Addict And Alergy

"S-sir," Noreen said nervously. "Why are we here? Isn't the matter over? I can go home now, right?"

"No," Thiery said firmly. "I haven't had dinner yet, and you have to accompany me."

"Err... Is accompanying the boss to dinner part of my duties? Aren't my duties supposed to be related to design matters?" Noreen asked, frowning.

Thiery stopped walking so abruptly that Noreen, her hand in Thiery's, nearly slipped, being pulled backward, and Beta Sander nearly collided with Thiery's back.

"Gosh, you have a really good foot brake, boss," Noreen said, startled.

Thiery reached out and stroked Noreen's forehead, stunning her.

"Don't get into the habit of frowning," Thiery muttered again, then walked calmly back to the private elevator. "Your duties are what I tell you to do, so whatever it is, don't complain too much, or I'll deduct ten percent from your salary for every complaint."

Noreen turned her head, her eyes wide, then sneered. "You're stingier than a loan shark, sir. So, every time you make me do something other than design-related work, I can ask for a ten percent increase in my salary?"

Sander followed behind them with a smile. This time, it seemed the Alpha had found a worthy opponent.

Thiery squeezed Noreen's hand in exasperation. Why did this woman always argue and turn things around?

"I'll add 15 percent," Thiery said. "So stop talking and just follow me."

"How about this?" Noreen asked, raising her hand from Thiery's grasp. "The boss and his expert staff don't need to hold hands like this, right? What if there's gossip?"

Thiery sighed and let go of Noreen's hand. He suddenly felt something slip from his heart.

"Gosh, you're so calculating," Thiery said quietly. He glared at Noreen. "Speed ​​up your pace. I'm hungry."

Noreen walked briskly beside Thiery, whose stride was twice hers.

The three of them entered the elevator. Thiery and Noreen stood side by side, but then Noreen glanced at Sander, who stood behind Thiery, unmoving.

Noreen stepped back slightly. Not quite to Sander's level, but not exactly side by side with Thiery either.

Thiery glanced at her, then sighed and shook his head, but said nothing.

The elevator stopped with a soft chime on the 20th floor and opened into a brightly lit corridor, emanating from a row of chandeliers high up in the ceiling.

Sander led the way to a large door and unlocked it with a special key.

Noreen's eyes widened when she saw the room behind it. It was truly the most beautiful Scandinavian-style room Noreen had ever seen.

"Wow," Noreen said, turning to Thiery. "Is this... the VVIP room?"

"Golden room," Thiery replied. "There are only two on this floor and two on the 21st. The 22nd floor is the first premium hall, the 23rd floor is the second premium hall, the 24th floor has a swimming pool, gym, children's play area, spa and sauna, and a medium-sized conference room. The 25th floor is the restaurant. There are three restaurants combined there, and two bars."

"This is beautiful," Noreen said as she entered. "This is a complete house design in one area. The rent must be very expensive, right?"

"This is mine, and the second Golden Room belongs to my father, but he opens it up to anyone in the family who needs it," Thiery said. "Because he rarely uses it."

Noreen shook her head, trying to guess how wealthy the Bradley family was, but the sheer number of figures made her dizzy.

"Beta Sander, have you ordered the food?" Thiery asked, sitting on one of the sofas in the middle of the room. "For you too?"

"They're on their way here, Alp, uh, boss," Sander said, almost slipping away again. Luckily, Noreen was focused on the paintings on the wall.

As Noreen was staring intently at a photograph on a table near the sofa, there was a knock on the door.

Sander opened the door, and three men in brown and beige uniforms entered, each carrying a trolley loaded with covered plates.

The mouth-watering aroma of the food drew Noreen's attention away from the photograph.

"Sir, you ordered dinner here?" Noreen asked in surprise.

"Yeah. I don't really like eating at restaurants, unless I book them just for me so no one else interrupts my meal," Thiery said.

"Book a restaurant?" Noreen asked. "You mean, the whole restaurant, just for you?"

"Sometimes a few Betas and a bodyguard, too," Thiery said.

"Gosh," Noreen muttered. "It's a waste, but it must be quite nice. No gossiping, faster service, and no sold-out menu items."

Thiery's brow furrowed at Noreen's murmur.

Thiery was increasingly realizing that Noreen had a unique side that was becoming more and more appealing.

She wasn't just brave and intelligent, but also honest and straightforward. She spoke her mind without hesitation and didn't try to hide her feelings just to please others.

"A Luna quality, isn't it?" Dash said quietly. "It's hard to find someone like that."

Thiery didn't respond. He watched Noreen's eyes light up as Sander removed the covers from the plates one by one and helped the waiters place the food on the dining table.

Thiery stood up from the sofa and sat beside Noreen on the dining chair, while Sander sat across the table from Thiery.

"Uh, do you have chocolate pudding? Or anything made with chocolate?" Noreen asked one of the waiters.

The waiter nodded. "Of course, ma'am," he replied. "We have tiramisu brownie cake, opera cake, triple chocolate balls, double chocolate tart. We also have pudding."

"I'd like a double chocolate tart and a tiramisu brownie," Noreen said happily. She turned to Thiery. "Can I have that?"

Thiery nodded. "Just order everything. You can take it home if you don't finish it here."

They ate dinner in silence. Occasionally, Thiery would explain the names of the dishes on the table to Noreen, or vice versa, if Noreen asked.

Before finishing the main course, the waiter who had taken Noreen's order returned with several types of chocolate sweets.

Noreen's eyes widened at the appearance of the treats. "These are so beautiful and look delicious."

"You like chocolate that much? There are so many other sweets here," Thiery said.

"Hmm," Noreen replied, busily spooning chocolate pudding with mango sauce into my mouth. "This is amazing. I've had a habit since I was little: whenever I go somewhere I've never been before, I try the chocolate. In any form."

"Why chocolate?" Thiery asked. "There are strawberries or other fruits that are made into sweets. Or cheese."

"Because chocolate is unique and universal," Noreen replied, licking her spoonful of pudding. "Eating chocolate makes you happy and improves your mood. I have an addiction to chocolate, I think."

"Only for humans," Thiery muttered.

"What did you say, boss?" Noreen asked, straining her ears. Thiery seemed to like talking to himself at times.

"Ah, no, I just remembered something," Thiery said quickly.

Noreen saw Thiery and Sander just staring at her, enjoying all the desserts.

"Sir, why don't you try one of these?" Noreen asked. "These are all very delicious, and I think if you're interested in starting a culinary business, you should hire a chef."

Thiery smiled faintly. "I don't eat chocolate-"

"This is the best. Try it," Noreen said, pushing a spoon to Thiery's mouth.

Sander panicked when he saw Thiery accept the bite with a smile and look at Noreen, who was watching him intently.

"How does it taste? It's delicious, isn't it? Ugh, I really want to come here often and enjoy these pastries. They're all delicious and-"

Brugh!!!

The sound of something falling beside Noreen startled her and stopped her sentence. She almost screamed when she saw Thiery fall from the chair to the floor, pressing his left chest, his face pale.

Sander panicked, but he kept his composure and took something from his jacket pocket, a syringe, and inserted it behind Thiery's ear.

Gradually, Thiery's face began to bleed again, and he stopped pressing his chest, but his breathing was still heavy, and his eyes were closed.

Sander carefully picked Thiery up and carried him to the sofa, carefully laying him down. Noreen followed behind him, confused.

"Mr. Sander, what happened? Did the boss get poisoned?" Noreen asked quietly.

Sander turned his head and looked at Noreen with a smile. He nodded. "Yes. Our boss is allergic to chocolate."

Noreen gasped.