CHAPTER 6

In The Car Lester asked, “Where are we heading boss?”

Augustus thought for a moment and then replied, “Let’s go home and ahh.. invite Giovanna to have dinner with me at my place.”

 Lester nodded. “Okay Boss.” Both sat in silence until they reached their destination.

 ...

Next day, As per ritual Lisa and Augustus came to park. Lisa jogged while Augustus followed her and watched her.

 Just as Lisa entered the hotel, Anna greeted her and told her, “Ma’am Lisa, President has arranged board meeting today. As your our New General Manager you’re invited to attend it.”

 Lisa nodded and asked the time of meeting. “ eleven clock.” Anna replied.

 Lisa looked at the watch on her wrist, there is still one hour in meeting. ...

 At 10:55 Lisa entered the meeting hall and surprised to see too many people in there. Everybody was talking just as she entered. Everyone looked at her in unison. She got nervous after all she doesn’t know anyone here. She was a stranger and an un-experienced employee. She smiled and lowered her head nervously.

 Just then a handsome man approached her stretching his strong arm to her. “Hi, Cristian Silas.” He said with a bright and charming smile.

 Lisa looked up at him, the man is wearing navy blue shirt with matching pants and tie. His sleeves has rolled up and she can see his vein popping out on his arms. Lisa shook her hand with him. “Lisa Mathew” While shaking his hand the door of the hall suddenly wide opened by Lester and Augustus walked in accompanied by a woman who was holding some thick files.

 Lisa looked at Augustus and then the woman behind. Augustus looked at her, than man beside her, and then Finally their locked hands. Lisa felt nervous and retreated her hand immediately.

Everyone stand and greeted him. “Good Morning President.” He greeted back, “Good Morning everyone.”

 He went to the center of the table and said “Everybody sit down.” Then he sat on his chair and everyone followed.

Lisa was looking where to sit just then Cristian gestured her to sit beside him. She felt warm by his gesture and sat beside him. Just then, she looked at the man in the center. He was wearing black suit today and so as she, what a coincidence.! Today, he is wearing gold rimmed glasses and he looked very serious and focused.

Just as she was studying him he looked up and met her gaze. She felt panicked and lowered her head but her face became instantly red by being caught. Augustus cleared his throat and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen. The reason of today’s meeting is to inform you all about new plans for this hotel. We are upgrading this hotel and my friend Miss Bella Mario is going to design this hotel.” He gestured at his right hand and a cute, tiny woman with red hair stand from the chair greeting everyone politely.

 Then Augustus said, “And I want you all to meet our New General Manager, Miss Lisa Mathew.” He pointed at her. She nodded at everyone politely.

 “This project is going to be called as “The Grand Hotel Of Carlos” I hope everyone here work hard and make it grand for real. Now, we should discuss about it briefly..”

 For whole two hours, they all were busy discussing ideas. Cristian kept turning around to look at Lisa whenever he suggested something. Lisa felt he’s trying to make her comfortable as she is new to all of this.

 It was lunch hour already, when the meeting finished. Everyone was heading out. Lisa also took this opportunity and tried to sneak out. However, when she was heading towards the door.

 A voice called out her name. She turned around and saw Lester approaching her. “Miss Lisa. There is something Boss needs to talk about.” Lisa nodded and stood at the corner waiting for people to go out. Lester stood beside her maintaining his distance and keeping his hands folded behind.

He kept saying in his mind “No Physical Touch, No Physical Touch.” Augustus was busy in discussion with Bella. The way they both were talking, they looked very close and Bella kept touching his shoulder and squeezing his palms sometimes. He didn’t mind at all. By seeing this cheerful sight of them, Lisa felt a bit uncomfortable.

Lester saw her being uncomfortable. To cheer her up he said in a low voice, “Nice suit, Miss Lisa.” Lisa looked down at herself and replied shyly, “Thanks Lester. By the way, we both are wearing same color. Looks like we are going to hunt someone.”

“Hunt someone?” Lester asked confusingly.

Lisa said in a manly voice, “James Bond” making her hand in a gun and pointing at Lester. Lester stunned by her action and then both laughed loudly.

At that moment, the voice of something breaking came. Bang..! Both turned and looked at glass on the ground shattered into pieces and looked up at Augustus.

 “Oops..! It slipped.” Augustus said innocently.

At that moment, Lisa hurriedly walked over to him. The creaking sound of her sandals stepping onto the glass pieces could be heard in the hall. “Are you fine.?” Lisa asked while approaching him. Augustus thought of something and yelled in pain. “Ouch.. my hand it hurts.”

Lisa took his hand immediately and checked if there is any cut. Then she asked in concern. “There is no cut. Did your veins got stretched? Where does it hurt? Tell me?” She rubbed his hand. Augustus pointed at his fingers indicating the pain. Lisa gently massaged his hand to lose the veins. Augustus was greatly shocked by her actions today. He looked down at her with deep eyes.

Her long eyelashes were covering her eyes, her face features were really beautiful. He was mesmerized by her concern. Although, he was annoyed by her just now and threw the glass on floor intentionally. But when he saw her walked through shattered glass with worry on her face. He felt happy in his heart and pretended to be innocent and injured.

After massaging for few minutes, Lisa realized she has come really close to this man just now without thinking. She looked up and met his deep gaze on her. She asked embarrassedly “Still hurting?” He shook his head. Lisa released his hand and took a step back. “I’ll go and bring ice for you.” “No need” Augustus replied instantly looking at his hand. He then asked, “What were you both laughing at.?”

Before Lisa could reply Lester said first, “Miss Lisa and Boss is wearing the same color today.” Lisa stared at Lester. Lester smiled apologetically at her. “Why did she pointed at you then.?” Augustus asked confusingly tapping at table. “Oh,, Well.. Miss Lisa thinks you look like a James Bond.” Lester said cheerfully. “Hmmm... James Bond.” Augustus lips slightly curved at hearing this. Lisa’s face flushed red from embarrassment by hearing these words. Next moment, Augustus approached her and held her waist tightly and asked Lester, “How do we look together? Didn’t we look like a great couple.?”

 “Indeed Boss.” Lester replied honestly.

Lisa felt his grip on her body. There was sudden feeling of warmth in her heart. She couldn’t push him at all but she felt little annoyed, if his hand was injured. How could he held her so tightly. She realized, she was tricked by him, she stared at him angrily.

 Augustus ignored her stare and asked Lester to click their picture. “Come on Lisa, smile it’s just a picture.” He said to her. Lester clicked their picture and showed it to his Boss. Augustus looked at mobile and showed it to Lisa, “See, we both look great together.” He said proudly.

 Lisa shrugged in his hold and he released her quickly. Lisa calmed herself and said instantly, “Mr. Augustus I told you yesterday ...” Before she could complete her sentence. He cut her off and said, “I know you are a widow, so what? Who cares? It’s not a crime to be a widow. No one can control its own fate. You are free to do anything until you truly want to. So stop pretending that you’re hands are tied.”

 Lisa looked at him in disbelief. Just then he took out his card and gave it to her. “This is my personal number. I won’t be able to visit here daily as I have other projects too. If you need me you are free to call me anytime until you want to, Lisa.” He looked deeply at her and left.

 Lisa was dumbfounded and kept looking at his name on card. “Augustus Carlos.