Basil
Amara and I are now officially married. We haven't moved into our home yet since they're still installing the appliances and finalizing the interiors. Today is her first visit to the company, where she'll begin her job training before her graduation. Father has tasked me with teaching her the basics, a responsibility I neither requested nor refused.
Ever since the wedding, Tatiana hasn't sent me a single message. It's unusual, considering she's always been the one to start our conversations. I'm not sure how I feel about the silence—it's strange, and half of me wonders if I can handle not speaking to her, especially now that I'm married. Still, I'm grateful she's keeping her distance for now.
I was in the middle of choosing a suit for the day when the door to my room opened wide without a warning.
"I've got tickets!" Mother announced, waving two papers in the air like a prize she'd just won in the lottery.
I raised an eyebrow and fixed my tie in front of the mirror. "Tickets for what, exactly?"
"For your honeymoon!" she exclaimed, as if it were the most important thing in the world.
I paused, caught between disbelief and annoyance. "A honeymoon?" I repeated, turning to face her. "It's only been two days since the wedding. Isn't that something we're supposed to plan for later?" I shook my head. "We've barely caught our breath, Mother. Give us some time."
"Time is the reason why you need this!" she returned. "A honeymoon is the mainspring of married life. Besides, it's only a three-day trip. You haven't had a proper vacation in a month!"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "We have obligations to fulfill—Amara's beginning her on-the-job training at the company before her graduation, and I'm responsible for guiding her through it. This isn't the right time for a getaway."
"Nonsense! There's never a perfect time. If you wait for everything to be done, you'll be waiting forever."
Before I could gather a response, she placed the tickets on my desk with a satisfied grin.
"Don't forget to give Amara her ticket, okay? Bye!" she said cheerfully, waving her hand as she walked out of the room.
I took a deep breath and glanced at the details on the ticket. The destination was Japan and the flight was scheduled for tomorrow, which only feed my frustration further. I shook it off and decided to clear my head as I left the house.
Driving to the Montgomery residence, I spotted Tatiana walking their dog, dressed in a jogging pants and longsleeves. She rested when she noticed my car, making a quick glance in my direction. I automatically stopped, meeting her gaze for a short moment. Her expression was unreadable, and she accelerated back to her task, resuming her walk as if I wasn't there.
It was then I saw Amara standing alone at the main entrance of their home, her eyes fixed on us. The look on her face told me she'd caught the brief interaction, her curiosity undeniable. For a moment, the air between us felt heavy, as though we were all quietly recognizing something unspoken.
I stepped out of the car and walked around to open the passenger seat for her. Without a word, she slipped inside, in silence. I went back in, the ticket still on my mind. Unsure whether to ask for a refund or to just let it be. In the end, I decided to hand it over to Amara.
"Here," I said, extending the ticket toward her. "My mother, booked us a honeymoon to Japan. The flight's tomorrow." I glanced at her, calculating her expression. "If you don't want to go, I can figure something out. Just let me know what you think."
Amara took the ticket, her eyebrows raising as she scan the details. "Japan?" she murmured, her tone a mix of surprise and hesitation. She looked up at me, "It's... sudden, but I guess your mom really wants us to go. If you think it's a bad idea, we can skip it, but..." She paused. "It might be nice to get away, even just for a few days."
I sighed, "If you want to go, we'll go. Just say the word."
Amara delayed, as she glance at the ticket in her hand. "I guess... it could be nice," she said softly.
I nodded, "Alright then, it's decided. Pack your things after your training, and we'll leave tomorrow."
I stepped on the brake in front of the company building. The security guards swiftly opened the door for Amara, and as she stepped out the vehicle, the employees and staff lined up to greet her.
The head of the staff members smiled warmly and said, "Welcome, Mrs. Montgomery! We're so glad to have you here."
Amara smiled politely, a hint of nervousness in her eyes as she shook her hand to each of them. "Thank you," she replied softly, her voice smooth but it carries a slight uneasiness. "I'm looking forward to working with all of you."
I walked to her side and gently slid my hand around her waist. Amara stiffened for a moment before she relaxed. "Thank you all for the warm welcome," I said, with a sincere tone. "I really appreciate you taking the time to greet my wife. It means a lot to us, especially today." I took a quick look at Amara, with a thin smile. "Your efforts are appreciated."
The staff bowed and smiled politely before returning to their tasks and leaving the room calm than before. I turned back to Amara. "Are you ready?" I asked.
She glanced around the grand reception area. Taking a long breath, she nodded. "Yes," she replied, plainly.
"Let's begin with the receiving area," I said, gesturing toward the large front desk where receptionists greeted visitors with professional presence. "It's the starting point of contact for most of our clients and partners."
Amara nodded, taking in the grand layout.
"To the left," I continued, pointing toward a well-lit area, "is the canteen. It's where most of the employees eat during breaks. The menu changes every day, and the food is decent enough." I glanced at her. "Not as fancy as what you're probably used to, but it gets the job done."
Amara arched an eyebrow, her voice cool as she replied, "I didn't realize you had my taste all figured out. Let's hope the food is as 'decent' as you say."
I smirked, unaffected by her tone. "You'll survive, princess. Who knows, you might even surprise me and ask for a second plate."
Amara didn't respond, choosing instead to look around the canteen as if I were a wind. Her silence was loud, but I only chuckled, shaking my head.
Then I brought her to the café located in the corner of the first floor. It had a more relaxed ambiance, with comfortable chairs and a barista busy taking orders. "This is the café. Great for quick meetings or if you need a boost of caffeine."
The employees couldn't help but steal glances at Amara every time she walked past them, their eyes would follow her as she moved through the hall. She wasn't surprised, her eyes were scanning the area with a natural confidence, as though she was used to being the center of attention.
Some murmured among themselves, curious about a new comer, while others did their best to concentrate on their work, but their attention automatically got carried back to her. Her appearance was evident—captivating, even—creating silent interest and series of whispering that followed her everywhere.
We made our way to the elevators and went upstairs to the second story. I pointed to the spacious area with bean bags and cozy couches.
"This is the resting area for employees. If anyone needs to take a break from work, they can come here. The restrooms are at the far end."
Amara's eyes paused on the resting place, caught off by its inviting setup. "This place is a lot more accommodating than I expected." My jaw dropped when she started sprinting over the bean bags. My frustration boiled over as she settled herself carelessly on it. I walked towards her, gently pulling her away from the cushions, but she stubbornly remained slumped on the bean bag and would not get up. The force of her refusal to move unexpectedly knocked me off balance, and before I could react, I was on top of her.
Amara bursts out laughing, the sound was playful and carefree making the situation worse. The workers, who had been secretly watching from afar, couldn't help but laugh when they saw their boss trapped in such an unusual position; some even smiled.
I can feel my face burn, turning red from embarrassment. I rushed to stand on my feet and dragged her up with such force that she had no time to object.
"Enough, Amara," I said, attempting to remain calm. "This isn't funny." I wasn't pleased by her laughter, that spread throughout the room. My patience is now becoming brittle. I gave the employees an apologetic glance as I led her out from the resting area with a firm grip.
She started laughing once again as I pulled her away into the elevator.
"Are you out of your mind?" I asked quietly. "You're in a professional environment. This isn't some lounge where you can throw yourself around casually. People are watching. You are a Hawthrone now. Be careful cause your actions are sent back to me."
Amara wiped the smirk from her face and straightened up, but her eyes were still filled with mischievousness. Her tone was at ease almost natural as she looked at me in the eye. She said, "I know where I am," with a hint of challenge in her tone. "But let's not pretend you didn't enjoy it for a second. Besides, it's not like I did anything bad."
I tried to stay my poise, but my jaw tightened a little. I took a step closer and looked at her in the eyes. "You think this is about happiness? It's about respect—something that you seem to forget when you decide to act without thinking. We believe happy employees work better," I added. "But that doesn't mean we discredit professionalism, especially when it's a reflection on me." I paused, letting the volume of my words settle inside her. "I won't ask again, Amara. This is the last time I'll tolerate behavior like this in the workplace."
When the doors slid open, Amara pushed me lightly making me stumble slightly. The eyes of the employee expanded in shock when she saw our position earlier. She paused for a moment, shifting her gaze from me to Amara. I stood up properly and gave her a small formal smile while signaling her to go inside. Amara who was naughty earlier became quiet. Her eyes had lost their usual fun brightness and had taken on a more boring inaccessible air.
After passing through the other levels, which she most likely wouldn't visit much, we finally reached my office that occupied half of the thirteenth floor. I pushed the modern black doors opened to flaunt the vast and carefully furnished room with a dark wood accents, modern decorations, and an impressive desk with a city view.
I turned my back to face her, "Welcome to my office. You'll probably be spending more time here."
Amara's eyes swept over the room, taking in every detail with a calm interest. She stepped over to join me, standing before the glass wall that offered a view of the city. Her face was bathed in a warm glow as the sunlight poured through, highlighting her feminine features.
For a brief period, I couldn't take my eyes off her, mesmerized by the calm expression on her face and the way the light bounced across her skin. Although it wasn't long enough for her to notice, it made an impact that I found difficult to get rid of.
She turned away first, and went around the room instead. Her gaze brushed over the office once more before she spoke. "It's... larger than I expected," she said, her tone normal but carries a hint of amazement that she couldn't quite hide.
"Take a seat," I urged. Once she settled down, I continued, "You'll be assigned to print the documents I need and organize them. Since, temporarily, you'll be acting as my secretary, you'll also handle my coffee and manage my schedule." I leaned back slightly, my eyes crossing hers. "You don't need to attend meetings with me, but I do want you to visit the research and test laboratory area when I'm not around. Watch what they're doing, take notes, and try to get a feel for the work there. Consider it part of your on-the-job training."
Amara crossed her arms, emphasizing the shape of her breast. I caught myself glancing briefly before quickly drifting my gaze back to her face. She lifted an eyebrow, her expression intense and questioning as if silently calling me out.
"So, I'm your secretary and your coffee runner now?" she said, her voice mixed with sarcasm.
My eyes narrowed by her tone. "Yes, is there something wrong with it? Or do you want to be fired on your first day? Brats are not allowed in workplaces, Amara. No one's going to spoil you here."
She smirked, titling her head as she replied, "Fired on my first day? That would be a record, wouldn't it? But don't worry, sir. I don't need anyone to spoil me—but maybe some of your employees will." She chuckled.
I let out a low laugh, shaking my head unimpressed by her confidence and sarcasm. "Be mindful, Amara. Confidence is great, but don't let it turn into arrogance. And as for my employees..." I leaned slightly closer. "They know better than to cross that line."
Amara fixed her dress, her smirk remained in place. "We'll see about that. Anything else, or is that the full amount of my 'temporary duties'?" She asked.
I was about to open my mouth when someone knocked on the door. "Come in," I said, my gaze shifting to Amara, who watched my secretary enter with a curious expression.
She walked in with a professional aura, leaving a pile of papers on my desk. She then placed a cup of coffee, a perfectly brewed one I didn't even have to ask for.
I turned to Amara, caught her eyes brushing over my secretary from head to toe, probably realizing that not everyone here would serve her every whim.
"That would be all. You are dismissed," I said to Amara. "I've asked Will to fetch you. Spend the rest of the day to prepare for our trip tomorrow."
Amara glanced at me, her expression empty. "Thank you, sir," she said ironically, gracefully rising from her chair. "I'll make sure I'm ready." She turned her back to leave and clicked the door shut behind her.
I felt the strain rising as I rubbed my temple. I was getting tired with Amara's attitude, but I knew I needed to regain my patience. All I could hope for was that she would get used to everything here as quickly as possible. The endless disagreement between us was the last thing I needed. For the time being, I would concentrate on the tasks at hand and handle her unpredictable behavior when it surfaced.