Life is full of challenges. Just face them all though you’re forced to do so.
***
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Mr. Song,” Ansel refuted “I just want to make sure that everything runs well.”
Ansel disclosed a cold and indifferent expression as if he didn’t need the cooperation. He gazed at Chin Hwa and Qeiza back and forth.
“If there’s something to be changed, don’t you think it can be done faster if Miss Kim is available at the same office as me?” he asked. “I won’t bother to call you and she won’t need to go back and forth from your office to mine and vice versa for the same intention. It’s so simple, isn’t it?”
The reasons Ansel put forward sounded so logical so that Chin Hwa and Qeiza were speechless. Although they were still in doubts, they didn’t deserve to indulge their prejudice.
“Or … lest these designs aren’t Miss Kim’s works?” Ansel accused. He deliberately attacked the ego and pride of his business partners in front of him, primarily Qeiza.
Qeiza held her fists tightly. He knew that Ansel intentionally provoked her as a strategy to reach his objective. What a damn! She felt helpless to keep rejecting his demand because Ansel played a subtle trick behind that logical reasoning.
“All right,” said Chin Hwa.
He had to give in for the sake of defending Qeiza’s pride. He was not willing if someone had some doubts about her abilities.
“Miss Kim will work in your office until this project ends, but remember to treat her well,” asked Chin Hwa. “She is the worthiest assets for our company.”
“You don’t need to teach me how to treat a woman, Mr. Song!” said Ansel. He was obviously offended by Chin Hwa’s warning.
“Well, I think the meeting’s over,” Ansel decided. “I want you to start working today, Miss Kim.”
Xander who always kept silent while observing the progress of the tough negotiation elbowed Ansel after leaving Chin Hwa and Qeiza.
“Why did you make such a ridiculous request?” he asked in surprise. “Didn’t you think that it would be better for Miss Kim to work in her own office?”
Xander had worked for Ansel for years. It couldn’t be counted how often they worked with female designers, but just this time Ansel demanded such a strange requirement. Even, it’s a bit crazy according to Xander.
Sitting beside Ansel, Xander was thinking of Kim Ae Ri during on their way back. He felt like he had ever seen that woman. When and where, that’s still hazy in his mind.
***
“Take care, Ae Ri!” adviced Chin Hwa shortly after Qeiza got out of his car, precisely in front of Company M.
“Don’t be so gentle with the man like Mr. Malik!”
Qeiza slightly glared at Chin Hwa, feeling disbelief that he would treat her like a teenager who would go out with a man for the first time.
“Sure,” answered Qeiza. “You don’t need to worry about me, Oppa. I must be able to defend myself.”
Chin Hwa shifted into the gear and drove his car back to his office after seeing Qeiza walked into Ansel’s company.
“This way, Miss Kim!” welcomed a receptionist. “Mr. Ansel has been waiting for you.”
It’s for the second time Qeiza was dumbfounded by Ansel’s behavior. She didn’t predict that he would leave a mandate to his receptionist and asked her to escort her directly.
“Please come in, Miss Kim.”
The receptionist invited Qeiza to come in soon after she reported the presence of that special guest to her boss.
Ansel’s pupils splashed in joy, seeing Qeiza’s attendance in his office. His gaze rolled over Qeiza’s appearance from top to earth. The young woman’s ideal body shape was covered by a maroon blouse, layered by a navy blazer with the buttons that left open.
A pair of trousers that Qeiza wore was in the same color as her blazer. She also wore a hijab and the color was like her blouse. It was really a collision of colors that made Qeiza’s beauty and charm even more indisputable.
Ansel even didn’t blink like he wanted to strip Qeiza and prey her right then and there.
“Ehem!” Qeiza cleared her throat. She felt uncomfortable to be looked as Ansel did.
Qeiza’s voice brought Ansel back from his trance. He quickly pretended to be busy by correcting his tie that felt like it choked his neck.
“Take a seat, Miss Kim!”
After being able to control himself and neutralize his nervousness, Ansel asked Qeiza to sit on the North side of his office.
“I’ve asked Xander to prepare a special room for you,” said Ansel.
“Thank you!” Qeiza replied.
She left her seat right away. Earlier, she had a small talk with the receptionist who led her to Ansel’s room and she had asked her where her room was. Though Ansel didn’t tell her, she wouldn’t get lost in finding her own room.
“Where are you going?”
Ansel questioned her while holding back his anger. He had never been left like that by any women, except Qeiza.
“Of course I’m going to my room,” Qeiza replied in a casual way. “Didn’t you want me to finish those designs ASAP, Mr. Malik?”
Qeiza deliberately gave a stress on her last sentence and her way to call Ansel as well.
“Not that quick, Miss!” Ansel prevented. “There’s still another rule that you should know and keep in your mind well.”
“Just tell me! You’re the king.”
Qeiza said in a cold voice and flat tone. Even, she looked like that she wasn’t patient to wait for Ansel’s explanation because she wanted to get lost from the man who had given her a status as a virgin divorcee.
Ansel stood up from his seat and walked slowly to close Qeiza. That woman really hurt his pride and made him feel challenging to conquer her even more.
Seeing that Ansel shortened the distance between them, Qeiza stepped backward. Hurriedly she turned the doorknob. Unluckily, her movement was slower than Ansel. That man had pushed the door strongly with one of his hands.
All over of Qeiza’s body suddenly got goosebumps. Her nape was so cold like it had just blown by an astral creature. Yet, she tried to control herself, keeping calm as if she wasn’t affected by Ansel’s treatment at all.
She turned around in a slow motion, venturing to defy her ex-husband’s dark eyes.
“Why? Are you scared?” Ansel asked, fighting hard to control a strange desire that arose out of him.
Qeiza took a deep breath to relax her tension.
“Scared?” What’s for?” she asked. “Most of this room has glass walls. Whoever will be able to see everything’s happening here.”
Ansel stared fix at Qeiza’s face. Once more time he got a big surprise from the woman he had just known, a brave young woman who hadn’t been intimidated by his behaviors. In contrast, she even counterattacked him.
'Shit!' Ansel cursed in silence. 'How could I forget those glass walls?'
He should have scrolled down all curtains before Qeiza arrived there. By doing so, there would be no one who could peep into his office.
“If there’s nothing you want to say more, let me do my tasks, Sir.”
Qeiza spoke in a stern tone. It’s more of an order than a request. Her hazel eyes also stared sharp at Ansel.
Oddly enough that Ansel obeyed the instruction without any rejection. He pulled his hand away from the door.
“Okay. This time I gave in,” Ansel said. “Take my kindness as an introductory gift from me.”
Qeiza stood frozenly. Still, Ansel could catch the gleam of scornful gaze splashed out of her eyes just by identifying how their colors changed. They were earlier brown then changed into bluish.
“You should keep in your mind that you can only go home if I allow you.”
Qeiza turned the doorknob and opened it. She still took a chance to poke her head after getting out of Ansel’s room.
“I’m not your full-time employee, Mr. Malik!” Qeiza talked back. “I’ll leave this office whenever I want to.”
There’s a quite loud of ‘Bang’ sound when Qeiza slammed the door right in front of Ansel’s nose.
“You—”
Ansel kneaded his fists very tightly, causing his muscles stuck out like banyan roots that spread above the ground. He followed Qeiza’s steps with his furious stare through one of his office transparent glass walls.
***
Whatever you wish, it takes struggle and seriousness to make it happen. *** Xander’s gaze was fixed on Qeiza who was concentrating at her works. He had examined Qeiza’s face for two days from the distance. “I’m pretty sure that she is Miss Qeiza,” Xander muttered several times to himself. He opened Qeiza’s personal data file that he had gathered currently. The last data informed that his boss’ ex-wife had finished her graduate program since a few months ago at one of the most popular universities of this town. Thus, it’s no surprise that she could get job here so easily. The problem was that the young woman he believed to be Qeiza was actually named Kim Ae Ri. Xander had never heard that name before. Was this just a coincidence that those two women had similar face? Or had Qeiza really changed her identity secretly? “Argh!” Xander growled in confusion and bit his fist. How could he let Ansel know if he himself hadn’t been able to gather the valid evidences about his guess yet?
Crossing the line will only cause troubles. *** “Ouch, I felt like I’ve just come back from a battle field.” Qeiza sank her butt on her chair, leaning back lethargic with her both hands dangling limply. She totally felt exhausted. “Did Mr. Malik treat you badly?” Qeiza was startled. She quickly fixed her sitting position. She cursed her carelessness for not paying attention to Chin Hwa’s desk. “You’ve come back?” asked Qeiza. “It’s supposed to be tomorrow, wasn’t it?” Chin Hwa walked up to Qeiza’s desk. “The schedule was supposed so, but the agenda moved forward so I could go home earlier.” “Ah!” Qeiza had nothing to say than ‘Ah’ in silence. She thought Chin Hwa was still abroad. “Tell me!” said Chin Hwa. “Did Mr. Malik treat you impolitely?” Qeiza exhaled hard. “No, he didn’t. But, he made me so tired.” “Huh? He often asked you to work overtime?” “Not really.” “So?” “I don’t know. I hate his dictatorial attitude,” Qeiza explained. “A bit possessive too.” Chin Hwa smile
If you want to catch a butterfly, just grow colorful flowers. Do not ever hunt them because all your efforts will end in vain. *** Qeiza’s heart pumped very fast. She wanted to fight back, but the power of the man that was dragging her was much stronger. When she realized that she was dragged outside of the restaurant through back door, Qeiza tried to elbow that man. “Ouch!” It’s heard the squalled groaning. Qeiza quickly turned around, being ready to launch a follow-up attack targeting the man’s personal asset. “Hold on, Ae Ri!” The man shouted, stopping Qeiza’s movement. “It’s me, Chin Hwa.” “Oppa?” Qeiza was dumbfounded. She didn’t expect that her boss would follow her. “Shshsh!” Chin Hwa hastily dragged Qeiza’s hand, hiding by walking hunched from car to car until arriving at his own car. “Get in quickly!” Chin Hwa commanded. His gaze continued to watch Ansel’s movement in the restaurant. It seemed that he took a glance at his watch on his wrist then rose from his seat.
Love is powerful addiction that can make a man lose control of his senses. *** “You aren’t allowed to park here, Sir!” The young policeman pointed at the blue sign with a circle and a red diagonal line. “Shit! All my lifetime, this is the first time I’m doing a foolish thing and making ashamed of myself,” Ansel grumbled. He leaned back his head on his seat of pride while looking up at the ceiling, still unbelieved that he could be so reckless just because of a woman. “I don’t seem to know you,” Xander commented. He sat on the couch by resting both his hands on his thighs. His fingers interlocked. Meanwhile, his gaze fixed on Ansel who was closing his eyes. “I don’t even know my own self,” Ansel replied without opening his eyes. Then there was a silence. Both of them were busy with their own thoughts, examining Ansel’s first experience that had just dealt with the law. *** “Oh Gosh! So, because of a woman your life could be messed up?” Xander yelled in disbelief after listeni
When you have no intention to find the light, then you’ll forever stay in the darkness. *** “I didn’t think you’re the new CEO of the company M.” “That’s it!” “Oh My God! Should we keep our distance from now on?” Ansel shrugged with a funny mimic. He didn’t also expect that the leader of the company which had become his business rival was his college friend. “It looks like that you’ve already known Mr. Song and Miss Kim very well,” said Ansel. He was affording to dig the information about Dae Hyun's and Qeiza's close relationship in an inconspicuous way. “Of course,” replied Dae Hyun. “We’ve ever become business partners too.” Dae Hyun took a glance at Chin Hwa. “Right, Mr. Song?” “It’s absolutely right!” Chin Hwa replied. Dae Hyun turned his attention to Qeiza. “Ah, Ae Ri … could we talk privately?” Without waiting for Qeiza’s reaction, Dae Hyun dragged her arm, walking fast out of the ballroom. Ansel’s biased eyes darkened. He hated watching that sight. If only he wasn’t
Once in a while, a prey is smarter than the hunter. *** Qeiza left her dresser with a flamboyant face. After she had been working like a prisoner in Ansel’s glass cage for almost a whole month, today she could breathe freely. The fashion show that was performed two days ago had become the finish line for her togetherness with Ansel. Now, she could go back to the embrace of peace, working at Chin Hwa’s office. Qeiza froze in front of her apartment door. A man was standing back to her, but he turned around soon after he heard the sound of the opening door. “Hi, Ae Ri!” Ansel greeted while serving his best smile. BANG! Qeiza reflexively moved backwards and slammed the door so hard. Her heart was pounding worriedly. “Why could he be here in this early morning?” she murmured. “He was absolutely a scary man.” Qeiza peeked through the peeping hole, making sure whether Ansel was still waiting for her in front of the door or had been leaving. “Shit!” Qeiza cursed while seeing that Ans
Lies will never end in happiness until whenever. *** Qeiza’s concentration in working was distracted by the phone ring. She glanced at her mobile phone that was lying on the corner of her desk lazily then continuing to focus her attention back to the designs she was drawing. She thought it was probably a prank call only. All this time, the one who had often called her while she was busy with her works was only Ansel. Currently, she didn’t take part in a design project with her ex-husband anymore. Thus, there’s no reason for him to disturb her perpetually. Unluckily, Qeiza couldn’t ignore that calls for any longer when her phone rang louder without any pauses. Beginning by taking a deep breath, Qeiza finally grabbed her phone. Her eyes narrowed a little bit while finding out an anonymous phone number occurred on the screen. However, she had no other choice than to accept the call. Qeiza’s expression changed all at once. She jumped from her seat. One of her hand moved swiftly, gra
Never let the nightmares of your past ruin your future! *** Instead of going back to her office, after escaping from the hospital, Qeiza asked the taxi driver to escort her to the bank of the Seine River. She was walking along the path on the bank of the Seine River with a feeling of uncertainty. Her eyes swept the beauty of the Eiffel Tower that seen obviously, hoping those amazing charms could get rid of all the worries that stuck in her chest. She truly didn’t understand why the fate kept making fun of her. She had been patient for years in waiting, cultivating the hope that one day Ansel would open his heart for her as she fell in love with him at the first sight while she was watching him saying the solemnization of a marriage on their wedding day. But, all her waiting led her to a painful hurt. When Ansel finally received her phone call, the thing she could hear was only a pampering woman’s voice followed by an intimate kiss. Qeiza’s heart broke into pieces like a glass tha