Chapter six.

Lisa added water to the machine and placed grounded coffee beans into the coffee filter. Pushing the single-shot button.

Lisa patiently waited for the cup to be almost full before turning the machine off. Stirring in two spoons of sugar. She topped it with milk, drawing a leaf cover on the surface.

Every movement was smooth and especially pleasing to the eye.

"I thought you might need some help, but it shows that you are even better than me." Dallian raised her chin, arms crossed, as she stood by the entrance of the break room.

""Huh—thanks." Lisa smiled at the compliment.

"Also, as a newcomer, you are not just responsible for Mr. Axel's coffee alone, but everyone else's too."

"I am?" Lisa's hand holding the tray shook.

"Hmmm." Dallian gave a short nod. "Here is a tip. Lee and Jamie like their coffee. sweet coffee and full of milk, Ms. Sarah, not too sweet; I prefer mine plain. Oh, and don't bother about Manager Hans; he doesn't drink coffee. Make sure not to mix it up." 

Lisa stared blankly as she walked out, letting out a deep sigh.

'There was so much to do.'

She needed to continue the thick binder from where she stopped last night, then start with the heap of files on her table.

She knew time wasn't on her side. But it was something she had to do if she wanted to keep the job.

Tightening her hold on the tray, she walked to Axel's office, knocked on the door, and waited for permission.

"Come in." Lisa tried not to be affected by his voice, pushing the door open. 

"Good morning, Mr. Axel." She greeted lightly.

"Coffee?" He raised a brow, looking up from his phone.

Lisa placed the tray on his table, flipping open the file that was held under it. "Here is your schedule for today."

"Read it out." Mr. Axel picked up the cup while staring straight at her, taking a small sip from his coffee.

"Delicious as expected."

Lisa shuddered under his gaze, like prey marked by a predator. "You have nothing for this morning until noon, a meeting on the second floor at 1:30pm, a conference call from 2pm to 3pm, handling reports from up-to-date operations to 5pm, and you have to attend a book launch at 5:30pm." She stated it diligently.

"I see. You can go." He waved at her dismissively.

Lisa nodded, returning to her office.

'That was better than expected.'

She dropped into her chair, only to remember that she had to make coffee for the other employees.

"Ah, dang it." She muttered under her breath.

"Lisa!"

"Ma'am." She sat up at Carol's call.

"Take this and make two copies each for me, will you?" The lady said that, and she gave a quick reply.

"Yes, ma'am, I'll do that right away."

'The quicker I finish this, the better.' Lisa thought.

Making the coffee wasn't a problem, and she was done in no time. The thing was, she found the big printing machine very unfamiliar and had zero ideas on how to use it.

She was contemplating what to do when the intern, Jamie, walked over to print some documents.

He looked at the papers in her hand and asked, "You want to print them?"

"No, photocopies." Lisa corrected and said, "But I don't know how to use the machine. Can you please help me out?"

"No problem; I also found it difficult when I first arrived." Jamie smiled friendly, giving her a brief explanation of how to use the different features of the multifunction printer.

"Like most printers, it also has a shredder, so be careful not to make mistakes." He made sure to point out.

"Ah, I see. Thanks." Lisa nodded.

She was slow at first, but was able to get the hang of it after photocopying the fourth file.

After handing everything to Carol, she settled down to continue the task at hand.

Dahlia came to meet her at lunch, leaning in to take a peek at what she was reading. "You aren't going for lunch, newbie."

"No." Lisa shook her head.

"It was also the same yesterday. Are you perhaps a workaholic?"

Lisa quickly refused, explaining. "I am not. It's just that I have a lot to do. I guess that's how it's going to stay until the trial week is over." 

"I see." Dahlia pouted, complaining as she walked away. "Everyone is so busy nowadays. It's starting to make me feel jobless. I can't believe I'll be eating alone today again."

Lisa continued to work, and Caro left to address some issues with the legal team, asking her to make sure to remind Axel to attend the book launch and that he must not miss it.

Lisa waited until it was five o'clock before she went to his office.

"Mr Axel." He was working on his laptop, a golden-rimmed glass sitting on his sharp nose.

He gave a deep hum in reply, and she continued. "I am here to remind you about the book launch event. It is in 30 minutes."

"Did Carol ask you to do that?" His eyes fluttered toward her, his head resting on his palm and his elbow on the table.

"She said it was very important and that you shouldn't miss it."

Axel stood up, grabbing his coat. "Okay, then, let's go."

"Ahhh, me too?" Lisa pointed at herself.

"Who else?" He raised one of those finely curved brows at her, and Lisa was quick to accept the reality.

"I will go grab my purse." 

She followed behind him like a normal secretary as they exited the lobby, saying a small thank you as she slipped past the car door, head opened by the driver.

She shrunk away, noticing Axel's gaze. His eyes lingered on her for some seconds, assessing her clothes, which were a knee-length, ash brown-skinned tight skirt and a furry cream blouse. He then nodded.

"It will pass."

"Huh—you said?" Lisa was puzzled.

"You should wear more accessories." He pointed it out casually.

"Ah, yes." Lisa pursed her lips.

When you had too many expenses, it was impossible to spend some on trivial things.

Lisa, who had less than a few accessories, started to think about how to acquire more.

The book launch event was held in the city's big library, and they were led right in the moment they arrived.

The place was packed full of fans. The author wasn't just any common author; he was Caleb Monroe.

A big-hit author who hardly shows up in public.

His books are favorites for both young high schoolers and women of different statures. Mainly because of the unbeatable romance and the beautiful chemistry between his characters that leaves a lasting taste, even after weeks of reading the book.

His new release, 'To Love You' was already highly anticipated.

Lisa could feel the excitement in the air and slowly got infected by it, completely forgetting that she had escorted someone as she directed all her attention to listening to Author Caleb as he started the book reading.

Everywhere was silent, and only his mild voice could be heard. The passage was from a particular part of the book where the two leads had to separate because of unknown circumstances, and the male lead, who was the one leaving, assured the female lead that his love for her would never die and not even the distance could shake his heart.

Caleb's voice flew into her ear as he quoted the male lead.

With every beat of my heart, I can only love you more and more.

Axel watched her as a soft smile spread across her lips, lighting up her face.

She looked breathtaking, and it made him want her even more. He wanted to possess her, not caring how.

A thunderous round of applause rippled across the hall. Cheers unending at the end of the recitation.

Lisa recovered and found Axel staring at her unwaveringly, and their eyes met mid-air, creating sparks.

All the noise blended into the background, and for the first time, she took a good look at his face.

Bushy brows, slightly curved eyes, a sharp nose, and two fleshy lips that drew attention on their own.

He truly was handsome that it made Lisa want to ask what God thought when he created such a man.

Still, Lisa knew the limits.

This kind of person is someone you shouldn't dare to desire.

A walking red flag.