Chapter 4

• OLIVIA
• I tried hard to take the image of the kiss from my head, but it seems impossible. How am I going to do this? It seems to be hard for me to achieve. I can feel eyes on me. Yes, this is what I have to deal with all the time. I don't understand why they have to be this jealous of me. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they are all jealous that I get to work for their handsome boss. Wait! Did I just say handsome? I mentally rolled my eyes.
• I rushed to the elevator. There is going to be an important meeting today. I needed to set the board room. I need to make sure everything is set. I didn't waste time. I had them clean the room, and the chairs are well arranged, and the presentation is also well set. We'll be using a projector for the meeting today. I'm so happy that things are finally going as they should be.
• I went back to the office to see if he was in, to my surprise, he wasn't there yet. I checked the time and saw that it's almost time for his meeting, but he isn't here. The investors haven't even arrived yet. I scoffed, is this a way of punishing me to be at the office as early as possible? I really don't understand why the investors are taking so long, and he isn't here too. I was really confused.
• I went back to the board room to check, but there was no sign of anyone waiting for the meeting. I sat there for almost an hour, and nothing happened. The meeting was meant to be an hour-long meeting, and it's already past the meeting time. I decided to go back to the office to continue my work from yesterday. Yes, I didn't finish up my work yesterday. It was so late, so I had to go home.
• I dragged a chair to the shelf and started to arrange the files in order. The door burst open, and my angry-looking boss walked in. His eyes met mine, and then it made me remember the kiss. On reflex, I almost touched my lips but was quick to stop myself. I don't want him to think I was crazy or something.
• "What are you doing here?" He asked, as if it wasn't obvious.
• "I...good morning, sir...." I greeted first. "I... "
• "Never mind," he said, annoyed, and went to sit on his chair. He didn't even tell me why the meeting won't hold. I felt the urge to ask. He can't keep me in the dark after all the hard work I put into making the meeting a good one.
• "Sir, the meeting didn't hold," I said.
• He raised his head at me. "Why do you care?"
• Did he just ask that? Is he even for real?
• "Sir, I thought it was a very important meeting. I..."
• "Can you please shut up! I don't want to hear more of this. Now get back to work," he said harshly.
• I swallowed the harsh words and turned to continue what I was doing. I can't believe him. This is the most annoying thing to do or say. He is super annoying. Has anyone ever said that to him?
• "So many times," I heard him say.
• Wait! Did I just say that loud?
• "Of course, you did," I heard him say again.
• I snapped my head at him and was confused. I wish the ground could open up and swallow me. I felt so embarrassed. My heart sank.
• "I'm sorry, sir," I said.
• He didn't say more but continued his work. I also turned to continue mine. This is going to be harder than I thought. I hate this so much.
• ****
• Adrian received a call. He picked it up, and then I don't know why I was being nosy. I listened closely to what he was saying on the phone.
• "I'll be there in thirty minutes," he said and ended the call.
• In thirty minutes? Who is he on the phone with? That is the shortest call I've ever seen.
• "Round up what you are doing. We'll be going for our next meeting at a restaurant," he ordered, and since I don't have a choice, I nodded.
• "Okay, sir."
• I kept the last files and was glad to be done with it. I got up and went over to his table. "Is there anything else you want me to do for you, sir?"
• "No," I nodded. "Okay, sir." I made my way to the door. I need to get a drink, but then he stopped me before I opened the door.
• "I need you to jot down something for me," I heard him say. I quietly huffed and turned to face him. "Excuse me?"
• "I said I need you to jot down something for me. Are you stupid or trying to act stupid?" he said rudely.
• I couldn't believe this man had the nerve to say this to me. I was so annoyed with him, but I bit down on my lips to prevent myself from insulting him. I dragged my legs to his table.
• "Yes, sir," I said. He pointed at the chair for me to sit on. I did as I was told.
• "Write down the time and the name of the restaurant," he said, and I was confused. "Sir, I thought we've already written that down before."
• He glared at me. "Do as I say if you want to avoid being suspended?"
• I mentally rolled my eyes but did as I was told. I did what he wanted me to do without complaining. Is he always like this? I need to know more about him because I really don't understand if this is part of his punishment or this is exactly how he is.
• It's about time I find myself a friend in the office. He doesn't even let me go out and mingle. I don't even know most of the employees here. It's so annoying because he is the cause of it.
• I raised my head up to ask him what I'm going to do next, but to my surprise, I caught him staring at me. I gave him a confused look. "Is there anything else you want me to do for you?"
• "Let's go. It's time," he said. I nodded, and we left the office. The moment we got to the reception area, there were many eyes on us. What is so special about our arrival? Yes, I must admit, Adrian is a good-looking man, but he is so arrogant.
• ****
• We got to the restaurant, and I was expecting to see businessmen in suits, but to my surprise, a lady waved over at Adrian. He rolled his eyes but walked towards her. I also followed closely. Adrian sat down. I didn't know if I should sit or not, so I stood.
• The lady gave me a confused look. "Who is she? I thought this was a private lunch. Who is she, Adrian?" She asked, giving me a once-over. I mentally rolled my eyes. I can see jealousy oozing from her. She thinks there is something between us? Is she even for real?
• "She is my assistant," he answered her. "Sit," he ordered. I did as I was told. The way she was glaring at me could kill. She hates the fact that I was there in this meeting. Maybe she is one of his mistresses. Men like Adrian find it hard not to have different mistresses.
• "You know she can have another table. She doesn't need to be here with us," she insisted.
• "Enough of this. If you keep insisting, I'll leave," he told her, and he was serious. I could see her hand form into a fist. She was angry but didn't want to show it in fear of getting him angry, I guess. This whole thing seems interesting to watch. I don't understand her jealousy. Adrian will never go for someone like me. I'm a nobody after all.
• The waiter came to get our order. Adrian surprised me when he told me to give our order. Mine and his. To be honest, I was so hungry, so I didn't decline the favor. I did as I was told. His girlfriend also gave her order, but her eyes were on me.
• "I called you last night. You didn't pick up my call," she asked him.
• "I was busy, Anna," he said.
• So that's her name? Anna?
• "You know I miss us together. I miss you so much that it hurts," she said to him, and he rolled his eyes at her.
• "Is this why I'm here? Is this why you insisted on seeing me?" he asked her.
• "I wanted us to have an intimate lunch, but you had to bring her here," she couldn't hide her frustration at seeing me.
• "She has to be everywhere I go. She is my assistant, so stop complaining," Adrian said.
• Now it looks like they are fighting because of me. Maybe I should excuse them.
• "I can just sit over there," I tried saying, and Adrian shot me a look that made me shut up.
• I sat right back. "Sorry, sir."
• "Now decide if you want this lunch of yours to go on or I should leave," he asked Anna.
• She was seething. "Fine, whatever. It's not like I have a choice."
• He shrugged. "It's settled then."
• I felt a little pity for her. I'm sure she likes him, and seeing me with him is making her jealous.
• I leaned closer to Adrian, and he gave me a confused look. "What?"
• "I can stay at the other side. I don't mind," I whispered in his ear.
• I stopped myself from drooling. I love his perfume. He smells so good. I haven't been this close to him. I don't know where I got the nerve to do so.
• He stared down at me but didn't say anything. Adrian stared at me with a different expression. This is different from his normal glare. There was something different about this look.
• We heard someone clearing their throat. I broke eye contact immediately.
• What is wrong with me? Why was I staring at him that way? Why was he also staring at me that way? The atmosphere suddenly felt so hot.