Chapter Thirteen:
Emberly's POV:
The next morning I woke up earlier than usual. Even Cherry, who was staying over, was shocked to see me up so early. Hell, even I am confused on why I am so eager to go work today? I just felt... happy.
I checked my organiser for today and found out that we had an appointment with Miss Johnson, that lady who refused to back down. All in know she is a stakeholder. That's strange; normally Arran would've gone by himself. It must be important which means I have to deal with another problem.
What to wear?
I swear we girls may have the whole closet full of clothes but when we need the perfect dress we can't seem to find one good piece. After debating with myself, I ended up wearing a casual dress.
Sometimes, I feel like a lost soul. Just a minute ago I was thinking about not trying too hard and just being myself and now I am in front of my dressing table deciding whether to wear make up or not. Ughh, what is wrong with me? I took a close look at myself in the mirror, inspecting every feature. Dear god, he is right. I do look like a zombie. After slapping some concealer under my eyes, I did my eyes makeup, putting some mascara and eyeliner on. My hands were itching to do more so I ended up putting blusher and lipstick on.
Talk about dress to impress.
When I got down, Cherry was already having her breakfast and as soon as she saw me she stopped eating.
"Okay, what's the occasion?" She eyed me suspiciously.
"Nothing, I just want to look good... you know." I answered her, hastily wearing heels even though I hate running around in them.
"Sure, you are dressed in one of the best dress you have and its nothing? Bitch please." she pointed at my dress. It's a beautiful grey dress that reached above my knees and had black waistband.
Fine, I lied maybe I am extra cautious today. After all I am an assistant to the CEO of world's leading company. I have standards to match or maybe a boss to impress. Plus god know how's Miss Johnson.
"Everyone at work dresses so posh so I thought I should give it a try too. It wouldn't kill me to look nice." I said, sitting down on a chair next to her.
"I am just saying you look different. Here let me do your hair." She clapped her hands together in delight.
Oh, no.
After painfully ripping my hair off my head, she managed to do a messy chignon bun.
"Thanks for... almost making me bald. Catch you later."
After swiping my ID card, I greeted Ella who works in a reception. I don't even know why I am feeling so nervous today. My heart suddenly picked a fast pace. I was about to enter my cubicle when I saw a familiar figure near the photocopier room.
"Hey Jason." I said loudly causing him to startle.
"Woah, a little warning next time please." He smiled.
"Sorry, do you need any help?" I asked him sheepishly.
"No, thank you. I must admit you look lovely today." He took a long glance at my appearance. His remark flustered me.
"Thank you. We have an appointment with Miss Johnson. Do you know who she is?" I furrowed my eyebrows together.
"Yeah she is one of the stakeholder and she is a very 'dear friend' of Mr Raymond." He said casually leaning against the table.
"Senior or junior?" I teased.
"Both." He grinned.
"I have to go now. Catch you later."
"Wait... you won't mind if I ask for your number, do you?" He asks me apprehensively.
"Yes I will... I'm joking. Sure thing. Wait, crap I don't have phone." I frowned.
"You could've said no." He said deadpanned.
"No seriously, I broke my phone. Give me your number and I will text you as soon as I get a new phone." I came up with a solution.
He gave me his number and I mentally noted down to buy a new phone. It seriously has started to embarrass me. After saying him bye I went to my cubicle.
I had fifteen minutes left for him to come so I quickly gathered all the files together, replied to emails and made more appointments for him. Just when I assumed he would be late today, he shows up at exact same time.
Talk about punctuality.
I peek up from my computer and smiled at him widely. He went straight in to his office without even glancing at me.
Rejection level 101!
I kept my eyes glued on the screen. I waited for the intercom to make a sound but it didn't. Great... now what? How do I react? Shall I say hi first or shall I just ignore him? I can't ignore him he is my boss. Why is he not saying anything? Why am I talking to myself?
I took courage to look at him only to find that he is on his phone.
Awkward.
"Morning." I went inside his office and greeted him first.
He removed his eyes from his phone and glances up at me and does a double take. His green eyes were observing me darkly but he kept his face deadpanned. Much to my annoyance he doesn't say anything. He just nods as a reply. I suddenly lost all the anticipation to see him and got up to get his coffee.
I made his usual coffee, stirring god knows how many times and half-heartedly dragged myself inside his office. Here I woke up early and did all this shit but he doesn't seem to care. I knocked before entering his office and placed his coffee on his table. He was on the phone and when he saw me he smiled softly at me and gestures me to wait.
"Sure Grace, we will be there by noon. No problem. See you later." He hung up and looked at me carefully.
Now he will tell me how beautiful I look and how he will come, riding in a dark knight horse to get me.
"Photocopy these and get all the documents together for todays appointment. Run down the legal department and get a statement for Brisc. Inc."
This is how he painfully shatters my dreams in million pieces. Fine, I might have overstated stuff but come on, how hard it is to compliment someone? I can say how good he is looking in his black suit, white shirt and a black tie. I blanked out on him completely and frown at my thought. After a while he clears his throat and he gives me a pointed look telling me basically to get out.
Shit, I hastily get up flushing deep red. I heard him making a 'tsk' sound.
"Do you know where the legal department is?" He asks me, eyes glinting in amusement.
"Fourth floor?" My answer was more like a question.
"And then my assistants emails me asking why his boss thinks she has a weak memory. Come, I will show you around." He gets up and leaving me briefly surprised.
"This building is has thirty floors. You just need to know first ten floors. The ground floor is for visitors and conferences. The third floor is mine, which is basically management department. I, then have to ensure effective operation of the board and its committees." He briefly told me about the first three floor.
I follow him to the lift and he pressed the button going up.
"This is the fourth floor is for the design team. They will design any new project and present to me. By the way our company is a construction company. In case you forgot." He said it mockingly. I stopped an urge to roll my eyes.
"The fifth floor is for the finance team. All the finance related problems are dealt here. You know the usual, cash flows, balance sheet, income statement and etcetera, etcetera.
I was flabbergasted seeing the whole building. I never realised the importance of his role until now. It surprises me how well he has handled the whole company at this age. I've never seen him calling his father for help or asking for his permission. Even Mr Raymond hardly ever visit this building.
"The sixth floor is the legal department one." He glances over me sarcastically and I couldn't help but smile at my blunder.
He showed me around and I couldn't help but feel like Charlie when he went inside the chocolate factory.
I watched him talking to one of the lawyers and I could do nothing but respect him. He has no doubt proven me wrong. He is passionate about his work and he seems to enjoy what he does. The pride in his tone showed me. In fact, I looked around and found almost everyone working happily at their desks. I am sure they are well paid and they are satisfied workers, which makes me think how on earth did I end up working here. I once read in college that getting a job here is nearly impossible. Only people with extraordinary talents get a place here. I don't know whether to feel bad about myself or be thankful that I got the job here.
He gestured me to follow him and handed me some documents. I was so stunned that I don't even remember what were the next few floors. Thankfully he stopped the tour at the tenth floor saying we have to go and see Miss Johnson. Coming back to the our floor I breathed in relief. I smiled broadly at Jason who was working inside one of the conference room. He waved at me and like a kid I waved back.
"I see you've met Jason Hall." He asks acidly.
I frowned at his tone. "Yeah. Why?"
"Nothing." His mouth was pressed into a hard line.
Okay.
He didn't say anything after that and went inside his office. I quickly made him another coffee and gathered all the documents in a file, preparing for later on. I bend down when I accidentally dropped a paper.
"Nice view." I heard him saying and straighten myself quickly.
"See anything you like?" I asked him, hiding my embarrassment. I nearly flushed but managed to keep my cools. I am sure my voice was hoarsely by now. I nibbled on my lip and averted my eyes everywhere but his side.
Why is he still staring?
"Actually, I do." He smirks at me knowingly.
I am sure my face has reddened by now. Why is it always me making a complete fool out myself?
"Anyway, shall we?" I asked him, diverting his attention.
I trailed behind him silently. He had a small playful smile on his lips reminding me how much I embarrassed myself earlier. We stopped near white Audi. Being the gentleman he is, he opened the door for me. How I wish he could stop smiling for a minute, which is weird because it was just the other day I was telling myself he needs to smile more often.
I was surprised when he sat on the driver's seat. I thought he might have a chauffeur like everyone else did. Well, guess I am wrong.
"Q7?" I questioned him, softly touching the dashboard.
How cool is his car.
"Yeah..." He seemed surprised by my answer. He starts the car and swiftly moves it.
"So you've never allowed anyone to drive your car?" I asked him. I just realised even the other day he was the one driving.
"Never." He said, his eyes never leaving the door.
I found it a bit hard to believe. I am sure he can afford a chauffeur.
"Not even when you are absolutely drunk?"
"I said never." He replied flatly.
"Wow, but why though?" I ended up asking him. He grunts in response. Maybe I should take a clue and shut my mouth.
"Are we playing 'twenty questions'?" He asks me irately.
"Sorry I am just... amazed." I murmured and fixed my gaze to look outside the window.
He is so unpredictable that it's beyond infuriating. Just a minute ago he volunteer to show me around and now he is constantly snapping at me. What is his deal?
"Can I at least turn the radio on?" I asked him after five minutes long silence.
"No."
I took a deep sigh and concentrated outside. Lets count how many trees there are outside.
One.
Two.
Three.
Flipping hell.
"So Miss Johnson.... Is she an old client?"
"It's Mrs and she isn't a client, she is a stakeholder... different thing... please don't call her a client on her face. She is a very dear friend of ours."
I had to stifle a laugh when he said dear friend.
"I heard about that." I replied.
"From who?" He looks my side confusingly.
"Jason." I replied quickly. His shoulder stiffens and we are drowned in silence once again.
"How did you know which model is this car?" He asks me randomly.
"My dad taught me, he used to own a small garage and people used to bring their cars to get it fixed and I used to help him. Well watch him. He used to make me guess the cars and the engine type." I replied fond by the memories.
"What happened now?" He asks me.
"Well, it wasn't working you know... people preferred to get their cars fixed by the actual car manufacturer so he had to shut it last year."
"It must've been hard for you guys." His voice was distant.
"It was but I guess we had to move on. I mean there no point for crying over something which is never coming back... right?" I shrugged my shoulder, as it's not a big deal.
His hold on steering wheel tightens. I could see his knuckles turn white. I look at him with a concern. He momentarily looks at my side and relaxes.
"You never fail to impress me Emberly." He smiles softly and much to my surprise turns the radio on.
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