Chapter 5 - 5: Dinner

It's been five months since Amber started working for Rivera Jewels after a few torturous weeks of drilling, Dante finally promoted her to being his secretary.

As for the deal, it didn't go through, whatever her parents planned actually worked, they managed to convince the client to switch over to their side and every other client since then.

"Come in." Dante's cold voice jolted her back to reality as she struggled to open the door while steadying the documents in her arms.

"Oh it's you, drop it over there." He said, his softening the moment he saw it was her.

Well, it's safe to say they grew to be friends in the past few months, he has been impressed by her intelligence and gradually accepted her.

"Did you bring it?" Dante asked, stretching out his hand for the documents which Amber nodded and placed on his palms.

Her heart skipping a bit the moment he muttered 'thank you', she turned her face away, trying to hide the redness that would have reached her ears by now.

"You did a good job as usual, Amber, I'm impressed." Dante commented, adjusting his glasses as he flipped through the documents.

Instead of a response, Amber stared at Dante's eye bag, with the guilt eating her up from within.

He was like this all because of her, even though all his potential clients has been turning their backs last minute it didn't seem to dishearten him-an attitude that made her admire him greatly.

Instead, he focused on a new project, pulling as many investors as he could, for this turning point as he called it, it was meant to change the company's situation.

Every single penny he could get was invested into the project just to make it work out, the investors too had poured in what they had with hopes of the income it will bring.

Amber didn't mention it to her parents, she couldn't bring herself to do it, this man had been working for this profusely for the past few months, she couldn't bare to ruin it.

"Thank you for your help these past few months Amber, you've really been great help." Dante said while looking up at her.

"It's nothing sir." She responded with a tight smile, he probably won't be in this situation if not for her.

"If this project works out, will you go out for dinner with me? Just something to celebrate the achievement." He quickly added seeing Amber's shocked expression.

She had com into his life like a kite falling from the sky, a normal, rational businessman wouldn't hire a woman he didn't know right off the bat like he did, but this woman had a power over him.

Her beautiful gray eyes, they pulled him in, they reminded him of the moon illuminating the sky at night, and of a very distant childhood memory.

He tried to dismiss it severally thinking it is just a fleeting feeling but any time he sees her, the feeling comes back triple fold, now he can't do without seeing her daily.

His obsession with her as grown so deep that on a trip to a meeting with some clients, she fell asleep, and he counted her freckles dutifully.

67, ever since that became his favorite number, if this deal works out eventually, and he saves the company he will ask her out eventually.

So that he can officially be with her, he has seen the way other men in the office ogle at her, and it's only a matter of time before someone try to steal what was his from him.

He could have asked her out sooner but, with so much work piled up, he is afraid he might not give her the attention she deserves.

"Okay sir." Amber replied with uncertainty while Dante smiled at her, looking with amusement in his eyes.

"You can go back to work now, I wouldn't want to hold you for too long, remember you promised me." He said, a smile lingering on his face as he dismissed her.

"So cute." Dante muttered to himself as she left the room, remembering her confused expression earlier.

"What was that all about?" Amber asked herself as she head back to her station, her heart beating like crazy.

Maybe she's still used with him glaring at her through his glasses all the time, but fuck was he hot.

Amber furrowed her brows when she reached her office door and felt her phone vibrate in a pocket.

She was not expecting anyone's call, thanks to her job here, she has almost paid off her loans and her parents didn't contact her until when necessary.

Taking out her phone, Amber opened her door, pausing her footsteps when she saw it was her mom.

Her gut feeling told her not to pick the call, that it would be about something that she definitely didn't like or want to know.

Biting her lip while contemplating, Amber cut the call, then started walking towards her seat.

If this launch really goes as successful as planned, she would have paid off her debt by then.

Maybe she should tell Dante the truth at the dinner, even if she gets fired, there's nothing to worry about, the debt is gone.

Her heart hurt a bit at the thought she might not be able to see him again, but perhaps it was for his own good.

The further away she is from him, the better.

After while of silence, Amber's phone started vibrating continuously on the desk causing her eyes to go to the screen.

Seeing various text from her mother, she instantly knew something was up.

Her back straightened up as she picked up the phone, unlocking it and tapping the message, the color in her face drained slowly as she read each text.

With shaky fingers, she immediately called her mother.

"H... Ho... How did you know?" Amber stuttered, tears gathering at the rims of her eyes.

This is bad, terrible, it ruins her original plans entirely.

"Do you think you're the only one we placed as a spy in RJ?" Her mother's smug voice came in through the transmitter as a single tear rolled down Amber's cheek her lips quivering uncontrollably.

Guess it was unavoidable after all, they found out about the project.