CHAPTER 4

As days ran into months Ella put up with Ricardo's derogatory remarks on how clumsy she handled her work even though she was extra careful with her job. He always finds fault in everything and Ella was getting felled up with his attitude but she kept it cool because she badly needed the money as the pay was really helping out in her family expenditure. 

And now she was standing before the all mighty CEO who held a poker look on his face. He was dressed casually but was looking hot as always showing off his sturdy chest. With a 24 carat gold dangling on his neck while he stared at Ella. The manner at which his blue eyes scrutinized her body as though his eyes were capable of stripping her clothes off her body made Ella uncomfortable. 

"We will be having a business trip," Ricardo said.

Ella was dumbfounded by his words as she blankly stared at him.

He raised a brow "Do you have any objections?". Ricardo asked but hoped she shouldn't object.

A trip with a playboy?

Sex freak?

Cocky boss? 

Hell no! She inwardly yelled in objection.

"Well… sir I really wouldn't be able to go on the business trip". Ella calmly says and prays he accepts but Ricardo was hellbent.

"It's a big bonus to your pay miss Ella Devon" A smile appeared on his face and Ella flinched.

He has never smiled at her before and it's weird.

"It's about sixty percent of your salary".

Ella's eyes widened at the mention of the trip bonus. That's a huge amount of cash but still she considered Ricardo's lewd attitude. 

Ricardo watched Ella and sighed. "It's a must Ella". He plainly said and Ella frowned.

Didn't he ask for objections earlier?

 Ella thought.

"You may leave" He beckoned towards the door and Ella stomped out. Ricardo chuckled at her pissed attitude.

Ricardo watched Ella with enthusiasm through the transparent glass, as usual Alex approached her and they both dived into a conversation at the same time they both smiled and laughed to words that were inaudible to Ricardo. Ricardo watched Alex with contempt evident in his blue eyes.

Why does he always feel angry whenever Alex talks with Ella and not him? He groaned and faced his work but his attention was undeterred from the scene. 

****

After the interesting discussion with Alex, Ella gave all her attention to her work, she was typing on her computer while humming a chorus of a popular hip hop song.

"Are you the secretary? Ella was startled by the unexpected voice. 

Ella raised her head to see a lady dressed in a mini transparent red gown barely covering her thigh. Her boobs were on sale as the dress barely covered half of her bust. The amount of her lipstick was more than enough to paint a four storey building, no doubt she is a Ricardo's slut Ella confirmed inwardly.

"Yes, how may I help you?

"Have some business with your boss, give me his office key". She rolled her eyes as she was getting impatient with Ella's stare. 

"More like a sex business" Ella thought and handed the keys to her.

"Jeez, doesn't he get tired of sex? Ella muttered as she shrugged off from thinking about Ricardo's offensive sexual desires. And focused on her work instead. But a few minutes later she could hear the lady's voice from earlier screaming the F words.

"Wow, that was quick," Ella gleefully commented. 

***

Ella tiredly arranged her desk and yawned while she did a little stretch out before standing up to pick her handbag, but a hand grabbed her bag before she could, she turned to see Ricardo and she skeptically looked at him.

"Do you need any assistance boss? She asked and Ricardo awkwardly stood there dumb.

"Ella!" Alex called out to her from behind until he saw Ricardo standing like a tree holding Ella's bag. He furrowed his brows.

"Let me take you home Ella" Alex said, trying to hold Ella's wrist but Ricardo suddenly stood in between them.

"I will take her home". Ricardo insisted and Ella was dumbstruck by his words.

"What're you saying man, I always take her home". Alex protested. 

"I am her boss and I call the shot here" Ricardo said and Alex frowned.

"Office hours are over boss" Alex teased.

"Oh well, then Ella should decide" Ricardo requested and they both looked at Ella who was tongue tied about the issue.

"Don't forget about our deal" Alex chimed in and Ricardo's deeply frowned at his words.

"I'm sorry boss, I will go with Alex" Ella stuttered and tried taking her bag from his hands but Ricardo tightened his grip.

"C'mon dude, let go of her bag" Alex chided and tried taking the bag but Ricardo slapped his hand off. Ella's eyes widened.

"What's wrong with you Cardo, give me the bag" Alex yelled.

"Who the fuck are you yelling at huh? Ricardo gripped Alex's collar.

"Sir? Please?" Ella immediately interfered, stopping the impending fight.

 She stood between them. Ricardo let go of Alex's collar after some time and dropped the bag on the desk before walking back to his office.

Immediately Ricardo got to his desk he threw the pile of papers to the floor. He groaned in anger, he was really losing it as he walked to the cellar to pour himself a fair potion of vodka. He gulped it down at once. It's been a long time since he felt this way since his last wretched relationship ended. He swore never to fall in love again because of his scary past love life yet he couldn't figure out how he managed to fall in love with Ella.

 He instantly felt more annoyed he'd opened up to love which continually crushed his feelings. But it didn't stop Ricardo's flaming desires to win Ella's heart 

He should just forget about the whole mess he made earlier and focused on how he could win Ella over during the business trip. He thought and smiled. 

***

The following morning, Ella arrived at the office and was relieved to see Ricardo wasn't yet in his office. She couldn't understand why Ricardo suddenly behaved weird yesterday. She shook the thought away and did the necessary arrangements on her desk while she immediately dived into work just so she could finish up her usual mountain of files piled on her desk. Few minutes into the files, Ella noticed a figure standing beside her desk. She looked up to see Ricardo's stern face.

"Good morning Boss" She stuttered unable to comprehend Ricardo's dark countenance.

"Come with me" He firmly said and walked into his office while Ella shakily followed from behind him, immediately Ella stepped her legs into the office Ricardo locked the door and Ella's heart skipped in fear. 

If ever he tries anything stupid she was going to hit him in the place where the sun never shines. Ella thought. 

Ricardo strode close to Ella, his aura was menacing just like his height against Ella's briefy figure. Ella instinctively took some steps back untill her back was against the wall. Ricardo grin at her freightened look.

She looked more cute even when she frowned Ricardo thought as he stared at her tempting glossy lip and his eyes darted to her boobs. He could slightly see her mild cleavage and it was damn soft. 

"Sir? Ella managed to call out to Ricardo. He bit his lower lip and took a step back, Ella silently exhaled in relief. 

"About yesterday, You obeyed Alex instead of me" He firmly said but his countenance did the opposite.

Ella frowned "But sir… it was past office hours and Alex is my friend so… "

How about me? Ricardo badly wanted to ask Ella but he said this instead.

"Why him? Ricardo thoughtlessly blurted out while maintaining eye contact with Ella whose countenance looked confused.

"I don't know what yo… " 

"Alex" Ricardo impatiently cut off Ella's words.

"Why'd you like him? Ricardo asked and took a step forward. The closeness between them was less than an inch. 

Ella nervously pressed her sweaty palms together as Ricardo's grave aura made her legs go numbed.  

"Because he is a nice guy" Ella mumbled.

"He is Gay" Ricardo quickly added and Ella frowned.

Was he tryna make me feel bad for befriending Alex, even if Alex is impotent I'd prefer him to you. Ella thought.

"Sir, don't you think your closeness is kinda unprofessional? Ella asked and Ricardo took a step forward making Ella flinched and firmly pressed her back against the transparent glass wall.

"Could you please step back sir? Ella squealed.

Ricardo keenly watched Ella's cute scaredy cat facial expression and the urge to kiss her quivering lips washed over him.

"Only if you agree to go on a lunch date with me everyday" He requested and Ella's eyes widened.

Hell no! Ella inwardly screamed in disapoval to Ricardo's request when she remembered his words on the last gauche lunch break with him.

Ricardo grinned and made another forward step and this time his lips were almost close to Ella's.

"What if I say no" Ella stuttered unable to hold down Ricardo's threatening closeness.

"Then I will have to kiss you" He smirked and Ella's eyes flew opened at his words.

Bloody hell no!

"I'd go on the lunch date" Ella quickly said sensing Ricardo's intense stare on her lips. Ricardo took some steps back and smirked while Ella glared at him.

"Anticipating" He announced and head back to his desk.

Ella groaned, frustrated about her impulsive decision as she jostled out of Ricardo's office.

***

Hours later, it was lunch break and as expected Ricardo showed up on Ella's desk.

"It's lunch time" Ricardo said and curled up his lips while Ella was still grumpy on the lunch date idea, she hesitatantly stood up while Alex suddenly appeared at the office floor.

"Hey Ella, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting got a lot of work on my desk" Alex said.

"Let's go" Alex urged Ella.

"Seriously? Ricardo suddenly asked as he held back Ella from walking towards Alex's awaiting arm. 

"Don't you remember our deal? Ricardo asked raising a brow while Alex frowned.

"What deal? Alex asked.

"It's non of your business Alex"

"Fine, Ella do you still remember our deal? Alex asked and Ricardo frowned.

What deal? Ricardo thought.

"C'mon Ella, who're you going out with? Alex asked.

"Me or Him" Ricardo added.

Ella blankly stared at them as she was confused on who to go out with considering their threatening deal.

Shit! She muttered.

Alex or Ricardo? She thought, staring at the anticipating faces before her.