Company

Chapter 9

Chubbs picked up his phone and smiled at his text message he took a screenshot and sent the photo to Oliver. Chubbs kept his eyes on his friend until he looked up and met his gaze. Oliver smiled and nodded his head in Chubbs' direction, their silent interaction went unnoticed as everyone else seemed to be preoccupied with food and or Sports Center highlights.

"Alright fellas, I will see you in a few. I got some business to handle." Drake said standing up and smoothing down the front of his white shirt.

"Yeah you do!" OB said smirking and giving him that same knowing looking. "Get yo stalking on! Handle that!" Drake stared at OB for several seconds, he frowned as he analyzed his friend's stupidity. Oliver looked up at him giving him that same knowing look.

"You really think this is a good idea?" He said with humor and creased eyebrows.

"I mean... is that really the question you want to ask me?" Drake said folding his arms across his chest and leaning against the high counter.

Oliver went silent rubbing the back of his head as he awkwardly frowned, at that moment he realized Drake had a completely different title for Tae and it was for sure to be more than just a fellow coworker. He knew there was one of two ways this could go, either she be brought on for work-related business only or expand that work-related friendship into something very personal, but if they did grow into more than just a business relationship there was a huge guarantee that this would blow up in both Tae and Drake's face. Oliver was very much aware of his best friends track record with women and the way Drake's boredom was set up this could get way uglier than anybody would hope. However, it was too late to think that far in. Tae had already expected the position.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tae took in a deep breath, the lights flicked back on and people began making their way through the door, she walked down a long hallway in a room that looked similar to a large warehouse, there were cameras, backdrops, racks full of clothing, shoes lined the floor beneath the racks, hats, jewelry, and other accessories lined the black cloth-covered table.

The photographer stood with his assistant holding a light meter the two were focused on the tool, clicking it every few seconds in different areas of the room as they spoke amongst themselves. Tae made her way to the clothing picking and putting things together. Hats, shoes, socks, pants, shirts, and sweatshirt were everywhere. Models were being moved here and there, she was in the middle of fixing black knee-length cargo shorts on a male model when Sammy came up behind her.

"Excuse me, Tae you have a visitor!" She said in a whisper leaning forward inches from her shoulder.

"Ok... uh, can you let them know I'll have to get back to them or they can wait in the lobby till I'm done... I'm kind of busy at the moment. Tae answered back, she was still bent at the waist fixing the pants on the model, her attention was too focused on what she was doing to look back at Sammy.

"Uuummm, I think you definitely want to stop what you're doing to see this person!" Sammy's voice was hesitant.

Tae shifted around the model still bent at the waits fixing the small cuff. "Who is it? Did you get their name?"

"Uh, well... I didn't really need to get his name... he's definitely as tall as you said, he for sure smells amazing!... I didn't really get the alcohol part but you think if I ask him he'll answer... I mean, I know it's kind of personal but he always has a cup in his hand!"

Tae quickly stood up and faced her with a confused look. "Samantha what the hell are you talking about!?" She hissed, her words running together. Sammy smiled and raised her eyebrows nodding her head to the double doors, Tae followed the direction of her eyes looking passed her.

"Oh God, no no no!" Tae mumbled to herself, her mouth dropped and eyes wide.

"And you said y'all wasn't dating!?" Sammy said quietly, she still had that grin on her face, Tae looked back at her with creased brows.

"Shut up! Stop smiling like that! We're not! Take over for me." Tae whispered back, she turned to the photographer and motioned one finger in the air, signaling them to give her a moment but to keep shooting. She awkwardly but quickly made her way to where Drake was leaning in the doorway. His smirk grew wider the closer she got, his eyes dropped to her outfit, scanning over her exposed mid-drift, the artwork on her hips and ribs, a clear sign she could handle pain.

"What are you doing here!?" Tae spoke in a whisper while looking around trying to make sure nobody heard their conversation, she looked pasted Drake and noticed that the other works in the office were watching his every move most of them didn't even care what they were talking about they just wanted to see Drake, she placed her hands to his hard stomach and pushed against him, his solid frame didn't budge, she looked up at him and frowned. "When I push against your stomach that means loosen up your stance and go where I push you!"

"Oh ok. My bad, let's do it again." He smirked.

"What are you doing here!?" She repeated herself while giving him an evil eye.

"Well it's good to see you too!" He said following behind her around the propped open door leading him to a small corner. "I came to get some boxers." Tae scowled at him, her eyes turned into slits. "You know how many free cases of boxer briefs I get out of here from y'all!? Tae, I haven't had to buy underwear in a year!" He nonchalantly, he could tell she wasn't in the mood for his joking, he smiled and let out a small chuckle. "Alright, I want to take you out to lunch or something. Just to show my appreciation for taking such good care of me last night. He finally said as he slid his hands in his pockets. He looked down at her giving her the eye contact that gave her goosebumps, he was no longer smiling his voice was low but full of confidence as if he already knew a day or so from now he'd be sitting across from her at a spot of her choice, she stared at his lips, all she could think about was how perfect they were, she realized he stopped speaking and was waiting on her to reply she shook her head looking down at the gold watch on her wrist.

"Dra....." He stopped her mid-sentence, his index finger went up in defense as he shook his head at her. 

"It's Aubrey, remember." His expression was serious letting her know he wasn't asking her if she remembered but was telling her to remember.

"Aubrey...... It's 5 in the afternoon, plus I have to finish up this shoot." She motioned her thumb over her shoulder, he looked passed her and smiled. 

"We can go for dinner then, and by the looks of this shoot.... You are finished."

He replied back to her, pointing behind her. Tae's face was struck with confusion as she turned around, the team was packing up and models where stripping clothes off. 

"Give me one moment." She raised her index finger and turned around, Drake watched as she made conversation with the photographer, they laughed, then hugged. As she made her way back to him, Drake couldn't help but to smile. 

"Ok, if I go get dinner with you... you have to promise you will not pull up on me unannounced!" She said.

Drake pressed his lips together mentally debating with himself whether or not he wanted to take the deal, he looked around the lobby at the commotion. "Alright, I'll take that."

"Great,"

I didn't get you in trouble did I?" He looked passed her at the photographer who was packing his things in a black hardshell suitcase. 

"Oh no, everything is fine." 

Drake texted Chubbs that he'd ride back with Tae. She grabbed her purse and keys and made her way to the receptionist and waiting area, Drake calmly followed behind her, his hands still in his pocket as he nodded at employees that smiled and greeted him. The heavy awkward silence hovered over them as they stood next to one another in the elevator his arm randomly touched hers as he decided side-step closer to her, he was close enough that she could smell his cologne again, she cleared her throat and tossed her hair from one side of her head to the other her lower abdominal tingled the longer she breathed in his scent. She leaned her head against the elevator wall it felt like she had been standing next to him for hours but it was truly only seconds. Once they stepped off the elevator into the public parking garage Drakes hand made its way to her lower back, she smiled to herself as she pulled her keys from her purse she hit the unlock button and the headlights lit up. She reached for the door handle and was abruptly stopped 

"Don't touch it." He ordered her, the depth in his voice made her goosebumps reappear he walked past her and pulled at the handle forcing the door open allowing her to get in, he closed it then made his way back around to the passenger side.

"You're such a gentleman." Tae said as she looked through the rearview mirror to pull out of the parking space. 

"My mother raised me to be just that."

He replied. Drake looked at Tae as she pulled out the garage and onto the busy street. "Do you have a place in mind you'd like to eat at?" He asked her as his attention went back on her.

"Honestly..... I rather just go back to your hotel and get takeout." She answered back as she scrunched her face up not sure if Drake would even like the idea, all she wanted to do was lay down and be comfortable. She had been up all night from partying with Drake and his crew, she got about 5 hours of sleep and was off to work. She truly didn't want to sit at a table in a restaurant, she had her sights on a comfortable bed or couch with a box of chines takeout in her lap. She also didn't want any more stories hitting the internet, being seen for the second night in a row with him was a dream come true for and media blog site. She was smart in her decision.

"That's probably the best idea I've heard from anybody all day, honestly.." He said with a smile.