Chapter 4: A Request

From what I heard, he graduated from a prominent University in London. We already knew about his upcoming arrival from last month. Since the majority in the office were women, especially more than a half were still single, it was fresh news.

A few people who already saw his picture on Mr. Robert’s desk said Edward was handsome. They said he was still single. Who knew whether it was true?   

However, after seeing him in person, I didn’t think handsome was a sufficient label. He was masculine, charming, confident, friendly, and down-to-earth. Ah! It was more like a jargon to describe ideal men. 

The other information was questionable. How could he be single? It should be easy to find a girlfriend for him. Even if he wanted to have a new girlfriend every day, many women would be glad to fill the position. 

Three months ago, Mr. Robert got a stroke. The preliminary plan he told us was he would have Edward here five years later. However, with his declining health, he needed his son to help him here. Edward worked in New York’s office before coming here.  

A clearing throat sound stopped my wandering mind. I got back to my reality. Realizing still held his hand, I released it. 

He smiled again. His dimple showed on the left cheek, as if the Almighty God had not been satisfied enough to give this man more physical charms. 

I immediately took and swiped his card. Afterward, I handed it over to him. “Done! That’s how to do it. You only need to swipe it in the machine.”

“Ah, I see! Thanks, Lana.” 

“You’re welcome. I’ll go first, sir.”

“Please call me Edward. No need for a formality with me, especially since we seem to be at the same age.” Then he smiled again.  

I smiled back at him. Because I was too stunned by him, I almost stumbled. Feeling so embarrassed, I half-ran to my workroom. After sitting, I just realized he followed me to my room. 

“Accompany me at lunch later, please? I have things I need to ask. You know I need a guide here.”

“O-okay. I-I’ll accompany you,” again I stammered. My heart beat so fast as if there were an earthquake there.  

“Thanks a lot.” He smiled again. Ah, what a smile! I think it was more delicious than my favorite cheesecake.

After he left the room, Cecil, Anna, and Jenny surrounded me. Besides Cecil, I was close with Anna and Jenny. At first we were close because of the two reasons. First, we worked in the same department and workroom. Second, we often had lunch together. 

Since we got along well, we became good friends too. It had been 3-4 years since we were friends. It was because Anna and Jenny were here after Cecil and I.

“That’s Edward?” Cecil asked while whistling. 

I stared at the door. “Yep. That’s him. Handsome, huh?” 

“He’s not only handsome, but absolutely wow!” Jenny said. “How could he stick to you? What’s your secret?”

I shrugged. “No secret. I just met him in the attendance area. Suddenly he asked for help since he had never used the machine.”

Jenny patted my shoulder. “Handsome, smelling good. Well done, Lana! If you can be with him, I’ll treat you all-you-can-eat. What do you say?”

Cecil grinned to hear that. “Yeah, I’ll treat you at the steak house too. You like it so much, don’t you? Deal?”

“It’s just a coincidence. There’s nothing between us.” I pretended to pout because I hid my feelings inside. “I don’t even know him. Why both of you think too far? Oh, please!” I waved my hand.

“Well, nothing’s wrong, you know. I heard he’s single. You too. So? What are you waiting for?” Anna said, trying to provoke me. Anna? The quiet Anna also joined to tease me? 

“You heard Anna. A high-quality man is before you now. Are you sure you don’t want to chase him??” Jenny winked an eye.  

Before I could reply, the one we were talking about entered our room again. “Lana, can you come with me to my room, please?” Again, a delicious smile curved on his face.  

A lovely smile on such a handsome face was like a crime. I knew it was just an exaggeration, but it could push most women to forget everything and do what he asked, just because of the smile.

“O-okay. I’m coming.”

So, my friends returned to their desks, but I could still hear Anna’s whisper. “Well done, Lana. She can approach our new boss.”  

“Lana is so sweet. No wonder if he likes her.” This was Jenny’s voice.

“She’s smart too. I’m so proud of her!” Ah, it’s Cecil’s. 

Ouch! If I could still hear their voices, Edward had to hear them too. My cheeks were hot. But then, I couldn’t daydream for much longer because we entered his room.  

It was a spacious one. The desk and the huge cupboard were from oak and dominated the room. There were some portraits on the desk and a computer. I could see a wood display beside the desk, still empty. 

I sat on a chair before him. He already sat first. “I’m sorry, sir. My friends said nonsense,” I said while bowing my head down. My cheeks were still hot. It was embarrassing! 

However, Edward was surprisingly laughing. I raised my head to glance at him. His eyes gleamed. 

“If it’s true, it’s good. I think they are right. Most of what they said is correct!”

I was stunned. Maybe I misheard him. “Eh? Sir? You meant?”

He didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he smiled. “Oh, please. Don’t call me sir again. You make me sound old.” 

“Sorry, sir. Uh, I mean, sorry, Edward.”

“That’s better. May I know what department you work in, Lana?” He stared at me. 

“I-I’m in Accounting, sir. U-uh, I mean, Edward.” Inside, I cursed myself because of the stammering.  

“Okay. So, here it is. I need an assistant. Can you help me temporarily? While waiting for a new one, please help me, okay?”

I scratched my head despite not being itchy. “Uh, but … but … I have never been an assistant before.”

“It doesn’t matter. At least you have been here for a while, right?”

“Well, I’ve been here for 5 years.”

“Perfect! So you can help me explain things I don’t know yet.” 

“Uh ....” I moved nervously on the seat. “Why me?”

“An assistant is always near me. I think you are fit to help me adjust to the new place. Please?” His eyes pleaded at me.  

You know what? If a handsome guy pleaded like that, it could melt a heart. So, I could only nod.  

“Excellent! You can start now, okay? I already asked the OB to prepare a desk and a chair for you here. So, I don’t need to bother if I want to find you.” He pressed a few buttons in his phone. “Andrew, you can bring them here now. Thanks!” OB was an office boy.

It was only a while before someone knocked on the door. Two OBs brought a chair and a chair inside. After following Edward’s direction to adjust the desk and chair position, they left his office.  

I observed everything and then clicked my tongue. He seemed so sure I would agree with his request.  

“What? You seem unsatisfied?” he asked.

I chuckled, well, forcing it a bit. “How could you be so sure I’d say yes, sir?”

“Feelings. I was sure we’d work well together. Again, I’ll repeat it for the third time. Don’t call me sir,” he said while chuckling.  

I cleared my throat. “Okay, sir. Uh, Edward. Why not? Why can’t I call you sir?”

“I don’t want to be older because you call me sir. Get used to it, okay?” He said. 

I shrugged. “Fine.”