05

JANE

I lift my shoulder in a half shrug."I don't know. What do you think?" I asked back.

Christian's blue eyes pierce into my honey brown eyes. He glances away from me and closes his laptop.

"Sit down," He orders.

I nod my head and sit down.

"So, what is your decision?" He questions me.

"I don't have a choice. I think I like the second offer," I say, avoiding his intense eye contact.

A corner of his mouth curls upwards, turning into a lopsided smile."Of course. Why won't you like the second offer? I am every woman's dream," He rambles.

"Here we go again," I mutter under my breath.

Why can't he stop be narcissistic? It is annoying and stupid.

I don't even agree to be his girlfriend because I have an undying crush on him. I agreed because I am helpless, all thanks to him and my family.

"It is nice that you chose to be my girlfriend. You are now the reasonable Jane I know. Now, go back to your work," He states, his eyes darting to the laptop on his desk.

My mouth falls open."What?"

Christian's brows snap together."What is wrong?" He questioned.

I thread my fingers through my hair, trying to maintain my cool."I just agreed to be your girlfriend, Christian." I blurt out.

He lifts his eyebrows."Christian? Oh, you're now my girlfriend. You ought to be a professional in Hagar Industries, anyway."

He continued."So, what is your deal?"

"You can't order me anymore. You're now my boyfriend. At least, you ought to be less formal and romantic. You ought to treat me like a close person, not boss me around," I snap.

"Act romantic? I have six girlfriends, including you. I'm dating y'all for a purpose and you are also in a relationship with me because of the benefits. Don't bother me, woman. Have you ever seen me act so nice to my girlfriends?" He snaps back at me.

"But, I don't want to be one of your girlfriends. I want to be special," My lips tremble as I speak.

Pools of tears have formed in my eyes. I hate how emotional I've became.

"You said ' romantic ', now ' special '. What the heck is wrong with you, Jane? You said that you were tired of serving me, I even became considerate and made a nice offer for you. I am not into those romance stuff you want, Jane. You can't have two good things at a time. I -"

The sound of his phone interrupts his long sentence. It is a phone call. He talks with the caller for a few minutes, then hangs up the call and turns to me.

"Look, go back to work as soon as possible. Fix a meeting with Alexander Hunt, also."He orders.

I open my mouth to protest but I quickly close it back. If I attempt to say something. I may break down in tears. I nod my head and rush out of his office.

I run to the restroom instantly.

What is the difference? Agreeing to be his girlfriend is still the same thing as before. He is still bossing me around, as usual.

I think I am just in this world to serve him and my family. Serving him is still better though, at least he's paying for my service.

My family is going to use me to death.

I take a deep breath. I walk out of my restroom with a smile on my face, as if nothing happened.

I exchange greetings with some of my colleagues and go to my office.

A few minutes later, Claire comes to my office. I am busy arranging some documents then.

Claire is the biggest gossip in Hagar Industries. If you need any new updates in this company, just meet her.

"My baby is back," Claire grins, enveloping me into a tight hug.

I disengage from the hug."Hey Claire!"

"Thank God, you're back from your holiday. A lot of things happened when you were absent. Do - "

I interrupt her."I am busy right now. You can tell me everything during lunch hour,"

Claire pouts her lips."Well, no problem. Trust me, you are going to enjoy the gists,"

She winks and leaves my office.

I heave a sigh of relief. I'm not even interested in hearing any of her gists. What is on my mind right now isn't about listening to gossips about innocent people.

*

It is late evening.

I have accepted my fate already. I don't even bother about Christian. The only thing on my mind is getting this month's paycheck and using the money to do some shopping and save for Bethel's tuition fees.

I have finally decided to think about myself and take care of my needs also. I need some clothes, so I will deduct 30% out of my salary to do some shopping for myself.

I am currently arranging schedules for Christian and also fixing meetings with his clients.

Talking of Christian, he must be inside his office now. He went out a few hours ago.

I'm kinda confused. He doesn't order me around as usual. On a normal day, I'm not supposed to be relaxing in my office and doing my tasks. I ought to have gone to his office eleven times today. But, I have only been to his office once. And, that was when I came in the afternoon.

Why the heck am I thinking about the sudden change in him? I ought to be happy, anyway. I don't want to have close contact with him. At least, not today.

I snap out of my thoughts and resume what I was doing, until I feel the presence of a figure in front of me.

I look up. My jaw drops when my eyes met with the blue eyed devil, Christian Tate.

I guess I am so engrossed in what I'm doing or my thoughts that I didn't notice when he entered my office.

I clear my throat, gazing at him with a questioning look."Do you need something, sir?" I ask.

I glance around. My colleagues who have their offices close to mine were staring at us. Why won't they be surprised? It's unusual for Christian to come to this floor and my office.

"Are you done with your work?" He questions me.

"No. Do you need something?"

Christian places a credit card on my desk, staring down at me."You know Dera Boutique, right?"

"Yes."

Maybe, he wants me to get some clothes or jewelry for one of his girlfriends. I don't think this man will change.

"Give the card to the sales girl, she will understand. You can pick anything you want from the boutique," Christian says.

My brows furrow."Pick anything I want? What do you mean, sir?"

Christian scoffs. He moves closer to me. He lifts my chin, ocean like eyes piercing into mine.

"I'm trying to be nice and considerate, Jane. Don't you want all that?" He utters.

By this time, all eyes are fixed on us. I am sure I have a lot of questions waiting for me from my colleagues. But, I have to deal with this arrogant man first.

"I don't know. Just be yourself," I mutter, giving me a half shrug.

"Damn! You don't even know what you want. Just do the shopping, Jane," He barks at me.

"I don't want you to be generous," I hiss.

"Well, I am not being generous. That is how I treat my girlfriends. You of all people should know that,"

"I -"

He cut short my words."I need to get back to work. Do the damn shopping. I'll pick you up at the boutique when I'm done with my work."

With these words, he leaves my office.

Should I be happy or what?

Christian gives me the chance to suspend my work and go shopping, with the bills on him?

Is he being considerate right now or what?