Julien felt his stomach churn and rumble as he waited for Knox's third meeting of the day to finish. It was a few minutes past lunchtime. Due to his excitement in spending most of his time with Knox, he skipped breakfast and promptly went to work much earlier than yesterday.
As the man in front gave his closing remarks, Julien meticulously gathered the important files, saved his notes and keep a small note containing suggested restaurants in the area ready.
Knox said a few words with the other shareholders and promptly left the room with him in tow.
"Sir, where do you want to go for lunch? I have a list here of available restaurants for reservation."
"No need." was Knox small reply.
Confused, he could only silently follow his boss to the car, enduring the grumble of his stomach. It would take almost two hours to get back to the company and by then lunch break would be over. He needed to accompany Daemon to a meeting in the afternoon. He thought how difficult it is to be Knox assistant, although it was rewarding to be close to him.
Julien sat next to Knox inside the car. They would rarely talk but he still felt satisfied with exchanging a few words. After all, when would he get the next chance? It was at that moment when thoughtful silence settled between them that an embarrassing sound was heard.
Julien felt his cheeks burn as he pressed a hand to his stomach , in an effort to suppress the treacherous grumbling.
'Please, kill me now.' How many more times would he embarrassed himself with the man he likes?
Knox leaned forward and said curtly. "Head to my apartment."
He felt somewhat touched knowing Knox's apartment was very close and at most will take a fifteen-minute drive from their current location. He must have been thinking to eat there. 'As expected with the man I like, under that cold exterior, he has a warm heart. He will not let his employee starve', he thought dreamily.
"I-I'm fine sir. We should go back to the company soon" He stammered and felt bashful all over again. Knox gave him a side-way glance.
"I have to fetch some documents at home."
"Oh...Of course sir." Julien trailed off and bit his lips in shame. Neither of them spoke during the car ride. From Julien's reasoning, not speaking would diminish the chances of making a fool of himself in front of Knox and from Knox's part, he was not talkative anyway.
They arrived at Knox's apartment in under ten minutes. Julien waited alertly but didn't make a move to follow Knox as he stepped out of the car. After all, this is his private space and he's just a temporary assistant. But upon stepping out, Knox dryly glanced at him and Julien need not be told directly to follow.
For some reason, he was excited to see Knox's apartment. What would it be like? They say a room's interior decoration could say a lot about a person and he was adamant to know more about the man walking in front of him.
Knox's apartment was on the top floor and Julien wasn't surprised that the whole floor was his. It would be more surprising if it isn't.
Stepping out of the elevator, he followed Knox inside his apartment and held his breath in astonishment.
He'd expected a lot but...
There's nothing at all!
The floor was covered in dark vinyl tiles that gave an illusion of a sea of nothingness that will pull you down into its dark depths. The walls were painted in white and only the right side of the wall was adorned by a single painting depicting a gloomy cave filled with blood-red flowers.
He pulled his gaze away from it and found out that Knox had long disappeared somewhere. There was no other furniture, not even a couch. Julien strode towards a room he think Knox had gone to and peered in. It was an empty room. He found out two more empty rooms and came upon one that appears to be the kitchen. He was relieved to find the appliances were complete but it looked like it wasn't even used at all.
Seeing the double-door refrigerator, he even wondered if there's food in it.
Just as he was about to continue his search for Knox, the man in question end up standing behind him. Julien froze as his back bumped into something firm.
"There's food in the fridge. Heat it up and eat." Knox spoke coldly and stepped away from Julien. He turned back and saw him walking away, probably to head back to his bedroom?
Julien's stomach rumbled and he stumbled to the refrigerator and expectantly threw it open.
Contrary to his suspicions it was packed with food. Julien picked out lasagna and chicken but when he checked the expiry date he found out that the expiration is today!
He rummage in for a period of time and found out this was the case for all others. He bit his lip silently. It seems he will really starve today. He looked around and found a carton of egg which was still a month away from being spoiled and he opted to cook instead. After all, Knox needs to eat too. As his temporary secretary, he should watch over his health.
This way, Knox found him with a bright red apron on, frying eggs in the kitchen. The delectable aroma filled the whole room but the man with cold gray eyes remained unperturbed.
"What are you doing?"
Surprised, Julien knocked off a bowl as he turned around and it shattered in the ground. He felt a sharp pain in his arm and saw that he somehow had a shallow cut.
Before he could even wipe the blood away, Knox was before him, glowering at his wound.
Julien shrunk back. What made him so angry?