Chapter 7

• Lucas and I have breakfast in silence. Last night was our previous sexless night; Lucas told me about a secret that I wasn't allowed to share with anyone else. My mind is still debating the facts I know about Lucas.
• "Did you have any difficulties while working at my company?" Lucas asked, making me look at him immediately from behind my eyelashes.
• "An apprentice is a position prone to all sorts of difficulties, Mr. Cassano."
• "Call me Lucas when we're alone; you don't need to be formal with me." Lucas ambushed my reply, and I nodded, but it sounded strange. Calling him by his name made me reluctant. Our relationship was just an agreement, and we were farther away than people thought.
• "How long have you been an intern?" Lucas asked again. I swallowed compulsively, thinking to take advantage of this moment. I think asking for his generosity to ease my way into a permanent position wouldn't hurt.
• "Three years," I replied in a half-whispered voice. That's a long time, and judging from my contract deadline, I should have already made my choice. However, I was still hoping for a miracle from the company so that they could see my performance and decide my fate as soon as possible.
• "Three years? And you haven't gotten a decision letter yet? Who's your boss? In which division?" Lucas's persistent questions made me a little nervous. I looked down and stopped eating for a moment. I looked down at my plate, which still had a bit of food left, and intended to finish it.
• "I'm in the marketing division." I said, and my gaze rose to Lucas. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and drank.
• "Mr. Robinson, is that right?"
• I nodded in answer to Lucas' question just now.
• "I will call Mr. Robinson and the personnel department to review the report on you. If you meet the criteria to become a permanent employee of my company, you will get the decision as soon as possible."
• After hearing Lucas promise good news, my heart soared above the clouds. It was the kind of thing I'd been dreaming of. However, on the other hand, I was thinking about the recent issue between me and Mr. Robinson, about business within business. I prayed that Mr. Robinson wouldn't bring it up again during the joint meeting of the personnel division and Lucas.
• Lucas got up from his chair, making me look at him.
• "You will be escorted to the office by Ace," Lucas said before leaving, but I stopped him with my refusal.
• "No need, I can take the bus or a taxi."
• Lucas turned his body back to face me; we locked eyes briefly. My heart felt like it would explode as we locked eyes in silence, his black, piercing eyes staring at me unblinkingly.
• "You haven't forgotten your promise to obey me, have you?!" He reminded me of that one promise.
• "But there's no need in something like this, I'm afraid if any of my office mates-"
• "You can have Ace drop you off at the bus stop near the office. Remember, Natalia you're under my orders at the moment." Lucas cut me off with an answer that made me instantly grip the spoon and fork in my hand. However, I had no choice but to comply.
• "Alright." That was all I could say as I turned away from Lucas and looked back at my remaining breakfast.
• "Good Girl."
• After saying that, Lucas leaves. I, now alone at the dining table, exhaled loudly. I was only pregnant with his child, and he was acting like he owned my entire life. I blew out loudly because of my messy fate. I never even thought of living a life like this. After breakfast, a man named Ace was waiting for me by my apartment door. He bowed to me when I was near him and followed him out of the apartment to the basement until we arrived at a black Audi.
• Ace opened the door for me in the passenger seat. A few seconds later, the black Audi left the basement and headed towards Queency Corp.
• "Please, just drop me off at the bus stop near the office," I pleaded as I neared the bus stop. Ace obediently complied, but I was still not used to being treated like a mistress of a wealthy family. Surprised, the few people at the bus stop looked at me, but I tried not to care.
• The last week's sales report made me focus on work until Lisa approached me.
• "Nat, you've been summoned by Mr. Robinson to his office."
• Lisa's words just now made me frown. Lisa gave me the code to meet Mr. Robinson immediately. I hurried, and three other employees were already there when I arrived at the man's room. One of them was the assistant manager.
• "The company is about to launch a new product and has approved the proposal submitted by Mr. Larson. The marketing team should be on hand to oversee the promotional process, including meeting with the model who has been appointed to star in the product's latest advertisement."
• Mr. Robinson explained our duties as the marketing team, overseeing the field's marketing process until the product meets the desired sales target for the first period. I was happy to take part in this task. Still, on the other hand, I felt uncomfortable because the company accepted my division proposal. Still, the assistant manager's name was listed on the project instead. Mr. Larson had already paid me for the proposal, but somehow, in the end, I regretted helping him claim my idea.
• I sat at my desk feeling a bit dizzy and weak. I made a hasty trip to the ladies' room because I felt nauseous. When I threw up in the sink, nothing came out, just a clear liquid that was my saliva. I exhaled and considered going to the doctor this afternoon for a consultation. I had to work, and there was no way I could apply for leave.
• When I returned from the restroom to my desk, Lisa questioned me.
• "Are you in on that new product project?" Lisa looked at me curiously after asking. I nodded languidly. Glancing at the clock on the computer screen at my desk, I realized that break time was still an hour away.
• "You're lucky. I also want to get a chance like you so I can prove myself and become a permanent employee." Lisa expressed her biggest wish. We were both interns in the marketing division. I smiled weakly. I suggest adding one more member to the project. After all, Lisa would be quite helpful later on.
• "I'll try to talk to Mr. Robinson again to add one more member to the new project."
• I turned to look at Lisa, who immediately turned to me with a bright smile.
• "Really? Oh, Natalia, you're my savior," Lisa said, looking at me with gratitude.