Chapter 9

"Here," he said, pointing to the bigger box of cake. For everyone. "Thank you, boss," she said and also turned to Mitchell to thank her as well. "You are welcome," She answered. Then added, "Please do not forget the man at the security post." "Okay ma am" Andrea replied before leaving the office. Daniel brought out two wine glasses for the wine and two sauce plates for the cake. Then he walked to the exquisite basin at the corner of his office to rinse the cups and plates, with his back towards Mitchell, he busied himself with the job at hand. Mitchell thought over telling him about the little but interesting incident that happened in the lobby. "Should I? Shouldn t I?" she thought "Should you what?" he asked to the surprise of Mitchel who didn t realize she had uttered her thought for him to hear. When he continued goading her with his eyes, she finally decided to tell him. She was going to tell him anyway; she just wasn t sure if to wait until later and enjoy the moment of his birthday aura first. "Met an arrogant man at the reception on my way here," she started, "he was very mean to the receptionists and security officers." She added "Arrogant? Who could that be?" he asked briefly, turning back to look at her before returning his attention to what he was doing. "I." Came the reply from the door. "Daniel, make the cup three." the owner of the voice added Daniel and Mitchell turned towards the door simultaneously and while Daniel s face registered surprise, Mitchell s face contrived to give the newcomer a hard look. "Welcome Boss," Daniel greeted. Boss!!! Could she have heard wrong? Mitchell wondered. The man was Daniel s boss. The receptionists and the officer s boss as well. It was Mitchell s turn to be surprised, shocked, and stunned. She hoped she hadn t caused trouble for Daniel and the staff at the lobby. She couldn t believe she had asked the boss to apologize to his staff. But when was he employed? What was his position? How did he happen to be Daniel s boss? Could he be a new CEO? But that could have made it to the media if they had elected a new CEO. Slowly she turned to look at the man who had taken his seat right beside her after returning Daniel s greeting. Daniel brought out a third cup and plate and returned to the basin to rinse them before he busied himself with the cutting of the cakes. Secretly Daniel spared her a look asking if that was the arrogant man and with a nod of her head she affirmed. Mitchell knew she had gone overboard this time but being their boss doesn t give him the right to be mean to them she told herself but what does it matter, she knew she had to apologize, so she turned back to look at the man, only to find him staring at her intently. He looks very cold. Daniel, not sure what to do, busied himself with the wine and cake. "Well!!" The boss drawls. Breaking the silence in the room, then continued still looking so intently at Mitchell. "I believe you owe me an apology. But firstly, let me introduce myself. "Michael." He said, extending his hand towards Mitchell. Michael Smith, Chairman Zezame Group". Mitchell s mouth fell open and closed again without saying a word, after a moment she realized he was still holding his hand out for a handshake. "I m sorry," she said. Taking his hand for a brief shake before quickly withdrawing it from his grasps. The moment their hand touched, Mitchell felt heat rush under her skin, awakening every female nerve in her body, sending her hormone racing frenzy. Her body became aware of him in more ways than one. She hurriedly covered up her flushed face by bending her head and when she looked up again, her face gave nothing away. She looked at him to see if he had felt the electrical jolt but he appeared calm and his face registered nothing. "This man is dangerous," Mitchell thought to herself. "I m sorry?" Michael repeated sardonically. Is that your name or the apology you owe me? He asked without humor. Mitchell bit back the sharp retort that was about to escape her mouth, she had already made enough trouble, no need adding to it. "I m sorry, was the apology I owed you. Mitchell Browne is the name." Mitchell answered, failing at an attempt to smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Mitchell," he said after looking at her fingers and noticing the absence of a ring. "Miss Browne to you," Mitchell corrected With a quirk of his eyebrow, Michael said scornfully "But I like being on a first-name basis with my very close friend, making sure to emphasize on the word- very." "I m not your friend?" "Are you not?" He asked. But just a few moments ago you were telling me how close- very close you were with the boss, with me.