“Yeah.” I bit back, glaring at the two as Guel turned, his eyes meeting mine like it was destined. No, it wasn't. He has someone with him, Rose. A woman who could give him kids and make a happy home. The most annoying part? They only have a 4-year age gap between them. It wasn't enough for people to lift their brows, unlike our 15-year age gap.
“Boss.” He approached with a smile, the same one he had given Rose. I didn't like it one bit. It irked me, making me ache to punch him hard on his face, just for thinking he could look at me the same way he did to others.
“Let's go,” I said to Benny, hurrying down the hall, without sparring him a glance. Halfway, I realised I had pressed the button for his floor instead of mine, like I had been doing since he joined the company. It was an unconscious act.
Cursing under my breath, I whirled around, drawing my steps back to the elevator.
“Boss,” Guel called out, running after me when he saw me returning. Benny, who, I thought, was behind me, was standing in the same spot I left her, with her hand under her stomach, looking as tired as hell.
“You can take a rest, Benny. I don't need much help, just —”
“I can do her work,” Guel offered, smiling. He looked like a puppy. The only thing missing was the wagging tail.
“Don't bother. I don't need it.” My response came out a little cold, but I didn't care. I couldn't get the image of how close he was to Rose out of my mind. It took root, refusing to let go.
“But I want to help you.” He entered the elevator with me, waving at Benny and Rose, who, just like my secretary, hadn't moved an inch.
“Get out,” I ordered, glaring at him. “I don't need your help, but Rose might. She looks like she needs you.” I gestured to the woman who was watching us. She seemed like she was contemplating joining us in the car, so she wouldn't be separated from him for long.
I wondered, just then, if they were already together, dating right under my nose.
“Did I do anything to make you angry?” Guel asked, bringing me out of the dark hole my mind wanted to throw itself into. He pressed the button for my floor. "I didn't offend you this morning when I brought you coffee, did I?"
Instead of responding to him, I let out a breath like a petulant child, folded my arms and bit my lower lip as the elevator door closed.
Now that we were alone, I noticed, for the first time, that he was standing so close to me, too close that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. I wanted so badly to hug him and rub my cheeks on his chest, inhaling his sweet scent, but I didn't. Instead, I drew some steps away from him, putting a distance between us, to prevent my legs from turning soft and my mind mushy.
Guel moved closer, not realising I was trying to move away from him.
“Boss? You haven't answered my question.” He turned to face me, backing me against the wall.
I gulped, caged between his muscular arms. My dick twitch. The stupid organ thought it was time to play.
Thankfully, Guel was looking at my face and not down there, else he would have seen just how dirty his boss was.
“No.” I averted my gaze, gulping. “Step back. You are crowding my space. We are the only ones here. You can't just press into me.”
“Oh.” He blinked, surprised, probably realising for the first time how close we were. “I'm sorry about that,” he apologised, stepping back, just as the elevator dinged before it opened.
I drew away from the wall and hurried out, with the stubborn man close on my heels, like the perfect assistant.
I stopped, turned to him, and glared. “Return to your office. You don't need to do this. I can take care of the tasks I have today. You have your work and Rose to —”
“Why do you keep mentioning Rose?” He frowned. For the first time since I met him, an emotion crossed his face before it disappeared, replaced by the one I'd seen countless times.
“I... Aren't you guys dating? You are always together and —”
“No, we are not.” He closed the distance between us, his eyes narrowing. “Why would you think I'm dating her? She's not my type.”
My heart warmed, the organ flipping. It wasn't clear to me why I felt so happy knowing they weren't an item, but I did. The ache dissipated like sugar melting in water.
“You don't need to tell me that. It's none of my concern.” I turned before he could see my blazing cheeks, and hurried over to my office. I planned to step in before him and then lock it so he wouldn't follow, but he was right behind me, holding the door before I could close it.
“It is,” he whispered, closing the door behind him, looking at me, while I stared in shock at how fast and strong he was. “Rose isn't my type,” he repeated, staring into my eyes, his gaze searching. “She's just a coworker.”
“I don't care. That's your personal life.” I strode over to my desk, shrugging out of my suit jacket. “You can date whoever you want. It's not against the rules, if that's what you are afraid of.” I hung my jacket and sat on my armchair, exhaling as I unbuttoned the top of my shirt. "I won't sack you because of that. You are free to be with her openly. Just don't let it affect your productivity."
I kept my voice neutral, acting like I wasn't burning with jealousy just thinking of the two together.
“I mean it.” He followed me. “I don't like Rose. I love someone else,” he confessed, staring at me, holding my gaze captive, refusing to let go. “I like someone put together, strong.” As he spoke, his eyes trailed down my body. “Someone with the cutest eyes and smile. With beautiful black eyes and brown hair.”
My breath hitched in my throat. Unconsciously, I reached out to touch my hair before I could stop it, my throat drying when his lips lifted in a smile.
