Chapter three

Chapter three

　　As soon as I get up, I change into my gym wear and go downstairs to my workout room. I turn on the treadmill, get on it, and work out for twenty minutes. Next, I lift 20-pound dumbells and when I am done, I go back upstairs to my room, take a shower, shave and get out. I go downstairs in my robe for an apple, with a towel wrapped around my head. On getting to the living room, I turn on the TV and watch the news.  It is 11:20 when  I check my phone, only to see two messages from Andre.

　　"Meet me at the new coffee place around cone Avenue"- 8:00 am

　　"Let's meet there at twelve noon"- 10:00 am.

 Shit!. It’s almost twelve, don't wanna make a bad impression. I better get ready.

　　I run upstairs, dry, and curl my hair. I don a short, wine-colored gown and black flats. I put my phone in my purse and grab my car keys. I run downstairs, get in my car, and drive to Cone Avenue. It is exactly 11:59 when I ar5rive at the rendezvous. I scan the room for Andre and see him in another section of the store guarded by a bodyguard, waving at me and at the same time beckoning on me to come over. I go over there and the bodyguard lets me in. I'm really nervous, I've never had such an official, high-class job before.

　　"Good afternoon, you're right on time, please sit" I don't even realize that I am still standing.

　　"Thank you" I sit and tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

　　"You do that a lot. Don't you?"

　　"What?" I ask in confusion.

　　"Never mind. Now to the reason why we're here i's like to run over some major rules for you".

　　"I'm all ears"

　　"ONE there should be no romantic relationship between the employer and the employee"

What?!. No, no, no, no, no why?.

　　"Will that be a problem?" he asks, eyeing me warily.

　　"No sir, not at all"

　　"Ok then TWO, the assistant is to report to the boss' home for personal work" personal work? What the hell does he mean by personal work.

　　"Sorry. I have a question, sir?"

　　"About what?"

　　"What do you mean by personal work?" He looks at me and laughed.

　　"Oh. I work from home sometimes so I might need you at home" Oh, that makes sense.

　　"Ok,"

　"Three,” 

Aargh, when is this going to end?. I got uninterested in his rules the moment I knew no romance was part of them. He takes a sip of his coffee, gracefully lifting the teacup and the saucer and wiping his mouth with a serviette.

　　"Lateness to work will not be tolerated. I have zero tolerance for tardiness but I can see that won't be a problem for you right?"

　　"Not at all sir"

　　"You haven't even touched your coffee yet"

　　"Oh, I didn't realize" I lift the cup and the saucer to my lips, and before thinking, I take a huge sip. It cruelly burns my tongue. Thank God I didn't spit all over him.

　　"Ow, Oh my God it's so hot" In the process of placing the cup down the rest of the boiling hot coffee pours on me. I can feel the hot liquid flowing from my chest down to my stomach leaving a painful burning sensation in its wake. Andre stands up and comes over to my side, placing a hand on my shoulder.

　　"Are you okay?" He motions to a waiter, "Can I get a guess of cold milk as soon as possible?".

 He picks up a serviette from the table and wipes my face and chest with it. This makes me forget all of the pain for a few seconds. The waiter came with the cold milk.

　　"Drink this, it should help" he advises, putting the glass to my lips.

　　"Thanks" I down the glass and it does help.

　　"Sorry, I'm so clumsy today. I'm not normally like this" I apologize, totally embarrassed.

　　"It's okay"

　　He thanks and pays the waitress. I think it’s time to go. I stand up quickly.

　　"Wait," Andre says.

　　"What?" I ask, not knowing why he stopped me.

　　"Nothing, it is just that you have a little milk at the corners of your lips," He says and I wonder why and how his eyes got to my lips. Maybe my forbidden lover loves me too. I try to get it but he stops me.

　　"Don't worry I'll get it"

　　He moves closer, holds my face in his left hand, picks a napkin, and wipes the corners of my mouth. As he removes his hand, his thumb brushes my lower lip and I get goosebumps from his touch. I freeze, unable to move.

　　"Thanks", is the only word that comes out of my mouth.

　　"Are you ok?" He asks looking me right in the eyes.

　　"Yeah, why?"

　　"Nothing" he replies and motions to his bodyguard.

 Ok, I'm definitely sure I'm crushing on this guy.

　　"Well I guess should get going. See you on Monday at 8:30sharp"

　　"Okay sir," I say and we leave the coffee shop.

　　"You should suck on an ice cube later"  Ice cube?? Now I'm confused.

　　"What?"

　　"For your tongue"

Oh...

"Oh, thanks” I turn quickly and walk to my car.

　　He gets into his car and left. How come he doesn't have a driver....weird... I got in my car, went home, and spend the rest of the day thinking about my 'FORBIDDEN LOVE'.