The Cafe was a walk away from the company and was frequently visited by the employees during lunch time.Axel ordered an ice americano, while Lisa settled for a chocolate smoothie.Axel took a sip, then gestured at her blouse. "You wore that last Friday right?""How did you know?" Lisa glanced at the black chiffon top she was wearing then asked. "Do you lack clothes?" He said straightforwardly, and she shifted in her chair uncomfortably."Yes—no—i mean, I do." She coughed taking a drink from her smoothie. "I do have clothes.""Let's go." He stood up, walking to the door."What?" Lisa grabbed her smoothie, looking between him and the waiter behind the counter. "The bill, we aren't paid the bill.""Leave it." Axel threw back only two words.Lisa weighed the pro and cons. The worst that could happen was that they would be stopped at the door.And fortunately she was spared of the embarrassment.________________________"I don't like how you dress. My secretary can't wear clothes of unkn
'This is war.'Everyone was dressed and ready for combat.Dahlia was particularly catchy in her black and white, skin-tight walkout outfit. Long red hair tied up, with the edges curling around her mid-back.Ms. Sarah even wore sports shoes and white gloves, looking like a ballkeeper in a national football tournament.Upon seeing the intense fighting spirit, Lisa couldn't help but ask. "Is it that serious?""Of course it is." Four pairs of eyes immediately settled on her, glaring viciously.She held her hands up in surrender, thinking. 'They really are taking this too seriously.'"You wouldn't know, but the prizes for the winners are really good." Lee said to her. "Plus, you also get a banner at the end of year celebration. It is instant recognition from all, and it is also one of the best ways to gain promotion.""I see." Lisa nodded her head thoughtfully.Dahlia threw an arm around her shoulder, shaking her left and right. "That is why, Lisa, we must not lose this year.""Does that m
"If you want to come, why not come yourself? Do you have to drag me along?"Chris murmured under his breath, glaring at Axel. "It is the company's field day. Showing up proves your dedication. Take it that I am helping you." Axel's eyes were fixed on Lisa, laughing about something with the research team manager and the others, and he didn't hear Chris scowl. "Says the person who was totally against it before." 'She is wearing shorts.' Axel thought and couldn't help but think about the first time he saw her. She was wearing a short skirt, exposing her white legs, which was really too attractive for her own good. He watched as the relay race began, and Chris, who was complaining earlier, got totally into it. Infected by the crowd, he was yelling at the top of his lungs. "Hypocrite." Axel snorted. His eyes narrowed when one of Lisa's pig teammates fell, and he couldn't take his gaze away as she jumped and shouted, looking completely mesmerizing. At the end, they managed to come in
The sophisticated voice could not be mistaken.She climbed down from the toilet, walking out with lowered eyes.Unable to resist asking. "How do you know I was in there?""I saw you walk in." He pointed out, one hand in his pocket and his eyes staring down at her.Feeling intimidated, Lisa stepped back, clearing her throat. "Were you waiting for me?"'Like a stalker?' A voice was added at her mind."I was just wondering why you were entering the men's restroom. Nothing else."Lisa's face heated up, and she fought against a stutter. "That is because the female restroom was locked. I was very pressed and didn't know what to do."Footsteps came from outside, and both of their eyes snapped to the door.On hearing several voices, Lisa panicked. She moved quickly, pulling Axel into a hidden corner at the end of the cubicles and pressing him to the wall with one hand covering his mouth.She prayed that no one noticed them.The last thing she wanted was to be caught in the men's restroom, alo
Lisa was sitting at her desk and typing away on her computer when her phone rang.It was an unfamiliar number, so she hesitated a little before picking up the call."Hello, Lisa speaking.""Come to the rooftop. Now." Five words, and the line goes dead.At once, she knew who had called.'Ah, that jerk'She pulled on her hair, glancing at the pile of work on her table.'what now?'She quickly tidied up her table, then grabbed her phone before heading to him.She had just pushed open the rooftop door when she heard his voice."You sure took your time.""I am sorry, I had to wait for the elevator." Lisa stated.Axel doesn't give her a reply—instead, she is struck dumb by a loud whirling sound.Strong breeze, wreaking havoc on her hair."An helicopter?" She muttered blankly, her mouth hanging wide open.When she recovered, it had already landed, and Axel started walking towards it."Get in," he said to her."Are we—are we going somewhere?” She asked reflexively. "But my bag?""Get in." Axe
The room turned out to be a suite with double rooms.Lisa was a little embarrassed after jumping to conclusions.She followed behind Axel, who halted and then turned to her. "Seriously? You thought it was just one room."Lisa pursed her lips, not knowing how to explain herself."Do you take me as a pervert or something?" He asked, and she almost nodded."No." She shook her head.Axel had seen through her words, shoving both hands into his pockets. "Be assured that I am not that kind of person. I don't like forcing people; I prefer consensual relationships."★★★★★On getting to the weekend, Lisa felt that she had survived a minefield.There were many times she wanted to explode and launch different varieties of attacks on her self-important boss.But she survived.She had managed to keep the job in the end.She didn't have to go to work on Sundays, so she spent the day working at the bakery.The owners, an old couple that she had worked with ever since she dropped out of school, were l
"Ah, achoo!" Lisa let out a loud sneeze, rubbing her red nose.She felt another sneeze coming, reaching for the tissue box Carol had handed over to her. Her nose was already clogging up, and she became sure that she had caught a cold.'It is all because of that damn jerk.' She gritted her teeth, grabbing another tissue.Unable to bear it anymore, she stood up to make herself a cup of hot tea. Maybe that would help.But it didn't."You don't look fine. Are you okay?" Manager Hans asked worriedly. He felt her forehead with the back of his palm, and a frown climbed up his lips. "You are burning.""I am?" Lisa also checked and realized it was true. She hadn't thought it was this serious."Did you take any medicine for it?" He looked at her, and she shook her head."No, not yet.""You should." He turned around, circling his desk.He grabbed his keys. "I will go with you. Let's go to the pharmacy.""What?" Lisa shook her head. "No need. I can go myself.""I will drive. It will be faster." M
"Since you're already here, I'm hungry. Make me something before you leave." Lisa heard what Axel said as she pulled into the driveway.She turned to him with a blank expression, drawing in a deep breath. It was hard not to notice that he was trying to rile her up nowadays, as if he enjoyed her misery and craved a particular response.But Lisa wasn't about to give him what he wanted. She turned on the engine, swerving out of the driveway once again.Axel was surprised. "Where are we going?"Eyes forward, and a smile forced between her teeth, she gave a reply. "A supermarket. Yesterday, when I came, I realized that you have nothing in your fridge." It was so empty that it made her wonder exactly what he hid at home. "There is one nearby. Let's buy some groceries first."Since Axel was the one paying, Lisa was very generous with the shopping. She bought things without even checking the price, something she had not done in her entire life, and the feeling was 'very good.'Axel stared at
The light automatically turned on as Axel walked into the house. He dragged his tie loose and tossed it on the leather couch. He then removed his suit jacket before walking to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of chilled water, hungrily gulping it all, then aimed the emptying can for the bin, which was unfortunately a miss. What a way to ruin my day is good. She doesn't need it? Whatever is done of my business.It is her fault being blind and rejecting my generosity. "You started seeing things too?" Axel swayed around at the unexpected voice. His hand moved with agility, grabbing a beer bottle from the still-open fridge. "Chill, man!" Chris jumped back, an alarmed look on his face.Realising it was just Chris, Axel withdrew his hand. He put the beer back into the fridge then gave his best friend a dead look."What are you doing here?"I am hungry." Chris replied nonchalantly. "I didn't want to eat alone.""And I don't see how that is my cup of tea." Axel po
Lisa had an apron tied around her waist. Her hair was put up in a high ponytail and she held both a pen and a note as she took the tables order. Flashing a bright smile the moment she finished."Is that all you want?""Uh—yes." The table had four girls who looked to be very close friends."I will be right back." Lisa nodded, then headed back to the kitchen where she have the order to the cook."That is weird." Karen spoke from behind her, the corner of her lips ticked up in thought."What is weird?" Lisa gave her an indifferent glance. Waiting for the cook to fix together her order."That handsome guy sitting over there, next to the window seems to be staring at you. Or is it just my eyes?" She mused.'no. You are not wrong. He is indeed staring at me.' Lisa sighed to herself. Her head starting to ache.Who knew why the self obsessed Mr Axel decided to grace their restaurant with his presence?No matter how she tried to ignore him, it was just impossible."Tsk....I don't think I am wr
"And that's what happened." Karen flopped on the table, forcing a smile. "Fortunately tho, they didn't kick me out.""Your mom really is too much." Lisa non existent respect for the lady dropped to a minus. "I don't care. I only have to hold on for less than a month, and I am gone." She stated. "And the phone?" Lisa asked."Yeah." Karen dipped a hand into a pocket and slid it over to her. "It broke really badly." Lisa cringed on seeing the break marks on the screen. "Tell me about it." Lisa's thumb pressed on the on button and the screen lighted up. With a blue light. She was surprised. "It still works?""Miraculously." Karen nodded. "And the touchpad isn't that affected too. Only the top-right part of the screen isn't working." Lisa was just about to return it to her when the phone started to vibrate. "Someone's calling.""Let me see." Karen stared at the number for a few seconds before deciding to answer. "Hello?""Hello, is this the lady I bumped into the other night?""Ye
Two days later, on Lisa's side. "Ah—what happened to you?" Karen slipped into the chair opposite Lisa, throwing her purse on the table. U"Unemployment." Lisa's sigh was filled with emotion. Soft music played in the background of the small bar, creating a cozy atmosphere."We got to stop doing this." Karen groaned under her breath. "Doing what?" Lisa lifted up a glass and chugged down the beer, the liquor burning down her throat. "Drinking all the time." Karen poured herself a cup, and leaned against her chair. "What is the best way to down your sorrow than a heartfelt drink?" "Right." Karen could only agree. "You look like you have a lot on your mind." Lisa stared at her closely, noticing her unease."Do I?" Karen shrugged"What is on her mind?" Lisa asked and she halted, looking down at her empty glass. "It is okay if you don't want to tell me.""It's not that." Karen was quick to refute."So i—""Hmmm....." Lisa urged her on with a low hum."I want to go back to school."
"Mr. Axel, where are we going?" Lisa asked staring out of the window. It was cold and showering hard, with the top of buildings covered in white. He glanced at her and said. "You talk too much. Why are you so curious? Lisa pursed her lips, already starting to regret why she had agreed to spend the day with him. Seeing that black lines were starting to form on her face, Axel gave a loud laugh. "It is a surprise.""I hate surprises." Lisa mumbled under her breath. Still without a choice, she was left in suspense until Axel drove into a parking lot. He climbed down and urged her to do the same. "Are we walking?" Lisa tugged on her coat, wrapping it around her firmly to keep the cold out. "It is not far." He responded. True to his words, they stopped a few blocks away, and Lisa's eyes trailed a big sign in front of the building. Underwater City? She turned to Axel, who refused to give anything away. "Let's go in." e said. Lisa had a hunch as she walked after him. They were app
"Now?" Lisa looked around the party that was too in full swing. "Why? is there something you are waiting for?" Axel asked, briefly glancing back. Lisa passed the cop to a passing waiter and gently followed after him."Already leaving. So soon." Aurora, the chairman's third daughter, blocked his way, a soft pout on her lips. "Pardon me, but I have something important tomorrow and unfortunately I have to excuse myself." He stated, just like a gentleman. "I see." Aurora noted, in understanding. "It was my fault. I almost forgot that your job must be very taxing." She then turned to Lisa, her lips hooked in a bright smile. "It is nice to meet you. Let's get to know each other better next time. Merry Christmas in advance.""Merry Christmas." Lisa sincerely smiled back. Massive fireworks exploded in the skies as they stepped out of the event hall, and the two took a moment to appreciate the beauty that smeared the skies. "Merry Christmas in advance, Mr. Axel." Lisa said to Axel, who l
The event was held in a hotel, and Axel handed his keys to the frontman walking in the red carpets with an arm linked to Lisa's. For Lisa, who wasn't used to the intense flashing of cameras, she felt the world turn white for some seconds and only recovered when they entered the main hall."Are you alright?" Axel glanced at her, and she pressed down the urge to rub on her eyes, not wanting to ruin her makeup. She nodded stiffly. "I am good.""You should be, after all this has just began."Axel wasn't bluffing when he said this. They first went on to congratulate the celebrant, then the host, which was his children, and after then it was business mode, and Lisa was once again reminded of the fact that Axel wasn't just any bipolar jerk. He was the CEO of the top tech company in the world. Every word he said hit on the point, and how he could easily dominate any discussion couldn't fail to amaze her. It was to the extent where Lisa, who thought of herself to be really extroverted, fe
"What are you wearing?" Axel's eyes twitched as Lisa walked towards him.She scanned his body tailored, navy blue suit, matched with a dark ash tie.His hair was made in a messily, sexy style, and she is hit with a realization. "Are we going somewhere important?""Tell me." He gives her a scowl. "Of course yes. Why else would I ask you to dress nice if it isn't somewhere important?""That is also what you said last time and I ended up overdressing." Lisa said hinting to the last time she followed him to the hospital.Axel looked at her, at lost for words. In the end he lets out a sigh, brushing his fingers through his curls. "If you give me ten minutes I can go back and change into something el—""Don't bother." He opened the door for her and said indifferently. "Get in.""What? I can't go like this, can I?" Lisa immediately protested. Feeling it would be too embarrassing.Axel stared straight at her then repeated. "Get in."'ah, wherever it is your loss. After all I am going in you
With a heart full of annoyance, Lisa sat down and ate all the toast and scrambled eggs herself. Then clean out all the dirty dishes using the dishwasher.The living room was big, almost three times the size of her room, and although arranged sophisticatedly, with exotic designs and artwork hanging on the walls, sitting alone on the light brown sofa, Lisa was hit with a feeling of emptiness.It was so quiet that she could almost hear her own breath in her ear. The mansion was lavish and grand. But also lonely and empty. She could not imagine someone living every single day of the year in such way.'does he not feel lonely?' Lisa quickly shook those thoughts as they came. 'of course not. He must have a lot of friends....and girlfriends.'After idling away her time for a few minutes, she succumbed to her worries and stood up to check on Axel.Hoping he was asleep.She contemplated for a while, standing in front of the door. Whether to knock or not. Afraid of disturbing him if he were as