Chapter 3.2

"And oh, you will be given twice your salary."

My lips parted, is he joking? "Are you for real, sir?" I'm shocked and amused by him at the same time.

"So, what do you say?" He's smiling, and it was making the atmosphere light and likable. I'm beginning to like this side of him that I wasn't able to witness since I started working here.

I smiled back to him. Am I really going to decline this offer? I mean, wow, twice my salary? Plus, it's just for two months. If ever I feel like being his secretary is tiring, I can stay just until before Ms. Geller come back.

"Yes. I mean, I'm accepting your offer, sir. Why wouldn't I?"

His smile widened, and he offered his hand for a handshake. I accepted his hand and I expressed my gratitude, "Thank you, sir. For thinking that I'm fit to be your secretary."

"You'll move to Ms. Geller's cubicle tomorrow. It's your first day. Be early, okay?"

I chuckled, "Noted, sir. I'll be early."

Mr. Easton handed me a brown envelope before telling me that I can go now. He said that the envelope consists of everything I need to do as his secretary starting tomorrow.

When I came back to my cubicle, I took my bag and I exited the building. On my way home, I took a bus just like I always do. And when I arrived, I cook myself dinner and I ate while reading the papers inside the envelope that sir Conrad gave me. I spent almost an hour before deciding to take a shower and put on comfy clothes for bed. I played games on my phone before going to bed. I even messaged my aunt too. Telling her how bad I miss her, and how I wanted to see her again. I also told her that I might be able to buy her a ticket all the way here in Vegas.

I grinned, special thanks to Mr. Conrad Easton by the way.

When I felt tired, I lay on the soft mattress of my bed. And I yawned before closing my eyes to sleep.

In my slumber, I had a dream. It was a flashback of what happened between me and Kairo.

---

Morning came, and I woke up feeling excited. My mornings have never been this pleasant for me. I feel good, I feel energetic, and I feel willing to go to work.

And when I saw the wall clock, that's when I realized that I woke up very early. But I didn't mind. I took a shower, groomed myself as I beautify my face. I even wore one of my favourite outfits and I never thought that work could make me feel this way. 

Before going to work, I decided to have breakfast at the nearest diner. I satisfied myself, and I made sure that I'm full. On my way to work, I have a coffee on my hand. I was indeed early 'cause no one else was there when I arrived. The whole place is quiet and peaceful.

"Genevieve, you're early."

I almost jumped, and my heart skipped a beat when I was startled by someone. I turned to that person and found out that it was the CEO himself and he's behind me. 

I smiled at him, "Good morning, sir. You startled me."

He just smiled. "Come, I'll show you where your new cubicle is." Sir Conrad just walked pass me, and I followed him. I heard nothing, but our footsteps. And I see no one else, but us. Both of us were quiet as we took the way to my new cubicle. And when we arrived, it was only a few steps away from the CEO's office. I mean, of course, he'll always need his secretary.

I stopped walking when Mr. Easton stopped too. I thought that he was going to enter his office now, and leave me all on lonesome. But I was wrong when be turned around and faced me. I can't see any visible emotion by looking at his face. And I can't tell if something is wrong or what, but it somehow bothered me.

"Sir?" I keep my eyes on his sea green ones. I toughened myself, and I forced myself not to look at him. And I succeeded when he was the one that looked away instead.

I congratulated myself inwardly for that because I can't usually stand eye to eye contact.

"I'm sorry, I'm hesitating to ask you something."

That made me shower him my entire attention. And the fact that no one else is around us, I could do whatever my heart tells me to do for I am free of judgments from my co-workers.

But seriously, even if there are people watching you, just do whatever you want. It might be right or wrong for others, but you might as well do it. People are people, they always have something to say even if you're being reasonable from your perspective.

A small smile was formed by my lips, "Don't hesitate, sir. You're free to ask me anything. I'm your employee, of course."

Sir Conrad just stared at me for a couple of seconds after what I said. And with that, I can't help but to admire his eyes that look like a planet that haven't been discovered by any human being. His eyes are far from being blue green. I can't find the right words to describe them, but they're perfect for me. The pupil of his eyes are surrounded by a greenish color which is also enclosed by a bluish shade. And his lashes, damn, his eyelashes. They add more details that make him look dreamy despite of always being formal.

Looking at him, in my perspective, he just needs someone that will always put him in a good mood. Someone that's willing to always make him feel like smiling is a habit that he does whenever he's with someone he knows or someone that he's not familiar with.

That led me thinking...

Has he ever been in love? Has he ever been with a woman that makes him feel safe, taken care of, and loved? A woman that's able to put up with him despite all the challenges, and his busy schedule?

"You know what, if you're hesitant right now. You can ask me anytime instead. Don't pressure yourself, sir. It's so early in the morning." I said, trying to amuse him with a small laugh in the end. I was glad when he laughed too, and when he seemed amused enough for me. Because it'll be so embarrassing if I failed on lighting up the atmosphere between us.

I was able to put a small smile on his lips. After a few seconds, he sighed as if he was carrying the heaviest baggage in the world.

"Yeah, it's so early."

I chuckled, "You told me to be early for work. So, here I am."

I spin myself in front of him and that made him laugh again. I was enjoying the way that I'm being myself in front of my boss. In front of someone that I once defined with nasty prejudice. Someone that I should be grateful for believing in my writing skills for I have been working in his company for years now.

"How about we go have breakfast?" He offered, which made my eyebrows raise as if surprised.

"Breakfast? Uhm, thank you for your offer, sir. But I already had breakfast earlier."

He grinned, and I believe that it's one of his facial expressions that I haven't witnessed yet.

He made me feel special again.

"But you're my secretary now, wherever I'll be, you should be there too. Just right beside me."

My defenses are weak specially for this man that just showed me the side of him that I failed to recognized before.

And so, I gave up.

"Okay. I'll be beside you then. Wherever you are."

"Good then."

He went inside his office to put his briefcase. As for me, I have trust issues, so I carried my bag with me. Sir Conrad and I went to the parking lot, and I realized that I'm going to take a ride with him in his car. I pretended that it was nothing for me, and that it wasn't the first time. I also told myself that I have to be used to it.

I was taken aback when he opened up the door for me. I smiled at him before entering his car, as I sit and fastened my seatbelt. I'm sitting beside him, at the passenger's seat.

"So, Mr. Easton, where are you planning to eat breakfast?"

He turned to me excited, "Clara's."

I gasped, "You got to be kidding me! I love Clara's!"

"I do too. I'm friends with the owner." 

My jaw dropped because of what he said, and he laughed at my state as if he's used to people reacting like how I did.

"Are you going to eat with me now?"

I acted like I'm a kid thinking, and having a hard time choosing over two things.

"I'm kinda shy, but okay."

He chuckled, "Don't be shy. It's for free."

The car started moving and just like how I am whenever on a car ride, I looked outside the window and observed everything that we're passing by.

"Genevieve," I turned to him when I heard him call my name. "Hmm?" His eyes focused on the road while driving.

"Tell me everything you know about me. Don’t lie, and be honest."

The formality of his voice came back, and I knew that there’s something else that I’m not seeing. Something else that he can’t be straightforward about.

I stared at his serious face for a long time before finding the right things to say; the things that I know about him.

I have no plans of lying, but...

What just happened?