Chapter 10 - Former Boss

"Mike," I mumbled.

Mike Egerton is here, my former boss.

"We need to talk," he said before entering the apartment without my permission.

I annoyingly looked at him before we sat that down. I was facing him and he looked so nervous about something.

"She took the money and some of the books which aren't ready to be released yet. I reported it already to the police but," he sighed. "They can't find her."

Please don't tell me he's here just to say all of this. I already knew that this would happen by the time that he didn't listen to me. His loss, his fault.

"Liv, I'm really sorry. If I could take it all back I will-"

"But you can't," I seriously said. "What's done is done, you can't do anything about it."

"I can make it up to you. You can have your work back and I can even pay you double," he said with an apologetic look.

"Mike, what did you think?" I immediately asked and he gave me a confused look. "You think you could just come and tell me that you're sorry so that everything would be fine?"

He looked down when I said that. I can't believe how pathetic he is.

"You fired me for a reason you didn't even have proof of," I hardly said.

"I'm so sorry, Liv. I was just mad at that time when you rejected me-"

"So, you're saying it's my fault?" I furrowed my eyebrows before laughing at him sarcastically.

"No, it's not like that, Liv," he said, trying to change my mood.

"Just to make things clear, Mike, this is all your fault. Deal with the consequences."

…

I was still annoyed by what happened yesterday. It was like a bad dream I wish I never had.

I went into Mr. Deckard's office to show him his schedule and to report what happened in the hotel kitchen.

"Here's your schedule for today, Mr. Parker," I formally said. He stared at me for a second before getting the tablet.

"Schedule a board meeting at 11:00 AM, sharp," he said before handing the tablet back to me.

"Sir, one of our chefs is injured because of a malfunction in the kitchen," I reported.

He immediately looked worried. "Is he okay now?"

"He's at the hospital now, sir. He suffered from a 2nd degree burn. One of the staffs called and yes, he's okay now," I explained.

"Good," he sighed in relief. "Tell him to have a three-day break."

"I will, sir," I simply answered.

He looked at me like he was wondering. I went back to my cabin to do some paper works. Hours passed and it's time to give Mr. Parker his snacks. I went into the pantry to make him a coffee. I sliced a piece of the blueberry cake which I think is his favorite flavor.

I carried the tray before I went inside his office. He was sitting on the sofa while talking to someone on the phone. I put the tray on the coffee table. I was about to leave when he suddenly grabbed my hand. He ended the call before looking up to me.

I raised my eyebrows. "Is there anything you want me to do, sir?" I looked down at him.

"What is it with you today? I think something's bothering you," he said, furrowing his eyebrows.

"It's nothing you should be worried about, sir."

"Well, I am worried, Liv," he said which made me a bit surprised.

I was about to walk away when he pulled my wrist again, causing me to accidentally sit on his lap. I panicked and I immediately sit beside him.

"What?" He curiously looked at me before taking a sip of his coffee. "You haven't experienced sitting on a guy's lap before?"

I shook my head and didn't say a thing. I should be the one asking him. What is it with this man?!

"You can tell me anything, Liv. I'm a good listener," he said then winked.

Judging the tone of his voice, I figured the he might not let me out until I spill the tea.

"Fine," I said then sighed. "Mike–my former boss went over my place and apologized."

"Oh," he put down the cup. "Now I see why you look so irritated. It's because of that dickhead."

He sounds like he's not taking it seriously!

"That's all, sir," I said to end the conversation.

"No, no. Go on," he said, wanting me to tell him more.

I had a doubt if I should tell him that Mike offered me to have my job back at his publishing company. Even he can pay me double, I won't go back. No, thanks.

"Are you just gonna stare at me for the whole day?" He raised his eyebrows.

He needs to stop doing that to me! That look in his eyes, it's not working for me.

"He said I can have my work back and he can even pay me double," I honestly said to make him stop asking me more and more. Why is he so concerned about my life? I'm just his secretary. Is he like this to other people too?

"Well," he ate a small amount of the blueberry cake. "Tell him that I can triple your salary. By the way, today's your first day of payment. You should check your account."

"I will, sir. Thank you," I said before standing up to go back to my cabin.

I wasn't informed that I'll be paid today. I opened my phone to see if the money is already transferred on my account. I still have five thousand dollars here and now it's… fifteen thousand dollars?! He paid me ten thousand dollars in two weeks?!

I immediately went into his office to ask him about it. This must've been a mistake.

"Mr. Parker," I called to get his attention. He was sitting on his swivel chair while thinking of something about his business, I guess.

"Oh, you're here again." He smiled at me. I walked towards him until I was already in front of his desk.

"I received my salary, sir. And I think you paid me more than the exact money I should receive."

"How much did you receive?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Ten thousand dollars, sir," I answered. He didn't look surprised with what I said. Don't tell me that's my real salary for half a month?

"That's the starting salary of all the secretaries I had," he explained. "Why? Aren't you happy to get paid like that?" He curiously asked.

"Isn't it illegal to overpay me?" I asked back. It's like he doesn't care about what I'm saying.

"Darling, I'm the CEO. I can do anything I want," he casually said before standing up. He glanced at his watch to check the time. Right, it's almost 11:00 AM. We should get ready for his board meeting.

I didn't realize that I was still looking at him. So, it's real, huh. He's going to pay me twenty thousand dollars a month. I don't regret being shocked about it.

"Well, if you don't want the money, I can't give you another option," he said before putting his hands inside his pockets. "It's either I pay you twenty thousand dollars a month or I'll pay you twenty dollars a month. Which is better?"

He's kidding, right?

"Which is it, Ms. Gomez?" He had a teasing smile on his face. I was holding back my laugh. Twenty dollars a month? I might need a diet for that.

"Fine," I sighed. "You're the boss," I said then smiled.

"Yep, I am. Let's go," he was about to walk away but I noticed that his necktie was crooked.

"Sir," I called then he asked why. "Your necktie."

He looked down at it.

"May I?" I asked permission.

At first, he was in a doubt. "Sure," he said.

I walked towards him before holding his necktie. While I was fixing it, I can feel that he's looking at me. I did the same thing and when our eyes met, it felt different. He wasn't smiling, he wasn't laughing nor smirking. This is the first time that I had a better look on his face. He has deep blue eyes, a perfectly-shaped nose and natural light red lips. He looks so irresistible.

I moved away to make a gap between us. "It's done, sir," I said right away.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It's already 7:15 PM, time to go home. I was fixing the papers on my desk when Mr. Parker went out of his office. We had an eye contact but I immediately looked away. Why do I feel so awkward lately?

He stopped walking in front of my desk which made me stop on what I'm doing.

"Can I get you anything, sir?" I formally asked after I put down the papers.

"Are you going home on your own?" He asked curiously.

I didn't expect him to ask that. "Yes, sir," I simply said. Alice is very busy with her work today.

"Can I drive you home?" He suddenly asked.