Forgive Me

Aurora POV:

It was a busy morning, I was engrossed in the work I was doing. I was collating the number of calves brought to life yesterday and cross checking with the spread sheet to make sure there was no error. I still had quite a lot to do, Yet my mind strayed back to my ex boss. Through out the night it was he who was running a course through my mind. I was having a mixed feeling, I was so proud of myself I finally stood up to him and didn't allow him to do me as he please. Yet there was subtle melancholic feeling in my heart, I knew I was sad and I was yet to figure out the cause of it, but it was eating me out slowly. My mother also called my attention to my sad face this morning, I wasn't surprised she detected immediately, it is often said I'm like an open book, easy to read.

I felt a cold hand on my skin, I jolted violently with fear out of my skin.

"Calm down Mrs. Hardy"

I turned around to see my taciturn boss, who looked shaken as much as I was. I presumed my reaction shook him too.

"You scared me" I squeaked

"I'm sorry Mrs. Hardy" He replied "You also did the same with your jerking movement"

"I didn't hear see you nor hear you come in"

"Because you totally zoned out. I called out to you a few times, you didn't react in the slightest bit. I thought you were angry at me."

"Angry at my boss" I scoffed " why on hell would I be angry with my boss and if I did, do I dare ignore him when he calls me"

He smiled broadly "You bemuse me Mrs Hardy."

"And what possibly reason do you think I would be angry at my boss" I asked genuinely curious. I couldn't think of any reason.

He slipped his two hand into his back pocket.

"You know, making you run errands in the rain" he said, his eyes genuinely sorry he made me do it. "I was so worried, you'd caught a cold and you wouldn't be able to make it office today"

I had a laugh but was quick to stiffen it. "That?" I asked wide eyed, my face unable to hide my bemusement.

I had no idea which shocked him more, the stiffened laugh or my undisturbed expression. But he look a bit flustered.

"What? Did I say anything bemusing?" He asked "I actually had no idea it would rain so hard yesterday evening, believe I wouldn't have allowed you to go."

I stared at his innocent face and wondered if this was the same man accused of making his workers cry. Certainly not, the man I am currently working for, he doesn't seem capable of such atrocities, but who could spread such horrible rumors about him.

"My ex boss wouldn't care less, come rain come hail" I said

I quickly bit tongue remembering how much my ex boss name ever being brought up around him and worst possibly comparing both of them to his face.

"Michael is not an human, he is a dinosaur" He replied

I was more amused he didn't give me a cold dead eye rather than the bemusing human comparism. It was a deliberate overstatement and an insult to dinosaurs, Mr. Angelo is a bigger moster.

"You will be surprised to find out you have been compared to him on several occasions." I said light heartedly.

"I am inclined to say I'm offended to be compared to Michael, but I know better. I've fired a couple of people over the years for one reason or the other, which I presumed weren't so happy about it" He replied

Yeah, I guess that sums it up. I wondered what the 'one reason or the other' were.

"I believe you could be the judge of that, you've worked for both sides."

"I'm obliged to say you are the better boss"

"Because you are currently working for me?" He asked with an arched eyebrow

"Technically yes" I said smiling through my teeth

"Smart and fair enough" he replied "But what about if you aren't compelled or obligated to make a certain decision" He said with a serious and stern face. I hadn't anticipated him being so serious about it. I was taken aback he could care so much about my opinion about him"

"You are not only the better boss Mr. Jordan, you are far better human" I replied with an equally straight face "Taking Mr. Angelo over would not only be inexplicable, it would be farcical. You have been so good, helped me settle down quickly and adapted more than any of my co workers did."

His stern broke into a beaming smile. "I'm sorry you've been traumatized by Mr. Angelo, but you will find out it's the most normal and humane act for Bosses to care for their workers."

For some reason I doubted, but smiled nonetheless.

"You know what, enough of Michael for a day. It's starting to make my stomach turn" He said with a bitter tone enough to take down a pit viper.

I expected that much, but I couldn't help wonder if he meant viscerally or figuratively. Whether the former or the latter, Again I wondered what could have transpired between them and made both of them hated each other this much. It couldn't simply be because of a divorce, Mr. Angelo was simply a legal representative, he would understood that much. Which means both of them were hiding something and neither was saying anything about it.

"I want to make up for sending you into the rain yesterday"

"How?" I asked bemused.

"Giving you an hour off work to take a look at the new calves birthed today"

"Really, may I?" I exclaimed

"Offcourse, unless you don't want to"

"I'd be delighted to" I replied "But may I take a few minutes to quickly finish compiling the spreadsheet before joining you"

"Offcourse take your time"

I thought he would proceed to leave, but felt his warm breath on my neck as he watched the screen from behind me. I could feel his body touching mine. I fidget nervously as my fingers refused to obey, I prayed he doesn't see the goose bumps I was sure were popping out violently on my nape.

I knew it would take me forever to work under this condition. I've always boasted of my ability to work under pressure, but never this type of pressure. My heart was pounding vehemently, as my fingers vibrated.

He leaned in even closer his cheeks an hair breadth away from touching mine.

"Is it me or you are not doing anything" He asked

His fresh morning mint breath enveloped me, I didn't dare to breath.

"On a second thought, I think I can do it later" I said standing up

"Really? Is my presence impeding your focus?"

"No sir, not at all"

He stared at me for a second too long and caught him staring. He didn't flinch nor look in any way disturbed.

"Did you lose weight?" He asked solemnly

I flushed red, taken aback by his question.

"Yes, I've been gyming and dieting" I replied quietly

"Don't lose anymore, you look gorgeous this way."

I gasped for breath under his intent gaze. My gut clenched and tightened as I felt my throat dried like a drop of water in the Sahara.

"Thank You sir" I finally managed to voice out.

I gestured to me to walk first ahead of him, I tried to but was oblivious to my leg that has turned to jelly. I tripped and fell as they refused to obey me. In a split second he caught me before I fell face flat on the ground. An hand of his on my back and the other draped over my breast.

He carefully raised me to my feet before both our gaze went to his hand. He quickly removed it, he didn't look as flustered as I did, which made it even more akward for me"

"Careful Miss Hardy" He said

"I'm sorry" I said

"There's nothing to be sorry about you tripped" He replied "But you should watch where you walk and be careful not to get hurt"

I nodded "I will"

"Are you still intrested in watching the calves?" He asked

I wonder which would be more akward in this context, with our recent episode refusing what I'd already agreed to would be straight out wierd and spending a second longer with him would be equally as akward, I couldn't trust my hands and feets to behave themselves while I was with him.

"Offcourse sir" I replied

"Let's go then" he said "should I hold you this time so you don't fall" He said jokingly, a way to ease the tense atmosphere, but it only made me more nervous.

I walked anxiously and carefully watching my every step like a wrong step will make me fall into a pit of fire.