Chapter Four

She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. She knows him but where has she seen him? This is what she hates the most. When she doesn’t know something she’s suppose to know. She rakes her brain for the answer.

Those eyes. Those misty grey eyes. Her thoughts gathered together and when she finally remembered the night before her body went through a state of paralysis.

She did not….she did not kiss a stranger last night thinking it was her ex right? And there’s no way that same man is her boss right?

When Christian raised his head he was hoping he was mistaken. It was just his mind playing tricks with him when he heard the familiar voice. He literally stopped breathing when he took her in. His mind was waving off to the events that happened last night especially that kiss they shared. His gaze went to her slightly parted lips sparkling with the clear glossy lip-gloss. His body was burning and urging him to take it back to that moment where he had her in his arms. It took everything within to control himself and let out any form of expression on his face.

“Who are you?” his voice came out clear and smooth as he slumped back on the swivel chair.

Maya’s lips opened and closed out of words. Her mind was screaming at her to run away but her feet were ice frozen to the floor.

“What is this? You’re dumb or you are deaf? Or you are just a joke?” he arched his eyebrow in distaste.

“Well….erm…I..I..I am Maya Rose and you asked for him s..s..sir,” she finally managed to make a fool of herself by stuttering.

Very smooth Maya. Very smooth.

His frown deepened staring at her with so much intensity.

Oh my bloody self! It’s him! Her angelic side gasped in shock while her devilish and nasty side just smirked at her.

“You’re Ms. Rose? The design manager?” he asked.

She frantically nodded.

“What is this? A joke? You’re the manager that my father spoke so highly of. I don’t freaking believe this! I am shocked that in a company of highly qualified and professional employees there’s one who doesn’t understand the terms of business,” he stated. “Ms. Rose one of the qualities you should have while working for a big company as Ambrose Fashion is punctuality, good first physical impression and dedication. Looking at you right now I doubt you have that. How did you even become a manager?”

No he did not! He doesn’t even know me to come to such a conclusion about me. She thought as she instantly gathered herself and faced him with boldness.

“Sir, I agree that being late to work is considered unprofessional but this has happened for the first time. Besides you don’t know me. The sole reason I am the head of the design department is because of the potential my formal boss saw in me. I deserve to be here because I am good at my job and there’s no doubt about that,” she firmly stated glaring at him.

Christian was impressed by her attitude. He liked it at least she wasn’t looking pitiful. He didn’t hate her that much now.

“Really?” he mocked. “I am sorry to say Ms. Rose, my father must had trusted you but I don’t. I honestly don’t care about what the paper says. All I want to see is the performance you can give me,” he stated his gaze lingering in her making her uneasy. He finally broke the eerie silence. “ Alright then convince me.”

“Wh…what?” her eyes widened.

“You’re good right? Then convince me Ms. Rose. I am giving you a challenge to make me happy with your skills. If you manage to make me smile then you’re in. Fail to do that, you are out. Done.”

“But sir I….”

“I am done with you Ms. Rose. You may leave now. You have the next two days for that work to be done and compiled. The lingerie fashion exhibition is coming in the next four days. You have today and tomorrow to wrap up everything.”

“The lingerie fashion exhibition? Sir, that takes a week. My team and I can’t do that in just two days. We are talking about a lot here!”

He raised his head from the laptop and gave her a hard stare. “I thought I told you that we are done talking Ms. Rose. If you really love your job then you would hurry up and start working.”

“Are you serious? Why are you doing this?” she waves her arms by her side and when she saw his eyes hardening she gulped down her profanities and meekly nodded. “Okay sir,” she confirmed and walked out.

He smiled as he continued his work on the company files.

Her heart was beating way too much for her liking when she stepped out. She leant against the door trying to calm it down. How was everything possible? He was suppose to be stranger and never to see him again. Why was this happening to her now? She kissed him. She kissed the most handsome man she has ever seen or will ever see. She bit her lower lip as those sparks and feelings came back. His touch and those lips.

God she was screwed!

“Hello! Maya are you there?” Noor snapped her fingers on her face and Maya woke up from her thoughts.

“Yes?” she dazzling looked at her friend and her eyes went to the chocolate milkshake she had. Without any question she took it and took a long drink.

“Oookay? What is going on? Why are you so restless?” Noor asked as they walked to the elevator.

Maya took a deep breath. “Noor please tell me that I did not kiss a man thinking that it was Brad and the same man miraculously turns out to be my boss.”

“Wait! Hold on! Hold on! What did you say? You…you kissed our boss? Where? When? How did it happen?”

“After you left, I thought of passing some time by playing some games and my eye caught Brad and I’s picture. I got emotional all over again. I was already drunk and wasn’t feeling great. I thought of going home and that’s when I dumped into the demi God at the entrance. The first minute it was him as himself then the next he was Brad. I was overwhelmed and I sprouted everything to him. I told him all of my secrets, all of my insecurities and flaws then I kissed him. I kissed him Noor and I would be lying if I say it wasn’t the best. I felt alive just by his touch. Something I have never felt with Brad.”

“Awww! Isn’t that cute! Maya, I am so happy for you. This is the most beautiful love story I have ever heard. Finally, someone who truly deserves you has come. Girl, that man is a real deal. If I didn’t have a boyfriend he would be my first target. I am actually surprised that you didn’t faint on him. Oh what am I saying? He is basically all yours,” she gave her a teasing nudge whilst Maya gave her a disbelief look.

“What?” staring at her. “Maya, that man is both a poison and an antidote. Girl, you have no idea how many women want him the moment he stepped into this building. You’re lucky that you got the taste of him.”

“Noor stop please. Don’t get over yourself because kissing him was not the worst part. The worst part is I threw up on him and in his car. Did you hear that? I puked on him. God I feel like dying.”

“No. No my dear you can’t die. If you die then who will continue your love story tell me? Listening throwing up on him and in his car is the most disgusting thing you could have done but you enjoying your time with him didn’t you? The biggest question is does he still remember that it’s you.”

They shared a look and shrugged simultaneously.

“The second big question. Do you regret it? The moment you guys shared?”

“No,” the words left her mouth before she could stop them. “I strangely don’t regret it.”

“Excellent. Now we have to figure the next step,” Noor determinedly said rubbing her chin in thought.

“You are right. He doesn’t trust me with my position. He thinks I am incapable and I want him to trust me. Noor, I have two days only to prove myself to him. Here is what you are going to do. Call a department meeting, I need all the teams together. We got an exhibition to prepare for. Come what may we have to get as many investors as possible.”

“You got it boss lady!” she saluted and made her way to do her task.