Chapter 8 - Getting Closer

We were walking around the site and me wearing heels is a crazy notion.

"Liv," Mr. Parker called. I tried not to look pitiful while walking towards them. "List everyone's contact number and also their addresses." He was talking about the carpenters and the engineers.

"Okay, sir." I asked their numbers and address and they were so nice.

Mr. Parker was talking to his lawyer on the phone while I'm writing their information on a small notebook that I brought.

"Thank you," I said to the last one I asked.

I noticed that they're done talking so I asked him if I should call Rowan to get the car.

"Sir, should I call Rowan?" I asked after putting the notebook inside my bag.

He looked at me. "Actually, I decided to visit a place."

"Okay, sir." I was about to call Rowan but he stopped me so I raised my eyebrows.

"It's just around this site. Would you like to come with me?" He asked.

"Sure, sir." I hesitated a bit because I'm still wearing heels.

He signaled me to follow him so I did. I was putting my phone inside my bag when he looked at me.

"Anything you need, Mr. Parker?" I asked and we stopped walking.

He looked at my feet before smirking. "Don't worry, we'll be using a paved walkway," he said before turning around to continue walking.

Oh, he noticed that I'm having a nightmare.

After few minutes, he stopped and I realized that we reached the highest place in this site. He was standing right in front of a cliff. Good thing I'm not afraid of heights so I stood beside him. We can see the beach through here.

"Wow," I reacted. "It's such a nice place."

"It is," he simply answered.

I looked at him and I could see in his eyes that there's something wrong. It's like this place reminds him a lot of things.

"Do you used to come here often, Mr. Parker?" I asked nicely.

"Yeah, we do," he automatically said. "I mean, yes, I do."

I just nodded even I know that something is really up. Is he talking about his ex-girlfriend? Maybe he used to go here with her.

"By the way, Olivia," he paused before looking at me. "I think it's weird calling you Olivia, can I call you Riley instead?" He asked.

"My nickname is Liv, sir. You can call me Liv," I answered.

I thought he wouldn't like to call me by my nickname because that sounds less formal.

"Liv, what do you think about this place? Is it worth it to expand my business here?" He casually asked.

It's quite strange that he's asking me about that. He was waiting for my answer while I was thinking how shall I respond to that. I mean, my job is just to do everything he asks.

"Y-you're asking for my opinion, sir?" I pointed myself.

He gave me a confused look before nodding. "If that's what you call it, then yes. I'm asking for your opinion, Ms. Gomez."

"Well," I wasn't even sure if I'll tell him the right thing. "I do think that this place is quite good to have a hotel be built on. It's peaceful and quiet. I also believe that people would really love to see this kind of view from their windows."

I took a deep breath after that. But that was actually an honest opinion. This place is amazing. I think people would really love to go here.

"I'm sorry, sir. Does my observation sound stupid?" I pressed my lips together, trying to read the reaction on his face.

"No, it's not like that. Surveys are one of the most important things when it comes to business. Thank you for sharing your opinion." He then gave me a smile.

In my two weeks of working for Mr. Parker, I'm starting to see his passion for his work. It seems like he's not doing it just because it's his responsibility. I can tell that he's dedicated on what he's doing. I wonder how proud his parents are of him.

…

I was about to turn off the lampshade when I heard Summer's voice.

"Liv, are you awake?" She knocked.

"It's almost midnight, little monkey," I said. She opened the door right away after hearing my voice.

She sat down beside me and leaned against the headboard. She sighed before saying a thing.

"Tomorrow is Polly's birthday. I'm invited and we're going to have a sleepover at her place. Sounds cool, right?"

Polly is Summer's friend since high school. Summer has a lot of friends but she's the only one who comes here often. They were like me and Alice, always got each other's back.

"May I know the who's on the list?" I raised my eyebrows.

"It's just me, Margo, Kate, Jacob and Dylan," she smiled and tried to read my reaction.

"Oh, there are boys. No, it's doesn't sound cool." I lay down and closed my eyes, giving her a clue that I'm disagreeing.

"Come on, it's just one night. And the room is also divided. One side for the girls and one side for the boys. There's no way that it'll happen," she said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I curiously looked at her.

"Really?" She asked like she doesn't believe that I don't know what she's talking about. "You always thought of me sleeping with someone. I made a promise that I'll finish school before having a boyfriend. Do you want me to make another promise?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Well, you didn't promise that you won't sleep with someone before you graduate," I said to annoy her.

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, I promise to not let anyone get into my pants."

It's not that I don't trust my little sister. I'm just making fun of her.

"Will you be honest with me about Dylan?" I asked again.

Summer brushed her hair in frustration. "I already told you, he's just my friend, a good friend of mine. Why are you so worried about him? He's not even my type."

I just nodded and didn't say anything. She looked at me like she wanted an answer.

"So? Will you let me have a sleepover tomorrow at Polly's?" She arched a brow.

I looked up and sighed playfully, thinking if I should let her go.

"Please," she begged using a kid's voice.

"Okay. Just make sure that that's a decent pajama party. Or else, you'll never have a chance to hang out with any of your friends anymore."

"Yes!" She happily exclaimed. "Oh, and by the way, it's not a pajama party. We're not kids."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes before hitting her with a pillow.

"Hey!" She grunted.

"Aren't you going back to your room?" I asked while my eyes were closed.

"Actually, I wanna sleep here, whether you like it or not."

I felt her dragging the blanket before sleeping.

…

I was doing some paper works on my desk when the device blinked. I stood up to go inside Mr. Parker's office.

"You called, sir?" I formally asked while standing in front of his desk.

He handed me some papers and folders. "Those are confidential documents. Make sure to secure them and will be easily accessible."

I nodded. "Yes, sir." I was about to go out but he stopped me. He forgot to give me the other papers.

"Ow!" He dropped the papers and I saw his finger was bleeding. It's a papercut.

"Sir, are you okay?" I immediately put down the folders.

"It's fine, it's just a cut." He hid his hand.

"Papercuts sting a lot, sir. I'll just go get something." I went back to my cabin to get my little first aid kit before entering his office again.

He was standing and fixing the papers with his other hand.

"Sir, you might cut your finger again. I'll fix those," I said before getting the petroleum jelly and a cotton bud. I put the mini box down on his desk before standing in front of him. I grabbed his hands before applying some petroleum jelly on his index finger. Luckily, it wasn't that deep.

"You seem like an expert on those things," he said.

"I worked in a publishing company, sir. I had papercuts more than you can count," I answered before wrapping the bandage around his finger.

"Speaking of, did you enjoy working there?" He curiously asked.

I looked at him before answering. "Yes, I did. And I didn't expect getting fired." I chuckled.

"Your boss must be a dick," he said.

"Yeah, he is," I answered, not realizing what I've just said.

He laughed before putting the papers together.

"No, it's not like that," I revoked.

Damn, Liv. What are you thinking?

"It's just that I didn't expect him to trust a newbie girl more than me," I answered while getting the papers and folders.

I was still in front of his desk when he suddenly stood in front of me, slightly sitting on his desk to support his weight. He leaned to look me at me straight in the eyes.

"You look cute when you're jealous.." He smirked.