"Lucy, why are you here?" From his tone I could clearly see that Albert was annoyed. But what annoyed him? I wondered. What in particular did I do? Was it because I was still in by 12:00 PM when I was to have lunch? I guessed.
"I'm working, I have some tasks I need to finish in three hours, that's why I can't go out for lunch?"
"What a lame excuse!" He smirked, I felt utterly disgusted with his action. What made him think like that, was it actually by force to go eat?
"What if I feel like not eating?" He raised his brows and looked at me furiously. "Why're you so pissed today, did I do anything wrong?" He clenched his fist and gnashed his teeth. He must be actually crazy or was he planning for me. To my tactical question, he gave no reply but continued looking at me furiously.
"What exactly did I do?" This time I was stern and damn serious. "I demand an answer."
"You've been acting too bossy for a while now but I've been keeping quiet, do you think I'll tolerate that any further?" I widened my eyes in surprise at his statement.
"What makes you say that?" I didn't feel obliged to add 'sir' like in a normal CEO-Employee case because he had been friendly to me and the other staff. "You're just acting strange, what's wrong if I say I don't want to eat. Will I go sit in the cafe idle, looking at others eating?" I gestured with my hands to emphasize my point.
Albert's face changed suddenly from that of anger to tender concern. I was baffled. What was actually going on, I was so amazed at these sudden twists?
"You still haven't told me what caused your change in attitude?" I reminded him but he gave me a warm smile which made him more handsome. Albert has never been in this state before, there must be something serious that prompted him to do this.
"I just came to notify or should I say warn you of my cousin that is resuming work here this week. You know he's the real CEO and he wouldn't tolerate this attitude of yours." He gave another smile to act polite in his caution. "You need to be very careful when he resumes…."
I widened my eyes in terror, for the first time I was shocked. The first time in my life after I had made the no-fear decision. "What type of a person is he?" I recalled the same thing Olivia said to me earlier.
"He's my cousin but I would say he's everything you could call cruel, harsh and aloof. One small mistake and you risk getting a good punishment," he gestured with his eyes and I knew what that meant 'hard one' "..or you get kicked out of his company."
"Really?" My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. Albert nodded.
"I'm not trying to blackmail him but it's just the truth I'm telling you. I want you to be aware before he comes."
"Thanks, that's a good one. I appreciate it but which day would he come?" I wanted to get the day exactly, I was just being curious especially as Olivia refused to tell me.
"Perhaps on Wednesday, but I'm not sure. He can come in anytime but you'll know him by the qualities I listed."
"Alright, I've noted."
"Do your work well, don't be scared but don't act bossy when he comes here. He's the only boss."
"Hmmm." I sighed. "But I can't pretend?"
"Just warned you." Albert turned to leave the office when I recalled something and decided to stop him abruptly.
"Excuse me, what made you angry at me today. Did someone annoy you?" Albert turned and walked back towards me.
"It's Edmund, he had some angry moments with me for a slight administrative mistake on my part. He scolded me, asking me to make sure all was in order before he came. When I saw you not going for lunch, I was compelled to come…." He scratched his head nervously. I could sense that was not the total truth.
"There's something you're hiding from me, can you tell me!" I looked steadily into his face, our eyes locked and mine seeking an answer.
He was forced to spit out the truth."Edmund needs his staff to be submissive to his authority which as of now is placed under me. I feel that if he comes and realizes your deviant attitude, he would believe I'm a complete jerk. He'd say I can't control my staff."
I now realized that Albert was forced to act the way he did, he had never behaved like that before. So this was the boss I was gonna work for? The thought of submission as Albert was saying is very far from my mind and has always been far. I'm an independent girl who doesn't want to be under anyone's authority. Not like I don't do my work, I do it as I'm asked to but I don't just want anybody to control me.
"That's mysterious!" I didn't know what to say, I hadn't met or heard of such a man before. "I heard he's a soldier?"
"Yeah, I need to go now. I have a lot on my desk and a video call schedule with him by 1:20 PM. Like I said, don't wanna get into trouble with him."
Albert walked out of the office while I stared at him and into space unconsciously pondering on what he said. Here will be hell when Edmund comes, I wondered why he wouldn't focus on his military duties and leave us alone.
Having come back to my senses, I realized the reason I was still in my office when other staff were gone for lunch. Much work to do and I needed to complete all within now and four I'll be closing for work. I turned towards my system to work on the pile of work I had before me.
"How will I cope with Edmund? I think I should try to get more information about him." I said to myself while typing into my desktop, my mind high with worry.