Where was it?
Julien Alderean, "Juli" as his friends would like to call him peered at the back of the printing machine with a puzzled expression. He was sure he clicked the print button and sent it to the printer closest to his office. Or didn't he?
A glance at the wall clock overhead showed it was almost midnight and he was here supposedly for overtime. If someone finds out. Then he...
Julien shook his head. He's the only one here. And he's not doing anything illegal. Well, not the grave kind though it's against the company regulations.
The truth was he had long finished his work long ago. Instead, he was busy with a ranking that was bothering his mind. That's right a ranking!
It's nothing like a ranking of best places to travel to, food you need to eat before you die and so on. This ranking, he'd put all his efforts, squeeze his mind and heart to finish.
And what was it for?
For peace of mind!
He trudged back to his office and glance at his computer. He did print it! There was a notification that it was successful. Yet, why wasn't it there? Perhaps, he sent it to the wrong printer?
His heart rate quickened. Or what if, there's a ghost playing with him right now? Julien's face paled. He was already fair-skinned and now he looked as white as paper. Just then, a loud knock on the door made him jump in fright.
He screamed, his eyes closed tightly. He trembled in fear. A ghost!
"You're still here Mr. Alderean." A deep voice drawled. Julien shivered for an entirely different reason. Why does it sound so sexy! Wait! Was it not a ghost?
He turned around and felt his eyes grew wide.
This can't be!
It's the CEO - Knox Von Dietrich!
Knox Von Dietrich, the thirty-three-year-old CEO of the company Julien was working at was undeniably one of the hottest bachelors in the city! His looks rivaled male models and Greek gods. His face was strong and well-defined, his features chiseled like granite. His eyes were deep and dark, framed by thick eyelashes. He had dark eyebrows that sloped downwards in a serious expression. And his lips! Julien can peacefully die if he got kiss by those kissable lips of his.
Yet right now those lips that Julien fantasize about were turned down in a frown. Julien's eyes trailed to the paper Mr. Von Dietrich was holding on his right hand and felt his heart stopped.
The ranking!
He felt his cheeks burn. How he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him! Anything to disappear from those unfathomable dark eyes.
"Sir... I... I-" Julien stuttered. His hands gripped his pants tightly. "I-I am sorry sir! Please don't fire me! You may swear at me or ...or beat me up but please don't fire me sir! I love my job! Please sir!" He begged passionately, all along with his head bowed and eyes tightly closed.
Silence ensued between them.
Silence that was threatening to break his sanity!
Julien felt his eyes water.
He did his job right and worked hard everyday, and now because of his stupid ranking, he would...
"Raise your head Mr. Alderean." Mr. Von Dietrich commanded sternly that Julien had straightened his back before he could even finish his words.
"Please, sir..." A tear rolled down Julien's cheek as he softly pleaded.
"Employees are not allowed to print personal files here Mr. Alderean. Next time I wouldn't be so lenient!" Mr. Von Dietrich warned and before Julien could even say anything, he had left. Julien listened to his receding footsteps, mind blank and expression lost.
What?
That's it?
But, the ranking?
Mr. Von Dietrich had taken it!
His knees suddenly felt weak and he plopped down on the cold floor.
Why would he take it?
Will he show it around?
Julien already felt sick just thinking about it. When the others find out about his sexual preference, the workplace he treasured will be ruined with judgement thrown his way!
Julien scrambled back up and stared glumly at his computer screen where the document he printed taunted him.
What a fool he was!
Why would he even bother making this ranking? And the title was even in big, bold, red letters. It read – The Hottest Men at Von Dietrich Corporation!
Julien groaned even more as his eyes fleeted down to the person ranked first!
KNOX VON DIETRICH.
_XXX_
The Hottest Men at Von Dietrich Corporation
Rank 10. James Hope
Rank 9. Arthur Atwood
Rank 8. Kristoff Denver
Rank 7. George Hillman
Rank 6. Robbert James Donahue
Rank 5. Aaron Finn
Rank 4. Daemon Von Dietrich
Rank 3. Aldrei Von Leeuwen
Rank 2. Parker Bailey
Rank 1. Knox Von Dietrich