Chapter 5

"Coffee?" I asked, smiling at my boss who just came out of the elevator.

He looked petrified when I appeared out of nowhere but he immediately looked at me with distaste. He moved aside and walked straight ahead, went into his office and shut the door close with a loud bang.

I just sighed and gulped down the coffee that was intended for him and coughed right away when I burned my tongue.

"Ouch." I rubbed my tongue with my forefinger and thumb and decided to go back to my seat and think further on how to get in his good side.

"So, how's it going?"

"Miss Lopez. Good morning!" I exclaimed.

She smiled at me and took the vacant seat across me.

"How are you keeping up with him?"

"I... I don't know, really. It's been three days since I got here and I think that he really hates me."

It's been three long days since I started working as his secretary but within those days, I never got the chance to speak with him because, first, I never received phone calls nor guests to say that they need him or they need to speak with him so I never got the chance to consult him with such matters. Second, he never left his office, literally. He always came in ahead of me and locks himself until it was time to go home.

I just got lucky that I came in a little early today, because I wanted to see how he would react to see me in his office at seven in the morning instead of eight and my theory was right, he was ignoring me.

"He's just so stubborn."

"I know right! He never even left his office, not even once. And today, I caught him off guard by showing up earlier than usual. I offered him coffee, he didn't accept it. Honestly, I didn't know he was the type who holds grudges against someone," I said to her truthfully.

Miss Lopez looked into my eyes and for a moment, her bright personality was washed out. I must have just interpreted it in a different way but I think she felt guilty and angry for a very short time.

"There's nothing wrong with holding grudges." She said, more like whispered to herself and I looked at her with pure innocence.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," said Miss Lopez and just offered me a smile. I brushed off the weird feeling then sighed.

"I have an idea!"

She screamed with so much excitement. Her eyes were shining and a smile spread across her beautiful face.

"What is it?" I asked like a curious cat.

Miss Lopez leaned down on my table and she leaned forwards, with our faces a few inches away from each other, she said,

"Bring him food."

"What?" I think I misheard her.

I blinked several times at her words. Miss Lopez smiled knowingly at me and in return, I gave her an i-don't-understand-look.

"What do you mean, bring him food? I am supposed to bring him clients, not food."

"Forget about his clients." She said like it was nothing important. Aren't clients the most important thing in business? Weird.

"What?" I asked in disbelief. Why do I have this feeling like she's planning on doing something that's not part of my job description?

"Just trust me on this one, okay? Like you've said, he doesn't leave his office even during break time so that means, he doesn't eat."

I nodded. Actually, I've been worried about his meals to be honest because I feel guilty. I feel like he's been sacrificing his meals because he didn't want to see me.

"So bring him food and talk to him a little."

"But he shuts me off."

"Then don't let him do it. I trust you, I know you can make him soft. Just try to be near him all the time, okay?" I didn't say a word. I'm really confused now. I don't know why she's asking me these things but do I have a choice? No.

"Okay?" She asked once more. Eyes looking hopeful. I shut my eyes off and gave her a nod.

"Very good, now go get him something to eat. And please, just call me Cyrene." She then walked out with her hips swaying gracefully from left to right and by the way, her name is gorgeous just like her.

Now looking like a dumb, I had no choice but to go down the cafeteria and get my boss something to munch on although I don't know how it would help me get in his good side. Like, I am his secretary and I am supposed to help him schedule and attend meetings. I'm not his chef to offer him a tray of food, right?

I went straight to the cafeteria and found myself having a hard time on choosing what to get for him. My lips are pressed lightly as I scanned everything. I sighed and cursed at myself for not asking Cyrene on what I should get for our boss, well, since this was her idea, I assume that she knows what our boss likes to eat, right? It looks like she knows him very well anyway.

"Are you trying to eat them through your eyes?" I turned to look around and came face to chest with a man. He's tall, okay?

I moved backwards and examined his features. Don't get me wrong but isn't examining one's feature comes first? Or is it only me? If you chose the latter then I'm sorry, but that's what I do whenever I meet new people. Physical appearance comes first before you really get to know someone after spending some time with them. He's smiling at me not just with his lips but with his eyes too.

"I'm Tristan." He said with his right hand hanging, waiting for me to take it.

"Carmela." I said dragging my name then took his hand and did the infamous handshake. His hand held mine firmly but it didn't hurt. Seconds later, I snatched my hand away from him when I realized that he was not letting go soon and he laughed. His voice sounds friendly.

"So, what are you getting?" His dimples came in view whenever he spoke and I find it cute.

"I don't know, really..." He dropped his head to one side and looked at me, examining my reaction but I remained disappointed.

"I can help you with that." He then said and I smiled. But my smile fell when I realized that I am getting food not for me but for my boss.

"But it's not for me."

"For whom then?"

"My boss."

"Boss? Who?" I pouted at him. Isn't he supposed to know who we work for?

"Who else? My, boss, our boss, Mr. Steele." Then his smile dropped. I saw that something flashed through his eyes but when he looked at me again, his smile came back.

"I know exactly what he wants." He then looked at the lady and ordered. I listened to him as he asked for a plate of creamy mushroom spaghetti, a slice of bread and an iced tea.

"And an apple please." He added. The woman took note of his orders and packed them carefully. I looked at him feeling really thankful.

"Don't give me that look." He said. I pouted.

"I don't need a thank you from you." He said once more.

"What do you want then, a you're welcome?" I asked then he laughed lightly. Oh, I love his voice. It is so refreshing.

"You're funny but no, I don't need that one either. Perhaps, digits would do?" He said then I huffed.

"Smooth. But, sure. I don't want to be indebted to some random guy anyway." I said smiling. Taking my pen from my coat's pocket, I reached out for his hand.

Then, I wrote down the digits right on his palm. His eyes grew big but a smirk later on appeared. I snatched the paper bag from the woman and turned on my heel.

Back facing him, I waved a hand at him, "If you need anything else, just call me through that number, I'll be upstairs and promise, I'll serve you right." Then I heard him laugh, a rich one.

Now walking towards his door, my heart beat raced again, like what happened when I welcomed him earlier. It's still too early and I'm not sure if he eats breakfast or not but I should try my luck with this one. I can't seriously work for someone who hates me just because I slapped him and poured him coffee, which was unintentional by the way.

Breathing one more time, I closed my eyes and prayed to God to help me with this one.

"Mr. Steele?" I asked through the closed door. I heard some shuffling inside and my eyebrows furrowed at the noise.

"Mr. Steele?" I called out once more.

"What?

"May I come in?" I don't know why I am asking him because aren't secretaries permitted to come in after knocking? What the hell is wrong with me?

There was no response so I took that as a yes. I clicked the door open and with an unsteady heartbeat, I came in.

I saw him right away. Eyes fixed on his laptop, and typing away whatever. His face looks the usual, a grumpy look is on full display. He may look relaxed but his breathing tells otherwise. He's breathing heavy short breaths, same as mine, but I don't know why he's breathing that way. I on the other hand is tensed.

"What do you want?" Eyes still not on me. And somehow, I felt hurt. I don't know why but it made me feel that I'm not worth it. What the hell Carmela? Shaking off this weird feeling, I walked towards him slowly.

Palms sweating, I stopped right in front of him, his table serving as a barrier between us. I placed the paper bag neatly at the side of his laptop and I saw how his eyes fell on it. I saw how his eyes went soft then hard again.

Mood swings.

"I brought you breakfast." Was my answer to his questioning eyes. His eyes now flickered at me and darn, I could hear his breathing, his heavy breathing.

"I don't need it." Was his only reply then his long delicate fingers went typing once more.

He's not wearing his tux, and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and hell his veins are popping beautifully. One thing I love seeing, veins.

"What are you waiting for?" And I was back to reality when his voice snapped.

"I..."

"Don't bring me something I didn't ask for. Now leave." My head fell down and I sighed to myself.

Slowly, I turned around and walked towards his door when suddenly, he stopped me with his words.

"Stop!" And I did. I heard the chair dragging above the floor and his heavy footsteps nearing where I stood. My heart raced and I am feeling darn nervous.

I felt goosebumps all over my body when I felt him behind me. His fingers brushed lightly across my neck when he put my hair on one side and sparks flew once more. But I almost dropped to my knees when he suddenly sniffed my neck. I tensed and I wanted to run but I couldn't, as if my feet were glued to his marbled floor.

"Why... Why do I smell a man on you?" His voice sounded like he was in absolute pain and it sounded so sexy.

"What?" I didn't get what he meant by that.

"Tristan." He declared. I don't know how he knew it was Tristan. I made an attempt to escape but he held onto me and with one swift turn, my back hit the door and I am now being sandwiched between him and his door. And my eyes found his and I love how darker the shade his eyes looked.

Shut the hell up Carmela!

"Mr. Steele." My breath hitched when he sniffed my neck once more. His breathing, heavier than mine.

"Romantic relationships are not allowed in this goddarn office." He said, his lips brushed across my delicate soft spot and I could feel my knees going weaker as seconds passed.

But then, I thought. I wasn't flirting with anyone. And besides, what he mentioned was not included in the contract, I mean, the rules and regulations.

"But that's not part of the contract." I said trying to correct his words. He just glared at me and I sealed my lips like a kid.

"It is now. My words are my rules so stay away from men or else, you're fired!" He growled and left me hanging in there when once again, he's meters away from me without me even blinking. Déjà vu.

On the side note, at least he didn't let me take the paper bag with me so I assume, he'd eat it or so I hope.