My father practically sealed the deal, didn't he?"
Leo said, a playful yet sincere tone lacing his words.
My face flushed instantly, a mix of surprise and fluster flooding through me.
"Fiancé? Leo, that's…but… that's a huge leap!" (but my inner side is kicking and Jumping)
I managed to say, my heart pounding at the mere thought of it.
Leo chuckled, leaning forward on his desk, his eyes meeting mine with a mischievous spark.
"What? Don't tell me you've forgotten again,"
he teased. "Or do I need to remind you why you're stuck with me now?"
I could barely contain my smile, biting my lip as I felt a rush of my emotions
I wasn't quite ready to name.
"You're impossible," I muttered,
trying to keep my cool, but my reddening cheeks gave me away.
Leo simply shrugged, picking up his pen again and continuing his work,
his expression relaxed yet unmistakably pleased.
"Yeah, but you kind of like it, don't you?"
he said, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in his voice.
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the smile that broke through.
The dynamic between us was evolving faster than I could keep up with,
and while it felt like a whirlwind,
part of me couldn't deny the thrill of whatever was unfolding between us.
"But don't you think this is all happening too fast?"
I asked as my voice wavering slightly looking at Leo.
"This whole CEO-secretary relationship… and now your father wanting us to get married?
I just .... just hmmm need time to think about it?"
Leo's expression softened, and he nodded, clearly trying to understand my hesitation.
He stood up and walked over to me, placing his hands gently on my shoulders,
his touch reassuring.
"Hey, I was just joking," he said softly. "I don't want to pressure you.
We'll take it one step at a time, okay?
Whatever my father said, we don't have to rush into anything.
We'll go at our own pace."
He pulled me into a comforting hug,
his warmth easing some of the worries tangled in my mind.
I relaxed in his arms, grateful for his understanding,
and after a moment, he released me with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Leo," I said, feeling a bit more grounded.
"We'll figure it out together."
With a nod, I turned and walked out of his office, my thoughts swirling
as I made my way back to my desk.
As soon as I sat down,
however, the buzz of hushed voices caught my attention.
I glanced around, realizing that several of my colleagues were huddled together,
their eyes occasionally darting in my direction.
"She was with the chairman earlier…
did you see the way she acted?" one whispered,
their voice barely audible but filled with judgment.
"I heard she's trying to cozy up to our CEO.
I mean, look at her—flirting her way to the top,"
another chimed in, the words dripping with disdain.
I felt my stomach tighten,
the sting of their words hitting harder than I expected.
I tried to ignore it, focusing on my computer screen,
but the murmurs continued, each comment another needle pricking at my resolve.
"She's just a secretary and ordinary girl … who does she think she is, going after the CEO?"
"Must be nice, huh? Playing the innocent act while wrapping Mr. Cyprus around her finger."
My heart sank, the joy from earlier moments rapidly fading.
I clenched my fists, trying to hold back the frustration building inside me.
They had no idea what was really going on—how complicated and
confusing things were between Leo and me.
But the reality of their harsh gossip was a reminder
that no matter what, our relationship would be under constant verification.
Just then, Bryle approached to my desk,
holding a small tube of ointment cream.
"Here, this should help with your burn,"
he said gently as he sat down beside me, carefully applying the cream to my wrist.
"Is it true that you're going to marry Mr. Cyprus?"
he asked, looking up at me with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"I—I don't really know, Bryle,"
I admitted, feeling overwhelmed. "My mind is all over the place right now."
Bryle sighed deeply, his expression softening.
"Whatever decision you make, just remember to follow your heart.
I'll always be here for you, okay?"
He reached over and ruffled my hair affectionately,
a gesture that made me feel a little lighter despite everything.
"Fighting!"
I managed a small smile at his encouragement,
appreciating his unwavering support.
"Thanks, Bryle. It means a lot to me."
As he continued to apply the cream,
I couldn't shake the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind.
The prospect of marriage was still surreal,
and the pressures surrounding my relationship with Leo felt suffocating at times.
"Just take your time," Bryle said, sensing my unease.
"Whatever you decide, you deserve to be happy. And if that's with Leo,
then you should go for it. But if you need to think things through, that's perfectly okay too."
I nodded, grateful for his understanding.
"I just want to make sure that I'm not rushing into anything without knowing how I truly feel."
Bryle finished applying the cream and sat back,
giving me a reassuring smile.
"Trust yourself, Melody. You'll figure it out. And remember,
I'm here to help you sort through the chaos whenever you need it."
"Thanks, Bryle," I said again, my heart a little lighter.
"I really appreciate it."
As the hours passed, the office gradually emptied,
leaving me alone at my desk,
determined to finish up the tasks that needed to be
completed for tomorrow's reports and meetings.
I focused intently on my work, and once I finally wrapped everything up,
I stretched my arms overhead, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.
Leo cleared his throat from the doorway,
pulling my attention away from my desk.
I turned my head to find him standing there,
his expression unreadable. "Oh! Hey, Leo," I said, my heart racing slightly.
He took a step forward, but I quickly added,
"Wait! Don't come any closer."
His brow furrowed in confusion. "Why not?"
"Because I don't want anyone to see us together right now,"
I explained, my voice low.
"With everything going on, we need to be careful.
I don't want anyone to jump to conclusions or start more gossip."
Leo paused, studying me for a moment.
"I get that, but you don't have to worry about what others think.
We both know what this is."
I sighed, my mind racing with the implications of our situation.
"I know, but it's complicated. I just need a little time to sort everything out."
He nodded slowly, understanding my hesitation.
"Alright, I'll respect your space. Just know that I'm here if you need to talk."
"Thanks,"
I replied, grateful for his patience.
"Let's just keep things professional for now."
With that, he stepped back,
giving me the space I needed, but the tension in the air lingered,
reminding me of the connection we shared and the challenges that lay ahead.
Leo proceeded to walk out of the office,
but not before leaning closer, his breath warm against my face.
"I'll be waiting for you in my car in ten minutes,"
he whispered with a hint of mischief in his voice.
I felt a rush of excitement mixed with apprehension.
"What if someone sees you?" I protested,
my heart racing at the thought of sneaking around the office.
He flashed a confident smile, his determination unwavering.
"I'll take my chances. Just meet me, okay? We need to talk."
With that, he slipped out of the office,
leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I sat at my desk, contemplating the thrill of the moment.
Ten minutes felt like an eternity as I gathered my thoughts and weighed my options.
Finally, the clock ticked down,
and I stood up, my heart pounding as I made my way outside to the parking lot.
The cool night air hit my face, and I took a deep breath,
reminding myself that this was Leo someone I trusted.
As I approached his car,
I saw him leaning back in the driver's seat,
a casual smile spreading across his face as he caught sight of me.
"I was starting to think you wouldn't come." he said, opening the passenger door for me.
"and why should I wouldn't come? hmm??"
I replied, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves
in my stomach as I climbed in beside him.
"I know," he said, glancing around to ensure we were alone.
"But I also want to know what's going on in that mind of yours."
As he shifted into gear, the excitement of our secret meeting hung in the air,
setting the stage for a conversation that could change everything.
"Why do we need to be cautious?
My father is already spreading the news that I have to marry you,"
I said, a mix of frustration and disbelief in my voice.
Leo chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"True, but that doesn't mean we have to rush into anything.
I want us to figure this out together on our own terms."
I leaned back in the seat, crossing my arms in thought.
"It just feels surreal. One minute, I'm trying to finish up work, and the next,
I'm being pushed into a marriage that I barely had time to process."
"Believe me, I get it what you mean,"
Leo said, his tone serious now.
"But let's take this slow. I don't want you to feel pressure and uncomfortable.
We can make our own choices, regardless of what my dad thinks."
I nodded, appreciating his understanding.
"So, where do we even start? This is all so new for me."
"Let's just take our time and enjoy getting to know each other better,"
he suggested his gaze steady on the road ahead.
"No pressure, just us figuring things out at our own pace."
I smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.
"Okay, I can do that."
"Good,"
he said, glancing over at me with a warm smile.
"Now, how about we grab some ice cream and talk about everything that's happened?"
I laughed, the tension easing between us.
"Ice cream sounds perfect."
The next morning, Leo approached me,
a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"Melody, did you finish those files you worked on last night?"
I felt a wave of unease wash over me as I moved to check my computer.
My fingers flew over the keyboard,
but when I opened the folder, my heart sank.
The files were gone.
I froze a chill creeping up my spine.
Panic set in as I frantically checked every folder,
searching for the documents I had poured so much effort into.
"What's wrong?"
Leo's voice broke through my thoughts,
and I glanced up to see his brows furrowed in concern.
"I… I can't find the files," I stammered and my pulse racing.