+
"I found out while getting ready, Lauren told me about it," Nova said, a deep furrow between her brows. "It made me really worried."
Roan was pleased to hear Nova tell him how she felt without him pushing her to, what he wasn't pleased to hear however was the first half of her sentence. He had no idea who this Lauren was but he could guess that she was from the beauty company he hired.
"You shouldn't be," He said lightly, masking his anger. "With my position, the media are out like hawks, and lying is part of their jobs."
His words soothed Nova a bit because the furrow that had appeared between her brows was gone and she resumed eating. Roan was content to watch her eat, a passive expression on his face while he mused over what this slip-up had nearly cost him.
"I'll be traveling tomorrow," He broke the silence when she was done eating, sending her pale green eyes in his direction.
She straightened up right away, "When will you be back sir?" She immediately got into her role. It would be cute if it didn't make Roan want to sweep everything off the table and place her on it - she would be his meal instead.
"In a week at most," He replied. As much as he would prefer to take Nova with him, he wasn't too eager to take her to his parents' house - at least not so soon.
"For now, you can remain at the house until we complete our contract," He added when he could see the wheels turning around in her head. Pleased when she agreed without a protest - this was turning out far better than he had imagined.
"I'll stay in a guest room though or in a staff room if there's one," She said, partially ruining his victory.
Roan would have liked to push for her to remain in her room but he worried that it would make Nova disappear before he returned. He could clearly see how hesitant she still was, if he made the wrong move, he could lose her completely.
"A guest room is fine," He said flippantly, "You can choose anyone you like."
+
Nova instinctively rose to her feet when Roan did, feeling much better than she did when she walked onto the rooftop. In a matter of an hour, she had a new job, and a place to stay, she couldn't ask for more.
However, she would have to be careful to not blur the lines between having Roan as her boss and the relationship they had previously. Right now, he was her boss and that was the end of it.
"I'll return to the mansion, sir, and if you need me to help you pack for your trip, I'll be happy to help." She beamed at him when they got to the parking lot, right before walking over to the driver who had waited for her.
With her back turned she didn't see Roan watch her leave with disbelief and displeasure.
Nova got into the car without a backward glance, a little giddy. Not everyone got the chance to have such an important job and she knew that a lot of people would kill to take her spot. As the personal assistant of a multi-billionaire, it meant free trips and free passes to exclusive events, it was the life she always wanted but never dreamed of.
It was why she settled for accounting, it was a boring but safe choice and she didn't have the privilege to take risks when it involved her survival but now that she was given the choice on a diamond-studded platter, how could she say no?
She didn't entertain any thoughts of the typical personal assistant/boss love that tended to be popular. She knew her worth and it wasn't a lot, someone like Roan could never want her and that was fine. She would be content with a happy and fun-filled life even if it was a loveless one.
+
Roan walked back to his car with a curse on his tongue when his phone rang, the sound broke him out of his bewilderment after the car carrying Nova left the parking lot. He couldn't decide if to be pleased by Nova agreeing to work for him or not, usually, she hung on his every word and waited for him to decide what to do next, her leaving him had not been a part of his plans.
He picked up the call reluctantly, paying zero attention to what Astor was saying on the other end. It didn't matter what he said because Roan would be returning to the company but before that…
After the call, he rang up someone else, the director of Glamour Lane, the beauty company he contacted.
"Hello, you've reached Glamour Lane-"
"Put Patricia on the line," He cut her off, his tone flat.
Without bothering to clarify who was speaking, the secretary right away obeyed him.
"Mr. Reyes," The director said nervously, "I apologize for that, I had all my calls rewired for the afternoon. Is something the matter?"
"I understand you sent a Lauren to me," He began calmly, backing his car out of the parking lot.
"Y-Yes sir, Lauren Ross."
"Could you explain her services to me?" He went on calmly.
Patricia had a difficult time responding to this, her thoughts filled with what her impolite employee could have possibly done to have Mr. Reyes personally contact her. She was filled with dismay, as churlish as Lauren could be, she was incredibly good at her job and it was why Patricia sent her.
"Sh-She's um… she's expected to focus on three things, hair styling, make-up, and outfits, s-sir."
"Then explain to me how sharing news featured on tabloids is a part of that," He urged her helpfully.
Patricia was speechless for the second time, "It isn't sir-"
Roan had already hung up. He would move the responsibility of dealing with a breach of privacy to someone else, he was too busy for that.