Strawberry Chocolate Roll Cake Conundrum

"Alright, that's all for this meeting. I'll expect the next report next week."

For some reason, Clara felt like Adrian's smile was forced.

"The boss seems down today. What's wrong with him? Did he just have a fight with his wife?"

Apparently, a few staff members shared Clara's thought, as whispers started to fill the room as everyone started leaving.

Clara sighed as she was left alone to tidy up the files and laptop from the meeting. Her current situation, added to her disappointment with Jordan last night, made her mind even more muddled. But Clara didn't want her personal problems to affect her work, so she decided to find a solution on her own when she was finished.

Back in her office, Clara leaned back in her chair, gazing out the large window with its sheer curtains. 'What should I do?'

The ringing of her phone diverted her attention.

"Yes..."

"Lara, I have some brands calling, asking if you'd be interested in modeling for their new product launch, which happens in two days." Clara listened to Raisa, her friend and personal assistant, while trying to think.

Clara actually had a side hustle as a social media influencer, often approached by big-name brands to be their ambassador on various platforms. Yet, she remained silent.

"Hey, why aren't you answering? Do you agree with this offer or not?" Raisa insisted, hearing no response from Clara.

Taking a deep breath, Clara replied, "Hmm, help me save the proposal first. I'll think about it and see how things are. Maybe I'll decide in two days."

"Why?" Raisa sounded clearly confused by Clara's reaction, it wasn't like her.

"I'm working at a new company with different pressures. So, hopefully you understand."

"You're not in trouble, are you?"

Before Clara could answer, Sheina suddenly appeared and slammed her fist on the desk. "Hey, Mr. Adrian is calling for you. You must have done something wrong again," she said.

Clara ended the call and stood up as Sheina turned to leave. "What's up?" she asked.

Sheina's steps toward the door stopped. "How should I know? Just go see him yourself," she said curtly, without turning to look at Clara.

No matter how complicated the situation was, Clara had to face whatever challenges arose and hurry to avoid further trouble. "I hope this isn't something bad," she muttered to herself.

Her steps slowed as she reached the door to Adrian's office. Seeing the man's cold face turned down, Clara knocked softly on the door. "Excuse me!"

"Come in! Keep me company for lunch."

Clara began to guess what this was all about, especially since her boss had spoken without looking at her. "Mr. This—"

Seeing Adrian raise his hand, Clara stopped. "Sit down. I happened to order a lot of food from outside."

"But—"

"Don't complain too much. I have something to tell you."

Clara hesitated, but the delicious aroma of the food that hit her nose made her obey and sit across from Adrian.

Though curious, Clara didn't dare to ask or touch anything on the table as Adrian stared at her. "Why are you so stiff? Relax. I'm not a man-eater."

If Clara couldn't control herself, she might have burst out laughing right then. But wait! Was her boss making a joke?

Adrian picked up his tumbler of coffee late and took a sip in silence as if thinking about something. Seeing that she was still stunned, he slid a glass of orange juice toward Clara.

"This is for me, sir?" she asked.

Though Adrian was a little annoyed at being questioned, he nodded in response.

After all, Clara was thirsty too, so she didn't have to be shy anymore and took it.

Strawberry chocolate roll cake! Somehow, Clara suddenly craved that treat. Instantly, her hand moved, almost touching the plate's contents, but her other hand accidentally touched Adrian's finger, which was also reaching for the same thing.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't mean to touch you. Please go ahead, you can take your piece first."

"No, please, you go ahead."

Adrian, her boss, even yielded to his employee, and Clara couldn't help but admire his handsome face.

Outside the room, unseen by them, some of Adrian's subordinates were peeking through the door’s curtains. Clara felt uncomfortable.

“I know what you’re thinking, how you’re going to join me after this.”

“What?”

Sensing something odd from outside, Adrian immediately stood up and opened the door to see who was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Oh no!" They covered their faces, looking down.

“Do you mind if I just take Clara out for lunch?" Adrian asked, his voice cold.

Some of them shook their heads and tried to get out of his way, but others, clearly envious, remained there.

Adrian knew the faces of those who were always nosy about other people’s business, so he decided, "In that case, I'm taking Clara out."

"Where, sir?” Clara, surprised, immediately responded.

“Just follow me, don't ask too many questions.”

'Hufft, so rude,' Clara muttered to herself after her boss’s reaction.

"How long are you going to stand there? Come on, let’s go!" Adrian’s sternness startled Clara.

"We’re leaving now, sir?"

"When else?"

Adrian turned and walked out of the room.

Seeing the other employees still standing there, looking at her, Clara decided to follow her boss from behind. At least, she wouldn't be bombarded with questions outside.

Honk Honk

Clara wanted to curse when she heard the loud horn of a white sports car stopping behind her. But the owner had already rolled down the car window and motioned her to get in.

Clara followed Adrian’s instructions and took her place in the front seat. Adrian’s car moved a short distance before stopping at a crossroads.

"We’ll get out here..."

As Clara tried to unbuckle her seatbelt, she struggled.

“What’s wrong?” Adrian asked, surprised by Clara’s reaction.

"Why is this seatbelt so hard to unbuckle?"

Adrian watched Clara try to unbuckle it, but seeing her futile efforts, the handsome CEO quickly took action, like a savior.

"Your strength may be weak. You just need more force to pull it.”

Thump

The pungent scent of perfume filled the air as Clara and Adrian were very close. Looking at her superior so closely, Clara felt strange and wanted to disappear.

"It’s done. Maybe the latch is a little stuck. Come on, let's get out!"

"Okay. Thank you for your help." Despite her attempts to brush aside her nervousness, it was still apparent. But what Clara was worried about now, was that Adrian had heard her heartbeat, hadn't he?

No, no! She was married now. Even though she hadn’t seen her husband yet, she had to stay true to her promise.