Chapter 4

I stood there, unsure of what to do next. He's put me in a tight spot, yet, I can't seem to get myself off this. 

"Sir...I..." I stuttered, not sure what was going on in his head. Does he expect me to change here? If I do then he will find out I'm not a boy and that will be the end of me.

Sweat dripped down my face profusely, my palms grew wet and every nerve on my body screamed for me not to move. This is it, it's over.

I gulped and began unbuttoned my shirt when he spoke 

"What do you think you are doing?" 

I looked up and found him staring at me with a frown, and I gulped again, nervous and unsure.

"I...you asked me to change" 

"And who the hell told you I'm interested in watching you get dressed?" 

I bit my inner lips to hit my shame, it wouldn't kill if he showed me to his rest room to get changed.

"Over there" he pointed, "you are left with less than two minutes" 

I ran into the bathroom before he could complete his sentence and got changed. The chest binder was still intact and I'd been wearing it for over two hours now, and I feared I couldn’t keep it on much longer.

But there's no other way out. I just have to persevere. With a heavy sigh of relief, I walked out of the room.

"Get the file and follow me" he instructed and walked out of the room.

"What file is he talking about?" I glanced at the table and saw two files resting, a blue and a black file. Which did he want me to take?

I glanced back at the door and he was long gone, unsure, I grabbed both files and hurried out of the room.

We walked through the corridor, him, a tall, scary, sophisticated, bold, authoritative and arrogant boss. I had the urge to hit him but I doubt he would feel anything if I did, he was huge and his back, I won't lie, it's more than enough to draw a lady in.

No doubt Arian can't afford letting him go. I was too far gone in my head and didn't realize we had stopped walking and just like that, I bumped into his broad chest and stumbled behind, almost falling if he hadn't caught me.

"What are you thinking that you can't pay attention to the steps to take?"

Staring at him from this close, I realized just how tall he was and I was nothing next to him. And, he was handsome, very. For a moment, I imagined him being my man and how perfect it'd be.

I shook my head realizing my stupid thought, such can happen. I can't be with an arrogant man like him. Never!

I quickly adjusted myself and took a step back, "I'm sorry, sir" I could only apologize.

His gaze lingered on me a little more before he opened the door and entered the room. I went after him. There were people already seated in the meeting room waiting.

I waited for him to take his seat which was at the center of the table, then, I scanned the room and found an empty seat at the far end corner of the table. 

I carried myself to my seat and stayed quiet. Business work, I'm not too good at it. Even though Grandpa said I should study business because one day, I will take over the company but I don't agree with him.

Anything that complicates my life, I don't want.

As the meeting began and the two guys who seemed to have an idea on a product kept talking, I just sat there, thinking.

What exactly is my job prescription? Since I came, I haven't been told what to do and what not to do. And now, if I end up doing something I shouldn't do, I will be blamed and insulted for it whereas it's not my fault.

Sometimes, I wonder if he just doesn't like me or if he intentionally wants to make my life a living hell. 

All these while I was thinking, my eyes were on him. Not like I meant it but it just happened and he noticed. I quickly lowered my head, playing with my fingers...I was nervous again and I hate this feeling he gives me every damn time.

"These are all the ideas we have regarding the products and we hope it's enough proof to show how successful it'd be in the market" The guy who was talking ended.

Though I wasn't looking, I knew His eyes were on me. I could feel it.

"What do you think, Brian?" 

I was flabbergasted when he called my name.

"Me, sir?" I asked, unable to believe he'll need my thoughts on this matter.

I mean, I'm just an assistant, would my thoughts matter? Plus, there are responsible men and women in this room who seem to have wonderful and prosperous ideas for this project to work out well.

“Who else is named Brian in this room?” he asked, arching a brow.

That confirmed it, he meant me.

Damn! I'm dead, definitely.

I wasn't listening when the guy was busily talking, I have no idea what he said except the last part which I'm sure it's about a certain product...skin care product I guess.

I gulped, sweat began forming on my forehead as the room became hotter than normal.

"Umm, sir, I think the first thing to do here is to gain recognition from the society...what I mean is, no product can be sold if the people have no idea about it" I don't know if what I was saying made sense and was related but I just said it, with confidence.

"And how can we make them gain recognition?" He pressed on.

I adjusted myself to my seat.

"Celebrities...they are people with lots of fan bases and products like this will do well if it's been advertised by them. Because they'll look good and beautiful on the advert, majority of the people will want to try out the products because they believe their idol won't give them anything that will damage their body" I breathe out, "these people turn to have more faith in their idols" 

He tilted his head to the side, "so are you saying we should go ahead and support the product of this product? What if it doesn't work out? That will put the company in a great lost " 

Indeed, he was right. 

"True, that's why we should endeavor to create a good and high quality product, making sure it works well for all skin types and will help tackle simple problems people face like acne, and acne scars, wrinkles and other skin conditions...." I paused before continuing,

"I'd advise we start with a small amount of production and try out the advertisement with the idol...from there, we can slowly observe how well the product works and the people's reaction towards it" I finished.

 He said nothing.

Just stared at me for a long time.

Then turned to the others and resumed talking.

I will take that as a fair rate, I tried even though I couldn't give the best tips.

"Give me the file" he said and I hesitated before grabbing one among the two files on the table and handing it to him. But the look I got told me it was obviously not the one he wanted.

"I'm sorry" I quickly picked the other one and handed it to him.

He ignored me like a germ on his nails and continued talking. Hours went by and finally, they were done. 

I hope this won't be my daily routine? Else, I'll die of boredom some day.

The moment I stood up from my seat, I felt my chest tightened to the point I let out a soft, strained grunt. The chest binder, it's suffocating me and I can't keep acting okay.

As soon as we stepped out of the door, I ran in the right direction. I didn't bother to use the elevator,I took the stairs and thank God, I spotted the lady who took me to Justin's office earlier this morning, I ran up to her.

"Hi, please, can you show me the restroom?" I asked breathlessly. 

"Over there" she pointed and I rushed in and closed the door. I was dying.

Without wasting another second, I took off my shirt and quickly untied the binder. A wave of relief rushed down my spine, and my chest felt free after a long time.

"I almost died" I muttered, breaking like I'm from running a race.

"How am I supposed to keep this up if it's going to be like this?" I thought out loud, staring down at my bow exposed breast.

At that moment, I thought of cutting off the breast but then, I remember I'm a lady and that's exactly what makes me a woman. 

Plus, I don't have the money too and I can't risk my future over a job...not a future like this one that looks so bright. I chuckled at my own thoughts.

When I was better and could say I'm okay, I slowly put back on the chest binder and buttoned up my shirt. I was halfway done when I heard the door to one of the toilets creaked open and a man walked out.

He has this mischievous smile on his face that made me shiver. Who is he and why would he be looking at me like that?

"I heard a female voice, perhaps, was that from you?" He cocked his head to the side and I trembled.

Did he hear that? Shit! I thought I was alone so I didn't bother faking my voice as well.

"You must be thinking too much" I said, and was about to go back what I was doing when he said

He stepped closer, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. His voice dropped to a near whisper. 'I know what I heard…'"

"I get, you must be scared of being you because you don't want people to judge you" He said and I frowned.

What's he talking about? 

"It's okay, I'm gay too and a little twink like you are exactly my type!" 

I froze. My stomach churned. That smile wasn't friendly—it was dangerous. What am I going to do?