Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Blow

The next day, I was still drowsy leaving home for the signing of a contract and my first day of work at Cradford Corporation and Industries. My future boss hardly put me to sleep thinking about the last thing he said yesterday before I left his office.

It's annoying that we only met just recently but he already got me affected by his presence. What more if I started my job as his executive assistant? We will be together most of the time. 

I heaved a deep breath out of frustration. I'll just cross the bridge when I get there. 

When I arrived at C.C.I Tower, I immediately went straight to the Human Resource Department. Fellice was already in Miss Soren's office waiting for me. Her voice woke me up this morning, telling me about the contract and that I'll be starting today. 

"Hi, sissy! Good morning!" Fellice greeted me as she opened the door for me after I knocked while kissing my cheek.

We just meet yesterday but it feels like we've known each other for ages. We even have a call sign which Fellice herself, suggested.

I smiled at her. "Good morning too, sis!"

"Come, sit down first." She made me sit on the couch while she went to her desk and took something there. She then returned to my seat and handed a folder to me.

"Here's your contract, sis," she said then sat down next to me. I immediately accepted the folder and opened it. "Read it first before you sign, okay?" she reminded.

I looked up at her before nodding. "Thank you."

I turned my attention back to the folder then read it briefly because it was too long. And besides, an executive assistant is self-explainable. I already have an idea of what would be my duties and responsibilities. It mostly caters paper works and the CEO's needs.

After signing, I closed the folder and returned it to Fellice. She then stopped fidgeting on her cell phone.

"Oh? You’re already done? That was fast," she commented, chuckling and I just shrugged at it.

She stood up—which I also did, then she put down the folder back at her desk while I just waited at her.

"Alright," she muttered when she turned her gaze at me. "Oh, by the way, sis. . ." She looked at me from head to toe. "I love your outfit today. It looks good on you!" she complimented about my turtle neck white blouse and fitted black skirt ended just an inch above the knee which I partnered with a black blazer.

I smiled. "Thank you, sis. Yours is not bad either. You look stunning in that peach dress."

"Oh, come on!" She slapped my arm and I flinched.

“Sorry,” she quickly apologized. "Let’s go? I'll bring you to your floor. It's almost nine already. We don’t want your boss to arrive first," she offered.

“You’re right,” I agreed, chuckling then cling my arms to hers.

I was arranging things on my office table when I saw my boss coming. The whole floor was quiet because it was reserved only for the executives. So it is noticeable every time the elevator opens as its sound echoes throughout the entire floor.

I stood up straight and as he passed my seat I immediately greeted him, "Good morning, sir." I even smiled at him. But he didn't seem to hear anything. Instead, he just silently went straight into his office.

I was left behind, dumbfounded at what he did. It took me few more seconds before I recovered from his rudeness. I sat down in my chair as if I had lost my strength.

Oh, God! I was just getting started but my patience was already tested. If this continues, I don't think I can stay in this career longer than I planned to.

I let out a loud sigh and just let go of my boss’ rude habit. I went back on doing my job and focused my full attention on it.

I ended my three hours in the morning with almost all I did was adjusting his schedule and also, answering calls or emails. During the lunch break, he did not leave his office. I couldn’t even say goodbye to inform him that I’ll be eating out because he was so focused on his work.

I just left a note on my desk just in case he will look for me. But when I got back after Fellice and I had lunch together, the note I left was still there.

Does that mean he hasn’t come out yet? Because if he did, he had already seen the note and he should have taken it, or maybe he didn’t notice?

But what if, he didn't look for you or doesn't care if where are you?

I shook my head and just ignore what my subconscious mind told me. I was about to open the laptop to finish what I needed to do when my eyes caught the big clock above the double door in my boss’ office.

It's already past one o'clock. Isn’t he hungry? What if he hasn't eaten anything yet?

I heaved a sigh. My soft side is urging me to do something. No matter how rude he is, he is still my boss. A part of me is responsible if ever he collapses out of hunger. So I got up again and went down to the cafeteria to buy him something to eat. I was able to return immediately because there were only a few people there.

I knocked on the double door of his office and on the third knock I opened it. When I got inside I was welcomed by the serious face of my boss whose full attention was focused on the papers his reading. It was piled up in front of him. And by the looks of it, seems like he didn’t even take a sip of water.

I went near him and slowly put down the two sets of disposable Tupperware that has two servings of rice meal—which is composed of rice, beefsteak with sweet and sour fish, plus a cup of lemonade, on the coffee table.

I cleared my throat just to get his attention but he is too engrossed in what he's doing that he didn't even feel my presence.

"Excuse me, sir," I softly uttered but still no reaction coming from him.

So I came up with an idea. I went closer to him and position my mouth near his right ear.

"Sir. . ." I whispered and slowly blow air towards his inner ear which made him stood up in a flash.

"Fuck!"

"Ouch!"

He cursed while I flinched in pain when he accidentally bumped into my shoulder and I lost balance which caused my foot to twitch. It's a good thing that I was able to hold on to the table or I might have fallen to the floor. But the downside of it is that I got sprained my right foot. The pain ran through my veins quickly. And when I checked on it, looks like it was swollen because it’s turning purple.

So stupid, Lura! You’re so clumsy!

"What's wrong with you?! Why did you do that?!"

I immediately looked up to him when he suddenly shouted at me. Our gazes meet. And I've got to closely stare at his two sets of ocean orbs that look so familiar to me. I just couldn't grasp it in my memory but I know I saw his eyes from someone in my past.

I gulped hard and my heart pounded so fast as I saw his face darkened and his jaw clenched. I bit my lip so hard and tightened my grip on the table just to stay calm.

Damn! He is mad. What should I do now?

Although I had difficulty with the condition of my foot, I straightened up and tried to smile.

"S-sorry, sir," I apologized, lips trembling. "I-I called you earlier but you're too engrossed in work. I was worried that you haven't eaten yet so I brought some food," I explained and gestured the food at the coffee table.

He glanced at it while his brows furrowed and then he facepalmed.

"You are really stupid," he uttered with a calm voice this time.

I felt a pang in my chest with what he said. Instead of a simple thank you, I would get from him, that’s what he will say? Is it really stupid to be concerned about him? If I have known, I had just let him starve to death!

I heaved a sigh and then nodded at him. "If you don't want to eat, you can just throw it." I pointed to the food and then bowed as respect before leaving him. "I will go now, sir."

"Wait," he stopped me when I was about to turn my back at him. I flinched a little as my swollen foot aches after I took a few steps.

I faced him. "Yes, sir? Do you need something else?”

He just stared at my face instead of answering my question until he looked down at my foot. But before he could see the swelling I quickly divert his attention at it.

"Sir?" I called him, giving him a tight smile.

His forehead furrowed and his lips lined up. "Don't do that again," he firmly uttered.

I now frowned. "What?" I mumbled, confused.

He frustratingly sighed. "What you did earlier," he repeated, slightly annoyed.

"What about it, sir?" I asked once more, still confused.

My eyebrows are now in sync while his hold on my arm hardened. I winced a little because of that.

He intently looked at me in the eyes. "Really? You forget it already?" His lips twitched. "Or you just want me to show it to you?"

Before I could even answer him, I held my breath when he suddenly pulled my arm he had been holding—making me sank into his chest. His fragrant scent immediately wafted through my nose. I swallowed hard at that.

I feel like I'm going to run out of air because we are so close to each other. I couldn't even shove him away from me because my muscles suddenly softened.

"W-what are you doing. . . sir?" I stuttered, catching my breath. My heart is beating so fast again.

"I'll just return the favor. . ." he trailed off, leaning closer towards my ear, and the next thing he did make me froze.

What the hell? Did he just b-bite my earlobe?

My cheek felt hot after my brain processed what he just did. I quickly left his grip as if I was burned by his touch. Then I abruptly turned away which caused my swollen foot to get worse.

I just endured the excruciating pain and started to walk. I almost cried when the pain spread across my entire leg. I bit my lips and clenched my fist to calm my nerves. I struggled to endure that until I stopped stoking out because he suddenly came in front of me.

I instantly bent down and quickly wiped away my sideways tears. But he held my chin up.

"Why are you crying?" he checked, with gentleness on his voice this time.

I looked away and tilted my head. "It's nothing, sir. I’m f-fine," I lied.

"Really, huh?" He mocked. "You're not a good liar."

He let go of my chin then without saying a word sat me down on the sofa.

"I'm really fine, sir. I need to go. I still have a lot to do," I insisted and was about to stand up when he held me in place.

"Just sit here. I'll call the company doctor to check on you," he spoke authoritatively then went to his desk and dialed on the office line.

"Sir, there's no need to—"

"Stop being stubborn, Elise and just do what I told you to," he adjured, cutting my words.

I nodded absentmindedly.

And instead of being afraid of his tone, the joy in my heart prevailed.