2

Upon arriving home, I collapsed onto the couch. I was tired. I hadn't found a single wretched taxi, let alone a bus, so, as a good Samaritan, I had to walk all the way here. My feet ached, and my head was pounding. I was sleepy, very sleepy. I had to go to the university at night, thankful that I'd finished my assignments yesterday because today I couldn't think straight.

Spencer came to mind—his eyes, his lips, his nose, his hair, his body, his gaze. I'm in trouble if I think I like him, very much so. Spencer is super wealthy, and a naive girl with a homeless appearance is not in his plans.

I sighed in frustration.

The front door opened.

"I'm home!"

That was Lucy. Why would she come home so early? I sat up.

"Don't you have work?" I asked, furrowing my brow. Her gaze fell on me.

"Nope, Barret gave us the day off," she said, kicking off her shoes, leaving them lying around. "How was it for you?"

I slumped back onto the couch.

"I got a trial week," I muttered, "And the most... sexy thing in that building is Mr. Pawlan."

"Now you're into older guys?" she chuckled.

"No!" I looked at her. "Lucy, he's not old. He's a young man named Spencer."

Lucy widened her eyes in surprise, as did her mouth, wanting to say something.

"Spencer Pawlan? Mr. Pawlan's son?" she asked, coming closer to me.

"I guess so," I grudgingly admitted.

"Don't mess with me. If he's Mr. Pawlan's son, then that gorgeous, sexy, and all-around beautiful guy will be your boss now."

And he's very attractive, I'd say.

"I know."

"Can I bring you lunch tomorrow, so I can at least catch a glimpse of him from afar?" she suggested.

I gave her a dirty look.

"Hey, drop it," I suggested. "Even if he's my boss, it doesn't mean we'll be seeing each other often or striking up conversations. Besides, a guy like him can easily ignore us. Also, I don't think Spencer will notice us; I mean, yes, he interviewed me today, but apart from that, I don't think he'll notice us."

"What? Spencer interviewed you?"

I nodded.

"As far as I know, he never did that. His secretary took care of it; he never interviewed people himself."

I looked at her.

"Oh really? You must be mistaken, Lu."

"I'm not. That's how it is, Hermione. Consider yourself lucky," she purred.

I wanted to feel that way, but I couldn't. There was something more about Spencer, I could tell.

I spent the rest of the day sleeping, eating junk food, and watching a few series until night came, and it was time to go to the university. I got ready, tied my hair up in a high ponytail, grabbed my bag, and left.

"Hey, Hermione, ready?"

Parker was coming out of his apartment. He was my classmate; every night we went together—he brought me and took me back. I considered him a brother, a best friend.

"I think so. I don't know if I did the Spanish homework correctly; to be honest, I didn't quite understand the teacher yesterday."

We started heading outside.

"You'll do fine, you'll see."

Parker went to the driver's seat, and before I got into the passenger seat, I quickly glanced around, feeling observed. There were several cars around; I knew someone was in one. But I decided to ignore it and got into the car. Parker started the engine.

When we arrived at the university, we got out. We started walking to our classroom, chatting about nonsense. I sat in a middle seat, and Parker sat next to me. The other students were already in their places. The administration teacher showed up.

"Good day, guys," he greeted while placing his bag on the table. "We're not having a class today; I just came to give you your assignment. You need to find someone involved in business and ask them a set of questions."

I paid more attention.

"I'll hand out printed sheets with the questions. Below, there should be the name and signature of that businessman. It's due next week. Don't forget; it determines whether you pass my class."

He started taking out many sheets from his bag, approached the chairs, and began distributing them. When he reached me, he left two sheets. I checked them; they were definitely questions for a businessman.

"Now, where on earth are we going to find a businessman?" Parker asked, looking at his sheets.

The first person that came to my mind was Spencer, but that idea was null. I couldn't bother him just for my schoolwork, so I'd have to find someone else. There were many businessmen in that building; perhaps befriending one might help me.

I think that'll work.

    Hours after leaving the university and arriving at my apartment, I immediately went to bed. It had been a heavy night, very heavy.

I was dozing off when my phone started vibrating on the nightstand. I groggily opened my eyes, grabbed the phone, and put it to my ear without checking who it was.

"Hello?" I answered sleepily, my voice was groggy.

"Miss Hermione." I didn't recognize the voice... or did I?

"Who is it? Tell me your name," I slurred my words, then yawned at the end.

"Well, I guess I called at a bad time. Tell me, Hermione, are you asleep and awake at the same time?"

I furrowed my brow.

"No," my eyes closed, "Don't look in that box."

"Wha- Hermione, it's Spencer."

I immediately opened my eyes, sitting up in bed; I think sleep fled out of fear because suddenly I felt nothing.

"God, I'm sorry, I... I was asleep, and... Sorry," I hurriedly apologized.

"It doesn't matter, I need you to come to my office now."

Huh?

"But—"

"No excuses."

And he hung up.

What just happened? No idea, luckily I hadn't even taken off today's clothes. I got out of bed, headed to the bathroom, and splashed water on my face. Wait... How am I going to get there? I put my hand to my head, foolish. I searched for Spencer's number and called him.

He answered right away.

"Speak."

"There are no taxis at this hour, let alone a bus."

"Don't you have a car?"

"No," I said in a low voice. I thought I heard him huff.

"I'll send my driver for you."

And he hung up.

Huh? Again.

I shrugged, opening the apartment door and stepping out. The hallways were dark. Once outside, I sat on a bench to wait for Spencer's driver. I don't know how much time passed, maybe half an hour or twenty minutes, but the thing is, I was dozing off on the bench until a honk made me jolt.

A black car was in front of me, and inside was the man I suppose is Spencer's driver.

"Hermione?" he inquired.

"Mr. Pawlan's driver?" I looked at him.

He nodded.

"Get in."

I hurriedly opened the back door. Once inside, the man started the car. To think that Spencer has sat in this seat. Lord, I'm messed up. Minutes later, the car parked in front of the building. There were several reporters outside, ready to take a photo. They stood up upon seeing the car but sat back down upon seeing me.

Hah, they thought I was someone important, huh?

I crossed the glass doors, finding it empty inside, super empty. I reached the elevator and went up. On the top floor, before reaching Spencer's office, a guy stopped me.

"Are you looking for someone?" he asked, coming out of Spencer's office. He was tall, with black hair and fair skin. He was also very handsome, I admit.

"Spencer... I mean, Mr. Pawlan called me," I replied.

His gaze seemed to understand, so he smiled at me.

"Hermione," he acknowledged.

"Yes."

"Come in, he's in there."

I smiled at him, then opened the doors. The first thing I saw was something so... tempting. Spencer Pawlan was shirtless, his hair all messy. His abdomen was flat; I could see the V-shape forming where his pants started. His muscles, his back, his...

"Are you there?" Spencer snapped his fingers, snapping me out of my trance.

"Sorry... what were you saying?" I think I was addressing him informally; I'm just not thinking clearly right now.

"I need you to distract the reporters downstairs," he murmured.

"Me?"

"Yes, you. You have to do it; it's part of your trial."

I swallowed hard. Your toned body is distracting me, sir.

"H-how?"

He stepped closer to me.

Holy mother of abs.

He put his hands on my shoulders; his face was so close to mine that I could feel his breath and his very manly scent.

"Think of something, anything."

I swallowed hard.

Then the doors opened, and Spencer immediately backed away from me.

"Spencer, I found it," the guy from earlier whispered to him.

"Really? Perfect," he seemed relieved. Now he looked at me. "I don't think I'll need your help. I'll still consider that you came anyway."

What? Am I staying up just for this?

Though I admit, the view is not bad at all.

"Alright," I began walking to the door, feeling the gaze of the two guys on me. "Until tomorrow, Spencer... I mean, Mr. Pawlan," I nervously smiled.

I have to note: don't call Spencer "Spencer," but Mr. Pawlan. Why was it so difficult to remember things? I exited into the hallway, and further ahead, I noticed the restroom; I had to go in. I rushed to it, closing the door behind me. I immediately splashed water on my face.

God, that guy is even sexier without clothes, and I only saw him shirtless; imagine what he hides underneath... Jesus! I have to stop. I splashed water on my neck, on my hands and arms. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the hallway, determined to go home. When I reached the elevator, I pressed a button, the doors were closing, and then a foot stopped them.

Spen again?

The man looked at me for a moment, then stepped in, pressing the button for the ground floor.

"Hello, we meet again," I smiled at him.

He nodded.

"I thought there was no one else here besides the two guys upstairs."

"Work," he said in the same hoarse but fake voice.

"You're working here already? You don't know how glad I am, so I won't feel so out of place. Everyone here seems so impeccable and classy that I admit I feel a little intimidated," I murmured. I felt him look at me. "But I guess I'll get used to it." then a memory came to my mind. I turned to him, smiling from ear to ear— "Would you help me with something, Spen? Now that you work here, you could be the entrepreneur who helps me with my assignment. You have no idea how much I would appreciate it. My passing this assignment determines whether I pass the class. If I don't, I guess all these sacrifices won't have been worth it," my voice trailed off.

There was silence for a moment.

"Why don't you tell... " He cleared his throat. "... Spencer?"

"I don't think he'd want to. He's the owner of all this, and tending to the assignment of his probationary employee would be a waste of time for him. Besides, I don't want to bother him. I don't want him to think that I don't know my place in this company."

The doors opened.

"Tell him," he passed, saying as he rushed out.

Tell him? Tell who? Spencer? Hah, I'll be crazy if I tell him.

And so, feeling drowsy, I reached home.