Chapter 81 - CHAPTER REPLAY

I'm very sorry for having a replayed chapter because I do have a lot of school works these days and also I'm doing my research paper. I promise to update new chapters everyday once I finished these.

...

Chapter 32: Our Issue

"You really didn't have to, Mr. Parker."

I spent the whole day distracting myself from what I've done. Right now, I still can't say if I did the thing that has to be done.

"You say that every time I drive you home. A thank you would be better," he joked.

"Thank you, Sir." I smiled as he was looking at me. He didn't get his eyes off of me so I got curious. "Is there something you gotta say to me?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

He blinked purposely before looking straight while his one hand is on the steering wheel because the engine is still on. "Nothing," he said.

I then said thank you again before getting out of the car. I believe he wants to tell me something, he just can't and that's weird. I went inside the house, straight to my room to take a rest before taking a shower.

...

"Mr. Parker," I called him as I enter. He was standing in front of the glass wall while drinking a cup of coffee with one hand inside the pocket. He turned to face me.

"Is that the survey report?" He asked before walking towards me.

"Yes, sir," I said before handing him the folder with the papers inside. He took it before putting the cup on his desk. "The survey went out well. We met more than the expected percentage on our customers' satisfaction," I added. He smiled, feeling very happy about the results before putting the folder on his desk too.

"Thank you," he said and smiled at me.

"For what?" I asked curiously. I mean, I'm not the one he should be thanking, right?

"You did a great job too," he said and I replied with a smile.

His necktie caught my attention because it was crooked. I took a few steps and while I was fixing it, I could feel his breath. I didn't know I was very close to him so I took a glance, only to see that he was looking at me too.

"You wouldn't mind if I fix it, right?" I awkwardly asked but he didn't respond. My heartbeat went fast when he held one of my hands.

"No," he finally answered. I was planning on escaping his gaze but I think it would be rude to talk to him in that way.

"It's done, Sir." I was waiting for him to let go of my hand but he didn't.

"Aren't we going to talk about us?" He suddenly said.

"About u-us?" I acted innocent. I can't have this conversation with him, it's too exposing!

"I know you were avoiding talking about it since that day," he said. "And I think it's unfair."

I can't believe he just blurted that out. It drives me nuts.

"Sir," I mumbled before carefully getting my hand out of his. "It's not unfair. I'm just avoiding something that I know you don't want to happen." His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. It's impossible that he doesn't remember what he said to me that day at the restaurant.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, still looking at me curiously.

"You told me not to fall in love with you. And now, you want us to talk about something like this? You're the one who's being unfair." I know, I was very straightforward on this but I don't have a choice. He needs to be aware of his actions.

He didn't say a single word. Maybe he realized I was right, that we can't talk about this thing. He should obey his own rule to be fair.

...

I was hesitating to go inside and give him the reports. I think I can't stand being near him since lately and it's his fault or probably mine because if I didn't notice that necktie of him, none of this will happen, I guess. I was fixing the folders when I heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, you're here already?" I looked at Cindy who was standing in front of me with her bag in her left hand.

"Yeah, hi." I smiled at her before standing up. "I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to say thank you for visiting me that day." Cindy visited me on my second day inside the hospital but I was asleep.

"That's okay. I'm glad you're fine now. Can I see it?" I was just about to respond but she pulled my blouse a bit to see my shoulder. It still has a small bandage so it won't get irritated or infected by dirt. "That looks a bit bad. Does it hurt?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Not anymore," I answered.

"Good. Anyways, is Kellen here? Is he busy?" she asked, peeking inside the tinted glass door.

"Not that busy, you can come in," I told her.

"Thanks," she said and smiled at me before going inside.

I compiled all of the papers inside the folder before going into the pantry to prepare some snacks for them. I poured green tea in two cups before making a plate of biscuits. I put them all on a tray before walking back and going inside Mr. Parker's office.

I was watching my steps, not to be careful of tripping, but because I didn't want to meet his eyes. Terrific, isn't it?

"Hey, why are you carrying that? You could hurt yourself," Cindy lightly scolded me.

"I'm fine," I said when I saw her walking towards me, wanting to help. "It's not that heavy."

All my efforts on avoiding an eye-contact with him went in vain when he stood in front of me.

"I got it," he said before getting the tray out of my hand and putting it on the coffee table by himself. Cindy consistently shifted her gaze on the two of us before smiling teasingly, she probably had a hint.

"What's wrong between the two of you? Did you fight?" she asked, crossing her legs and drinking tea.

"No," I answered right away and she chuckled.

"Oh, no. Deckard, what have you done to your precious secretary? Did you make a move on her?" Her question was so random and it made me widen my eyes.

A smirk formed on his lips while mixing his tea with a teaspoon. "I didn't. She did."

What he just said caused me to make my eyes open wider. "What?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows at him.

"I'm kidding," he answered with a teasing smile before drinking his tea.

What's with him? Is he going crazy?

...

I went inside Summer's room when I heard her coughing. She probably got this from her friends or someone in her school who has a cough too. She's very susceptible.

"Summer, are you alright?" I asked her. She was doing something on her laptop, a homework maybe.

"I'm fine. It's just a mild cough," she answered before coughing again.

"I'll get you some medicine," I said and she simply nodded. I went downstairs to get her some water and medicine. I got back up and I told her to drink it. It looks like what's she's doing is very important so I didn't bother her anymore. I just told her that if ever she feels anything different, she should call me.

I took a quick shower before wearing my pajamas. I made my simple skincare and I was stunned when I saw a pimple on my nose. How did I get one?!

Having a pimple on the nose is my pet peeve. I hate it! It makes my nose look bigger. I wanted to remove it using tweezers but I remembered that the last time I did that, it didn't end well. It left a huge mark that took ages to fade so I just applied some cream on both of my cheeks and my forehead before lying down on my bed.

What happened earlier flashed back into my head. I remembered how ridiculous Mr. Parker sounded when he said I was being unfair. But if I could turn back time, I also will take back what I said earlier. It sounded like it's very easy for him to make me fall in love even it won't happen.

If he thinks what happened that night means something to me, he's wrong. I believe that he just did that because he's worried about me because I'm his secretary. I know how emotions change a person every time they experience complicated situations.

...

I was about to show Mr. Parker his schedule when I saw the look on his face while he was talking to someone on the phone.

"When did she get there?" he asked the person on the phone. He looked at me for a second before he ended the call. However, he seems to be bothered by what they talked about.

"Is something w-wrong?" I hesitated but I still asked him. We're both at work and I don't think this is the right time to deal with our issues so I shouldn't be acting unprofessionally.

"Rowan just called, he's visiting his nephew in a rehabilitation center in Queens," Mr. Parker told me. It's like he's having doubts about telling me the whole story.

"And?" I asked him for additional information.

"Emily is there. Her mom sent her."

....