He carefully placed the telephone back on the desk and looked at Jasmine. They both stared at each other for a while in awkward silence before she spoke first.
"He looks shy but not intimidated, Perhaps not much of a talker." She thought as she studied him.
"What is your name?" Jasmine curtly asked, Getting straight to the point. "Alexander Allen Ms Lawrence," He replied immediately.
"Alexander Allen, Good." She said as she typed his name on her laptop keyboard to bring out more information about him and his profession.
"You are a photographer and a videographer." She stated, observing every information about him through the screen.
"Yes," He replied and gently passed a folder across the table towards her. She took it and opened it to see what's inside.
The folder contained beautifully captured nature's photographs, From Waterfalls to rain forests, Oceans and sunsets. They were so beautiful and strangely heartwarming.
Jasmine had to refrain herself from showering him with commendations and praises both on his works and his looks. She didn't want to give him the impression of a person that falls at first sight at things or people.
Though he didn't seem like he saw her that way one bit.
"Those are some of my works, Not the main ones actually. I captured those during vacations so it's kinda my leisure captures." He told her warmly.
"Good job, You are very talented at what you do." Jasmine complimented him as she returned the photo images back into the folder.
"Y-you can keep it," Alexander suddenly said as she was about to give the folder back to him.
"Why should i?" Jasmine curtly asked. She made sure she avoided any eye contact with him as she didn't want to feel any of those things she felt earlier.
"I have lots of copies of whatever I always capture, I just want you to keep these." He politely replied and smiled.
Jasmine felt as if the protective wall surrounding her heart got hit by a cannon ball when she saw him smile. "Holy fuck!" His smile, He has this sinful and innocent type of smile and it made her head spin.
She had to grab the bottled water in front of her and pretend she was thirty so he won't notice her uneasiness.
He raised an eyebrow when he saw her gulped down almost all of the water in the plastic bottle. Was she not feeling well? He wondered as he watched her gobble down the water.
Jasmine felt embarrassed after her little act, She needed time to think and peace of mind but this heavenliness in front of her isn't helping one bit.
"Maybe it's the stress, I will be okay when I get a good sleep," She thought as she deeply cleared her throat.
"If you feel uncomfortable with my presence then I should-" He said with a worried look on his face as he began to get up from his seat.
Doesn't he have any idea! Or was he just pretending he doesn't always have this kind of effect on ladies.
"No umm.... I just... have a sore throat that's all," Jasmine cut in before he completed his sentence.
He reached for the backpack he brought with him and zip it open. Jasmine curiously wondered what he wanted to do. He then brought out a candy and stretched it towards her.
This took Jasmine by surprise as she wasn't expecting that from him.
"What is that for?" Jasmine questioned with a frown. "It's a candy for sore throat, It helps ease the pain. I always make sure I had one on me anytime I go out. Please accept it," He offered her politely.
Jasmine stared abrasively at the mint flavoured candy in his large hand.
"I can't accept this from you, Your interview is over." Jasmine harshly refused the candy.
"You are hired Alexander and expected to resume next Monday. All the materials you will be needing will be provided by the overseer in your department and you will be taken on a tour around Anné by your department's tourist."
"Be prepared to go on a trial immediately after resumption along with the rest of the interns in your department. We would be selecting the best new photographer for the season." She continued.
"My company's rules are very strict and if you feel you won't be able to abide them, Feel free to submit your resignation letter to the general manager or me." Jasmine coldly informed him.
"I insist." Alexander blurted out still stretching his right hand.
"Wasn't he listening to what she had been saying all long?!" Jasmine thought as her eyes widened at his gutsiness.
"Didn't you hear what I said? I don't need your candy!" Jasmine angrily said.
Alexander stood up from the chair he was sitting and reached for Jasmine's hand. She was taken aback when he took her hand and delicately placed the mint candy on her palm.
It was as if she was being held by a strong force as she suddenly wasn't able to move or prevent him from touching her. His strong yet beautiful gaze held hers captive as she struggled to say something at least.
"I am sorry ma'am but I wouldn't be at peace if you didn't accept the candy, That's the way I am. I uh... I love giving." He said and let out a full cute smile before leaving.
What was happening to her? Her heart kept thumping non-stop. She hated it, She hated the fact that he made her feel that way. She was supposed to intimidate him not the other way round!
Jasmine was so lost in her thoughts she hadn't realized Neha had been standing in front of her for about a minute demanding for her attention.
"Ma'am?" Neha called out very loudly this time, Loud enough to disrupt Jasmine from her deep thoughts.
"Yes Neha?" Jasmine blurted out in shock.
She looked so lost.
Neha now looked extremely worried for her boss, She had been acting so weird all day. She had initially came to remind jasmine of the rest of her appointments for the day but changed her mind immediately she saw how weary her boss looked.
"I think you should take the rest of the day off ma'am, You need rest." Neha told Jasmine. Jasmine didn't decline, She told Neha to cancel all appointments for the rest of the day and pass a message to her board of directors that she isn't feeling well today.
Both her hands and legs were shaky but somehow she didn't let go of the mint candy that was enfolded in her right palm.
"Should I drive the car ma'am?" Neha questioned as they both approached her SUV.
Jasmine smiled and patted Neha on the back. "Even if I am on a terribly painful period, I'd still drive myself so don't worry Neha, You should also go home now. It haa being a stressful day," Jasmine said to her secretary and walked off to her car.
It was sunset already by the time Jasmine arrived at her expensive and luxurious penthouse. She was greeted by the security as soon as she stepped out of her car.
"Evening Bruce." she replied him and made her way in.
Despite the glamorous structure of her beautiful house, The tranquility was so much more suiting. Jasmine relaxed on a soft couch with a cocktail drink in hand at the balcony of her bedroom right after the one hour cold bath she just had.
She was wearing a ripped denim shorts and a white tee-shirt with her hair packed into a messy bun.
Jasmine scrolled through her pad as she checked some unseen messages and replied some of her clients before calling her sales administrator to inform her about some special requests that were made on some of the 'out of order' dresses.
When she finally settled down to watch a movie, Her mind strayed towards the intern that came in last. His eyes, His lips and smile. Everything about him was so perfect.
She stared at the mint candy she had been caressing ever since he had given her in her office. Why was she holding on to something as silly as this? She wanted to throw it away but she wasn't able to. Why?
She couldn't get the scenario out of her head. The way he held her hands, Delicate yet strong. The way he looked at her and smiled.
Jasmine started to feel the familiar sensation building up in her again. "Damn it Jasmine! Get a hold on yourself!" Her subconscious yelled angrily at her.
She immediately felt stupid thinking about him. Somehow it made her look weak. She stood up from the couch and threw the mint candy as far as possible away from the balcony of her penthouse.
Jasmine had made herself a promise, And she isn't ready to break it yet. She isn't going to let a man play with her feelings just like her ex lover did back then.