Was I an idiot for imagining that it was only Sequoia and I sitting at this table?

Looking into each other eyes, that she was wearing my ring on her small hands, it was her feeding me and caressing my arms. Instead it was Nigel who wore an appreciative grin on his face, I on the other hand probably sported a permanent scowl on my face and I couldn't help but notice that she didn't look my way once, and god did it bother me. This was the first time, ever in my life, that I was envious of another man. Sequoia was across from me touching another man and all I can think about is beating him , then leaving with her in my arms.

But I couldn't do that, right?

This is a business meeting, and I came here to discuss business. I silently vowed to myself that I wouldn't say anything, even if it did silently kill me. I try to avert my eyes to a babbling Nigel, since I wasn't listening to a word he was saying; I wouldet it show that I wasn't paying any mind to his business talk, I nod my head in agreement to everything he said. I laugh when he laughs, or hum as a small indication that he knew I was 'paying attention '.

"So Justin, when you're not investing, what's your occupation? " Nigel asks, watching as the waitress pours another glass of red wine for his fiancé. He then raises his hand once the glass was half full, earning an eye roll from Sequoia. She still didn't like being told not to drink. "I know you must have a list full of things."

I chuckled softly and wiped my mouth, "Actually, outside of investments I have a business to run also." I look out of the corner of my eye to see sequoia's expression but she remains impassive. She was still hard to get to,just as she was four years ago. I clear my throat and continue to speak, "you see, my business is involved in new and innovative technology that can make life and the world we live in tolerable."

        Nigel nodded his head and turned to sequoia who was enjoying the glass of toxic liquid and whispered into her ear, causing her to perk up and laugh. I grip my fork angrily but I could help but be drawn to the soft sound of her laugh, god I need to get myself together . " sequoia here has her own business herself, tell him baby ."

         Sequoia's eyes widened as the attention of the table turned on her, "I don't like bragging unlike Nigel here," she joked, I wanted to storm out of this damn restaurant, they can't even joke around without me feeling the need to be an asshole about it. Instead of acknowledging their small exchange I continued to listen to every word that came out of this woman's mouth. "My photography company is pretty big in Europe, business is great and half of my left over revenues go to charities for women and children."

     And she's still amazing as ever.

        "That's absolutely wonderful," the awe in my voice was detectable as I wondered what else she was up to these days. Did she model herself? She was so god damn gorgeous it was hard to believe she didn't. Her green eyes still sparkle when she speaks of something she was passionate of, her shapely figure had gotten more defined and boy was it hard not to notice that, her accent was strong and sexy I would probably love to hear her moan for me one more time....god help me.

"Thank you, I try. It was tough at first but perseverance is the key."

Perseverance, eh? "Well you are right, keep pushing until you get what you want in life." I give her a smile in which she doesn't return, then turn my attention towards Nigel who was beaming at his wife. Everything she did, he was proud of it seemed; well she is sequoia she did no wrong in my eyes when I had her.

         "Amazing, right? I feel like she could be a key to our project also." Nigel announced causing sequoia to quickly snap her eyes to him, she was confused but I was elated . Somehow she could fit into something that involved me, I could finally talk to her how I wanted. "Firstly, sequoia here could be an asset for advertising our new chain of hotels with her skills I'm sure she could attract anyone."

          "Oh no Nigel I couldn't —"

         "Just listen baby, and on top of that you could decorate also! I'll get you the best team money could buy to help you out sweetheart."

           Though I was stuck on the fact that Nigel had openly called her the names I would call her, he had a great idea. I knew sequoia and if there was anything I remembered was her passion for designing and maybe this would be an opportunity for her to get her foot all the way through the door. I just wanted to see her happy.

         "You know Ms. Smith, your fiancé is right it could benefit us but it could also benefit you." I couldn't believe I fixed my mouth to say fiancé, that was the most painful part of my night. But I was desperate to have her working around me, to have a little bit more time with her. "Just think about it, but know that you seem like a trustworthy woman and I want someone who I can trust with my money that I put into this project; I trust you to make me look good."

          Sequoia was shocked, we hardly gave her a say in anything as we explained the situation but I just wanted to work with her. "Wait, I am not doing this if I have a business to run myself! We're getting all these deals with these high quality companies, I can't just drop all that for your project Mr. Bieber " the way she said my name had weirdly turned me on, the way it rolled off her tongue— what is wrong with me?  "besides when did this become a meeting about me? I just want to enjoy my night." 

   Oh Sequoia, it will always be about you.

"You don't have to decide immediately, sweetheart." Nigel assured her, sequoia looked between he and I with those wide green eyes. "Just think about it sweet heart, your skills in photography, business, and many more could be helpful."

"or, if you feel it's too much, simply say no." I threw in, looking her straight in the eyes , immediately getting sucked in her emerald eyes until she broke the stare. I cleared my throat and grabbed my glass of scotch, taking a hefty gulp without any hesitation. What the hell?

          I hear sequoia sigh, "give me a few days to think about it, please." Nigel and I both understood, but the topic veered elsewhere as we discussed business but joked along with it. Our conversation that was once tense changed positively, so much so that even sequoia began to open up more to me. It pleased me immensely to see that , mainly because I just wanted her conversation for now. That would be until I get to know her all over again, as a friend.

It would be hard but it's worth the challenge.

"Bieber " Nigel called for my attention, I was surprised that he hadn't called me out about staring at his fiancé. He had a grin on his face, which indicated that I hadn't been caught in the act. "You never told me how your stay was at my hotel." Close one.

      "Oh yes, it's wonderful. The staff are really respectful and consistent."

From the corner of my eye I saw sequoia shift and lean into Nigel's arm, whispering quietly. I watched closely as she stood from her chair and straightened out her dress , I loved seeing her body move for that small second before she strutted off into the bathrooms. I slightly shook my head and turned to Nigel who already had his eyes on me.

"Your eyes seem to love my wife." He stated, with a serious and grim look on his face. I say nothing, probably because if I did I'd say something along the lines of I'm in love with your wife the old me would say I think my penis seems to be also. Our silent stare down lasted only a few seconds, he broke out into a wide grin. "It's fine Bieber, she's stunning. You wouldn't believe how many men I have to fight off. And the funny thing is, she's oblivious to all of it ."

Yes, I'm sure of it. Speaking from experience.

"My apologizes , she is your wife. I wouldn't be so lenient about men staring though." I threw out casually, I was correct but Nigel doesn't seem like the type to worry about his women being taken from him; but boy was he in for a rude awakening.

"No worries, they can stare but they aren't the ones with their head between her legs." He winked.

God I wanted to punch that man.

    I opened my mouth to speak again but the waitress with the Snow White hair came over and asked a question, in which Nigel replied back casually in the same language. She gave him a smile and nodded, scurrying away. I turned my head towards the direction that sequoia came strutting from, she had her head down as she grimaced at her phone.

    "I hope you asked for the bill," she said as she sat down next to Nigel, her eyes frantically scanning the screen as she settled into her seat. "It seems that my employees can't function without me, one of the models are throwing a temper tantrum and refuses to get his hair and makeup done. They need me, I'm just gonna call a car and you can stay here with Mr. Bieber."

     "Call me Justin, please. What kind of gentleman would we be if we didn't show you out? My driver is outside anyway, he'd be happy to take you sweetheart." I say, looking her in her eyes with a charming smile. She stares back at me for a while , a spark of emotion had shined through her eyes as quickly as it left. "Please take my offer, Ms.Smith."

Sequoia sighed and glanced over at her 'fiancée' who nodded at her, "go sweetheart, I don't want your shoot going horribly wrong, besides if I called Eugen to come pick you up he wouldn't make it in time." He explains casually with a slight shrug, I can see the gears turning in her head as she takes in what Nigel said.

"Fine, okay. I'll take your offer Mr. Bieber, I appreciate it."

The wide smile, proudly displayed on my face, wouldn't go unnoticed by anyone. Why was I so excited to have her riding in my car? I wasn't sure. But all I knew was that I was looking idiotic smiling at her like some young kid with a crush on the girl who sat across from them. It may have taken a while for me to become refocused, sequoia had began to grab her purse while Nigel stood with his eyes glued to his phone while I called the waitress over and informed her that Nigel and I will be back.

"Wait a minute sequoia, I have to take this baby . Would you mind if Bieber walks you out?" Nigel asked as his phone abruptly rang, sequoia looked at me with wide eyes then hesitantly nodded while he rushed the other way. Realization hit me, that we were finally alone after four years and I think it dawn on her also because when Nigel walked away she only stared.

And I did the same, but I foolishly tried to speak "I- uh- do you want to uh- get going ? Uh you have that— um thing to get to, right?" I stuttered, a small smile appeared on her lips as she nodded her head and rolled her eyes.

" you know, you're a grown ass man and you still get flustered." She joked with me, she actually just teased me. God, I was expecting the same reaction as last night; what was the change in heart? "Let's get going, I don't want Nigel to come back and wonder what we're still doing here"

"You're right." I stood next to her smaller frame and gestured for her to walk ahead of me, sequoia rose an eyebrow questioning my intentions but still walked ahead of me. It wasn't me intention to watch her body as she walked ahead of me but it was up for admiration. I needed to stop staring  and catch up with her fast moving legs, I shook my head free of an inappropriate thoughts and took long strides to catch up with her. There was an obvious sign of tension as we weaved through the restaurant , the sound of stainless steel forks clinking against expensive china was prominent. I decided to strike up a conversation ,

"So, how have you been?" Sequoia side eyed me as she slowed down her steps, stopping off to the nearest hall way. I felt like I over stepped my boundaries from the way she stared at me, clearing my throat I stood in front of her as I shoved my hands in my pockets .

"I've been....well, thank you for asking." She replied, it sounded forced but her facial expression was completely impassive . My lips curled and I nod as I stare at the same face I fell in love with. "How – how have you been Bieber?"

It caught me by surprise, of course I wasn't expecting her to ask me what I've been up to. I was expecting her to ignore me as we walked to the entrance of the restaurant. " I've been..... well also." Look at us, both telling lies to each other .  I watched her facial expression as we stood apart at a safe distance, sequoia blinked and nodded her head.

         " I know that's completely a lie, but that's what you're good for."

        And with that , she turned on her heel and continued on her voyage , leaving me in the background to process the verbal blow she threw my way. My jaw slightly opened as I watched her hips moved, shaking my head slightly I finally moved my legs to catch up to her. Sequoia was already at the door when I caught up, she turned her head and gave me a look . It was obvious that her asking me how I was , was a little bit of small talk. I could still tell she disliked me to the core, and I was sure to turn that around.

I ignored her look and opened the door for her, sequoia gave me a snarky look and opened the other door for herself. With a chuckle I followed behind her , my driver was already outside waiting. I stepped around sequoia and spoke to him discreetly, " This is sequoia , you will be escorting her across town and you will do it in a timely and safe manner. You do as she says, anything she wants make sure that she gets it. Yes?"

"Yes sir-" My driver nodded his head eagerly, I gave him a smile and turn towards sequoia who had been watching me closely. Sequoia shook her head slightly and pulled her ringing phone out of her small purse, she instantly began to speak rapidly in French. And at that moment, I knew I wanted to learn French but the class had to be taught by sequoia smith; I already hang on to every word she says.

Sequoia hung up quickly, "Are you done threatening this wonderful man? I have to get to that shoot right now or it will be horrible for everyone who is in my way." She was clearly impatient , the driver fumbled with the door handle ; I'm guessing the tone of her voice made him nervous too. When he finally opened the door, sequoia gave him a sweet smile and slid in. My eyebrows rose and I laughed when the door closed behind her, seeing her again made me remember why I fell in love with her.