Chapter 8 Making a plan

• Sydney -
• My hand was still hurting. I had slapped that asshole with all my might. I didn't stop running until I had reached the art school and collapsed on a bench. What was wrong with me? And what was wrong with him?
• The man was an enigma, no matter how much I tried to deny the fact, but he was a walking dreamboat. He was tall enough to tower over my 5'8" frame. His gorgeous looks, that tanned skin and, gorgeous dark hair was enough to drive any sane woman to throw themselves at him. But I was scared of him.
• He was nowhere like other men. He was lethal. A blush crept up my skin at the memory of that long drawn kiss. The way his lips had moved over mine. I could still taste him.
• I felt a tremor run along my spine just at the thought. 'No,' I said to myself.
• 'Why am I thinking like this? I shouldn't. That man is a master playboy and he kissed me without my permission. I should be pressing charges, not thinking about those deep blue eyes and those muscled arms. He had not followed me, I was sure of that. Despite that, I kept looking everywhere to check if he was still around. Rather, I was hoping he would have followed me. 
• "What's up with you? Why are you so quiet today?" Leah asked.
• I had been tinkering with my dinner for the last several minutes.
• "Nothing, I was just distracted," I replied. I hadn't said anything about that man to Leah. 
• "Leah, have you ever been kissed? Like forcefully?" 
• She almost choked on the water she had been sipping. After a round of coughing and spluttering, where I rubbed her back and gave her a copious amount of tissues. She finally asked.
• "Did someone kiss you? Who is he? Where did it happen?"
• "No, It was just a hypothetical question."
• She eyed me suspiciously.
• "Of course I have kissed, a lot....even more. But what do you mean by the forceful part? You mean assault?" 
• "Yes and no. I mean has someone kissed you without your consent, and you enjoyed it?" 
• She blinked.
• "You mean like those bodice-ripping romance novels?"
• I couldn't help laughing.
• "Kind of."
• "Did you bump into one of those dudes ?" She asked wriggling her eyebrows. 
• I knew I was blushing, yet I denied it.
• "No, nothing like that. I was reading a magazine and came upon a story about a girl who bumps into a rich intimidating guy in a coffee shop, he forces her to replace his stained shirt, then kisses her in an alley. Though she resists him, she liked it."
• "Wow! Then what happened?" Leah asked.
• "Then nothing happened they just go their own way."
• "What kind of story is that?"
• "Forget the story, why do you think he kissed her?"
• "Well that depends, maybe he likes her, maybe he is a psychopath creep. In either case, he shouldn't have done that without consent."
• Leah said with a solemn face.
• Before I could answer we were interrupted by Mike, who often joined us for dinner. He threw his red cap on the couch and plopped on it.
• "I had a tiring day. Had to rush around for 3 auditions." Mike sighed.
• "Awww, you poor boy," Leah joked ruffling his hair.
• " You have any idea how annoying you are?" He asked Leah.
• Her smile faltered and she made a serious countenance. "Now that you mentioned it, I know." 
• Mike and I burst into laughter, my made-up story was soon forgotten.
• "You know our theatre has a new owner now?" Mike said before stuffing the pavlova I had made in his mouth.
• "Really? It's finally sold? Who is he?" Leah asked, then she turned towards me.
• "This fruit cake is awesome," she grinned holding her fork.
• "It's called pavlova, and thank you, "I said.
• " Yes, that one, pavlova." She nodded and continued eating.
• I smiled and shook my head.
• "It's someone called Eric Randall. We'll see him soon at the launch party." Mike said.
• "Nice, " Leah replied," hey Sydney. " Would you like to join us for the party, next Saturday? It would be fun!"  She asked me.
• "Sure, but can I join you? I mean I am not invited."
• "Don't worry the cast can bring along a friend. Since I am playing the maid. You can come with me." She added.
• "Sounds great!" I replied, not that I had any other friends to hang out with.
• I slept little that night. I tried consoling myself that I was not affected by that stranger, I could not help replaying that moment again and again. I twisted and turned the entire night trying to calm my senses. My body craved for the man I would never meet again. I gave up on sleeping at 4 o'clock. I dragged myself from my bed and had a really cold shower. 'I need to calm down!' I scolded myself.
• *********************
• Aiden
• My eyes moved to another member of my staff and I continued without a break, " I want the report by this afternoon, and Jeniffer makes sure the press doesn't get wind of it. This deal is very important. I don't want any publicity before the contract gets signed." 
• Jennifer nodded. And my morning continued.
• When everyone left and I was allowed a final moment of peace, I leaned against my chair and heaved a sigh of relief. I closed my eyes. The moment I did, there she was, before my eyes, that hazed look, those half parted lips, uneven breathing, heavy-lidded eyes and that intoxicating smell of hers. I had it bad, I wanted that girl but I still remembered that ringing sound of her slap. My cheeks were still smarting. I had never been slapped before, I had got into fights, had a few injuries but I was never slapped. I was furious at her. 
• But the moment I closed my eyes, I could feel her lips on my mouth, her tongue rolling against me, in one of the most erotic kisses of my life. I wanted her. I wanted to dominate her, to control her, to rein her wilderness. How I wished to tame that woman? I sighed in exasperation.
• My office phone rang loud, bringing me back to reality. I took the call. "Sir, Miss Marilyn is trying to reach you. "
• I groaned. Marilyn and I went back a long way. She came from money and like me was educated in Europe, that is where I bumped into her at the impressionable age of 18. We had dated for a while. Though we broke up and drifted apart We kept in touch since we had common friends. Marilyn was now a top actress and she often asked me to be her date at some parties or gala. It gave the press plenty of gossips, but I didn't care. She was an old friend after all.
• "Sure connect her." I finally said.
• "Hi dear, your cell phone was unreachable. Were you busy or trying to avoid me?" She joked.
• "Both I guess," I replied.
• "Very funny," I could almost see her pouting. 
• "What do you want Marilyn?" I asked.
• "Well, I have to attend this very important party next Saturday, and I need a date." She said.
• "Hold on, I am not sure if I would be available next Saturday. " I was free but I had lost interest in any other women for now, except Sydney. It was weird.
• "Please, Aiden you can't dump me like that. My theatre has a new owner, I need to show my connections so that he doesn't mess with me in future."
• "I doubt anyone would dare to mess with one of their top actresses, it's bad for the business."
• "Please don't tire me with your business discussions. Just say yes." She said impatiently.
• "Alright, I will come with you." I gave in, maybe a beautiful distraction like Marilyn would cure me of my obsession with that Aussi girl.
• "Awesome! You're the best." 
• Once I was done with Marilyn I called Jennifer, asked her to add Merilyn's party to my schedule then asked for the head of the advertising department.
• Larry, the advertising guy was a small, sweet man. 
• However, the man had brains and the sharpest knack for getting things done. 
• "Larry, remember we had discussed hiring a 3D digital artist a few days back. Have we filled that vacancy? "
• "Not yet, we are still looking for anyone appropriate." He replied.
• "How about we hire few interns? They would love the exposure, and the chance to work in the Rainer group. You can train them and form a team of digital artists. It would also be cheaper."
• Larry looked thoughtful.
• "That's not a bad idea. We can start it right away.  We do have a lot of projects rolling in and we need a 3d expert. All things are going digital now. We have to be upbeat, getting a team of interns would be good." Larry said.
• I smiled smugly, "when you start collecting the resumes, just let me know. I would like to interview the candidates myself."
• Larry looked a little taken aback. As a CEO I didn't need to get involved in interviewing interns. 
• "Sure." He nodded.
• I had a plan. Hence, I gave him a list of potential art school to contact. If my strategy was right, I would be seeing Sydney pretty soon.