Chapter 3

Some employees were delighted to see the man walking beside Kristie to the left side of the lobby. Shen's gaze followed them as the two passed by to the cafeteria. One of the bosses, Ace Amelincx, really exudes an oozing aura. The brother of their CEO, Spade.

She really couldn't understand why her co-workers seemed head over heels to that man. Like Spade, Ace also looks normal. He seems tidy, too.

"What's up with them?" Diego asked in surprise when the two completely disappeared from their sight.

"Maybe they have a new investor?" Stephen answered. "Kristie is with Sir Ace, eh. So, maybe there will be a meeting with the board."

She rolled her eyes upon hearing Kristie's name. That woman really has the ability to annoy her all the time.

"Kristie is great, isn't she? Multi tasker," Stephen complimented the woman when they were seated near the glass wall of the cafeteria. "A Chief Marketing Executive, and also looks like an Executive Assistant whenever she's with Sir Spade. For sure she will become the employee of the year."

"A show-off bitch, you mean?" Shen grimaced.

"Guys, what's yours? I'll just buy the food." Diego said while grabbing the wallet from his pocket.

"Oh, don't bother," she said and immediately stood up and turned to his friend. "How about you, Stephen? What's yours?"

"I insist, Shen," Diego said with finality. She was somehow impressed by the way he talked.

Diego even blinked when he realised what he said. "I m-mean, it's all on me for now. It's my birthday, anyway. Pre-blow out."

"That sounds really great," Stephen nodded. "Anything will do, Diego."

"Stephen!" Shen scolded his friend sternly. Then he turned to Diego. "I'm really sorry about Stephen. He's really a greedy person. I will buy my own food."

"You idiot! It's really not good for not accepting such blessings!" Stephen yelled at him. "Go ahead, Diego. Shen can eat anything you buy, anyway."

She even glared at his friend but he just grinned at her. Then she didn't know what to say to Diego who was scratching his nape again.

"A-Alright, Shen. I'll go for a while. I'll just buy our lunch," he said before heading to the counter.

Shen closed his eyes in embarrassment as she sat down. She immediately cast an evil look at Stephen. "You're really annoying, you know that!? It's embarrassing! We're going to have a birthday later and we're going to have a free lunch today!? Unbelievable!"

"Come on, girl!" Stephen snapped. "He just said it, didn't he? He's going to treat us to lunch. And did you notice something about Diego?"

She arched her brow then rolled her eyes. "Yeah! Like what you've said before, he's handsome. I get it! He's really handsome now." Stephen always said that Diego was handsome every time they passed at the Accounting Department.

"It's not that," Stephen said, shaking his head. "He's making the moves, girl! Can't you see? He's flirting with you!"

"You have an advanced brain, do you?" she whined. Stephen just pouted. "Don't jump to conclusions on that. Diego is really kind. Your dirty brain always creates dirty things."

"Wow! Congrats on being innocent, girl!" Stephen clapped his hands in a very annoying way.

She made a face then glanced somewhere else. She must admit that Diego is really a good man. But she never thought that she would like him in a romantic way. They didn't interact that much. If they talk at all, it's only about work.

"What if Diego pursues you?" Stephen winked. She glared at him.

"Stop with your fantasies!" she scolded him. "Besides, someone might hear you. It's a shame it might get to Diego."

"Chill, girl! That's just a theory."

"So? All right, continue with your 'what if'."

"Okay!" Stephen sighed and then propped both elbows on the table and lowered himself. "What if Diego pursues you? What about Third?"

Shen's eyes narrowed at what her friend said. Then she didn't know whether to laugh or be irritated with him. "What kind of theory is that? And you're now mentioning someone who's not here."

"That's why it's called a theory!" Stephen snapped. "You know what, sometimes you're really useless to talk to. But in fairness it looks like Third's gifts will be coming again." He even giggled while opening the chocolate box.

She just looked away and ignored him. And it seems that Stephen really enjoys the chocolates.

Diego didn't take long either and he immediately arrived with a cafeteria staff with the rest of his order. As expected, Stephen was the only one who was very happy among the two. While she barely chews what she eats because she is ashamed of Diego.

"Thank you for this, Diego," she said while slightly fixing her hair.

"It's nothing," he said with a smile. "It's just a pre-blow out. We'll go to the hotel later."

"Wait. Did you invite Kristie?" Stephen suddenly asked, which made her blood boil in annoyance.

"Yes. But she said she's too busy."

"That's good." Stephen gave another thumbs up. "Because Madam Shen might suddenly explode later during your birthday celebration."

Her eyes rolled automatically as the two laughed at each other. It's not a secret from Diego that she's irritated with Kristie. In fact, she thinks almost all of their co-workers are annoyed with the woman.

It was almost one o'clock in the afternoon so they decided to go back. Stephen separated from them earlier because his department was on the second floor.

"Just update me, guys," he added before exiting the elevator.

She and Diego were the only ones left inside. She was still a bit conscious when what Stephen said earlier came to her mind.

"Um, I'll update you later after work hours," he grabbed her attention.

She just nodded and waited for the elevator to reach the fourth floor.

They even bid a goodbye to each other before she entered the Marketing Department. Her brows furrowed when she saw the entire team standing and focused on the front.

"We're starting the project and we hoped to finish it before the deadline comes," said Kristie, who gestured with her hands while speaking in front of the entire team. With it in the foreground is one of the bosses of the Brooch, Ace Amelincx.

"What's up?" she whispered to Stella after reaching her cubicle. The accented screams of Marie and Cassie who were looking at Kristie's companion did not escape her hearing either.

"I don't know." Stella shrugs. "But from what I've heard a while ago, Sir Ace will handle the new project. That energy drinks water."

Kristie smiled when she saw her in her place. She just winced at the woman's plasticity. At any rate, she probably won't be able to reconcile with Kristie. And she still hasn't forgotten what Kristie did to her idea.

"So, we're complete!" Kristie exclaimed. "I know it's still lunch break. But I want you to meet one of Brooch's bosses who will handle our project."

She rolled her eyes. She was in the back so she was sure no one would notice what she did to Kristie. But as she glanced to the front again, Ace Amelincx was looking at her intently. It was as if she had been set on fire by the reddening of her face. Shit! She was caught grimacing to Kristie!

Kristie smiled before speaking, "Marketing team, I would like you to meet Sir Ace Amelincx. He will be with us until the project ends."

She bowed down in extreme nervousness and preferred to stare at a pad of sticky notes on her desk. Who wouldn't be nervous? First day with a new boss, and now she's already a bad shot. Their boss might think that she really has the habit of treating her co-workers like that. Well, she only likes that with Kristie.

"I'm looking forward to the best outcome of this project. Also, I would like to spend this hour discussing some matters regarding the project," he said continuously. "And I'm also hoping that all my team is in good condition."

Shen thought that the boss was pertaining to her with the last thing he said. Well, she didn't know that their new boss was too observant! The loud beating inside her chest was even louder than Cassie and Stella who were gossiping next to her. She wants to punch herself, instead. Sometimes her attitude is really out of place.

She barely understood what they were talking about. Until she heard him inform them.

"I'll go ahead, guys. Kristie?"

"Yes, Sir."

The whole team, except her, bid their goodbye to Ace. She looked up and just wanted to hide under the desk when Kristie was approaching her place. She immediately sat on the swivel chair then opened the folder and pretended to read.

This is really a goodbye, my dear promotion!