Chapter 6: Natural Sweet

~Rubel~

"Mr. Delucia, please wait!"

He didn't listen.

I am dead, dead. Pressing the elevator button impatiently, finally, I took the stairs to stop him.

I could see him reaching the exit. With heels, I ran making, a clunking sound after him.

"Please, stop!"

"What?" he almost shouted, turning back to me.

"I am sorry," I said.

Well, I am not.”

"I am sorry for yesterday, and..." I panted, trying to catch my breath.

I am not sorry. I should've thrown you in that pond. Wait, I did.

"Ms. Rubel, I am not interested."

"Please, Mr. Delucia. Don't leave this project because you don't like me. If you join this, it will save my job, too."

What all the men wanted was one thing in their life to feel important.

He crossed his hand over his chest, looking away towards the busy street. He needs more importance. hungry pervert.

"I will pay for your camera. I will make it up to you."

He looked towards me and I took good care of my emotions. I practiced several times looking in the mirror. Puppy eyes would work here. Yes, continue with that, Rubel.

Yeah, yeah, he is coming for you, yeah. Keep it up.

"Okay."

Gottcha.

I blinked, keeping that innocent face. "Thank you."

"But I have some conditions."

Well, how could I expect good from him? He was just like me.

Before he could spill a word, Mr. Smith joined us. "Miss Rubel."

"Hello, sir. Please meet Mr. Delucia. He is our–"

"The upcoming photographer. I love your work, and I am happy you want to join us."

Appreciative words, coming from Mr. Smith's mouth. Is it even possible?

"Thank you, sir," the buttery reply came from his lips.

"Why are you here? Let's go inside and talk."

We came to the board room, where I saw Max was giving me a strange look wondering how in the world I fixed everything. I pulled my collar and rolled my eyes. Well, I did it.

"Mr. Delucia, Miss Rubel will start. I will join you in some time."

Mr. Smith left, leaving the two enemies in the room alone. I tried not to look at him.

"Well."

"Yes, Mr. Delucia. How can I help you?"

Did I eat honey for breakfast? No. I am naturally sweet when it comes to acting.

"Don't pretend to act. I know you don't like me."

And he ate the bitter gourd.

"No, I am genuinely sorry. What were you saying?"

No, I am not. I want to kick you in the stinky drainage.

"You told me you would help me fix my camera."

I nodded. Yes, I had to pay for that stupid thing as I needed to fix my income.

"But, I have a few more conditions."

"And that would be?" I gritted my teeth.

"You will assist me in this project as my personal assistant."

Fuck no. "What?"

"Listen to me, Mr. Delucia. I am the HR head of this company, not your maid." I pointed my finger as he arched his brow.

"Seriously?"

Oh, God. Please forgive me for a murder today.

"So, did you like the presentation?" Mr. Smith entered, interrupting the conversation.

"Yeah, I love it. It's just I need Miss Ruble to assist me in this project, and I promise you I will deliver my best." Delucia gave me a smug smile with his big words.

I rolled my eyes. There was no way Mr. Smith would allow me to work as an assistant. Who will take care of my work?

"Why not? I hope doing work with you will enhance her professional skills. I want her to give a hundred percent. But for the last few months, she is..."

I zone out not listening to Mr. Smith. I’m too concerned with him agreeing to this. Great, now Delucia’s my boss too.

Well, what would you do when the universe wants to fuck your ass? I was crying inside. I don’t know how much more bad news I can take.

"...Great, right, Miss Rubel?" my boss said, pulling me from my thoughts.

Delucia smiled at me, and I had to stretch my pale lips from east to west.

Mr. Smith left, and there came another member.

"Hey."

"Hello, Max."

"I hope everything is settled between you two?"

No, it's a war, and I am fighting without weapons.

"Yes," Delucia said with a cunning smile.

"So, we will start work tomorrow."

I really needed a break.

"Miss Rubel, I want you to explain to me all the client's requirements and their previous projects."

What? No.

"And what is this advertisement for?"

"It's a Women's attire and lingerie advertisement," Max smiled.

"Well, who is the model? I am sure you are not the one," Delucia added, making me cringe.

Max chuckled as they looked at me and I gave them a disgusted smile.

"No, I am not. I am not as beautiful as Miss Aurora."

I extended her photo from the file and Delucia's eyes widened.

"Wow, she is a beauty."

Max agreed.

Yeah, she is a beautiful girl, and I am not that was the whole conversation about,

But who cares? I didn't want a compliment from these two.

Max left and I plumped myself on the chair, working as he told me.

"Can you bring coffee for me?"

I furrowed my brows. Did he ask me?

"No, I will not."

He smiled and jerked back, clearing testing me. "Are you sure?"

Shit, he doesn't need to remind me of all the conditions which I agreed to.

"Fine."

I got up and brought two cups of coffee with a fake plastered smile, but the devilish mind inside me wants him to teach a lesson.

I made the worst coffee for him, and the best for me.

"Here,” I said, slamming it in front of him, almost making it spill over.

"Thank you," he looked at me with a sly grin adding, “But I need that one."

That was the second time I desired to kill someone so desperately, yet I extended my cup.

"Wow," I said in annoyance since I was a tad on the grumpy side. "Can I go? I am hungry."

He didn't answer.

I pushed back my hair and pulled it back into a messy bun, trying to stay calm.

"Take off your glasses," he demanded.

No.

"Why?"

"Because I told you to."

"No." I shifted them on my nose.

Look at him, thinking he can tell me what to do.

Suddenly, Max came with a slice of pizza and the smell made my stomach growl.

"Mr. Smith gave a pizza party, and here is one for you."

I thought he would extend the slice towards me, but the traitor gave it to Delucia. The smell made my mouth water as my new boss took a bite while grinning at me. I was fucking hungry, and nobody bothered to think if I wanted any.

I went to the restroom and washed my face, hoping to get some distance before I killed this guy, cursing my life again. In this entire world, no one is here who would care for me.

“No one,” I say to myself in anger.

Isn't it always like this? When we are hungry, our emotions heighten and for me, my emotions are directly connected with my stomach.

I frowned as tears welled up and I went to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. I slapped down some cash on the desk saying, “Two burgers with fries. Send it to the board room when it’s ready.”

The cashier took the money quickly and went to put my order as I went back to work.

What the heck? Was I wrong in thinking Max cared for me and was my friend? He didn’t even bring me a slice. Why do I care? Then Delucia. He didn't bother to ask if I wanted any while eating that slice.

Once I got my food from the delivery guy, I moaned as the first bite melted in my mouth.

"So, you do like unhealthy food," Max noted.

I opened my eyes but didn't answer him.

No, never. I would not allow him to spoil my happy eating moment.

I finished my burger with big bites.

"Burger and fries," I said to Max. “I had to eat something.”

"What burger?"

"The one that I just ate."

"That was not yours. It was Darius Delucia delivery. I told the guy to bring it in here."

I slapped my head in frustration. Like seriously? One more time, once again.

Lucky for me, I ordered the same thing and waited for it to arrive. The delivery guy came and gave me the parcel and I let out a relieved breath.

When Delucia came inside, I rested the brown bag in front of him.

"I ate your food. I didn't know."

He looked at me with a blank face.

"Here is yours."

I didn't wait for his answer and took my papers and settled at the other side of the table.

"We will start our shoot tomorrow."

"Fine," I replied.

"You will assist Miss Aurora, too."

What no, no, no! Not that snotty bitch.