Greg

Chapter FOUR

Wearing a well-fitted black suit, Greg was a stopper. Ariana turned to look at him as he walked towards them and was taken aback by just how really handsome he actually was. His eyebrows were furrowed slightly, his thin lips pursed as he listened to his secretary's report on something.

"Good day, sir," Emily greeted as he approached. Ariana tried hard to remember, but this man standing in front of her appeared to be a different man from the one she had been in bed with two nights ago.

"Good morning, Emily. And who do we have here?" Greg asked, his eyes fixed on Ariana and a surreptitious smile spreading across his face.

"She's new here, sir, and she will be working with the HR department," Emily said.

"Good morning, sir," Ariana greeted.

"Hello. You're welcome. We hope that you will have a great working experience with us," he said with a smile, passing by her.

"Oh my God, Mr. Greg is so handsome. I'd literally die to have a taste of that hot tall glass of chocolate!" Emily whispered excitedly, not noticing how uncomfortable Ariana felt. Ariana was mute. "Hello?"

Emily's touch on her arm got her back to the real world. Ariana let out a sigh.

"What's wrong with you? Are you okay?" Emily asked.

"I'm cool, yeah," Ariana said. For sure, she didn't know what to say or do if Greg had claimed he knew her in front of all these people. She was glad he said nothing to show recognition, then again she worried: had he forgotten her? How was that possible?

Really?" Emily asked, realizing the look of concern on her face. "You don't look fine to me."

"Can you just show me to my office? I'll tell you," Ariana said.

Emily led the way. "What's the matter?"

"It's him," Ariana whispered, having looked around first to make sure no one listened.

"Him? Who? What are you talking about?"

"Come on, don't be slow," Ariana said, giving a look at Emily.

They entered the office, and Emily froze. "Wait… what? It's Greg?"

"Yes, Greg. I'm shocked too," Ariana said as she sank into her seat.

"Wow!"

"I wouldn't know how to deal with this," Ariana said.

"But he didn't seem to know you when he spoke to you. Do you think he remembers?" Emily asked.

"That's exactly what I have been thinking. He just kept walking like he didn't know me. But I really don't think he's forgotten. I mean… who would?" Ariana said.

"Girl, I really don't know what to say. Whatever happens, play your cards right," Emily said, getting up. "I need to get back to my office. See you later."

"Alright, thanks," Ariana said as she watched her leave.

Ariana put her face in her hand as recollections of her night with Greg thronged her mind. She shook her head, pushing them further aside.

"Concentrate, Ariana," she growled under her breath.

In an hour or so, there was a knock on the door.

"Yes, come in," she said.

Softly, the door opened, and she raised her head toward it. There, in front of her desk, stood Greg.

"A small world, isn't it?" Greg asked.

"Good… good morning… good day, sir…" Ariana stammered.

"Relax, I'm not a beast," Greg said, smiling. Damn, that smile—Ariana found herself staring at him.

"I didn't know when you left," Greg said. "You snuck out or something?"

Ariana didn't say a word.

"Look, I'm sorry for what happened, okay? I just." Greg tried saying, but Ariana cut him off.

"No, I am the one who owes an apology. I'm so sorry," Ariana said. "If I hadn't gone to that pub and gotten drunk, none of this would have happened."

"Well, it's not against the law to wish to relax, but you did get a little too drunk. You're lucky nothing worse happened," Greg said.

Seriously? What happened between them wasn't bad enough? But she knew what he meant. "Thank you, sir."

"Greg. Call me Greg."

"I cannot do that, sir. I just started working here, and I would not like to give a wrong impression," Ariana replied.

Greg smiled again, effortlessly, and with every smile, Ariana just felt herself being drawn deeper into him.

"I looked all over for you. I even went back to the pub and waited for hours, hoping you'd show up," he said.

"Oh…"

"When I saw you this morning, I just knew my stars were working overtime," he said. "I never thought I'd find you again so soon."

"Why were you looking for me?" Ariana asked. Who was she kidding? She knew why.

"It would rather be fairly obvious, wouldn't it? Couldn't seem to get you out of my mind, much less what you said at that pub," Greg said.

She'd said things at the pub? How much had she revealed? Oh God!

"I don't know what I said, sir. But I am so sorry if it was too much. I was just broken and needed to clear my head and." she trailed off, knowing she had said too much. "I am sorry, sir."

"Who is Ryan, if I may ask?" he asked suddenly.

Ryan? How did he know about Ryan? Damn! She must have been so drunk that shed spilled too much.

"Err… I don't want to talk about that, sir," she said.

"Bien entonces," he said, standing up. "I will go to my office. But let me tell you one thing: you may count with me as a friend, o.k.? Because I already consider you that." He took her hands, leaned over and kissed them.

"Hasta bonito, Ariana," he said, and turning his back to her without looking back, he left her office, leaving her dazed.