Chapter 38 - #38

Chapter 38: A Day Off

"You need to look pretty at that wedding!"

I was talking to Alice on the phone to kill some time because it's just 1:00 PM. I was in the bedroom while I'm having a face chat with her.

"Alice, why should I? I'm not the bride, nor the maid of honor and bridesmaid," I answered. I'm just an extra guest at that wedding. I don't need to look extraordinary to get some attention.

"Even so. This is your chance to impress Mr. Parker!"

I just chuckled and rolled my eyes. "I'm not here to impress anyone. I'm here to support him, okay?"

"Whatever," she answered.

...

It's almost 2:00 PM so I went inside the bathroom to take a bath. My dress was already sent to me. I think Mr. Parker rented it. After I take a bath, I dried my hair using my blower and I ironed it to flatten my hair. I also applied makeup but only minimal because I'm not used to it.

I then wore the powder blue dress that lengths for about two inches above the knee. I wore the same shoes before getting my mini purse with me. It's already 2:45 PM when I went out of my room and then suddenly, Alice called.

"Hey! Let me see your outfit," she hurriedly said. I checked my silver wristwatch.

"Your lunch break is over."

"My boss isn't strict enough," she said. "I want to see how you look!"

"Fine," I said and rolled my eyes. I requested video on our face chat before I went in my bedroom again for the mirror. I flipped in on the back camera so she can see what I'm wearing.

"OMG, you look gorgeous, Liv!" she exclaimed then I returned it to the front camera.

"The dress is pretty cute, right?" I said whilw fixing the little hair that was covering my eyes.

"It fits you very well. And your make-up, it's fantastic. Simple but elegant," she said and smiled.

"Well, thanks to you I had a little training of applying cosmetics," I thanked her.

"I'm sure Mr. Parker will have his eyes on you all day," she teased.

Or maybe not? I'm sure there's a lot of ladies there that are beautiful, I don't think I'll stand out and I don't have a plan to because again, I'm not the bride. I'm not there to impress someone.

"We're not sure about that. I wish he won't," I said. "I'll talk to you later, Alice. We need to get ready now."

"Okay, fine." She sighed because we didn't have a long time to chat about things. "Take pictures, okay?"

"Yeah, I will. Bye!" I waved at her beforw ending the call.

I went outside and peeked on his dressing room but he wasn't there. I almost screamed when I bumped into his chest after I turned.

"Mr. Parker," I mumbled. My eyes widened when I realized we were staring at each other's eyes. My hands were still on his chest because there's not much space between us. I swallowed her when his eyes looked down on my lips. Maybe he doesn't like the way it looks. Does it look so much glossy?

"Let's go," he said using a low voice. I finally can catch my breath when he walked away. I then followed him as we enter the elevator.

We were the only ones whose inside of it. I was standing next to him and his hands are inside his pockets. He looks so... fine wearing that black suit and gray necktie.

"You look pretty," he suddenly said.

"Pardon?" I looked at him, pretending that I didn't hear it because I don't know how to respond to that.

"You look pretty good." There's a difference between 'pretty' and 'pretty good' so I'll take that as a compliment.

"Oh, uhm... thank you, Sir." I acted normal.

...

"Are you going to be okay here?" Mr. Parker asked.

He wanted me to go with him and meet his friends but I didn't want to. I know he's just asking me because he didn't want me to be lonely here. Plus, I'm his secretary, not his girlfriend. He doesn't need to introduce me to any of his friends so I'll prefer to stay here on my sit.

"Yes, sir. I'm good," I assured him.

"Okay. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be around," he said which made me chuckle.

"I should be the one saying that to you, Mr. Parker," I said with a smile on my face.

"I do too," he said then gave me a soft smile before he went to talk to his friends.

I was about to eat the cake when someone sat beside me. I think she's the maid of honor because I saw her on the wedding. She's very beautiful and I think she's older than me.

"Hello," she smiled. "Are you Kellen's girlfriend?"

"Oh, no, Ma'am. I'm not," I honestly said. Well, that question startled me.

"But that's not what I see," she smirked to tease me.

"I'm his secretary, Ma'am," I smiled.

"Oh, I see," she slightly nodded. "I'm Julie, by the way. Don't call me Ma'am, I'm not used to it when I'm around people whom I just met." We shook hands.

"I'm Olivia," I smiled. She's so nice.

"Nice to meet you, Olivia. I'm the bride's younger sister. Kellen is on of her closest friends since middle school. And because they knew each other for a while now, I also know Kellen so much too. That's why I'm surprised you're here with him."

What does she mean?

I just smiled because I didn't get it.

"What I mean is," she said when she realized I didn't respond. "Kellen doesn't bring his secretaries to these kinds of gatherings. I also know that he replaces his secretary almost every year. You're the first one he brought here."

Well, I too will be surprised. He didn't brought anyone here before? And why does he want me to meet his friends?

"Oh, uhm. Is that so?" It was still sinking on my head. "I d-didn't know."

"Now you know that you're somehow special to him. Did he tell you that he likes you? Or perhaps, he gives a hint?" she asked curiously. I just looked at her, unable to answer. "Don't worry, Olivia. I won't tell him a thing. I promise."

"Well, uhm... he gives hints. It's like he wanted me to believe that he likes me. While on the other hand, I refuse to believe him," I explained to Julie.

"Why?" She was alarmed.

"Maybe I just want us to say in this kind of relationship. I'm working for him, Julie. I don't think it's right to have something going on between the two of us," I honestly said. I'd rather resign or be laid off.

"But what if you feel something for him too? Won't you give it a chance?" she asked.

"I don't know," I simply said.

"You don't know or you just don't want to know?" She raised her eyebrows, doubting what I've said.

"I also don't know," I said. The words that are coming out from my mouth is getting senseless and senseless. Even I can't answer my own question to myself and it's hard to live with it.

"Maybe you just need to find out, Liv," she said.

...

"Sir, I forgot to ask you about today."

It's our third day here in Chicago and I didn't know what we're going to do today. He said he'll update me about it prior but he didn't.

"Eat your breakfast first," he said before drinking water and going back inside his room, probably to take a bath.

I didn't have a choice but to eat. After I eat I went inside my bedroom to take a bath too. After I take a bath, he knocked. Thankfully, I'm on my robe now.

"Sir?" I opened the door.

"Dress nicely, we'll go somewhere you don't need to worry about your work or anything."

...

It's been almost an hour but he keeps rejecting me when I ask where will we go. He just keeps driving while I was browsing my social media.

"We're here," he said before parking the car.

I got outside and I almost shouted in happiness. Is this real? I'm in Chicago History Museum?

"W-What are we doing here, Sir?" I stuttered. I didn't want him to see that I'm excited. It's embarrassing.

When I was a kid, I dreamed of being one of the most popular museums in Chicago. A lot people might think it's boring but for me, it's not and will never be.

"As I said, you won't be thinking anything about work today," he said as he signaled me to follow him.

"What do you mean by that, Mr. Parker?" I asked curiously before putting my hands on the pockets of my coat. It's cold in here.

"I extended a day for us to roam around Chicago. And I promise that it'll be something you'll never forget," he said and smiled at me as we take the stairs.

....