Chapter 11: Ouch!

It had been two months since my first date with Edward. We were getting closer in and outside of the office. He even fetched me home from the office every day. The rumors that we were lovers spread in the office. The close relationship between the boss and the assistant was the easiest gossip to share.  

The positive side was none dared to insult or talk negatively with me. Probably they were afraid. If the rumor was right, I could tell Edward whatever I wanted. 

But then, the negative side was many staff started wearing their masks, especially The Trio Gossipers. They were so sweet with me while before they rarely greeted me. 

Fortunately, Cecil, Jenny, and Anna stayed the same and treated me like usual. This morning when I arrived at the office, Cecil pulled my hand to the cafeteria. 

“Come to the cafeteria!” she said.

“Why? Do you want to treat me?” 

She widened her eyes. “Me? You should be the one who treats me. You owe me the story.”

“Uh? Story? What story?” I pretended I didn’t get what she meant. 

“Oh, please! Don’t pretend to be dumb with me.” Then she lowered her voice, but her eyes beamed with curiosity. “Edward, my dear, Edward. So how far is your relationship with him?”

I gave her a small smile, but I said nothing. It was deliberate because I knew she would be more curious. A second later, I yelped. “Why did you pinch me? It hurts!” I pouted while rubbing my waist that she pinched.  

She pouted back while widening her eyes. “You made me curious! You kept it a secret and didn’t tell me. Come on! Spill me with everything, girl! I won’t let you go to your office if you haven’t told me the complete story!” 

Finally, I raised a hand, signing as a surrender. Then I told her about my date with Edward. It wasn’t the whole thing. I didn’t tell her about Laura. I also didn’t share about Edward’s dream to be a designer. Both were his privacy. 

Cecil clapped her hands. Some of the staff, who were there to have their breakfast, glanced in our direction with curiosity in their eyes.  

Since realizing becoming the center of attention, Cecil stopped her clapping. She bent her body forward, then stared at me with a serious gaze. “If you two become lovers, don’t forget to tell me. Promise me?” she whispered while emphasizing her last request. 

I nodded while grinning. Afterward, I went to the office room.  

Ten or fifteen minutes later, Edward entered the office room. “Morning, Lana! Have you prepared the letter and documents for the Textile Center Industry?”

“Morning, Boss! Of course!” I approached his desk and handed him what he asked. 

“I’ll check them first. The fabric sample, okay, it’s complete. Our company portfolio, checked. The introduction letter, you had it. Okay, I only need to sign it. Please send it right away. The faster they accept these, the faster we can get the news whether they want to cooperate with us.”

I nodded. “Got it! I’ll ask a courier to send it right now.”

“Good!” he said shortly.

“Anything else, Boss? All the work has been finished.”

“Oh, really? I’ll give you another task tomorrow. Have you started writing again?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. I don’t have time. After I go home, I’m already too tired. So, I’ll be asleep right away. Don’t mention writing. I don’t have any desire for anything else, even for watching TV.”

“I see.” He touched his nape. “I was about to ask you to go somewhere this afternoon. Too bad …”

“Uh, where?”

“I wanted to ask you to go to the old area. I have had no chance to take pictures of the ancient buildings there. My mom loves old buildings. She will be excited to see the photos.”

“Ah, I see! Let’s go! I’ll accompany you,” I said excitedly.

“Don’t you say you are tired? If you accompany me, I’m worried if you faint midway. It’ll be a problem for me.” He winked while grinning at me.

I giggled. “I’ll accompany you, but ....” 

“But what?”

“It depends on the payment,” I said while giggling again. 

“Okay, how much?”

“In the area, there are some great bakeries and ice cream parlors. Don’t forget to treat me there.” 

“Ah, a treat.” He snapped his fingers. “It’s easy! Yes, madam!”

Madam? If it’s yours, I didn’t mind. My face blushed immediately when I thought about it. 

“What are you thinking about? Your face is red,” he said while staring at my face. 

“Ah, no. You’re wrong,” I said. It was impossible if I admitted what I thought.  

He laughed out loud. “I’m sure I see it correctly. Bring a small mirror? Look at yourself in the mirror.”

I had no choice other than to follow what he said. So, I returned to my desk and took a small mirror from my bag. Then I stared at myself there. Without doing it, I was positive my face was crimson. I just refused to confess it to him. 

He suddenly already sat before me. “See? It’s red!” he said while grinning.  

“Yeah, yeah, it’s red. Happy now?” I said, pouting at him. 

“You’re so cute when pouting. You’re so adorable.” He smiled sweetly. 

Adorable? Me? It was the first time in my life, someone called me adorable. Since I was confused, I said nothing.  

“So, we’ll go to the old area this afternoon, okay?”  

I nodded.

“Thanks for accompanying me.” Then he returned to his desk. He was busy again with the computer. Probably it’s the business. His expression was serious and cold. 

I stared at him for a while. As far as I knew, the impression I got, and from what others said to me, I was unsure if he truly approached me. If he did, why?

Since I didn’t have any answer for that, I finally spent today writing again because I had no work to do. Everything was done yesterday. It was better to fill the time with doing useful things, wasn’t it?

So, I wrote the outline. My fingers danced on the keyboard, telling a story about a classic thing. It was about an ordinary woman who fell in love with a handsome and rich man. It was exactly my situation. 

***

Thirty minutes before we could go home, I was still typing my story. Suddenly, the H-messenger, the chat application I used, vibrated on my phone. It was Edward who used the nickname “London-man” while I used “Chubby-girl”. 

London-man: Hi!

Chubby-girl: Hi, Boss. You startled me!

He chuckled at his desk. I shook my head to see his expression was like a child who got a toy he loved.

London-man: Sorry, what are you doing? You seem absorbed in what you do. Didn’t you say you had nothing to do today?

Chubby-girl: Indeed, but I followed your advice. I’m writing my novel. 

London-man: Interesting! Don’t forget to tell me what it’s about. It must be interesting. 

Chubby-girl: I have never disclosed my story in the beginning of writing. 

London-man: Ah, I see. No problem. If you’re done, tell me then. I told my mom about our plan today. She wanted to meet you. 

Chubby-girl: What? Meet me? What for?

London-man: No idea, but she sounded curious. Well, not today, but probably someday she will expect to meet you. 

Chubby-girl: Curious? With me? How come?

He didn’t reply. You know? I lost my focus to write. Edward’s mother wanted to meet me! Ouch!