Chapter 37 - #37

Chapter 37: Welcome to Chicago

It was a long trip and my back seems to ache a bit, as well as my neck. The plane landed at exactly 6:15 PM. Our luggage was put into a rental car which Rowan will be using for three days.

"Are you okay, Liv?" he asked while we're inside the car. I was holding my neck a little.

"I'm fine, Sir," I responded instantly. I didn't want him to worry about me.

After a few minutes, we arrived at the restaurant where we'll have our dinner. I can tell that it's an expensive restaurant just by looking at the arrangement inside.

"Reservation for Deckard Parker," he said to the receptionist. He was the one who made a reservation because I'm still not familiar with this place. I don't know particular places where we can eat.

"This way, Sir, Ma'am," she politely said before leading us to our table. We sat down and then she gave us the menu.

"Do you normally go here whenever you go to Chicago, Sir?" I asked to break the silence between us.

"This is one of the best restaurants I've been to, honestly," he answered while reading the menu. "One garlic and thyme steak, please," he ordered and the waiter listed it.

"I'll get the same," I said. Besides, I'm not familiar with the food that was on the list. We also ordered the same drink which is blue lemonade. I didn't know Mr. Parker liked those kinds of drinks.

"So, you like steak, huh?" he said. He knows I always order pasta whenever we have our meal together.

"I like trying new things, Sir," I honestly said.

...

"So, how's Chicago?"

I called Summer when I got to my room. Mr. Parker's room is next to mine because we're in the same unit.

"It's already dark, I can't see a lot of things right now," I said. "But I still think it's a beautiful place. The food is good, actually."

"Well, can you give me a tour?" She raised a brow and I laughed then she gasped. "Don't tell me you're sleeping with your boss in that room!"

I almost shouted at her. Why would she think that?! "Of course not!" I almost yelled. "Mr. Parker is in a different room, Summer!"

"But you're in the same unit?!"

I furrowed my eyebrows while facing her in face chat. "Yeah, is that a big deal? I mean, he's in a different room. It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does," she argued.

"Whatever," I said and rolled my eyes at her which made her chuckle. "Let's talk tomorrow. I'm tired." I playfully snored.

"Okay, goodnight! Just remember to take pictures, okay? I want to see Chicago too."

...

I woke up at 6:00 AM to prepare our breakfast. Mr. Parker will probably be up at 7:00 AM because the seminar will start at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. After the lunch break, it will resume from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

I opened the fridge and there's a lot of food in here. I made a bacon and egg sandwich before making two glasses of orange juice. I was still in my pajamas with my hair on a messy bun when all of a sudden, Mr. Parker came out of his room, with pajamas but... he's shirtless.

I spilled a bit of the juice when I was transferring it from the juicer to the glass. I made myself busy cleaning it to avoid having eye contact with him.

"Need some help?" he asked while putting on a plain white t-shirt. Thank God, he put something on or I'll be distracted the whole time.

"Uhm... I'm fine, Sir. I just spilled a bit," I said while wiping the glass and the table with a clean cloth.

"You like spilling things, huh?" I didn't know if he was saying it as a joke or he's considering it as a fact. "You're up early."

"I was just preparing the breakfast, Sir," I said and he sat in front of me. He was looking at me while I was transferring the sandwiches on a different plate.

"You made that? It looks delicious," Mr. Parker said before getting one for himself. He immediately took a bite of it. "Wow, I didn't know you can cook."

"It's just a simple sandwich, Sir. I'm sure you can do better," I said before sitting down too and eating my breakfast.

"Yeah, I think I can. But I didn't know you will wake up early to prepare our breakfast," he said.

We just continued eating while talking about the seminar we'll be attending later. I'm excited and a little nervous about it because it's my first time going into a long seminar with Mr. Parker. I hope I can act normally.

This unit has two bathrooms and I'm grateful that we won't share the same one. I took a bath first because I heard him talking to someone on the phone when I entered the bathroom. After I take a bath, I dressed like how I normally dressed at the hotel. I need to look clean and pleasant so Mr. Parker won't worry about how other people might insult him that he doesn't even know how to discipline his employee. I wore the shoes that he bought for me because it feels really comfortable on my feet. I then fixed my hair into a ponytail before getting my mini bag with me.

I was all ready when I saw Mr. Parker in the dressing room fixing his necktie. I knocked on the door even it's already open. He turned around to face me instantly.

"Need some help?" I repeated what he said a few minutes ago.

"Yeah, I think I might use some," he answered. I walked towards him and put my bag on top of the glass cabinet before holding his necktie. I could feel his gaze on me again but it doesn't affect me anymore.

"You're all good, Sir," I said when I finished fixing it.

"Thanks," he said then gave me a soft smile before wearing his coat. 

...

The venue wasn't so far from the hotel we're staying at so we arrived not exceeding fifteen minutes on the trip. I was walking behind him while he was greeting some of the people who I guess have known him for a long time already.

"Good day, Ms.?" I was startled a bit when someone who looks at the same age as Mr. Parker greeted and asked for my name. He might be a friend or a business partner of Mr. Parker whom I haven't interacted with yet.

"Uhm... Olivia, Sir. But you can call me Liv."

"Well, good day to you, Liv," he then shook my hand.

"And to you, Sir," I said and smiled while shaking his hand.

"Last year when Deckard came here in Chicago, he was with someone else. So, I guess you might be his new secretary?" he asked nicely and I nodded.

"I've been working for him for about three months, Sir."

Mr. Parker had a little chat with the people who's going to attend the seminar too. After a few minutes, we went inside and the seminar started right away. I'm very thankful that I had my training for being his secretary because if I didn't, I won't understand a single thing the speakers right here say.

Two hours have passed and it's somehow tiring but knowledgeable so I don't think I'll be bored for the continuation later. I opened my phone to make a reservation for us to have our lunch. Mr. Parker forced me to even I've said that I don't know any restaurant here that serves the best food.

Rowan picked us up and dropped us at the place where I made a reservation. We didn't talk so much because we did not spend a lot of time eating. We only have an hour and a half to take a break so I picked the nearest restaurant. Fortunately, the food is good and he liked it.

...

The day was almost done and Mr. Parker reminded me of what will happen tomorrow. He said we'll be attending a wedding which alarmed me because I didn't bring clothes for a wedding but he said something already taken care of it so there's nothing to worry about. I talked to Summer for like an hour before I dozed to sleep.

The next day, I forgot to set my alarm at 7:00 AM. I panicked because I saw that it's already 9:00 AM on the wall clock. I immediately stood up without fixing my hair because I could think less of it. I was worried about Mr. Parker's breakfast. Gosh, why did I forget to make an alarm last night?

I was about to go cry a little when I saw him in an apron and preparing the food. "Sir, I'm sorry. My alarm didn't ring and—"

"It's fine, Liv. The wedding is at 3:00 PM, you don't need to hurry. I know you're tired," he said. He's not mad about me not cooking his breakfast?

"I'm sorry you had to do these all by yourself, Sir." 

"You mean these?" He pointed to the plates with pancakes and I didn't respond so he took it as a yes. "Don't overreact, Liv. I didn't say you have to make my breakfast for three days. Besides, I would really love to cook for you."

He what?

....