OLIVIA
I tried hard to take the image of the kiss from my head, but it seems impossible. How am I going to do this? It seems to be hard for me to achieve. I can feel eyes on me. Yes, this is what I have to deal with all the time. I don't understand why they have to be this jealous of me. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they are all jealous that I get to work for their handsome boss. Wait! Did I just say handsome? I mentally rolled my eyes.
I rushed to the elevator. There is going to be an important meeting today. I needed to set the board room. I need to make sure everything is set. I didn't waste time. I had them clean the room, and the chairs are well arranged, and the presentation is also well set. We'll be using a projector for the meeting today. I'm so happy that things are finally going as they should be.
I went back to the office to see if he was in, to my surprise, he wasn't there yet. I checked the time and saw that it's almost time for his meeting, but he isn't here. The investors haven't even arrived yet. I scoffed, is this a way of punishing me to be at the office as early as possible? I really don't understand why the investors are taking so long, and he isn't here too. I was really confused.
I went back to the board room to check, but there was no sign of anyone waiting for the meeting. I sat there for almost an hour, and nothing happened. The meeting was meant to be an hour-long meeting, and it's already past the meeting time. I decided to go back to the office to continue my work from yesterday. Yes, I didn't finish up my work yesterday. It was so late, so I had to go home.
I dragged a chair to the shelf and started to arrange the files in order. The door burst open, and my angry-looking boss walked in. His eyes met mine, and then it made me remember the kiss. On reflex, I almost touched my lips but was quick to stop myself. I don't want him to think I was crazy or something.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, as if it wasn't obvious.
"I...good morning, sir...." I greeted first. "I... "
"Never mind," he said, annoyed, and went to sit on his chair. He didn't even tell me why the meeting won't hold. I felt the urge to ask. He can't keep me in the dark after all the hard work I put into making the meeting a good one.
"Sir, the meeting didn't hold," I said.
He raised his head at me. "Why do you care?"
Did he just ask that? Is he even for real?
"Sir, I thought it was a very important meeting. I..."
"Can you please shut up! I don't want to hear more of this. Now get back to work," he said harshly.
I swallowed the harsh words and turned to continue what I was doing. I can't believe him. This is the most annoying thing to do or say. He is super annoying. Has anyone ever said that to him?
"So many times," I heard him say.
Wait! Did I just say that loud?
"Of course, you did," I heard him say again.
I snapped my head at him and was confused. I wish the ground could open up and swallow me. I felt so embarrassed. My heart sank.
"I'm sorry, sir," I said.
He didn't say more but continued his work. I also turned to continue mine. This is going to be harder than I thought. I hate this so much.
****
Adrian received a call. He picked it up, and then I don't know why I was being nosy. I listened closely to what he was saying on the phone.
"I'll be there in thirty minutes," he said and ended the call.
In thirty minutes? Who is he on the phone with? That is the shortest call I've ever seen.
"Round up what you are doing. We'll be going for our next meeting at a restaurant," he ordered, and since I don't have a choice, I nodded.
"Okay, sir."
I kept the last files and was glad to be done with it. I got up and went over to his table. "Is there anything else you want me to do for you, sir?"
"No," I nodded. "Okay, sir." I made my way to the door. I need to get a drink, but then he stopped me before I opened the door.
"I need you to jot down something for me," I heard him say. I quietly huffed and turned to face him. "Excuse me?"
"I said I need you to jot down something for me. Are you stupid or trying to act stupid?" he said rudely.
I couldn't believe this man had the nerve to say this to me. I was so annoyed with him, but I bit down on my lips to prevent myself from insulting him. I dragged my legs to his table.
"Yes, sir," I said. He pointed at the chair for me to sit on. I did as I was told.
"Write down the time and the name of the restaurant," he said, and I was confused. "Sir, I thought we've already written that down before."
He glared at me. "Do as I say if you want to avoid being suspended?"
I mentally rolled my eyes but did as I was told. I did what he wanted me to do without complaining. Is he always like this? I need to know more about him because I really don't understand if this is part of his punishment or this is exactly how he is.
It's about time I find myself a friend in the office. He doesn't even let me go out and mingle. I don't even know most of the employees here. It's so annoying because he is the cause of it.
I raised my head up to ask him what I'm going to do next, but to my surprise, I caught him staring at me. I gave him a confused look. "Is there anything else you want me to do for you?"
"Let's go. It's time," he said. I nodded, and we left the office. The moment we got to the reception area, there were many eyes on us. What is so special about our arrival? Yes, I must admit, Adrian is a good-looking man, but he is so arrogant.
****
We got to the restaurant, and I was expecting to see businessmen in suits, but to my surprise, a lady waved over at Adrian. He rolled his eyes but walked towards her. I also followed closely. Adrian sat down. I didn't know if I should sit or not, so I stood.
The lady gave me a confused look. "Who is she? I thought this was a private lunch. Who is she, Adrian?" She asked, giving me a once-over. I mentally rolled my eyes. I can see jealousy oozing from her. She thinks there is something between us? Is she even for real?
"She is my assistant," he answered her. "Sit," he ordered. I did as I was told. The way she was glaring at me could kill. She hates the fact that I was there in this meeting. Maybe she is one of his mistresses. Men like Adrian find it hard not to have different mistresses.
"You know she can have another table. She doesn't need to be here with us," she insisted.
"Enough of this. If you keep insisting, I'll leave," he told her, and he was serious. I could see her hand form into a fist. She was angry but didn't want to show it in fear of getting him angry, I guess. This whole thing seems interesting to watch. I don't understand her jealousy. Adrian will never go for someone like me. I'm a nobody after all.
The waiter came to get our order. Adrian surprised me when he told me to give our order. Mine and his. To be honest, I was so hungry, so I didn't decline the favor. I did as I was told. His girlfriend also gave her order, but her eyes were on me.
"I called you last night. You didn't pick up my call," she asked him.
"I was busy, Anna," he said.
So that's her name? Anna?
"You know I miss us together. I miss you so much that it hurts," she said to him, and he rolled his eyes at her.
"Is this why I'm here? Is this why you insisted on seeing me?" he asked her.
"I wanted us to have an intimate lunch, but you had to bring her here," she couldn't hide her frustration at seeing me.
"She has to be everywhere I go. She is my assistant, so stop complaining," Adrian said.
Now it looks like they are fighting because of me. Maybe I should excuse them.
"I can just sit over there," I tried saying, and Adrian shot me a look that made me shut up.
I sat right back. "Sorry, sir."
"Now decide if you want this lunch of yours to go on or I should leave," he asked Anna.
She was seething. "Fine, whatever. It's not like I have a choice."
He shrugged. "It's settled then."
I felt a little pity for her. I'm sure she likes him, and seeing me with him is making her jealous.
I leaned closer to Adrian, and he gave me a confused look. "What?"
"I can stay at the other side. I don't mind," I whispered in his ear.
I stopped myself from drooling. I love his perfume. He smells so good. I haven't been this close to him. I don't know where I got the nerve to do so.
He stared down at me but didn't say anything. Adrian stared at me with a different expression. This is different from his normal glare. There was something different about this look.
We heard someone clearing their throat. I broke eye contact immediately.
What is wrong with me? Why was I staring at him that way? Why was he also staring at me that way? The atmosphere suddenly felt so hot.