plastic smile. 

“My apology ma’am.” She then moves aside giving me access to my seat which is located just beside the man this b***h is badly eyeing. 

 “Is going to the comfort room even takes you several hours to achieve?” Calix’s question nearly makes my jaw drop. Wait— What? My peripheral view couldn’t miss to notice the stewardess sly smirk on my boss's remark! 

 “Never mind Miss Fernatto. Just pick us foods you think suites my taste.” It was now my time to smirk at the standing stewardess. You see b*tch he makes me choose his foods!

 Scanning the food menu, a reddish dish top with a creamy sauce got my attention. “A would love to have Caprese salad with pesto paste…as well as a branded red wine!” Nothing beats fresh tomato salad on summer specially when paired with a delicately tended drink! 

 “Noted ma'am. I would made the serving two for Sir as well,” the stewardess last said before sashaying her way back to the cabin to prepare the foods. I couldn’t help but to roll my eyes with the sweetly soft tone the stewardess used upon muttering the word ‘Sir.’ I am only reprimanded to not do it with the chuckle coming off from the man I am sitting with.

 “You sure is something Miss Fernatto, acting all transparent of your underlying interest on me,” my boss proudly exclaimed without appearing too much boastful as evident with his suspended smirk. But I couldn’t help to blush myself with his assertive remarks. Did I just became showy and expressive of my feelings just now? Unbeknownst to me, I’m actually stuck in so much surprise that I don’t know how long did I stayed silent. 

 “Kindly excuse me…nature’s call.” I was only taken aback when Mr. Dexigrous excuses himself to use the comfort room. I felt how the seat beside me escalate with the relief of the weight in it as he gingerly leaves his chair and saunters towards the CR.

 Toying look was visible on his maleficent face. After a short while, he returns still wearing the toying smug look. I took a deep breathe and gathers all my strength from all the tiniest capillaries in my body before speaking. I’m not gonna let myself appear so easy to predict without giving a try to cover up. I courageously faces my boss to give a counter attack on his all proud remarks…

 “About earlier…” I started which made him looks at my direction with raised eyebrows throwing a questioning look of ‘how-about-earlier?’ “About earlier Mr. Dexigrous, I’m not trying to express any sort of ‘interest on you' as you called it. I was just simply helping you out of the stewardess flirty venom,” I justified myself. Still not convinced with my answer, Calix just shrugged his shoulders and threw me a smirk. Ugh! He is so sure of his claim about my interest on him! Of course that was true but I hope you don’t expect me to confessed it right away? It would probably make me appear too easy to get if that’s the case…and I don’t want Calix to have that impression on me. Here he comes again with his usual way of ending conversation… 

 “Whatever you say Miss Fernatto. For as far as I am concern, your interest was not the subject of his trip.” It took me at least three deep breathe to stop myself from punching him straight to the face. 

Damn! Can he be at least nicer? My sudden burst of frustration was immediately taken care of with the mouthwatering aroma of the approaching food. Hmmm…yummy caprese salad. I couldn’t wait to have you on my mouth… 

 “Serving caprese salad on pesto cream and an Alabama red wine…Enjoy the lunch Ma’am, Sir!” As mine was served atop my chair, I immediately scooped handful of it and shove it to my mouth. The rich feeling of fresh tomato slice was sweet-sourly melting in every bite.

 *** 

 The next event happened after we safely landed on the shore of one of the Australian beach had me all jumping in excitement!

 “Good day and welcome here in Amonterino Hotel Mr. Dexigrous and Miss Fernatto! I am Constantino, the head manger of this hotel and I come in behalf of Mr. Chilagan of is currently working on his health…” Calix obviously was disappointed and angered on the fortuitous events that befalls us. Mr. Chilagan was actually the sole reason of this business trip. Dexigrous Empire wants to build its own name in one of the most scenic beach in the world. Unfortunately, the one they are looking for are owned by a labyrinth complex businessman in the name of Dawson Chilagan!

 “Nevertheless, he assures that he can make it up after two days of rest. We are hoping for your understanding. For now, let me usher you to your rooms,” Constantino, the manager, compensated Mr. Dexigrous disappointments. As for me, I couldn’t help to grin in victory. With everything happening on that labyrinth Chilagan man, I can clearly proceed on my party in beach plan and more importantly on my romantic beach escapade with my boss! Ugh! God knows how I couldn’t wait to dump my things on the room, take a short nap to rest my jetlag, and then stroll on the white sand serenading calm beach!