CHAPTER 9: A GIRL FOR THE BOSS

For the rest of the day, Alex took me out to change my wardrobe, as he said. We went to the salon to get my hair done. From there, we went to the manicure and pedicure spa, then to the shopping mall. Alex took his time letting me get a lot of clothes, shoes, and jewelry.

I got tired at some point and couldn't walk anymore. I had to make Alex stop so we could get lunch.

“While we are here, I want you to know that a little photoshoot will be done tomorrow. You will be having dinner with Eric at one of his best restaurants in town. I will be there to take a few photos. On Friday, you will be attending a party with him.”

All this was getting me annoyed. I mean, why wouldn't he let me eat? I had been walking around all day trying to make myself the perfect girl for Eric Sarton.

“Are you even paying attention to any of the things I have been saying so far?"

"No, Alex, because you won't let me eat and think straight. Let me enjoy my food, then I will listen to you forever if I have to.”

“I would really love it if you wouldn't make things difficult for me as well. Do you really think I am enjoying this?”

“I know you are not enjoying it either; that's why we need to eat and relax, for goodness' sake. Your boss is not here, so eat. Why are you even the one carrying the cross? We are both Eric’s employees, so let's eat, and then we can get back to work.”

I didn't expect him to glare at me. What did I do wrong to deserve that look?

“Don't talk about him like that,” he said; it sounded more like a warning. So my guess is that Eric and Alex have a relationship that is more than that of a boss and an employee.

“I didn't mean to say anything bad, okay? I am just saying you should relax and eat. I am sure Eric wouldn't want you starving yourself.”

He just sighed and started eating. I wondered what type of relationship he has with Eric. With the way they interacted, they seemed pretty close.

“So, is there anything I should know about my husband?" The words sounded strange to me. I would be getting married to Eric Sarton. I still couldn't believe it.

“Nothing much; like I said, he is a workaholic. I suggest you figure him out by yourself. He might seem cold and distant, but he is not bad.”

I figured out he was struggling to give a positive response. Maybe they are not as close as I thought.

“What are his likes and dislikes? I really don't want to get into any trouble with him.”

“Just don't mingle much in his business. He loves his privacy like hell.”

“What about his parents? What will they say about this? Are they even aware that he is doing this?”

“Wait, don't tell me you haven't done a background check on him.”

“I haven't; if you remember, I told you I don't have a phone.”

"Oh, that's true; that reminds me. I got this for you earlier today; I didn't mention his parents because I thought you knew already,” he said, placing a new phone in front of me.

I didn't know what to say; he was doing so much that I couldn't find a way to thank him.

“Thank you, Alex."

“For the phone?” he asked.

“Yes, and for finding me. I really don't know what I would be doing by now if you hadn't approached me with this idea.”

"It was nothing; I did what I had to do.”

“I promise to pay you every dime you spent on me once everything is back to its normal place.”

“You don't have to, and besides, Eric is the owner of the card we have been using all day. Don't worry about a thing; that dude is loaded with money. Spending a few on his fiancée wouldn't hurt, would it?”

I think it was the first time I heard Alex make a joke, and he even smiled.

“You know, you do look better with a smile than with the usual frown that is always sitting on your face. That was why I assumed Eric was a bad boss to you. He looked all handsome and emotionless, so carefree. So I thought you were the one carrying most of the load.”

**Alex's POV**

I was surprised by her words; she actually found Eric to be a cold, wicked boss. Well, when it comes to being wicked, I would use Eric's terms to be wicked at times. But it wasn't to anyone, but to himself. He has been through a lot, and whenever I see him, my heart aches.

He has lived with the guilt of killing his parents, and somehow he turned his guilt into a nightmare and a disease that he has been suffering from for a while now.

“Eric is not wicked; he might be cold, but he is far from being wicked.”

“How long have you two known each other?”

“Eleven years. I met him after his parents' deaths." Lilly's eyes widened in shock. I'm guessing she wasn't expecting Eric's parents to be dead.

"I'm so sorry about that."

“It's okay, but don't ever talk about his parents around him. Also, his cold attitude is a result of what he went through after his parents' deaths."

“I feel bad for him. When I lost my parents, I was devastated, and then I got separated from my brother. I still believe he is alive; he is the real reason I am here. I want to find him because he is the only family I have left in this world that I can trust.”

“What about your aunts and uncles?"

“I never knew anyone from my mother's side, and my dad was not on good terms with his family because he married my mother.”

I saw the sadness visible in her eyes. I knew that behind all of this is a very strong girl who has been trying to hold onto the little life she has left.

I started feeling bad knowing that we didn't actually tell her why we really wanted to help her. She mustn't know about it, or a lot of things will be damaged. I pitied her too, and I just hope that both she and Eric will find a way to move on.

They are mostly stuck in their past; they need to move on and face the future while consoling each other.

“I will make sure we find your brother, I promise. Now eat; we both need to rest and await tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Alex. I am having this feeling that signing this contract will never be a mistake."

"Yeah.” I was already feeling bad. I hope that when the time comes, she will be able to accept the truth.