CHANGING HER MOOD
Suddenly, the entire room appeared so small and suffocating to Anne.
There was no place to hide from his wrath, his face was contorted with fury. The smell of the fish was revolting to him, he felt like emptying his bowel in his towel. That was how upsetting the smell was to him.
"But sir, the food is not entirely fishy. It has meat and vegetables. A very nutritious meal for your body," she stammered."
Are you trying to argue with me Ms. McCody? He asked angrily.
She swallowed shallowly; her breath hitched. She shook her head sideways before replying, "No sir."
Richmond took a deep breath to calm his temper, the smell of the fish was getting to him, "You should have asked me instead of deciding. Don't ever decide for me, are we clear?"
Anne squared her shoulders, it wasn't fair to her that she should take all the blame when he also played a role in the matter, "But sir, it was written in my list of assignments as your secretary to make available your meal every day and I knocked and knocked on your door, so I could ask you what you usually eat but you told me to go away."
"You do know how to play the victim and make someone look like the bad guy; you should have left it alone. Or have you forgotten how you barged into my office with your hands filled with documents or how you came late today? it was on your duty list to know the placement of documents in the office, yet you dumped everything at my feet. I searched for it; I waved that flaw aside. You also came late; I waved that one also and if you had had a little patience, I would have answered you. Possibly, I would have told you not to bother at all but you went ahead to get me "fish" of all things in the world." He deadpanned.
Anne felt like rolling her eyes because of how true his words were; it hit home, making her feel stupid. "I am sorry sir," she said, her head bowed slightly.
Maybe she should stop caring for people, it makes them angry. For instance, if she hadn't been so worried for Belle and Coco, they wouldn't have gone to the hospital. She should have left them dripping with blood. If she hadn't felt so worried for Mr. Richmond, seeing the way he was working without pausing, she wouldn't have been in his office, taking in unnecessary blame. She would have been on her seat, eating her meal and cleaning off the plate. If the earth could just open and swallow from this embarrassment, she thought.
Suddenly, Richmond felt like a jerk. He could feel the sadness bouncing from her like waves, Richmond knew her spirit was crushed but he would try to uplift it again, he stood up from his seat and walked up to where she was standing. He placed his hands under her chin, controlling the urge to kiss her lush lips. He raised her face, and her eyes met his gaze, "Ms. MCcody, I am not like normal. I don't like fish or vegetables; I like meat and I like it raw."
He doesn't know why he was telling her all the things but he felt like he should say something. He was watching her, wanting to see her reaction. She might find it repulsive or irritating but he wanted her to feel something other than sadness.
"Is it that you don't want to eat it or you can't eat it?" she asked, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, "I don't know but ever since I was born, I could only digest meat while all other foods smelt like poo to me." She nodded her head in understanding, "OK sir."
After his explanation, she could see his irritation towards the meal. Strangely, she could connect with him, assuming someone had given her food she couldn't digest; she would have felt irritated with it too.
"Have you eaten Ms. MCcody?" Anne blinked her eyes as she realized the food on her desk would have been cold by now, "No sir."
He sighed deeply; her admission made him a little uncomfortable. He doesn't know whether it was anger that she would leave bodily need to serve his own or just feeling protective over the fact she hasn't eaten.
He brought a black card from the pocket of his jacket and handed it to her, "You know my Driver, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good, tell my driver to take you to Cherrom Steak House, when you get there; go straight to the counter and tell the person standing there that you are from Mr. Ashvery, they will know what to do. While they are arranging my meal, you can also order yours. Make sure you don't rush your food, take your time."
"Yes sir."She smiled brightly; she wasn't sad anymore. She turned; walking towards the door, ignorant of the pair of eyes staring at her body.
Finally, she went out of the room.
"How am I supposed to endure this torture."
He slapped his right cheek with a great amount of pressure, Richmond! Remember the third rule, no emotional or sexual entanglement with your secretary," his mouth was speaking but his body was reacting otherwise.
"Fuck!"He needed to do something, if not he would be blinded by lust. The package on his table looked like the perfect distraction and he knew the right person to give.
He picked up his office phone and called Dawson to come to his office.
When Dawson arrived, Richmond told him to come closer. But Dawson was skeptical, Mr. Richmond wasn't the type to call someone out of the blue.
"Sir, have I done something to get me fired?"
Richmond waved his hand dismissively, "Don't be too imaginative Mr. Dawson. You have been working hard for this company and I wanted to give you something as an encouragement," he handed the package to him, "That is food and I want you to have it."
Dawson's countenance changed, he was very happy and felt a bit smug about the fact that his work was acknowledged by Mr. Ashvery "But sir, this is unexpected. Thank you, sir."
"Don't mention, you can leave now; so, you can enjoy the meal in peace," he couldn't wait for Dawson to leave the office, this man is too easy to please, he thought.
"Of course, sir, I will go now," he smiled and walked briskly out of the office.
Richmond was no longer tormented by his secretary's presence and the irritating smell of the fish, he was able to concentrate on the pile of documents lying on his table, unattended.