CHAPTER FOUR ~Woman or Stray cat?

CHAPTER FOUR ~Woman or Stray cat?

"Aren't you tired of acting?"

Alessia stared lazily at a man who was now standing on the threshold of the dividing wall. The man was looking at him with a very obvious hint of pleading.

"Ale, I'm serious. Challenge me and I'll make sure you'll see my death right in front of you." said the man again.

"I'm tired of hearing it," complained Alessia lazily. "Stop declaring your death to me, Rey. It's useless. Totally useless." he said in an unconcerned tone.

"Why?" The man called Rey looked at Alessia in disappointment. The constricted look in his eyes was so obvious, filling his satisfied face. "Why can't you see me as a man, Ale? I love you, and you know it. Then why don't you try to look at me?" Rey's voice was getting lower, more like a whisper.

For a moment, silence is like a friend. The air seemed to crackle around them, shackled in old memories.

"Who said I wasn't trying? I was trying, but I still couldn't." Alessia shook her head slowly. More than this, Alessia didn't like being the reason other people went crazy especially in the middle of a rooftop like this. "Listen to me carefully, Rey Monteno. Love can't be explained, if you ask me why I don't love you, the answer is still the same—you're my best friend. That statement will never change." soft, but full of firmness.

The two of them looked at each other. It was very obvious that Rey was in despair, her eyes empty—full of hope. "I'm sick, Al...."

“All of us here know that,” Alessia's look of pity was clear but she wasn't affected at all. All of this had been going on for a long time, until whenever Rey would be like this if Alessia didn't stick to her stance. Not all the weak should also be repaid in the same way. And for the second time, Alessia repeated stubbornly. "You didn't think I would accept you out of pity, did you? Don't be naive Rey, things are different. Don't compare yourself to before."

"But I really love you, Alessia! Can't I be selfish to have you just for myself?" he said quickly. It was too fast as if Rey didn't think about Alessia's previous words at all.

"Unfortunately I didn't," Alessia squeaked, her elbows on her hips as she continued to stare at Rey with a lazy look. Emotionless flat. However, really… Alessia wanted to explode right now. He was almost bored. Maybe even too tired to give her understanding of their relationship that will not change.

Rey has a mental illness. The kind of mental disorder that just wants to do whatever he likes. It's been a long time since he met Alessia, and Rey's feelings for him have been going on for a long time.

Alessia didn't know why Rey wanted her so badly. However, the answer that Rey said at that time was really able to make Alessia curse herself.

How come? With just a hand and he easily made her fall in love? Seriously. Alessia couldn't even believe that Rey had fallen in love with her because she was the first woman who was willing to lend a hand for the first time to someone like her.

"Do you really think I can't be selfish like you? No matter how far you chase, that's how far I'll run. Avoiding someone like you who doesn't even know how to give up the happiness of the person he loves."

"That's hard for me." he said in a trembling voice.

"Then, you think accepting you isn't difficult for me?!" Alessia snapped.

"Look, let's keep it as simple as possible. Don't make any more fuss if you still want to see me right in front of you. But if you don't, you better walk away. I don't care anymore."

Suddenly, Alessia's statement made Rey lost for words. Didn't think that the sweet girl he used to be could change his attitude so quickly.

Long ago... Alessia was a sweet, graceful and affectionate girl. However, unexpectedly, the separation which was not even four years was able to make the situation reversed.

Rey stared at Alessia for a long time, full of disappointment. "You've changed, Ale."

"A changing world." Alessia's low growl rang out, replaced by easily fluctuating emotions. "Things will never be the same. Not then or even now. And, Later? It's still a mystery. We won't know what will happen someday even, maybe tomorrow. We all don't know God's destiny, Rey. Until then, I hope you understand." after that Alessia turned around, was about to leave before stopping again and turning to Rey who was just silent with clenching her hands.

"Don't look for me if you're still like this or you really won't see me again."

And Alessia rushed off. Glancing at the watch on his wrist, it said 08:35.

Unlucky! Alessia immediately ran—grabbing the elevator that brought her down, until she reached the hospital lobby she started looking for a taxi. Hastily said the address before the car finally started to drive away.

Thirty minutes. Alessia arrived at a skyscraper with an iron sign in the top corner of the building that read STEVANO International, a combination of gold and metallic black that looks dazzling. Alessia rushed downstairs after paying and started walking hastily towards HRD.

Damn! Alessia couldn't stop cursing. If it wasn't for that stupid Rey, Alessia would have been preparing herself calmly, unlike now, she was even late.

The first day and you've dared to be late. You're great Alessia.' He cursed in his heart.

Arriving at the HRD door, Alessia caught her breath, took a breath and then let it out slowly. Repeated it several times before the door opened before Alessia even had a chance to knock.

Alessia lowered her hand, giving a guilty smile.

"Sorry I'm late, sir."

The gaze of the stocky man in front of him narrowed, looking at Alessia with a frown. "Who are you?"

"Alessia Mikhayla. HRD contacted me yesterday to bring complete data. Sorry I'm late—"

"Time is money. And you take it as you please? You think this company belongs to your great-grandmother!" interrupted the man while watching Alessia closely, full of judgmental eyes.

Alessia kept her professional smile as much as possible. "There is something urgent, sir."

"I'm not asking your excuses."

"Watch yourself, Mr. Drey. He's my man. I'll take care of him."

The statement from someone beside her made Alessia, who had just opened her mouth, close her lips again. Turning to the side, Alessia found a tall man with a thin sideburns that graced his face, his firm jaw matched his flat gaze. Probably, roughly in his late thirties. Besides that, Alessia was wondering; could this man be the future boss?

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jean. I didn't know this Miss was yours." said the man called Mr. Drey while lowering his head. Looks guilty.

"Next time watch your attitude. Also, have you prepared a copy of the employment contract I asked for?"

Mr. Drey nodded quickly, holding out a brown folder with a slight stealing glance at Alessia who was still watching them silently.

"I was just about to walk you to your room. To think you're already here."

Jean accepted it without a word then, his gaze turned to Alessia. His stern face was still the same but his gaze instantly turned friendly. "I'll take you, Ms. Alessia. This way please," Jean's voice interrupted, guiding Alessia's way.

Alessia frowned. "You're not the boss?"

Jean's crooked smile as he shook his head answered Alessia's question. Jean led him around two corners of the room until they reached the elevator that would take them to the top floor. "Of course not. And please don't be too formal with me, Miss. Just call me Jean."

"Oh, okay." though hesitating, Alessia agreed. He glanced after the official Jean who looked expensive complete with various expensive items attached to his body. "If you're not the boss, what are you here as? Sorry to be presumptuous, because your clothes don't show that you're just an employee." Alessia said with a markedly appreciative look.

Again Jean's smile seemed to answer Alessia even though the man had not said anything. "I'm a right-hand man, Mr. Stevano. You can contact me if you have any questions. The rest you can read about in the employment contract."

They turned after the elevator doors opened. The hallway is wide but looks empty. Quiet. The color arrangement, the displayed objects complete with the waiting room on the south side made Alessia think that this floor seemed to be a special floor.

Jean's gaze still followed Alessia's amazed gaze. A woman in a formal work suit: a black span skirt complete with a white shirt that wraps her petite body doesn't look like an ordinary person. The aura that radiated from her beautiful face seemed to show that she was not a weak woman. This aura is what makes Mr. Stevano chose this woman before even going through the stages of changing the secretary.

Alessia stopped once Jean was no longer beside her. The man was a few inches away from him as he looked at her curiously.

"Didn't you know about Mr. Stevano before, Miss?"

"Honestly I don't know what he's like," Alessia gave a small smile. "I've heard very little about it. The rest I have absolutely no idea."

Jean raised an eyebrow, looking at him questioningly. "You've never seen it?"

"Not yet," answered Alessia briefly.

Jean blinked once. Back to guiding Alessia with a furrowed brow, slightly confused. If they had never met, why did Alby ask him to find out everything about this woman? let alone seeing the strange smile he accidentally saw from an Albyazka yesterday.

Confusing.

Jean pulled Alessia in after knocking then closed the door again.

"Miss Alessia is here, sir."

Alby's tapping fingers on his chair stopped, replaced by a sinister grin on his lips. Unfortunately, no one knows. With Alby's position with his back to them, Alessia was also curious about who she would work with. Then, as previously calculated, with slow motion Alby turned his oversized chair. And Alessia felt as if her world was collapsing under her feet.

His hopes, pleasures and pride yesterday just evaporated. Damn it! How could this happen? This man... How could the bastard who had stolen two kisses from him be his future boss?!

"Kau!"

Alessia hastily changed her expression, she wasn't going to give that bastard a chance to feel triumphant had herded her to him voluntarily. Alessia's gaze quickly shifted, staring intently—a glaring hostility.

Alby's naughty smile stretched across his face, his gaze filled with satisfaction—as if he had been really looking forward to this day. "Surprised, Miss Bars?"

Alessia's lazy shriek was the first response Alby got. Then, the girl's disdainful smile graced her face, not showing that she was annoyed at all. Contrary to her emotions, Alessia tried to remain calm. "Well, why is the world so small?"

"Unfortunately your prayers were not answered, Miss Alessia Mikhayla. You are standing before me now." Alby smirked, breaking Alessia's statement a few days ago when they met in the club parking lot.

"I'm sure you've calculated," Alessia's composure vanished. Instead, he gave her a scornful look. "Isn't this too much just to bring me to you?"

"Nothing too much, especially when it took days to find out your name. You know, this is insulting to me." Alby's answer was answered by Alessia's amused chuckle. He had guessed.

"Then that means you're still not great. I'm sure you didn't find anything."

Scanning Alby's face, Alessia knew the answer was yes. Luckily she has a friend like Keira who is an expert in hiding her identity.

If Alessia knew that this bastard was her future boss, Alessia would definitely not be willing to set foot here even with a big salary.

Then Alessia waved her hand so Alby still didn't answer. "Never mind, I don't care either." he said again putting on a smile that seemed to say the meeting this time was not a big deal. "Okay, then goodbye."

Alessia's body stiffened. He gasped when suddenly Alby grabbed his hand, pulling him into a hug just as he was about to leave. For a moment, the warmth of Alby's big body enveloped Alessia's tiny body. A masculine scent wafted into his nose as Alby's soft fingers touched the back of his neck. Damn it! without a second thought, Alessia threw Alby's arm—kicking his leg bone until Alby's grip fell off.

Alessia took two steps back, squealing as she continued to glare at Alby. "Don't you dare touch me, you bastard!"

Alby shook his head slowly, hissing disinterestedly. "Are you a woman or a stray cat? How fierce!"

"No kicking cat, Fool!"

"You're the exception." Alby straightened up, returning his full attention to her. "Why do you like torture so much? Last slap, now kick. What's next?" he said without thinking.

"Well, I'll think about it."

Alessia shrugged nonchalantly—back to leaving Alby and Jean who were silent in their respective places. Before reaching the door, Alessia stopped, she looked around for a moment before taking a step forward and quickly snatching the brown folder that Jean had given to Alby.

"Sorry, I'll make sure this is the last one. There won't be another time." said Alessia emphatically. He smiled sweetly and left without saying anything.

Again, that fierce woman was able to silence an Albyazka without a word. His adrenaline was racing, pounding harder every time he faced a woman named Alessia.

Alessia Mikhayla... Let's see how far you will evade me.