CHAPTER 3: HIS COLD STARE

Madi's POV: Answering some phone calls and checking out his new schedules, took up almost half of my day. I didn't notice how time passed and it's already lunchtime. Sandy appeared at my office door wearing her hungry smile. "What's up? Work over food?" I smiled. "Fine. I haven't noticed the time." "Hmmp! That's your dialogue every day," she said rolling her eyes. "Really? I didn't know that." I said smiling widely as I cleaned the table. I just got my phone and my purse before going to the elevator down to the cafeteria of the building. "You know what, I have a wonderful story." I glanced at her while entering the busiest side of the building at this hour. "And what is it?" "About our boss." she covered her mouth on the other side so no one could hear her voice except us. And it intrigues me. I arched my eyebrow. "That's gossiping!" I told her even though it really intrigued me to the bone. "His cold behaviour has a story." she continued whispering. "What story?" "I heard, he was betrayed by his ex. The one he loved but also the one who got away. She left him." I don't know but hearing him already loved someone else gives my heart a slight pinch. But I just ignored it and opened my ears to the additional information from her. "How did you get that?" I asked her all ears. "I just heard it when I went to the finance department earlier. And you know what, after that incident, that's when he accepted the position from his father to become the CEO of WEC." I turned to her, trying to gather more of her story. "Plus... they said after his ex cheated on him with another man, he became cold and heartless." "Hey! You heard it from someone talking behind his back?" I eyed her. "Yes, but I didn't mean to. They were already talking when I  passed them. And don't tell me you're not interested, because everyone in this building loves to gossip about his life." "I'm not interested." I lied. "I'm just intrigued." She chuckled behind me as I entered where the line starts. "Girl, that's the same. It's a synonym of interested." So, he was betrayed? I wonder if his behaviour he shows us today is different from his personality before he was duped by his ex. Wait? What kind of ex? Ex-girlfriend or ex-wife? "Ex-fiancee." I was shocked and my head immediately snapped in Sandy's direction. "You heard it?" I asked with wide eyes. I'm just asking myself. She chuckled again. "Of course, silly! Your thinking so loud!" "Ohh.." the only word that came out of my mouth. I bit my bottom lip in slight embarrassment. I hope no one has heard me talk to myself except her. "So... that's what you call 'not interested', huh?" She smirked but I rolled my eyes. "Hi, Madi." I was saved by the bell when Troy from HR department greeted me over two people in the line ahead of me. "Hi, Troy." I smiled at him. "Hmmp! The flirting has begun." Sandy muttered to herself but I just laugh. She keeps on insisting that Troy has a big crush on me but I also keep ignoring her. The thing is, even though he has a crush on me, I don't see anything wrong with that. And that's not a valid reason to avoid him. For me, as long as I don't give him any motive to bring his 'crush' on me to any level, I don't need to stay away from him. Besides, I also considered him my friend. He joined us at our table as he always did every day. Of course, sitting next to me. * * * "I really love their chicken sandwich." Troy said, unwrapping the second sandwich on his hands. "I can see that," Sandy said while grinning. I swirled the spaghetti on my fork and shoved it to my mouth. "Troy, where are you from?" Sandy asked him suddenly. "Me? I'm from Florida," he answered and Sandy and I shared a look. "You also came from Florida?" I asked, facing him. "Yeah, that's where I lived before I tried my luck here in Chicago. Why? Don't tell me you were also from Florida?" "Well... yeah." I shrugged. "That's my birthplace." "Wow, great." we both looked at Sandy. She just shrugged and took a sip of her juice. I know that kind of look. "Yeah, destiny." my eyes widened at Troy's word but widened more when Sandy spat half the juice out of her mouth and coughed. "Sandy!" I glared at her. Thank God, I've already finished my food. "I'm sorry," she said, still coughing. "You did it on purpose!" I accused her. "What? Of course not! Can't you see I'm coughing to death? Blame him!" She pointed to Troy next to me. "Wait? Why me?" Troy asked confused. "Because you mentioned the word destiny!" she snapped at him. "And so? Maybe it's a real destiny that Madi and I come from the same land." he retorted aloud. "Yeah! So, it's really your fault!" she snapped again in a louder voice than Troy. "Wait! I can't see my fault on this! What if I said that Madi and I were brought here by destiny?" -'Oh God!'- I just bit my bottom lower lip, massaging my temple. I looked around to see almost all the eyes of the people sitting inside the Cafeteria were now on us. And the pair of brown eyes that owned by Mr Wilsons also staring at us -- coldly... well, staring at me. "Hey! You two, stop bickering over your food. You're creating a scene and gathering attention!" They looked around and smiled to those who were raising their eyebrows on them. But they didn't notice the cold stare of our boss from the corner--not--so--far from our table. Sandy continued to eat while Troy scratched the back of his neck. After we finished our lunch, we headed back to our desks, while Troy returned to his department. I didn't found Mr Wilsons where he's seated earlier. I checked the time on my wristwatch and found it 5 minutes before 1 pm. I need to go to the pantry to make another coffee for my boss. I also bring my notepad to remind him of his scheduled meeting at 1:30 pm. After 5 minutes, I am knocking again on his office door. "Come in." Ohh... Thank God, the coffee in my hand didn't freeze from the coldness of his voice. -'Why does he have to be so cold?'- I pushed the door and found him on the phone. He's talking to someone on the other line, so I didn't greet him. I put the mug on his desk and wait for the call to finish. "I didn't ask for your opinion regarding this matter!" I gulped as he yelled that someone on the other line. "I am paying you to investigate her, to monitor her and not to interrogate me! Understood?" Maybe he didn't wait for that someone to answer as he ended the call right after screaming. -'Wow!'- I mentally arched my eyebrow. -'Not so arrogant!'- "Your coffee, Mr Wilsons," I said with a slight smile, pretending not to have heard anything. Liar! "What's my next schedule?" He sat on his chair. I remained standing as I opened my notepad. "You have a meeting with Cordova's Marketing at 1:30 pm. Their COO will be the one to meet you along with his secretary. And as per his secretary, they will present their project presentation regarding the new product they want our company to buy." I've stated fluently. As I finished, I looked at him only to see him staring blankly at the bookshelves on his left. I waited for him to speak but minutes have passed, he hasn't moved a bit. Then there's a new notification on his phone and he unconsciously swiped it by his arm. And since it's on the table, I was able to see the picture that popped up on it. I gulped as I saw the picture of a woman with a man's arm over her shoulders. I averted my eyes away from it and focused on my notepad. I remembered Sandy's story earlier. I looked at him through my lashes and I didn't miss how he clenched his jaws and his knuckles turned white from the grip he's giving to his phone. -'Poor phone. I'm sorry for you and for your suffering.'- "Mr Wilsons." I tried to call his attention. His head snapped at me and I flinched slightly at the look in his eyes. But when he realized that it's me who's standing in front of him, his eyes softened a bit and he let out a sigh. "What's my next schedule?" -'Huh?'- My mouth fell open by his question. So, I became really invisible to him earlier? I just mentally rolled my eyes and repeated what I said earlier regarding his next meeting. As if I have a choice. "Okay. Be ready at that time." "Yes, Sir. Anything else?" "Nothing more." I nodded and walked out of his office. Walking back to my desk, my mind was left on the picture of the woman I saw from his phone. I can't help but think again what has Sandy told me about Mr Wilsons' past. As long as I don't want to snoop other people's lives, I can't help but be intrigued by his past. Maybe the rumor was true, because of his cold behaviour. Was that woman really the reason he was distant? Does he still know how to smile? Ever since I started working in this company, I have never seen him laugh or even smile. Whenever his employees greeted him, he didn't even greet them back. His face was always masked with seriousness and coldness. My thoughts were interrupted by a text message from George, one of my managers from my second restaurant. She's also my friend from college. George: 'Madi, can you drop by before you go home? We just need your signature for the restaurant permit renewal. Thanks.' Me: 'Okay... thanks, George.' I replied back. I checked my watch and it's 5 minutes before 1:30. I gathered my things and walked out the door. I saw Sandy walking towards me, she came from the elevator. For sure she just checked the conference room where the meeting will be held. "The meeting room is ready," she said smiling. "Thank you, Sandy." "Yeah, good luck." Before I could answer, the door from the CEO's office opened and there he stepped out the Greek God himself, I mean... Mr Gabriel Wilsons, wearing his signature cold demeanour. "Let's go," he said as he walked past me. Sandy winked at me when I glanced back at her. I always thank God for giving me the ability to walk fast. I was a track in field athlete when I was in elementary and high school. So, I can follow the long strides of this giant. He entered the elevator with me trailing behind him. I pressed the close button and our designated floor. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It's been almost one hour since the presentation began. I am always attentive to listen to this matter because sometimes, my opinion was being asked by my boss himself during the meeting. It continued until 2:45 pm. That means the discussion lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes to be exact. All throughout the meeting, there was a pair of eyes that keep staring at me. It belonged to Mr Emerson Solivan, the secretary of the CEO of Cordova. But I'm busy listening to the discussion in front of me, so I just ignored him and acted oblivious to his stare. When everyone got up, I collected my things with some of the mess from the table. They congratulated each other and exchanged handshakes. I was about to go to the next chair to pick up another folder that was used from the meeting when someone bumped me on my shoulder. Not only did the folder from my hand fall to the floor but did I. I wasn't expecting the sudden strength, and since I'm wearing heels, I hadn't balanced my body so I end up falling to the floor with my butt first. "Ouch!" I groaned in pain and I don't know if I said it out loud. Thank God, some of the people have already left the room. "Oh! I'm sorry, Ms Davis. I didn't notice you." Mr Solivan explained as if I am going to buy his foul excuse. I know he intentionally pushed me for me to talk to him, as I haven't spared him a glance since I found him staring at me. "It's okay Mr Solivan." I managed to say with a smile. I am wearing a skirt and I noticed him gulped when he saw my legs. I tried to stand on my own, and he bent himself to help me but he was stopped by a cold serious voice behind me. "Don't touch her, Mr Solivan! Or I swear I'll break your arms!" Mr Solivan swallowed nervously when Mr Wilsons appeared in front of me glaring at him. My eyes snapped at him as his two hands now in front of me, offering me help to stand up. When I was sure of his intention, I didn't hesitate to grasp them. He helped me to get up, and when I was on my own feet, he faced the pale man who is now also sweating from nervousness. "I saw you, how you eye-raped my assistant while we were all discussing your proposal! And you intentionally bumped her, to make her fall and you act as if you were helping her to stand!" "N-No... S-Sir. It's just ----" "If you continued standing in front of me, I swear this would be your last job in your life!" "O-Ohh... I'm sorry Sir, Ms Davis." And he ran out of the door. "Thank you, Sir." I gulped as I bent to pick up the folder from the floor. But to my not--so--lucky day, my forehead bumped into another forehead... Mr Wilsons forehead to be exact. "Fuck!" "Ouch!" We exclaimed in unison as we both rubbed our forehead. "What a shity day!" I muttered slowly to myself before picking up the folder again. "I'm sorry, Sir." I managed to say before collecting all the folders from the table. He didn't say anything, he just walked past me towards the door. '-What do I expect?'- After gathering all my things, I followed him and exited the room. ###CHAPTER 4: DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND? Madi's POV: It's been one week since the conference room incident. I told Sandy about it and she never did anything but to laugh her every time she remembers it. "I wish I was there to capture that moment." That's what she always says. I even laughed with her, but thank God the issue has died suddenly. And here we are back at the Cafeteria, having our lunch with Troy ... next to me again. "Ahm... Madi?" Troy called my attention while I was munching my gingerbread. "Hmm?" "I have a question." "What is it?" I looked at him. He's wearing a sheepish smile on his face. "D-Do you have a boyfriend?" Sandy and I broke our trance and I subconsciously swallowed my food quickly. "No...why?" "Uhm, c-can I invite for a d-dinner sometime?" he asked stuttering and scratching the back of his neck. He's really cute when he blushes. "Are you asking her for a date?" my eyes snapped in Sandy's direction as she voiced out my question. Troy scratched again the back of his neck. "Uhm... I guess?" "You guess? You mean you don't know if it's a date or not?" "Uhm----" "Sandy, let him talk." I cut what Troy was saying and glared at Sandy. She just rolled her eyes. "If that so... I mean, if that's what you call it, then yes. I am inviting her for a date." Troy said looking at me. "I just thought since I'm still single and you don't have a boyfriend, uhm... why don't I invite you for a date. Don't worry, not tonight. But some other night, if you agree." I was about to say something but Sandy opened her clever mouth again. "Wow! I am starting to like your braveness, Troy. You really asked a girl on a date in front of her friend. Just wow!" she said nodding while grinning. "Ohh, thanks," Troy said proudly. "So, can I have the honor of going out with you, Ms Madielyn Davis?" He acted like a prince asking his princess to dance with him. "Okay, just tell me in advance where you will take me so I can prepare." "Yes!" instead of Troy, Sandy exclaimed loudly. "Your voice!" me and Troy warned her in unison. We didn't notice the same pair of eyes watching our conversation intently until we finished our lunch. ************************* Like my everyday routine after lunch and every 4 pm, I would bring Mr Wilsons his coffee. And it's now his 3rd coffee of the day. I wonder how he can drink too much coffee in a day and take note--- every day. Wouldn't he become high in caffeine? Yeah.. not in drugs but from coffee. Wouldn't he become acidic or have an ulcer? My thoughts stopped when I am standing right in front of his door. I knocked 3 times before he answered 'come in'. I found him standing in front of the large window behind his desk with both hands on his pants pockets. He's staring at the busy streets down the building. "Mr Wilsons, your coffee, Sir." I put it on top of his table. He watched my every move before walking over to his desk and grabbing his cup of coffee. I averted my eyes when he brought it to his lips to take a sip. When he put it down again, I asked him the same question after giving him his coffee. "Anything else, Sir?" although I know he would just answer me with his the same answer.. 'Nothing more.' "Do you have a boyfriend, Ms Davis?" my eyes widened in a bit surprised as I gulped. For all the questions he would possibly ask me in this world... really that question? "I-I'm sorry, Sir?" I asked him again, maybe I was just being played by my own ears. "I said, do you have a boyfriend?" -'So he really asked me that question!'- Actually, I have no idea why he's suddenly asking me a very personal question which is unrelated to my work. But since I don't see any problem with that, I still responded politely. "No, Sir. I don't have a boyfriend." I answered although my voice laced with confusion. "Are you dating with someone now?" "I'm sorry again, Sir?" ..where is this question going?'- He sighed loudly. I can see that he's tensed and annoyed. Well, it's not my fault. I was just shocked, you know. "Do I really have to repeat myself, every time I ask you, Ms Davis?" now he's annoyed. "I'm sorry Sir, but I was just shocked by your questions. And I was taken aback because I don't expect you to ask me these questions." I reasoned out in all honesty. "Is it difficult to answer that? It's just a yes or a no!" he snapped ignoring what I said. "Are you dating someone right now, Ms Davis?" he looked at me intently. "No, Sir. But I am about to -------" "Good." he cut me off but I can't help raising an eyebrow. '-Good?'- "What?" I voiced out confused. "Because I have a deal to offer you, Ms Davis. My driver will pick you up by 7:00 pm tonight. Be ready by then." "Sir?" "You're dismissed, Ms Davis," he said completely ignoring me by dialling on his phone But of course, being a boss myself, I insist on asking him. "Excuse me Sir, but may I ask the deal you are talking about?" His head immediately snapped at me. "Ms Davis, it's not work-related, so I won't discuss it with you right here in the office." his cold gaze makes me shivers down my spine. "Exactly Mr Wilsons! If it's not work-related, then why do you have to offer me your deal? And why did you have to ask me about having a boyfriend or if I am dating? Does your offer have anything to do with it?" "Ms Davis, don't push me on telling you right now, because it won't happen! You're dismissed!" -'that's it?'- He completely ignored me by turning around his swivel chair after getting his phone. And now the back of his chair is the one facing me... -'Wow! What a rude attitude! What if I tell you, I won't go and listen to what you say?'- I didn't bother to ask him again and to say goodbye. I just walked out the door and headed to my desk. "He really doesn't know how to talk in a nice way! Oh, God! I'm going to have wrinkles because of you, Gabriel Wilsons!" I groaned as soon as my butt touches the soft cushion of my chair. ****************************** At 5:00 o'clock, I peeked into his office again. Even though I'll get the same answer, but as an act of professionalism, I knocked on his door. And after he says 'come in', I just stand on the door frame saying goodbye to him. "Okay, be ready at 7:00 pm," he said not even giving me a glance. I just nodded and didn't care if he sees me or not. At 6:30 pm, I finished taking a bath and drying my hair with the blower. "What am I supposed to wear? He didn't even mention where he will take me. My God!" I pulled my hair and sighed in frustration. I took my mascara and applied it to my lashes. And since it's not a date, I just add eyeliner and nude lipstick. "That's it! This would be fine. I don't need to put more makeup. He's my boss and this is not a date." I told myself in front of the mirror. For my dress, I simply wear my simplest sleeveless---navy blue floral dress that ended just mid-thigh. I've added some curls on my hair to make it more bouncy, and that's okay. Two-inch black sandals for my feet. I don't want him to think that I really put an effort to this 'Set up", although I did a little... just a little. At exactly 7:00 pm, I heard a knock on the front door. I went down the stairs to open it but found Jaime (my flatmate) talking to someone at the door. "Here she is," she said looking at me, smiling. I walked towards them. "Good evening, Ms Davis. I'm Jhon and I am Mr Wilsons driver. I am here to pick you up." "Oh, okay." I smiled at him and turned to Jaime but she has an arched eyebrow. I winked at her and exited the door, following John to the car. He opened the passenger seat door for me. "Thank you, Jhon," I said before he closed the door. "Your welcome, Ms Davis." he closed it before I could speak again. When he's already sitting in the driver's seat, I called him again. "Jhon?" "Yes, ma'am?" he looked at me, waiting for my next statement. "Just call me Madi, please. Calling me Ms Davis makes me feel old. I'm only 26." I smiled to ease his tension. "Okay Madi, if that's what you want." "Thanks." I smiled at him and he started the engine. I didn't bother asking him where we're going. I'm just waiting to get to our destination. After 20 to 25 minutes of sightseeing in the streets, we're passing, the frown on my forehead deepening as I noticed that the road looked familiar to me. And I closed my eyes tightly when we stop and he parked at the parking lot in front of the very - very familiar fine dining restaurant. "Ms Davis--- I mean Madi, we're here. Mr Wilsons is waiting for you inside." John informed me. "Where exactly are we?" I asked without opening my eyes. "At the restaurant where Mr Wilsons told me to take you." I took a deep breath. "What is the name of the restaurant?" I asked him again still in closed eyes, silently praying not the same restaurant I was thinking of. "Maiden restaurant." "Oh, shit!" I muttered under my breath. Maiden in short for Madielyn and it's my Dad's nickname to me when I was young. It's the first restaurant I've built out of three. "Is there a problem, Madi?" he asked, sounding worried. I opened my eyes, took a deep breath and smiled at him. "No, Jhon. I'm okay. Thank you for picking me up." "My pleasure." he was about to take off his seatbelt but I stopped him. "It's okay, Jhon. Let me." I smiled again before opening the door and stepped out. His eyes held a silent protest but I just waved at him before walking towards the entrance of the restaurant. But of course, not before calling Noelle. I shook my head at the scenario I am imagining in my head after this. I told her to talk to all the staff not to greet me when they see me inside, which I know a bit impossible. I don't know how she will manage to do that, but I've sent her a message again that I will explain everything once I have time. "Good evening ma'am----- Ms Madi?" the security guard at the entrance greeted me with wide eyes. I placed my index finger to my lips to show him to be quite. I think he got it and he smiled before nodding. But the moment I entered... "Good evening------Ms.Madi?" Susan, one of our waitresses held the same expression with the guard. "You're so beautiful Ms Madi," she said in excitement. She has the reservation book in her hands. "Good evening, Susan. Ahm.. is there a name of Gabriel Wilsons on your lists tonight?" I asked smiling and her eyes light up more. "Let me check it, ma'am." she scanned the lists. "Oh, yes ma'am. Do you want me to show you where the table is?" And my eyes went wide. "Oh no, it's okay, just tell me where it is. Uhm, by the way, is he already here?" "Yes, ma'am, he's already here. He's in the left-wing, third table before the corner." "Okay, thank you." "Are you sure ma'am, you don't want me to show you the table?" "No, it's okay. There is no need to do that. Thank you, Susan." I said smiling. "You're welcome, Ms Madi." she smiled back at me. "Uhm... wait, Susan. Please go to Ms Noelle after this, she has some instructions for all of you. You should go now, just left the reservation book to the guard for a while." "Yes ma'am." she nodded without asking back. After that, I went to Mr Wilsons' table. And I found him on his phone frowning and talking to someone on the other line. I just wonder if it's the same person he's talking to on the phone a few days ago... An investigator as I remembered. -'Ohh, tsk..tsk..tsk.. poor someone whoever you are, I pity you for getting hired by him. Until now, he can't get over with his ex-girlfriend that he needs to hire an investigator to monitor her'- And then, there's the sudden 'pinch' in my heart again. ###CHAPTER 5: MY GIRLFRIEND, MY FIANCÉE Madi's POV: "Mr Wilsons. Good evening, Sir." I greeted him with a smile when I stopped in front of his table. He looked at me a bit surprised and studied me from head to toe. And my traitor heart started pounding fastly inside my ribcage. "Madi," he said almost in a whisper. I gulped as my eyes widened in a bit surprised. Did he just call me 'Madi'? Since I started working in the company, this is the first time he has called me by my name and not by my last name. "Sir," I said after my brain recognized it to be true. "Gabriel." my eyes widened again not just because of the way he wanted me to call him but the way he pronounced his name... manly. -'Jesus! His voice! So cold and sexy.... wait---- sexy?'- "Sit down." I heard him said and I gulped. "Mr Wilsons---" "Gabriel. Just call me Gabriel, Madi. And sit down first, I don't want you standing while I speak." "Yeah," I murmured slowly. -'haist, not even a gentleman! He didn't even pull the chair for me! Great!'- "Why do you want me to call you by your name, Mr Wilsons?" I asked as soon as I seated. "We're not in the office Madi, You can call me Gabriel." -'Ohh.. cut the professionalism and the formalities, I see.'- "You have a point Sir---- I mean, Gabriel." Wow, I love how perfectly it sounds when I mentioned it. I looked at him and he's staring at me, but I didn't look away. "Let's order first." He's the one who looked away first. He didn't have to call the waiter's attention, because once we touched the menu, one of our waiters came to our table. I silently prayed that this one was already briefed by Noelle. "Good evening Sir, good evening----ma'am?" It's Tony, our head waiter. I smiled at him as his eyes wanted to say something. My eyes silently giving him a signal not to mention my name and I breathe a sigh of relief when he continued his spell. "My name is Tony and I am your waiter for tonight... blah...blah...blah..." I looked back at my menu. He asked what our orders would be and he wrote it down on his customer's order slip. "Anything else, Sir... Ma'am?" Mr Wilsons glanced at me, waiting for my answer, but I just shook my head. What am I supposed to order here that my tongue hasn't tasted yet? And of course, most of them came from my own recipe style. "How about desserts, Sir... Ma'am?" Tony asked again but looking at me with amusement dancing in his eyes. I smiled at him and was about to speak when the man in front of my seat beat me with an arrogant comment. "No, we're not going to order desserts. Just go get our food and stop flirting with my girlfriend if you want your eyes still part of your head or your head to be still connected to your body!" My mouth fell open by his sudden outburst. And wait'-- Me-- girlfriend? What the fuck! Since when? "I'm sorry, Sir." Tony's frightened face added to my shocked state. He immediately disappeared at our sight. And Mr Wilsons acts as if nothing happened after that. "Mr Wilsons--- Gabriel, what was that?" He glared at me when I mentioned his last name again, but it didn't last when I change it to Gabriel. I don't know which one should I react first, the one he introduced me as his girlfriend or that he arrogantly snapped at my employee? Because that was the first rule I created since my business operated-- 'Treat every employee fairly'--. "He's flirting with you and you seemed so oblivious to that!" Ohh.. what am I supposed to say? He's not really flirting with me... and because this is the first time they've seen me sitting in my restaurant with a freaking guy, they were surprised. "That's not what I mean! What I was asking is why did you introduce me as your girlfriend? And what is it to you if someone's flirting with me, you're not my boyfriend!" I huffed and I crossed my arms over my chest. He didn't say anything, he's just looking at me as if studying me or something. "That's included in a deal that I am about to offer you." My eyes snapped at him in a flash. "What?" my voice was a bit loud, so I repeated it but in a lower tone. "What? What are you talking about? Can we discuss that deal now?" my curiosity strikes from within. "No. Not until we finished eating." "But...." I was cut off by the smiling Noelle who's pushing the food cart. She actually delivered our food? -'Oh my goodness! Really, Noelle?'- I bit my tongue when I saw her obviously checking Mr Wilsons' face and body. She placed our food in front of us while smiling like an idiot at the Greek God sitting across my seat. "Do you need anything else, Sir? My name is Noelle, just call me anytime if you need anything." she batted her eyelashes. But to my surprise, Mr Wilsons held my hand resting on top of the table and Noelle's eyes followed his gesture. "Don't worry Ms Noelle, I won't bother to call you. We don't need anything. Everything's already here. And can't you see I am with my fiancée, so stop flirting with me!" Noelle and I opened our eyes wide in shock. My hand unconsciously tightened its grip on his hand when I heard what he said... not with the flirting thing, but with the word 'fiancée'. What is wrong with this man? Earlier he introduced me as his girlfriend and suddenly now I've become his fiancée? What would be next... I'll become his wife? "F-Fiancée?" Noelle's voice laced with surprise as she repeated the word in her mouth. "Yes, fiancée." Mr Wilsons said not looking at her but at me. "I see," Noelle said nodding. I looked at her and she has a 'you need to explain this to me' look in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't know she's your fiancée." I gulped as she eyed me. I know what will happen next. -'Argh! Mr Wilsons!'- When Noelle disappeared from our sight, I didn't waste any minute. "Wow, Gabriel! Earlier I was just your girlfriend and all of a sudden I've become your fiancée? What would you say next, that I am your wife?" I asked in disbelief. "Let's not talk about this, until we finished. Now, eat," he answered not even bother if I threw the knife at him. "But this is-------" "Madi!" I was cut off by his dominant alpha voice. "Just eat first, we will discuss it later." '-Fine!'- I didn't open my mouth again. I focused on the food in front of me. And God! I didn't know I was that hungry. My stomach growled at the sight of the food, and let me tell you... I think I can eat a whole cow. I didn't even spare him a glance, I just savored the heavenly taste of the food. I know he's staring at me, my every bite and my every chew, but I don't care--- I'm hungry. Besides, I was just following his order 'eat first'. Although it's so creepy having an audience while eating, then so be it. After finishing my food, my urinary bladder wanted to ask permission, she wanted to see her friend-- the bathroom--. "Can I just go to the restroom before we start discussing your deal?" that's when I looked at him again. He just nodded and sipped his wine, but didn't utter any word. -'Madi, expect the obvious.'- Walking down the hall to the customer's restroom. Noelle suddenly pulled me and dragged me to the back office of the restaurant. "Hey, why did you do that? I'm going to the restroom." I glared at her but she just crossed her hands over her chest and glared back at me. "Huh!" she snorted. "Since when have you been using the customer's restroom?" she asked raising her eyebrow. "Just now, because right now I am just a customer and not the owner," I explained, rolling my eyes. "Oh, For goodness sake, Madi! What happened there? Tony told me he was scolded by your date. He's been accused of flirting with you, but the truth is, he's just acknowledging you. Poor Tony. And you know what, I offered to bring your food to your table just to see what he's talking about only to what? To even get a snarl from your so-called fiancé? My God, Madi! Earlier that man had told Tony he was your boyfriend, but when I approached you two, you became his fiancée? What was that Madi? I need an explanation!" I lost count of how many times I sighed while she was rambling her thoughts. "Noelle, listen. I will explain to you everything, but not now. Honestly, I was also shocked by the way he introduced me. He just asked me to be here because he said he has a deal to offer me. But I didn't know he booked a reservation here." "Wait, a deal to offer you? First, he introduced you as his girlfriend, then next was his fiancée. Oh my God!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide open. "I think I know what his offer will be." "What?" "To be his wife!" I chuckled nervously at her statement. "That's not gonna happen. Why would he offer me to be his wife? We can't consider ourselves friends." "So, who exactly was he to you?" "He's my boss." "What? Your boss?" she gasped. "You mean the CEO of Wilsons?" "Yes, that's him." "Oh, my freaking goodness! You had a hot and sexy boss, Madi!" And not a second, I was confused by her sudden action. She bent down, looking for something on the floor. "What are you doing?" "Wait! I'm looking for something." "And what are you looking for there?" I asked, also bending over to help her look for that 'something'. "My panty." I immediately stopped in my tracks. "What?" I asked again, not sure if I heard it correctly or if it just sounds like. "Yes. You heard it, my panty. I think I lost and dropped it somewhere when I saw your hot and yummy boss!" I punched her in the arm and I started laughing. She also laughed with me. "You're silly!" I said in the middle of my laugh. "What? It's true, come on. Help me find my panty." "Panty your ass!" we laughed a minute before I decided to go to the restroom. But this time, to our private room in the back office. "You'll still share with me, including your boss' offer." she playfully warned me. "Okay fine," I said before leaving the office and returning to our table.