49th floor, Kim Group...
Chloe's eyes remained glued to the screen, her hands working effortlessly on the keyboard with full concentration, just like her other colleague.
Working on this floor, just a floor below the CEO, it was like working on thin shells.
Any mistake, and you are fired.
Chloe, the youngest secretary in the team, had to work her butts to meet up with others. Though there was another colleague, the same age as Chloe.
Chloe sighed, her tense body calming down as she finished her work.
Just as she was about to save the documents, an article popped up on the screen, stopping her movement.
Chloe froze on her seat,her eyes fixed on the lit computer screen that had an article on display.
#Breaking News, the Lopez family has made a comeback, topping the 3rd global ranking #
Chloe clicked on the group photo of a couple and three sons attached, and her grip on the mouse tighten.
She gritted her teeth, her eyes turning bloodshot.
"How could they dare to come back?"she said, raging with anger, oblivious to the change in atmosphere in the office.
"Chloe?" A colleague whispered, her voice laced with fear and worry. "Chloe?"
But Chloe didn't hear her name being called because she was lost in her thoughts.
Suddenly, a hand reached out to her shoulder, and out of anger, she slapped the hand off with all her might.
It was after she had committed the action that she come back to her senses, looking up to see that it was her boss.
Everyone erupted in shocked gasps, their hands flying to their mouth.
Chloe jumped up, breaking out in cold sweat.
"I- I'm s-s-orry sir," she stuttered, her head lowered in ninety degrees.
The other colleague stood frozen in place, still processing what had just happened.
Charles straightened up, a cold smirk forming on his face. "Ms. Chloe, in my office. Now" he whispered, laying emphasis on 'now'.
He patted Chloe's shoulder again, his gaze flickering to Chloe before he strode away.
"Ah," the staffs collapsed into their chairs, their faces ashen.
They secretly glanced at Chloe, not wanting to approach her, lest them become implicated as well.
Chloe slumped back in her chair, rubbing her throbbing temples. She had let the article get the best of her, leading her to do what she shouldn't dare to do.
"Chloe?" The timid voice of Mia, the colleague from earlier came from the front of Chloe's table, her head slightly lowered.
Chloe looked up, her face showing that of surprise. No one has ever looked out for Chloe, not even in this office, so seeing a person being concerned about her, Chloe was teary-eyed.
Chloe pursed her lips, a soft smile forming on her face as she held Mia's hand. "I'm fine, okay?" She reassured Mia, though the words were meant for herself.
Mia nodded her head, her face loosening up as she walked back to her desk.
She straightened up, catching the stare of the other staffs. As if caught in a crime they quickly looked away, their faces flushing with a soft hue.
Chloe's smile widened, amused by their evasive behavior. Remembering that she hadn't saved the documents, Chloe turned to the computer, only to see a plain page.
Chloe's eyes widened, a faint cry escaping her lungs, not loud enough for the others to hear. Chloe banged her head on the desk, unable to believe herself.
She had worked three days and nights to complete this project, and it was gone like that?
Chloe lifted her now swollen head up, angrily shutting off the system before walking towards the elevator. But every steps she took didn't escape the stare of her colleague, making it hard for her to walk.
Unable to hold on again, she looked back, giving them a cold glare before stepping into the elevator.
Yet, in the elevator, time seemed to have frozen. Her head was muddled up, and she couldn't come up with an excuse for doing what she did earlier.
Chloe slapped her forehead, wincing in pain. She rubbed her forehead slowly, trying to make the bump less obvious.
Just in time, the elevator opened, and Chloe stepped out, still rubbing her head, only to bump into a broad chest.
"Ah," Chloe winced again, gritting her teeth in pain. If her hand had not been on her forehead, her bump could have become egg-sized.
She looked up to meet the cold, aloof face of her boss.
She quickly tried to create a distance between them, but his iron fist hand was wrapped around her waist, making it impossible.
"W-what are you doing sir?" Chloe snapped.
But Charles didn't reply, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed her head. "How did you got a bump?"
"How is that your business?" Chloe thought to herself, pursing her lips.
Charles didn't press further, releasing his grip on her waist ans he walked into his office.
Chloe stood still for a seconds, thinking that if what had just happened earlier was a dream.
But she quickly brushed it off, walking in after Charles. He was now seated behind his expansive desk, his hand working effortlessly on the documents.
Chloe walked forward, standing before Charles with a lowered head. For the next few seconds, the room remained silent, except the sound of the Charles' scribbling.
Chloe felt suffocated, so she cleared her throat, deciding to break this silence.
"I'm sorry for-"
Her words were cut off by Charles cold gaze. Chloe pursed her lips, left with no choice than to wait patiently for him.
After thirty minutes of waiting, Charles signed the last document, dropping his pen to lean back in his chair.
He looked up, meeting Chloe's angry gaze. Chloe scoffed, knowing that he was definitely punishing her.
"Come here," he Commanded.
Chloe hesitated, unsure of his intentions. But her legs still moved, finding it's way beside Charles. "Sir?"
Chsrlee swerved his seat to the side, facing Chloe. He dragged her closer, pulling her to seat on his lap.
"What are you doing sir?" Chloe jerked, trying to stand up. But Charles didn't give her a chance to do so, pulling her closer.
The distance between them was thin, as Chloe could now count all his eyelashes.
"Y-you asked for me sir?" Chloe asked, trying to keep her professional stance.
Charles didn't reply, instead, his face was fixed on her, so intense that it could bore a hole in her.
Chloe grew increasingly uncomfortable under his stare, looking away. "Sir, you -"
"Marry me."
Two words. He cut her off with those two words that send shivers for Chloe's spine.