Chapter 3— He knew a lot.

Rosalie scoffed as the blaring sound of music filled her ears. Her nose scrunched up when the smell of cigarette and alcohol found their way into her nose. It dissolved and caused an irritated feeling in her chest.

"Ohh, looks like my baby doesn't like it that much in here" Aria, Rosalie's best friend chuckled and the frown on Rosalie's face deepened into a scowl.

Aria was here giggling around loving everything about the bar but she hated it. Goodness, she shouldn't have agreed to come with Aria.

But what could she have done?

Aria was excited she got a job in spelldrink Mac's and she had agreed to go out with her if she got the job. Aria chose the bar which left her with no other choice than to come here with her.

"Hi, Ed" Aria waved at someone and Rosalie wondered how she was able to see despite the blue lights that kept flashing into her eyes causing her pupils to contract and dilate at intervals.

"Goodness, I don't like it here Aria" Rosalie complained with a light frown but it seemed to make Aria happy the more. "Come on" she grabbed Rosalie's hand and led the way further into the bar.

The TV blared overhead and the clinking of glasses coupled with people's chattering found their way into Rosalie's ear causing irritation in her ears.

"You'll love it here Rosie and who knows you might meet your dream one" Aria realeased a chuckle at her words.

"You see how silly that sound, huh?" Rosalie chuckled as they finally reached the counter. Wooden stools lined up along the counter and the blaring music beat into Rosalie's ears.

Goodness, she hated it in there.

"Two cocktails" Aria ordered in a yell and gave the bartender a wink. He returned the smile and Rosalie shook her head.

God knows her best friend knew her way around things.

"And two plates of teriyaki wings" she added and in a minute, they got their orders.

"There's no way I'm drinking that" Rosalie chuckled as they settled on a stool. "Ohh, yes you will!" Aria yelled with excitement and it warmed Rosalie's heart.

Aria was happy she got the job. Aria had been a support ever since she moved into town with her mum. They became best friend and she hoped they will continue to be.

"One more shot!" Aria yelled and Rosalie's eyes widened. How did she gulp down the liquor that fast? "Goodness Rosalie, take a sip" Aria yelled and her voice cut through the deafening sound.

"Don't get drunk Aria" Rosalie tried to caution but Aria gulped down the next glass of drink in a go. She squeezed her face as it slid down her throat.

"Goodness, taste this Rosie" Aria whined and it caused Rosalie to chuckle. "No, thanks" Rosalie shook her head as her eyes traveled around the bar.

She could see it was a costly bar; every decoration added to the glamorous elegance of the walls leaving Rosalie to wonder how much Aria paid.

"I'll be back" Aria muttered and Rosalie turned to her. "No, there's no way—" Aria cut her short with a chortle.

"I won't take long, I just have to talk to Ed, please" her lips locked together in a pout and Rosalie faltered a smile.

"I'll be waiting."

"Enjoy please" Aria ruffled her hair before she turned around and purposely swayed her hips until she was out of sight.

Rosalie chortled and glanced around. For a moment, she thought she locked eyes with a pair of familiar eyes but as soon as the thought came, it flew off immediately.

Wow, she was seeing things again. She chuckled and rubbed her palms together in an attempt to keep herself warm. The night was cold and she knew she shouldn't be out there but Aria!

After a while, the music died down and people began to scamper off and what remained was people's chatter. It was getting late and she knew.

The day's event rushed through Rosalie's mind and she couldn't help the excitement that surged through her. She has a job now. She could take proper care of her mother.

Right from childhood, her mother has been the one caring for her. She never met her father; he died was her mum's words.

She never even got to see a picture of him. She knew there was more to her mum not having his picture but she guessed it was a bad past. She clearly remembered how her mum broke into tears on the day she became a teenager.

It must be hard not to have a man by her side.

But it was okay, she was there and with her job, she could take care of her mum. She only hoped never to lose the job.

"Oh wow, my innocent looking secretary also visit the bar" a voice broke into her thoughts and it caused Rosalie to flinch. She whipped her head to the sound of the voice but froze at the sight in front of her.

It was Alexander.

Her brows raised and immediately, she was on her feet. She forced a greeting while he bore holes on her.

He was surprised when he saw her at the bar. The moment he walked into the room, his eyes rested on her; perhaps due to her uniqueness or the fact that she was sitting alone.

"You hit the bar too?" Alexander forced a chuckle in a bid to help her recover from her shock. "Uhm yes, I'm here with someone" Rosalie's lips formed into a thin line and she avoided his gaze.

"Hmm" Alexander clicked his tongue and grabbed the stool next to him. He settled on it and Rosalie hesitantly sat on hers.

Her boss was sitting with her in a bar in the middle of the night. She didn't know what to do. She peered at him through her lashes and as expected, his gaze was on her.

Her hands tentatively fondled with her dress and it caused Alexander to chortle. He couldn't remember the last time someone was shy in front of him. The girls in his life or working for him were bold.

If not bold, they were fearful; not shy.

"So Miss Jones, don't you think it's quite late and considering it's your second day tomorrow, you shouldn't be out here."

Huh? Rosalie gulped down the saliva that clogged in her throat. Of course she should be getting a long sleep, he clearly told her tomorrow was going to be a long day considering the pile of works he had.

"Yes… of course" she stuttered and forced a smile. Alexander shrugged his shoulders and turned to the bartender. He raised two of his fingers and his order appeared right away.

"Drink" Alexander ordered and Rosalie peered at the drinks in the hands of the attendant. He got exactly what she could take; juice.

She took a sip and glanced around. For a moment she was surprised at how empty the bar had become. How didn't she notice? She turned and just as she expected, Alexander was watching her.

"So, Miss Jones, I definitely don't bite" he forced a chuckle annoyed by her tensed shoulders. Why does she appear to be scared?

"Yes sir" Rosalie faltered a smile as she batted her lashes. "So, was your first day great?" Alexander cocked his head and examined her features.

She had upturned eyes that fitted perfectly to her almost button nose. A dimple was on her right cheek and it became prominent when she sucked in her cheeks before she nodded, "yes sir."

The answer seemed to please Alexander because he clicked his tongue, "and about the issue in the morning, it was wrong—"

"Yes sir and I'm sorry I didn't knock before I entered" Rosalie cut him short. She didn't want him to speak about that again. Her cheeks flushed when the scene replayed in her mind.

She saw him half naked.

Alexander scoffed when the words were done coming from her mouth. He hated people cutting into his speech but he let it go, "so, who are you here with?"

"Uhm, a friend" Rosalie pressed her lips together as every nerve in her tried to hide the blush that rose inside her cheeks.

"A friend?" Alexander smacked his lips and gulped down his drink. His eyes darted to the watch on his wrist and he scoffed. How much longer did he have to wait in that bar?

He whipped his head back to his secretary seated beside him and he saw her gaze was everywhere except on him, "so, is it Aria you're talking about?"

Rosalie turned to him with wide eyes. Aria? He knew Aria? "Yes, I am here with her" she mumbled and diverted her gaze somewhere else as her mind wondered how he knew Aria.

Alexander seemed to read her mind because he answered her question, "why're you surprised Miss Jones? I definitely have every information of my workers with me."

"Information?" Rosalie asked as her brows puckered up. How much of information about her did he have? "A lot" Alexander replied and a gasp ran out of her lips when she realized she said that aloud.

"I know Aria is your only friend, you stay with your mum, you struggled to get the job, you don't have a man." What? Rosalie's lips went agape as she digested his words.

He knew a lot. Is that also part of information he had to have about his staffs? She bit hard on her lips to stop the excitement that flowed through her when she heard how much he knew about her.

The click on her forehead brought her back to life and she looked up to see Alexander staring at her with a furrowed brow, "you slip into shock way too quick" a scoff escaped his lips as he thought about the morning.

Every normal person would have rushed out but she stood still unable to move. It surprised him. He frowned when she swallowed hard and licked her lips.

He couldn't believe his secretary was shy. She amused him a lot. He only hoped she's capable because a shy person is not eligible to be his secretary.

"I—" Rosalie ran her hands through her hair and forced a smile. "I'm sorry."

"Hmm" Alexander stood up and headed to the counter. He got his drink and went back to her. "Don't you think it's time you went home? The night is growing colder and trust me you have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Uhm yes" Rosalie grabbed her phone and texted Aria. She whipped her head to Alexander and he was busy on his phone. Her eyes traveled from him so he wouldn't catch her staring.

She wouldn't make a fool of herself than she already did.

After a few minutes, Aria texted her, "I'm almost done, I'll meet you at the entrance."

"Alright" she texted Aria. She whipped her head to Alexander and he was engrossed in his phone. She made to stand up when his voice cut through the low chatter in the bar "you're ready to go huh?"

It was unexpected. Rosalie's eyes widened as her muscles felt weak and she staggered. Her hands went out in search for support and Alexander was quick to grab her.

"Goodness, you—" he stood up and held her firmly so she could regain her balance.

They locked eyes while Rosalie blinked rapidly. Her pulse jumped to her ears at his hold around her waist; with her chest a few inches away from his.

She finally made a fool of herself!

They bore holes into each other oblivious of their surrounding until the voice cut through their stare, "so, you hold your secretary now."

Rosalie gasped and pulled out of his hold. She whipped her head to the direction the voice came from and her eyes widened when she saw the owner.

Sophia!

She stared at them with brows contorted together and lips tightened.