Chapter 4: Mixed Signals

On the next day, I hit the 68 button. It felt like a billion years before the doors re-opened on the 68th floor. I ran out of it. My stupid bag just had to fall from my hand due to my rushing so I bent to pick it as quick as I could. I hoped no male was behind me, else he was getting a free view of my big round ass. I continued running to our office door. Like what France says, my office was beside Alvin's office and separated with glass walls and a door.

I took out my card from my bag then inserted it into the right hole, hit the buttons of the code for the door to open. I wondered why they changed the lock of the door. *For security purposes, dummy.*

Pushed the door open, I scurried into it. The door automatically closed, leaving me to stand before the man of my life himself.

"Good morning, sir."

He raised his head from his table with a blank expression. I stared at him for a while, expecting him to scold me. He didn't utter a word, leading me to a confused state.

I furrowed my eyebrows in perplexity. He just kept staring at me, scanning me from head to toe, taking sips of whatever was inside the mug in his hand, still not uttering a word. Since he didn't say anything, I decided it was best to walk away so I started walking towards my office, feeling his gaze on me.

"Sam, come here." His voice contained so much authority and it sent a shiver of fear to flow through me. 

It's Sam again, when will he call me Reese?

I gulped, twirled to him with a nervous smile. As he had instructed, I walked to him. My legs didn't seem like they were balanced anymore as they moved in the wrong manner. It seemed like I had forgotten how to walk all of a sudden. His gaze fixed on me was both scary and annoying, I wondered what was in his head. 

I stopped right in front of him, gripping onto the handles of my bag in front of me. "Yes, sir?"

He still didn't say a word for a few minutes before he finally spoke, "Sit there." He pointed to one of the chairs opposite to his, behind his table.

I did as I was told and sat there.

Once again, he said nothing for a few minutes, taking long sips of what I now identified as coffee in his mug. "You have a problem."

Jeez, that was so random but kinda expected. I opened my mouth to say something but I didn't know what to respond to that with.

"I said, you have a problem, a big one." He reiterated.

"I'm sorry." I lowered my head to avoid staring into his threatening light brown eyes.

"Don't say sorry!" He hollered, slapping his hand on the table.

I flinched; I swear I thought life went out of me at the loudness of his voice.

"Oh... o-okay." I stuttered.

"You're late, again?" He didn't yell this time but his voice still possessed that scary tone.

"Traffic," was all I could utter.

"Really? Can't you wake up really early?" He took another sip of the remnant of the coffee, dropping the empty mug on his table.

"I did, but... traffic." I heaved a sigh, raising my head to him. He had an unpredictable expression.

"You're my secretary, you don't seem to need your job. Are you a secret Billionaire or what?" He huffed.

"No." I said in more of a whisper.

"You ought to make my coffee but someone had to do it for me, I needed some files and needed to sort some things out but you weren't here so I had to do it 'myself'," He placed stress on 'myself'.

"I promise it won't happen again." I apologized.

"It mustn't, else you'll be punished gravely." The way he said that sounded like a threat.

"Yes, sir." I nodded.

"Good. Now, first off, you should cancel all my appointments for tomorrow." He started, pulling out a big file from his drawer then placed it in front of me, you should work on this, take notes of the words printed in red. 

"You should also fix an appointment with Mr. Gravely for me." He took out another file and placed it on the last one. "Also, take notes of the words printed in yellow." He took out another file and dropped it on the last two. Damn! "You should print these out, okay?"

"Okay, got it." I nodded at him.

"Take these for now. When you're done with them, come back for more. Now get up and out of here, quickly." He ordered. I rose to my feet and picked the heavy files up. Jeez! I hated this stress. I understand his point so I did was he asked to. It was kinda good, it made me more serious with my work.

"Firstly, return this mug." He pointed to the empty mug.

"Oh." I dropped the files then moved closer to him to pick the mug. I held the mug, ready to leave his presence.

"Wait!" He stopped me abruptly, and wiggled his fingers for me to move closer to him.

I moved closer to him. He indicated that I moved closer. I did that. Well.. too close… 

He shut his eyes then drew in my scent.

"Hmm." He nodded.

I wasn't certain but I think I saw him smile through it didn't last up to 2 seconds. 

"Risha's perfume, right?" He asked and I nodded at him in skepticism. "You have a nice choice of perfume unlike other things."

Was that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? 

"Thank you?" That came out as a question instead.

"Now leave, you're too close to me." He stated.

I moved away from him. I felt his eyes on me as I walked out of the office to return his mug. I really can't read you, Alvin. You're giving me mixed signal likt the other day.

How am I supposed to move on then? Please don't give me false hope. I can't bear it.