“Great! I’d like to have a look at it.”
“No.”
“Why?” He made a face.
“It’s not actually presentable. I know you don’t want to see it.”
“Of course, I do want to see it,” he suddenly stopped walking. I almost missed my steps.
“But-”
“It’s Sunday tomorrow. After the preacher’s sermon, I’ll have a look at it.” He said in a low, commanding voice.
“After the preacher’s sermon,” I repeated, defeated.
“Yes. We can have coffee at your place.” He added, unusually carefree.
Was that another date? Did it count? Was it appropriate?
At that moment, I began to feel like an outlaw who was breaching some kind of law.
I knew I shouldn’t be having romantic feelings towards my boss, who was also my best friend’s brother, yet I was. I knew we were overstepping the usual office or professional, communicative acts, yet I was comfortable with it.
However, suddenly, I remembered he had a charity event out of town the next day.
“Oh, I almost forgot about that. Thank you for reminding me.”
“Yeah,” I was, at least, pleased he would not see the work of art I badly didn’t want him to see.
It would betray my feelings for him, and I didn’t know how to handle the situation.
“So, I definitely will see it some other time.” He smiled.
“Sure, some other time sounds good.” I nodded in agreement despite secretly praying he would never get to see it.
I swallowed, gazing into his eyes as he picked a new topic. For a moment, I almost didn’t care whether I was acting ridiculous by staring into his eyes or not. I just wanted to drown in them.
“Fiona?” He might have raised his voice a little higher.
“Yes,” I tried to conceal that I was startled.
“I think we should get back.” He suggested.
“Yes,” I glanced at my wristwatch. It was well past one in the morning.
When he prepared to start the car, he suggested that I rest my eyes if I ever felt like I needed to.
At first, I thought I could just secretly admire him while he drove, but then my eyes began to close on their own.
We were still very much out of town; it was going to be a long drive.
Chapter Six
Christian
Upon concluding another successful business meeting with one of the company’s loyal partners, I decided to have some quiet time alone.
Gazing through the magnificent glass barricades on the topmost floor of the building, I felt relief surge through me. I was confident that I had been able to meet my father’s expectations regarding the company’s administration since I became CEO.
However, I wouldn’t know if he felt the same way since he had never actually commended me. He was a man of few words, and we were quite estranged as father and son. He was an imposing figure, and sometimes, he intimidated me.
But a conscious part of me wanted to believe he didn’t mean for me to feel like that and that he was just hypersensitive about maintaining his empire’s glory.
I breathed.
These last few days, I have had a clearer mind than ever before, and it was as if all of my burden had been lifted. I felt totally different, and it was refreshing.
“Sir?” A gentle voice broke into my thoughts. I turned to see Fiona.
“Yes,” I cleared my throat.
“You have a meeting with the Yukimura Group.” She answered. “At three pm.”
I nodded, glanced at my wristwatch, and resumed staring at the delicate, sublime scene of the horizon.
“There’s still a while before three. What should we do?” I asked.
Though it sounded silly, I felt I was being sincere since that was what was on my mind.
