One week later…
"Coffee?"
I set the cup I'd prepared down in front of him. He gave me a small smile before taking a sip. I just stood there, smiling like an idiot while watching him drink.
"Stop it, babe."
His sudden comment snapped me back to reality. I straightened up quickly.
"H–huh?" Why was my voice suddenly shaking?
He smirked, placed the cup on the table, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and looked at me—still smiling.
"Why? You don't like it? Babe?" he repeated.
"S–stop that!" I hissed—not because I was angry, but because I wasn't used to him calling me that. And I could feel my cheeks heating up.
He laughed, which only irritated me more. Then I practically jumped when he suddenly pulled me onto his lap. I tried to get up, but he wrapped his arms around me, trapping me there.
"Babe…" he whispered.
My face burned, so I smacked his arm. "Stop it!" I warned, but he just laughed harder. Damn this man. Can't he see I'm already blushing?
"What? You don't want me calling you that?"
"How about I punch you instead?"
He only laughed again.
"Oh yeah? How about I kiss you instead?" He mimicked my tone and kept laughing.
"You think that's funny? Let me go!" I struggled, but he was too strong. Annoyingly strong.
"Why are you in such a bad mood? Should we get breakfast?" he asked casually.
I paused. Well… he had a point. I was getting a little hungry.
"Umm… fine."
"Good. Where do you wanna—"
"Shit!"
I shoved Francis away the moment the door opened and Ms. Gada walked in. I jumped off his lap so fast I ended up a whole meter away. My heart dropped when I saw Francis sprawled on the floor.
Oh no. Did I push him that hard?
"Oh my gosh! Mr. Locan!" Ms. Gada rushed to help him up. I bit my lip.
"Are you okay, sir? Are you hurt anywhere? Should I call the hospital?" she asked frantically.
Francis simply cleared his throat, straightened his clothes, and looked at me.
"No. I'm okay," he answered.
"Are you sure?" she asked again.
"Yeah, yeah."
"What were you doing down there, sir? And you, Gianna! How could you let Mr. Locan fall like that? You didn't even help him!" she scolded.
"I'm sorry…" I whispered, bowing my head.
"Oh my! Next time—"
Francis cut her off.
"I'm okay. I just grabbed something under the table," he said quickly, shooting me a look.
You annoying man. Stop looking at me like that—I'm already panicking.
"By the way, is there a problem? Why are you here?" he asked, expertly changing the subject. Thankfully, Ms. Gada took the bait.
"Oh! Right! The things you asked me to buy are downstairs already. And the balloo—"
"Ah! Yeah! Come here!"
He yanked her away mid-sentence, nearly covering her mouth so she wouldn't say anything else.
They started whispering from afar, clearly trying to keep me from hearing.
Excuse me? I'm the secretary here. I should know what they're talking about!
I decided to approach them, but they turned to me immediately—like I'd set off an alarm.
Wow. Defensive much?
My curiosity was eating me alive.
Moments later, Ms. Gada left. Francis returned to his chair. I marched over, one eyebrow raised.
"What was that?" I demanded.
"Nothing," he replied curtly.
Nothing? Sure. And I'm the Queen of England.
"You sure?" I pressed.
"Yeah."
His answers were so short. What happened—did he suddenly run out of syllables?
I just nodded, even though I didn't believe a word of it. If he didn't want to tell me, then fine.
---
When lunch time came, I went out to eat with Gael at the nearby restaurant.
Francis had invited me too, but I didn't go. I didn't want people talking if they saw us together too often.
Sure, I was his secretary—but we both knew our reason for being together wasn't just "boss and employee" anymore.
Better to be careful than become the office gossip.
After lunch, Gael and I got into the elevator to go back up to our floor.
When the doors opened, there were only two people inside, so there was plenty of space. A few minutes later, the elevator stopped on the 5th floor—and I swallowed hard when the person who stepped in was…
Francis.
Everyone immediately made space, which resulted in him standing right beside me.
Seriously? He had his own private elevator. Why this one?
The silence was suffocating. The air conditioner was cold, but my cheeks felt like fire.
Gael stood on my other side, absorbed in his phone.
Suddenly, Gael's phone rang. He turned away apologetically.
"Sorry, sir," he said.
"Go ahead," Francis replied calmly.
Gael turned away from us and answered the call.
"Hello? Why are you calling? You know I'm at work," he scolded whoever was on the line.
I stood quietly—until I felt a hand slip into mine.
My eyes widened. I glanced to the side and nearly fainted.
Francis.
Panicked, I scanned the elevator to check if anyone saw us. I tried pulling my hand away, but he wouldn't let go. I glared at him, but he only raised a brow—like he was the one asking what my problem was.
"What are you doing…" I whispered. "Let go."
But he acted like he didn't hear a thing.
My heart was pounding out of my chest.
Then, just my luck—Gael turned back toward us.
Instinct kicked in. I quickly pulled our hands behind me so he wouldn't see.
"You okay?" Gael asked.
I forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Sure? You're red," he pointed out.
"H–huh? It's nothing," I lied.
I twisted Francis's finger—not too much, just enough.
He hissed.
"Ouch!"
A bit too loud, because everyone in the elevator looked at him.
He straightened himself like nothing had happened. People slowly turned back to their own business. But Gael—damn him—had a mouth that wouldn't quit.
"You okay, sir?" Gael asked.
Francis glanced at him and nodded.
"Yeah. Something bit my finger," he said. "A big bee," he added, shooting me a pointed look.
This man, I swear.
"A bee? There's a bee here, sir?" Gael asked, completely confused.
"Yeah. But it flew away."
Oh my God. Someone bury me alive… right now.