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Sunset

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Chapter 23: Sunset (Vanessa's POV)

An outdoor table was booked for tonight and while it wasn't near the beach since we were on the other side of the hotel, we still had a pretty view of the garden right outside the building. When Aaron and I reached our table, most of the people were already there but a few were still missing and that included his dad and brother. 

Without interrupting the conversations going on, Aaron and I took our seats next to each other. When I went to pull out my chair, he nudged my hand off and pulled out the chair for me. I turned to look at him, surprised that he did that. Opening doors is one thing and pulling out chairs is another. The reaction of everybody sitting around us would agree. Everyone fell quiet and stared at him, surprised. 

He nodded towards the seat pointedly and I bit back a laugh and settled for a smile, sitting down. I mumbled a few 'hey's' to people and then the missing people joined us too. I didn't have to look up to realize that Nick had sat down across from me and their father had sat across from Aaron. 

I still don't even know his name. I should probably know it. 

I leaned back in my seat and towards Aaron. He knowingly brought his ear closer to me. "What's your dad's name?" I asked, whispering as softly as I could. I barely heard myself. 

He turned to me in confusion. "Why are you asking?" 

"Shouldn't I know what to call him? Mr. What?" 

"Mr. Nothing, he's not important," he replied. 

"I know that. But a girlfriend would know her boyfriend's Dad's name. Don't you think so?" 

He paused, holding my gaze. His eyes moved across my face, falling to my lips. 

I blinked, taking in a small breath when I realized how close we were. Our noses almost touched. I wanted to pull away, it felt too close, but there were so many people here. 

"Logan," he answered. "His name's Logan." 

I nodded in understanding, spotting the fuzz in his hair from the towels. I reached up, pulling it out and letting it drop to the floor. "Fuzz," I mumbled before pulling away and facing the table. 

People were talking again now but their eyes were still on us. My eyes scanned everybody's expressions. I could tell that Jade, Madison, and Lyla were suppressing amused smiles. Daisy and Celia didn't really seem to care. Julian, Zach, and Thomas were busy in their own conversation. Harry was texting someone, if I know him then probably his wife, he was probably checking in on his family. 

And John was watching Aaron and me with so much suspicion, his eyes were narrowed, his lips pursed. It looked like he was trying to solve an unsolved mystery. And failing. 

Now that I think about it, our office employees make up most of the guests on this trip. There are no more than three couples and then Nick and Mr. Logan from Davidson and Judith's side but I don't know if anyone else will join us on the trip. 

"I don't get it," John said, stealing everyone's attention. 

Aaron sighed softly and leaned back, putting one arm around my chair. "Get what?" he questioned. 

"How it happened between you two. What's the story again? Do you mind telling us?" 

Aaron and I glanced at each other. I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or cry. Aaron looked at John again. "Of course, we don't mind." 

"How long have you two been like this?" 

"Together, he means," Jade smiled, glaring at John. 

"Four months?" Aaron asked, confirming with me. 

I nodded, "Four months." 

Jade's smile widened. She looked awfully happy. 

Saying four months would mean I started seeing Aaron exactly two months after I ended things with Chase. I had to keep that in mind, otherwise, the timeline wouldn't make sense to Jade. But this way, it makes sense to everybody. 

"Four months," Aaron repeated. 

The next fifteen minutes or so were spent answering questions from our co-workers. 

Davidson didn't seem as amused as he should have and when I paid more attention, I realized that it was because Judith was not happy with his antics and she must have scolded him for creating this mess. Plus, she was the one to say, "All right, I think we can stop interrogating the couple now. Let them enjoy their dinner too, hmm?" She forced out a chuckle, glancing at her husband. 

I almost felt bad for Davidson. Almost. 

Surprisingly enough, Mr. Logan and Nick asked us no questions. At least about us. They seemed more interested in me and who I was. "So, you both are on the same team at work?" Nick asked. 

I glanced at Aaron who completely ignored the question and continued eating. "Um, no. No, actually our teams compete in the firm, we don't usually work together." 

"Ah, you work against each other then?" 

"Yeah, most of the time." It would be a mistake to say we help each other, our team members would kill us. 

"You know him from college, right?" 

I nodded. 

Nick glanced at Aaron, amusement etched onto his smug face. "You're the Vanessa he talked about." 

Aaron stopped moving and met his brother's gaze. 

"Aren't you?" Nick continued. 

I turned to Aaron. "Am I?" 

"It must be you. The annoying student he dealt with when he was a student-professor?" 

Aaron rolled his eyes and resumed eating. 

"Oh yeah," I forced a laugh, "that was me." 

"You should have told us you two were together, Aaron," Mr. Logan finally said his words at the table tonight. "We would have come prepared to meet your girlfriend. I'm sure you've told your mother, haven't you? You were always closer to her." 

I watched Aaron's knuckles turn white as he clutched onto the fork. "Hmm," he nodded, "I am closer to her. But she doesn't know about Vanessa. Well, Vanessa makes a good surprise for when Mom gets here, don't you think they'd get along? I do." 

His mom is coming? Here? Oh, god. 

"Of course. Harmony would love her," Judith chimed in. 

I blinked a few times, sucking in a breath and turning to Aaron. "Harmony Martin?" I whispered. 

"Later," he mumbled. 

The famous designer Harmony Martin? I'm going to faint. 

Before dinner ended, Davidson and Judith told us about tomorrow's plans. We'd all leave after lunch. Davidson had hired a few cars for everyone to take on a drive to Hana Highway and the waterfalls there. Later, before the sun starts to set, we'd drive an hour to the Black Sand Beach, watch the sunset, have a warm bonfire night there, and come back for late dinner. 

We were about to leave the restaurant, everybody had stood from the table and were saying their goodnights when Judith approached Aaron and me. She asked me, "Can I steal you for a moment?" Then she looked at Aaron, lifting her brows. 

He shrugged at me. 

"Of course," I nodded, following her to the side. 

She took a look, making sure nobody was around and then sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. 

"Judith, are you okay?" I asked. 

She chuckled dryly and then threw her arms up, letting them fall to her sides. "I know my husband enjoys watching people compete, I know he's a CEO and loves barking orders, but I had no idea he'd force something like upon you and Aaron." 

I blinked and blinked again, staring at her, dumbfounded. "What?" 

She tilted her head to one side. "I know what you and Aaron are being forced to do. You're not... together," she lowered her voice to a whisper, "are you?" 

"Judith—" 

"Look, I am so, so sorry. If I would have known Pierce would make you two do something like this, I would have stopped him. This is not right. Everything is not a game, I don't know how to explain to him that—" 

"It's not a game," I agreed. "You're right, it's not. But I think Mr. Davidson knows that." 

She stared at me in confusion. 

"Judith, I don't think you should be angry with him. He's doing what he thinks is good for the company. Money is everything when you're a CEO and have that load on your shoulders." 

"But how could you be okay with—" 

"I am okay with it," I shrugged. 

I am?

"Really?"

"I wasn't at first, neither was Aaron. But we're used to it, now there's no point in causing chaos. And anyway, Aaron's not all that bad," I sighed. "But I don't think you should be that angry with Mr. Davidson. I mean, at least not on your anniversary trip. He's organized this whole surprise for you. If you two have an argument over this, I would feel really bad. This is your anniversary trip and Aaron and I are handling everything just fine, don't let it bother you. Plus, it's... kind of fun." 

"Really?" She blinked at me in surprise. 

I shrugged. "Aaron really isn't that bad." 

She fell into thought. "Do you like him?" 

"No. But I can tolerate him now. I swear. And by the time tomorrow when we go out on that drive and to see that sunset, I hope you aren't so angry with your husband. Because he was really excited to take you on this trip when he announced it to the office employees." 

She frowned softly and sighed, folding her arms across her chest. 

"Come on, Judith. It's your fifty-year anniversary trip." 

"Hmm, well..." She looked over my shoulder. 

I followed her gaze to where Davidson and Aaron were talking. Davidson looked reluctantly guilty. Like he was making an apology he didn't really want to. But Aaron was shaking his head and shrugging. Aaron rolled his eyes and said one last thing to Davidson before glancing over at us, nodding in this direction. Davidson looked over where Judith was still frowning. 

I turned back to her. "I'm going to take Aaron and head to our room. Goodnight, Judith." 

"Goodnight, honey." 

I smiled and walked back. "Goodnight, sir," I sang to Davidson. 

"What did you tell her?" he questioned. 

"I told her you both should kiss and make up," I shrugged. 

He chuckled and then nodded. "I appreciate it, Vanessa. Goodnight." And then he went to his wife. 

I faced Aaron. "Let's go?" 

"Look at you. Playing matchmaker to an already match-made couple." 

"Shut up," I laughed, giving him a push towards the exit. "Let's just go."

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Chapter 23

beach bonfires > any other types of bonfires

Also for those of you who don't know

When in Rome has been published!!!

It's available on Amazon's Kindle store and the paperbacks will be out soon, so go get your copies now!! I'll be removing the chapters from Wattpad on Christmas Eve

next chapter: fire