Business Partner

AFTER they ate, Melissa and Athalia immediately went to their respective office desks. She sat in the swivel chair. She remembered the flower that Charles had given her. She took it to the side where she put it, and slowly opened the paper.

*I'm sorry if I didn't pick you up. I have an urgent meeting. I'll make it up to you after this. "

- Charles

Athalia's cellphone suddenly rang. She took that inside the bag. She looked to see who was calling. When she saw that Charles was the caller, she immediately answered it. She still has twenty minutes left to start her work.

"Hello, Charles. How are you?" Athalia asked him when she answered the call. Charles sighed as if having difficulty breathing.

"Is there a problem Charles?" She asked. She thinks that he has a problem because of how he sighed.

"I'm sorry if I didn't escort you earlier. So I buy flowers because it's my way of saying "I'm sorry". Did you like it?" he asked.

Athalia couldn’t help but smile at his question. Of course, she liked it. Which woman will refuse the flower?

"Of course. I like Charles. Thank you. That's okay, I understand." Athalia has no right to demand him. Because he's not her boyfriend, even though they have a relationship. She will understand him.

"Thank you, Athalia. I'll pick you up later," he said with excitement in his voice.

"Okay."

After they bid farewell to each other, she dropped the call and place the cellphone on the desk. Athalia looked at the clock. It's one o'clock in the afternoon. Two more hours to prepare for the meeting later. Why suddenly does she feel nervous?

Luke'sPOV

Luke CAN NOT help but feel excited as he prepares for the Business Meeting later to be held at Chechu Restaurant. But, he was nervous, how would Athalia react when she found out that he would be her boss for three days a week.

Athalia would surely be glad because they will be together. Luke knew that even though Athalia didn't say, he know she misses him. So she would do anything to get her back. Luke sighed and continued looking for something to wear. Only formal attire will be worn.

Luke chose a checkered blue polo and slacks paired with black leather shoes. He looked at the clock, it was past two o'clock in the afternoon. The meeting will be held at four o'clock. He went out of the walk-in closet and lay on the bed what he had chosen to wear. Luke also took off his clothes and went to the bathroom naked to take a shower.

As the water gushes from the shower on the ceiling. His mind flies to the woman until now his heart is still beating, Athalia Patricia Ramos. Do they feel the same way? F*ck! Not! She was flirting with Charles, meaning she felt nothing for him. How can Athalia like him, if he'd have a girlfriend.

Luke sigh. She shouldn’t be thinking negatively. Luke hastened to take a shower and when he was done, he went out of the bathroom and dried his hair with an extra towel. It's three o'clock in the afternoon. F*ck! I could feel a horse galloping in his chest because of the speed of its pulse.

Keep calm, he reminded himself. Luke took a deep breath to calm himself. I got dressed and arranged myself. He takes his time to be presentable and handsome in front of Athalia. Luke stared in the mirror, he has a girlfriend but he was acting like a single.

Luke met Mickhaela Romano once when he went to a Club and Mickaela met him and ended up having sex. Until it became sequential. Because Luke respected her, he accepted her offer to be his girlfriend.

When Mom found out, she was so excited that he didn’t know why. Is it because Mickhaela is rich? That's what he doesn't know. When he's done dressing up. He went out of the room and met Aunt Carmen who was Athalia’s mother.

"Aunt Carmen, I'm leaving now. I'm going to a restaurant for a business matter. Go home early, don't spend the night." Luke said and smiled at her. Aunt Carmen also smiled back.

"Thank you. Oh go ahead, be careful." she said and tapped him on the shoulder and went to his room.

Aunt Carmen is the only one he let into his room. Because of all the associates here in the house, she is the only one he trusts. Aunt Carmen has been a housemaid for a long time, so he's happy because she still serves them.

It's just a fact that she was already loved at the Hacienda. In fact, Athalia can support and take care of Aunt Carmen, but because Aunt Carmen loves the Hacienda. She's still here.

He got off ready and left the house. He headed to the garage and got into his black Sedan. He hurried out of the mansion towards Chechu Restaurant where the meeting will be held.

WHEN LUKE ARRIVED at the Chechu Restaurant. F*ck! He's late because of traffic. She parked the Black Sedan in the parking area and walked towards the entrance of the Restaurant. When he entered, he was immediately greeted by the Restaurant Manager. Luke knew that because of the name tag on the left side of his uniform.

"Good Afternoon Sir. How may I help you?" he asked.

"Luke Sebastian. I'm meeting with Michael Lereño." he introduced himself. He nodded.

"Okay. This way Sir." he said and guided him.

Luke was guided to a VIP Room of the Restaurant. When they were in front of the VIP Room, he opened the door but the door was not very big. He held out his hand to the door.

"You're in, sir." he said with a wide smile that plasters on his lips.

"Thank you Mr. Erazzo." Luke said in a serious voice.

Although he wants to smile, as an entrepreneur you should be seen as strict and not being soft-hearted because that can be used against you by business competitors.

"Your welcome, Mr. Sebastian." he said and turned away.

Here he is. Athalia and Mr. Lereño are inside. He was late because of traffic. F*ck the traffic! He took a deep breath and slowly entered inside. Luke found Mr. Lereño drinking tea, while Athalia is in front of the laptop. She is simple but why is she still beautiful? Mr. Lereño turned in his direction.

"Mr. Sebastian! You here," he said with a wide smile. Luke saw Athalia stunned in her seat. Mr. Lereño stood up and walked closer to him.

"Sorry, I'm late. I'm in traffic." Luke said while his eyes were on Athalia. She doesn't look up. Her attention was still on the laptop.

"It's okay, Mr. Sebastian. We just arrived." he said and guided him to the table they were occupying and seat.

"Ms. Ramos, meet Mr. Sebastian." he calls Athalia. Athalia looked up and her eyes settled on him and she averted it to Mr. Lereño.

"Oh. I'm sorry Sir. I'm focused on what I'm doing so I didn't notice him coming." he said and looked at him.

Luke stared at her. Not noticed or ignored? Fxck! Luke couldn’t help but feel annoyed! He looked at her very red lips. He was tempted to kiss her. F*ck! Luke is in a meeting but Ishe's fantasizing about Athalia. She smiled at him. Athalia stood up from her seat and faced Luke and held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Sebastian." she said. Luke stood up and accepted her handshake.

"Nice to meet you too Ms. Ramos." he greeted her back while looking at her intently. When they're done, they return to their seat.

F*ck! It's like they don't know each other, but he has to tell Mr. Lereño that they will know each other. He doesn’t want Athalia to think that he's embarrassing her as a friend. He swallowed and looked at Mr. Lereño sipping coffee and looked back at Athalia who closed the laptop and faced him.

"Mr. Lereño, we will know each other. We're friends. Childhood friends. And, because I want you to be my business partner, she is the one I chose to be my Secretary, especially since I know her better. He is more trustworthy so I chose her. Hope you don't mind Mr. Lereño." Luke explained.

Suddenly Athalia's fist clenched as she sat at the table. Didn’t she like his idea? Shouldn't she be happy because he's making way for them to be close? But why does Athalia still seem angry? Mr. Lereño smiled sweetly.

"I don't mind Mr. Sebastian. Athalia is a hard-working woman. And I also want her to be promoted, and I think the business will go well because you're friends. After all, you don't have to adjust to each other. I salute you two because nothing has changed even though you haven't seen each other for a long time." he said with a sweet smile on his lips.

Mr. Lereño knows that Luke stayed in Canada for ten years. He said that when he offered him to be his business partner.

"Thank you, Sir. I want to make up for the days I wasn't with Athalia. I've also lived in Canada for years. We haven't had communication since I left, and I miss her." He said sincerely and looked at Athalia. Her gaze was on her palm on the table. Why? Doesn't he want to see him?

"Wow. That's sweet." - Mr. Lereño commented. He looked at Athalia .— "You have a good friend, Ms. Ramos. Keep him. There're only a few like Mr. Sebastian, who have not forgotten a friend over time." he said with a mischievous smile on his lips. Athalia just smiled. She couldn’t help but get annoyed. Doesn't she agree with what Mr. Lereño said?

"Can I excuse myself? I'm just going to the comfort room." Thalia excused.

She stood up and walked towards the comfort room on the left side of the VIP Room. She couldn’t help but admire the curve of her body. Athalia's height is natural, not like Mickaela who's 5'9 in height. But even though Athalia's height is moderate, she can manage how to be sophisticated.