Chapter 3: Ivor, Your Coffee

After work, Lia went to the mall. She wanted to look beautiful when she came to the company tomorrow. 

Ivor had strict rules about his subordinates’ attire, so Lia always wore a black office suit every day when working at the company. She’s not stupid and reckless enough to wear a specially designed suit, Ivor would ask her to change as soon as he saw. Lia was more focused on accessories, makeup, and hairstyles.

The next day, when Lia appeared at the company, Coco had to say, “Oh, my God! Is this you, Lia?”

Coco meticulously observed Lia. She still wore the same black office suit as always, but…

“Hey Lia, this is the new Chanel, isn’t it? So exquisite.”

“Oh dear, Lia. You wear a necklace? And the bracelet.”

“Lia, you didn’t put your hair in a ponytail today, you left it untied. Look at this alluring wavy chestnut hair. You look so sexy.”

Coco’s positive comments delighted Lia. She wondered if she could also impress Ivor with her new appearance.

She said, “All right, Coco, thank you. It is a small change.

”Don’t deny yourself that way, Lia. You have been attracting the attention of men for a long time,” Coco said.

Lia was surprised. So far, she had received no dinner invitations or phone number requests, but Coco had.

She wondered, “Really?”

“Yes, just before, you always looked serious about your high ponytail hair and light makeup. They don’t approach you, but they always look at you,” Coco insisted.

Lia blushed, she never believed in her charm, until Coco said those things.

“Thank you,” Lia said. Coco gave her confidence.

“You don’t have to thank me, because it’s true,” Coco said. “So what made you change that?”

Coco immediately noticed the ring on Lia’s ring finger, a silver ring that was quite simple but very eye-catching when it was on her beautiful hand.

“Oh dear Lia, are you engaged?” Coco exclaimed. Fortunately, Lia and Coco were both among the earliest to arrive at the company. The assistant room was empty. Otherwise, Lia insisted, people would surround her until they found out her fiancé’s name.

Everyone was so enthusiastic.

Lia put an index finger on her lips, which was a sign of keeping a secret, “I don’t have a fiancé, but crush I have one. This ring belongs to my mother’s dowry, she gave it to me.”

Every time Lia wore this ring, she felt her mother was with her. It gave Lia more courage to conquer what she wanted. But the ring did not fit her middle finger and index finger, Lia could only wear it on her ring finger.

Coco was curious. She lowered her voice, asking, “Who?”

“It’s a secret,” Lia said. She winked mischievously at Coco. Coco felt her heart was no longer under her control. It beat with Lia’s every move, because she was so beautiful.

More and more employees were present at the company, the atmosphere was gradually becoming more bustling. Coco wanted them to be more boisterous. She wanted people to admire Lia’s beauty and marvel like her. But Coco rubbed her left breast, it was Lia’s secret, Lia shared them with her because she trusted her. 

Lia sat in her office, watching the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows, wondering how Ivor would feel if he saw her change. She felt nervous.

The bustling space outside vanished. I knew Ivor was at the company. As Lia walked out, she saw that everyone was focusing on their work. Ivor was a strict but not harsh boss. He did not force people to work overtime and overwork, but everyone had to be absolutely focused during working hours.

Ivor always had a cup of coffee in the morning. According to the plan she had written last night, Lia would bring Ivor a cup of coffee to show her interest and give her a chance to have more contact with him. 

Lia went to the break room with the list, she saw the secretary preparing coffee for Ivor. Lia called her name.

Lily, Ivor’s secretary, was surprised, but not by Lia’s sudden appearance but by her change in appearance.

“Oh dear Lia, my heart is about to fall out of my chest for you! What’s the matter,” Lily asked.

Lia laughed, answering, “Can I bring the boss some coffee?”

“Of course you can take the job,” Lily said.

“Did it put so much pressure on you?” Lia wondered. For her, bringing Ivor coffee was quite simple. 

“Of course. If I could, I wish I’d never done it. When I approached the boss, I felt like it had taken me to the south pole. He’s too scary. I wish he wouldn’t tell me anything. Cause he only does when I do not satisfy him,” Lily said.

Lily’s words made Lia wonder. She tried to recall the times she was in contact with Ivor. He was cold, but not as horrible as Lily described him.

“Okay, in different locations, the scenery will be different,” Lia thought.

Lia got the cup of coffee from Lily.

“Don’t knock, just put a cup of coffee on his desk so cleverly that you don’t make any noise,” Lily reminded.

Lia thanked her, entering Ivor’s office as naturally as possible.

As a matter of fact, she felt scared when she was near Ivor, because her heart would tread so fast, her limbs fluttering.

Lia looked at the ring on her ring finger, took a deep breath, thinking, “You can do it, Lia.”

She opened the door and walked in as quietly as she could. But she wasn’t Lily, who was adept at giving Ivor his coffee. Lia made a little noise to break Ivor’s concentration. He raised his head, and when he saw Lia, he frowned.

“Where’s Lily?” Ivor asked.

“I came to give the list, and I met Lily outside, so I took the coffee for you,” Lia explained, but Ivor couldn’t care less about her. 

Because Lia’s change caught his attention. Her alluring, wavy chestnut hair fell over her beautiful girly shoulders. The thin silver necklace stressed the slender neck. Lia made up her face meticulously, making it even more beautiful and outstanding. Her every move was also softer, not as serious as usual.

Ivor couldn’t deny her beauty, but he wasn’t happy when Lia’s appearance became more attractive. Because it gave him more trouble. His partners would often ask him for Lia’s phone number, or h expect him to help them gain more contact with her. Ivor wasn’t very interested, sometimes he couldn’t say no. So he was always asking for seriousness and simplicity for her.

Lia put the cup of coffee down on Ivor’s desk. He quickly saw the ring on her ring finger.

“That lovely ring!” Ivor said.

His compliments surprise her. Lia laughed, stroking the ring unconsciously. She said, “Thank you. This is the ring my mother gave me.”

Ivor did not say more, he continued to focus on his work. She knew if she continued to revive him, he’d be angry. Lia put the list on the desk.

She said, “Please tell me your choice before noon.”

“I don’t need it today. Yesterday, when I was at the party, I met an interesting girl. Her name is Elie, Elie Jenner. Tonight, I’ll be with her,” Ivor said.