CHAPTER 05

ALLISON'S P.O.V.

The fear, anxiety, and countless thoughts racing through my mind vanished the moment our skin touched. A strange current shot through my entire body, leaving me completely breathless.

I couldn't explain the overwhelming feeling that washed over me when our lips met. Every gentle caress of his hands across my body sent shivers down my spine, making my heart pound even faster.

He still hadn't let go of my lips. His hand slowly slipped beneath my blouse, gently tracing my waist as he deepened the kiss.

A soft gasp escaped my lips, surprising even me. The unfamiliar sensation made it impossible to think straight, and before I knew it, I was kissing him back just as passionately.

Just as everything around us seemed to disappear...

**Knock. Knock.**

I immediately pulled away and gently pushed him back before hurriedly fixing my clothes.

"What the fuck?" he growled in frustration, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

He looked at me, making me quickly turn around and pretend to busy myself with straightening my appearance.

"What's your problem, Mr. Sebastian?" an irritated voice asked as someone stepped into the office.

"Oh? You were in a good mood just a minute ago. Why do you suddenly look so pissed?" the man teased.

"What do you need? Just leave," Dwayne replied coldly.

"I'm only here to remind you that you have a meeting with Arson Company."

The man chuckled as his gaze shifted toward me.

"What happened to you, Ms. Del Fierro? You look like you've been through quite an ordeal."

My cheeks immediately burned with embarrassment.

"Cancel all of my meetings today," Dwayne ordered. "Now get out."

The man simply grinned mischievously before leaving the office.

As soon as the door closed, Dwayne looked at me again.

"Shall we continue?"

The question alone made my heart race all over again.

I quickly shook my head, smiling when I saw the disappointment written all over his face.

"It's break time, Sir. Bye!"

Without waiting for his response, I hurried out of the office.

I went straight to the company's enormous cafeteria and couldn't help but stare in amazement. It was beautiful, spacious, and filled with an endless variety of food.

Out of habit, I checked my wallet.

Only fifty pesos remained.

I was about to leave when I ran into Greg.

"You're not eating?" he asked.

I nodded.

"That's a shame. Everything here is free for employees."

My eyes immediately lit up.

"Why didn't you tell me that earlier? I was just kidding—I am definitely eating. I'm starving."

I quickly lined up behind him.

"I thought you were already full."

I froze, realizing exactly what he was implying.

My face instantly turned red.

"W-What are you talking about? Do I look like food to you?" I snapped.

Greg only laughed.

"Ahem."

Both of us turned toward the deep voice behind us.

Of course...

It was Sir Dwayne.

"Oh my gosh... Sir Dwayne is so handsome!"

"I wish he'd notice me just once."

I nearly laughed after overhearing the excited whispers from a few employees.

"Is this his first time eating here?"

"I think so. He hardly ever comes down to the cafeteria."

The whispers continued, so I focused my attention on the food in front of me instead.

"So," Greg teased, "what brings you here, boss?"

Dwayne ignored him.

Instead, he kept staring at me.

"Damn... someone's completely smitten," Greg laughed.

After choosing my food, I searched for an empty table.

There wasn't a single one available.

"Allison! Over here!" Greg called.

I hesitated, but since every other table was occupied, I had no choice but to join them.

I quietly ate my lunch, hoping Greg would stop teasing us.

Unfortunately...

He had no intention of stopping.

"That's your food, Dwayne," Greg said with a grin. "Not Allison."

I glanced up and noticed Dwayne hadn't even touched his meal.

He was still looking at me.

"Idiot. Just eat already," Dwayne muttered. "And stop calling me by my first name. I'm still your boss."

His annoyance only made Greg laugh harder.

I didn't realize I'd been staring until our eyes met.

He really was handsome.

Especially when those two dimples appeared whenever he smiled.

I immediately shook the thought away.

"Will you two just eat already? You're ruining my appetite," I blurted out.

The moment the words left my mouth, I froze.

Right...

They were both my superiors.

"I—I mean... please eat, Sirs."

They looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

"So..." Greg asked with a mischievous smile. "Do you two know each other?"

**Cough! Cough!**

I nearly choked.

"Yes."

"No."

Dwayne and I answered at the exact same time—with completely opposite responses.

We looked at each other.

I rolled my eyes and looked away.

"Yeah... you definitely don't know each other," Greg said sarcastically.

I simply nodded, pretending nothing had happened.

"Is that the new girl sitting with them?"

"Why is she so close to them? Does Monica know about this?"

The whispers from the neighboring table caught my attention.

When I looked over, several women glared at me as if I'd committed a terrible crime.

"Her name's Allison. She's Sir Dwayne's new personal assistant."

Hello? I can hear every word you're saying.

"Don't mind them," Greg whispered. "They're just jealous."

I smiled faintly.

"So... who's Monica?" I asked out of nowhere.

The two men exchanged uncertain glances.

Neither of them seemed eager to answer.

Finally, Greg sighed.

"She's the manager of the Purchasing Department."

He leaned closer.

"Stay away from her. She's a total witch."

I laughed at his blunt description.

But I couldn't help noticing that Dwayne had gone unusually quiet the moment Monica's name came up.

Who exactly was she... in his life?