Chapter 4 A New Suitor?

"The following day.......

Kristina arrived at the office early in the morning...

"Good morning Madam" her employees greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning," Kristina respond with a smile then walked through her room.

Upon seating on her swivel chair, she opened her email. She is quite busy when her executive Secretary Roxan knocks on the door.

"You may come in Roxan," she said while signing the documents in front of her.

Roxan immediately opened the door and enter with a big bouquet of white roses. "Hi Madam, there is a bouquet delivery for you," Roxan teased Kristina.

"Who sent it?"Kristina asked while getting the card inside the bouquet.

"For a Beautiful Lady, who made me awake the whole night thinking of her," Love Mr. Luther Gracer.

Kristina read aloud. She blushed after reading the message written on the card.

"Wow Madam, it seems that Mr. Gracer likes you," Roxan almost shouted full of excitement. 

Kristina doesn't know how to react to Roxan. She just put the card in her bag and said " Well, I don't know what to say," she smiled. "Roxan kindly put these flowers in a vase,". 

Suddenly her mobile phone vibrates. Upon checking it, no name appeared, it is just a number.

Kristina answered her mobile phone " Hello,! May I know who is on the line please?" she said.

A whole baritone and manly voice said," Good morning Ms. Lee, can I call you Tin? This is Luther. Luther Gracer."

A moment of silence before Kristina replied "Oh Yes, Mr. Gracer."

"Do you like the flowers I've sent you?" he asked.

"Yes Mr. Gracer, I do like the flowers. I appreciate it so much. Thank you," Kristina politely said. She needs to treat and be polite to Mr. Gracer since he is her business partner already. Though it seems he has another intention, she won't mind it for now. 

"Can I invite you for lunch later," Mr. Gracer asked her. 

Kristina replied, "Alright, where is Mr. Gracer."

"I'll visit you at your office later and fetch you." Mr. Gracer said. 

"Hmmph, there seemed to be a conviction already, as if I can't say no.'" Kristina told herself.

"Okay, I will wait for you then. Do we need to discuss additional inputs so that I can bring the documents needed?" she asked.

"No need. I just want you to have lunch with me," Mr. Gracer said.

Kristina called her secretary Roxan and informed her of her lunch with Mr. Gracer.

" Wow, I smell romance Madam," Roxan said excitedly to Kristina.

Kristina widened her eyes to Roxan." Hah! Roxan you behave. It isn't funny. Romance hmm," she told Roxan in a high pitch.

Roxan ignored her Madams reaction and smiled sweetly.

"Whatever Madam. I am too excited for you too," Roxan said.

"He will drop by here and fetch me later.," Kristina said.

"And by the way Roxan, I hate unnecessary

issues or gossip here in our office, understood," Kristina reminded Roxan.

"I know right Madam," Roxan teased Kristina.

-----

A few moments later...

A tall and handsome man appeared at Kristina's office. All the lady employees got mesmerized by the aura of Mr. Luther Gracer.

"Hi Roxan, is Tin inside," Mr. Gracer asked Roxan while smiling handsomely.

Roxan almost dropped her jaw and immediately respond to Mr. Gracer," Eeeer, Good afternoon Mr. Gracer. Yes Madam is inside . I will accompany you,". she headed him to Kristina's room while winking with her co-employees.

"Aaaaw, Roxan is so blessed to assist Mr. Gracer, how a Godly man, oh my God...So handsome," one of the lady employees said to her colleague.

Roxany swayed her hips while accompanying Mr. Gracer to Kristina's office. "Hmmmn this man is so yummy, grrrr!" she murmured happily.

"Are you saying something Roxan, "asked Mr. Gracer.

"Eee, nothing Mr. Gracer," she said. "Where are you here."

Knock! Knock!

Roxan slowly opens the door. "Hi, Madam. Mr. Gracer is here already," she informed Kristina.

Kristina politely replied while fixing her things," Alright, please come in." She is wearing a black silk dress with a cream coat on top. Her skirt is above the knee showing her long-shaped legs.

Mr. Gracer gentlemanly approached Kristina with a smile and said "Are you ready? Can we go?"

Kristina smiled and replied, "Sure, Let's go!" "Cath we will be having our lunch first. Don't forget to inform Wall of Asia regarding our cooperation with them ." she reminded Roxan while bringing her shoulder bag.

"Well noted Madam," Roxan replied to Kristina. "Enjoy your lunch with Mr. Gracer. "Are you coming back Madam?" she asked Kristina then winked her eyes.

Before Kristina replied...

"We will be discussing other matters after our lunch. She might be coming here late to get her car." Mr. Gracer said.

"Madam, if it will be late, you can leave your car keys to Noel so that he can bring your car to your home tonight," Roxan suggested to Kristina.

Kristina widened her eyes at Roxan.

"Who is Noel?" asked Mr. Gracer.

"He is our Supervisor here, Mr. Gracer. He used to be Madams' driver when there are important appointments and urgent matters for our clients. He is Madam's neighbor too," Roxan said.

"Okay. Tin you may just let Noel bring your car and then I will send you tonight to your home. Would that be fine with you?" Mr. Gracer asked her.

Kristina has nothing more to say. Seems that Roxan planted this idea already and Mr. Gracer grabbed the opportunity."

"Alright.," she helplessly said to Mr. Gracer. Besides he is now her business partner, she doesn't want to disappoint him. 

Kristina gave her keys to Noel and advised him to leave the car keys to their caretaker after. She then called up her brother Kristof to pick up Chad later in school and accompany him home.

Mr. Gracer and Kristina then went to the parking lot.

Mr. Gracer opened the door at the passenger seat to Kristina right away.

"Thank you," Kristina said to him.

Mr. Gracer smiled and then went to the driver's seat and started to drive. He is so excited.

Kristina is busy texting on her mobile phone to Roxan for additional reminders while Mr. Gracer is driving.

Mr. Gracer's secretary booked a Chinese Restaurant near Southmall Las Pinas. It's quite near Kristina's office.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, the chief waiter headed them to the reserved table for them. His secretary already ordered their meals. She researched Kristina's preference for dishes ahead.

"Wow, these are all my favorites. How did you know?" she seemed to be impressed with Mr. Gracer.

"Really?," Mr. Gracer said excitedly. "They are all my favorites as well. Meaning we have the same taste buds."

Kristina is quite enjoying Mr. Gracer's company. It seems that her first impression of him as a pervert changed. He is quite approachable and sociable...

Mr. Gracer's POV:

"Tin is adorable. I like her," Mr. Gracer said to himself. He used to stare at Kristina while they are having their lunch.

"Aren't you eating? The dish is great!" Kristina said to him. She is not at ease with his stares. 

"Well, yes the dish is great. I am glad you like it?" he said.

"I loved it. These are all my favorites," Kristina said to him with a smile.

They talked about their cooperation while having their lunch and it seems that they have great chemistry with each other. 

While discussing their cooperation... "By the way Tin, I'll go straight to the point. I know that you are a single mother, but do you have a boyfriend at the moment?" Mr. Gracer directly asked her.

Kristina almost blows her drink after hearing Mr. Gracer.

"Why all of a sudden, you asked that Mr. Gracer? I guess we are discussing our cooperation here," she finds it awkward already.

"I just asked. So that I know that there will be no one to be mad at me when we are having lunch or dinner in the future," Mr. Gracer said then drink his beverage.

Kristina was about the say something to Mr. Gracer when her mobile phone vibrates. Upon seeing the message it came from Nathaniel.

"Hi Tin, have you taken your lunch already?" Nathaniel messaged her.

Mr. Gracer then called the waiter then and asked for their bill. He is waiting for Kristina to finish.

Kristina hesitantly answered Mr. Gracer's question after she sent her reply to Nathaniel.

"I am focused on my son and my job for now Mr. Gracer. I don't intend to have any boyfriends indeed," she said directly to Mr. Gracer.

"Alright then," Mr. Gracer smiled at her. "I am happy to hear that. At least I know that."

After several hours of cooperation. They decided to leave the restaurant.

However, Mr. Gracer decided to bring Kristina to their office instead since it was quite too early.

"Where are we heading?" Kristina asked.

"I will show you our office and some of the designs of our garments for your familiarity," he said.

"Okay," Kristina said.

They proceed to the Hard Core office then and Mr. Gracer introduced Kristina to his employees.

Upon entering the office, the majority of female employees of Hard Core are widening their eyes. It is the first time Mr. Gracer accompanied a beautiful woman in his office.

"Who would that be?" Lisa said to her co-employee. Lisa is the receptionist in the front office.

"I don't know, but she seems to be special to Mr. Gracer," her co-employee replied.

Mr. Gracer headed a tour of his office for Kristina.

After several hours...

"Can I go home now Mr. Gracer?" Kristina politely asked him.

Mr. Gracer stared at him and said, "Do not address me Mr. Gracer anymore. I prefer you call me Luther okay."

"Okay. Luther, can you please send me home now?" she said.

They both went to Mr. Gracer's car.

While driving... Luther said," Thank you so much Tin for allowing me to have lunch with you and sending you home."

"Thanks also, Luther. I hope you won't misinterpret me but I rather take this action of yours as part of our cooperation with our business," Kristina said directly to him. 

Mr. Gracer breathe out deeply and said," I hope this will be the start of our getting to know Tin. I do promise to you I know where to stand... for now." He looked at Kristina's side and smiled at her.

He continued to drive then.

Upon reaching Kristina's place...

Luther reached Kristina's hand and said "Thanks again and good night."

Kristina slowly pull her hand from Luther's touch and said "Thanks and welcome Luther. Good night."

Kristina didn't invite Luther inside and waved her hand already while saying goodbye to him.

__________

Would Mr. Gracer take this opportunity to pursue Kristina?