Chapter 54
Bella
What is it about my boss that makes me so affected by his glances? I can’t understand myself-why do I miss him every time I don’t see him? After what happened between us in his office, I tried to act casual around him and noticed that he did the same. However, I could see that he was uneasy in a way I couldn’t pinpoint. I can’t resign because I need this job for my child, who requires special medication, and he compensates me more than the other company.
In the days that followed, we acted as if we didn’t know each other. I noticed his desire to start conversations that had nothing to do with work. He’s just very good at holding back, and I don’t know how he does it. Meanwhile, I’m struggling, too. I’m not sure if he notices it. I want to feel his arms and touch me again.
I want to ask him things, but I can’t find the courage to do so because I don’t want him to think I’m interested in him. What if his true feelings are different from what I assume? I’m so confused, especially since I can’t get him out of my mind. It’s only been over a month since I started working for him, but here I am, with my thoughts and feelings in turmoil.
This morning was like the past few days. He had just arrived, so I made him coffee and brought it to his office, but I ran into him just as I opened the door, looking like he was in a hurry.
He mentioned that he had to go somewhere, so I understood he wouldn’t be drinking the coffee I made and let him leave. Even as I worked, my mind kept drifting back to him. It was as if he bid me farewell or informed me of his departure, which brought me a little happiness.
I just focused on organizing all his schedules for the upcoming weeks because Sir Aries had made some changes. One of his American business partners canceled his meeting with them at the Hotel, Resorts, and Casino for personal reasons.
When I finally focused on my work, the bow-legged woman arrived with Sir Maximus’s grandmother. “Ah, Ma’am, Sir isn’t here,” I said when I noticed them heading into Sir’s office. The elderly woman looked at me angrily, but I ignored it and waited for her to speak.
“Where did he go?”
“He didn’t mention, ma’am.” I had to be polite because she was my boss’s grandmother, and Sir Maximus didn’t want to get scolded if he found out I was rude to her like I had been to the bow-legged woman.
“You better stay away from my grandson.” I frowned at her words and glanced at the bow-legged woman beside her, seeing the smirk on her face.
“I don’t understand what you mean, ma’am. Is that what Midori told you?” I asked, causing the bow-legged woman’s eyes to widen. Did she really think I’d still call her “Ma’am” after witnessing the scene in my boss’s office and hearing her insults?
“You should address her as ‘Ma’am’ because she’s your boss’s fiancee!” the elderly woman said angrily, even ordering me around.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but Sir Maximus said that I don’t need to address Midori as such since he has nothing to do with her.” My boss never said that, but I lied out of annoyance with this bow-legged woman. I don’t care if my boss gets mad at me if he finds out about this.
“Did you hear her, granny? She’s talking back because she thinks Maximus will take her side.”
“You!” the elderly woman said, pointing a finger at me, but before she could say more, Sir Aries arrived.
“Ma’am,” he greeted the elderly woman, causing her to turn her attention to Sir Maximus’s assistant.
“Where is your boss?” the elderly woman asked calmly. Why does she speak to Sir Aries that way when we’re both just company employees?
“Sir Mariano arrived, and they’re together now.”
“What’s that bastard doing here again? Don’t tell me he has news about Maximus’s dead wife?” the elderly woman said angrily. Has Sir Maximus still not lost hope about his wife? I couldn’t help but feel sad after hearing that.
“Please don’t talk like that about Ma’am Sarina; Sir will surely be angry if he hears you,” Sir Aries reminded her, but I saw the fury cross her face.
“You know what, granny? I’m sure it was Mariano who gave Maximus hope for his dead and bitch wife.” This bow-legged woman is unbelievable. No wonder she’s clinging so hard to my boss, but it seems ineffective since when I caught them, he was the one who sent her away instead of continuing their interrupted romance.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
It’s clear that Sir Maximus doesn’t like Midori, and because of that, I felt a bit of happiness. But knowing that my boss still hopes for the return of his deceased wife also brought me sadness. What if he only sees his dead wife in me while I started to feel differently?
“I don’t care about that, and don’t you dare lecture me because you’re just an employee here!” the old woman said angrily to Sir Aries, snapping me back to the situation in front of me. “And you, woman, stay away from my grandson because you’re not good enough for him. Only Midori is fit to be my grandson’s wife, no one else.”
I raised an eyebrow before glancing at Sir Aries, who looked uncertainly between me and the old woman. Should I answer back so she can see what she’s looking for? But of course, I couldn’t do that-it’s not worth losing my job, so I just shrugged off what my boss’s grandmother said.
“You hear my granny, so you better stay away from Maximus,” Midori repeated, which annoyed me.
“Even if I stay away from my boss, he won’t like you. You didn’t win him over before, and you never will because I’ve heard around the company that he only loves one woman, and that’s his wife-no one else.”
“You crazy bitch!” the bow-legged woman snapped and tried to slap me, but I quickly blocked her hand.
“You have no right to hurt me. I won’t let a bitch hurt me just because I told her the truth.” I let go of her hand, and I could see her seething. The anger was evident on her face, but she also knew I wouldn’t back down.
“I will tell Maximus about this. You flirt, trying to seduce my grandson.”
“Go ahead, Ma’am. I’m not afraid because I know I didn’t do anything wrong. And I also know my boss is sensible and won’t easily believe rumors, especially if they come from that bow-legged woman.”
“You’ve got a sharp tongue, just like that tramp Sarina.”
“Ma’am,” Sir Aries tried to intervene, but the old woman got even angrier.
“Don’t try to stop me from saying what I want!” she yelled. “My grandson never knew how to choose women. I was so happy when I found out that tramp Sarina was gone, and now he’s planning to replace her with another lowlife!” Then the two left, leaving Sir Aries and me watching them go.
“Just be patient with the old lady, Bella,” Sir Aries said. I smiled at him and nodded. There was nothing between Sir Maximus and me, so I didn’t understand why they reacted that way. We hadn’t shown anything publicly that could cause rumors of any relationship.
I returned to work after Sir Aries left to return to his desk. I shrugged off the incident and tried to push it out of my mind. I didn’t need more things to worry about-my child’s condition and the occasional thoughts of Sir Maximus were enough.
Around four in the afternoon, Sir Aries approached me. “Uh, Bella.” I looked at him and waited for what he would say next. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, Sir,” I replied.
“Could you please deliver this to Sir Maximus’s condo? He must bring it to his brother tomorrow, but I can’t stop by because I have something important to attend to.”
“Huh?” I asked, a bit confused.
“You can go straight home afterward.”
I couldn’t refuse, and it would be rude to say no. I saw how much work he had, plus the extra tasks Sir Maximus gave him. After he gave me the address, I took the folder and started to pack up my desk. I booked a Grab, and since traffic wasn’t too bad yet, I quickly arrived at the condo close to the company.
When I got to the door, I rang the doorbell, but after several presses, no one answered or opened the door. I looked at the doorknob and noticed it required a password. Suddenly, a number popped into my head, and I slowly raised my hand to enter it.
My eyes widened when the door opened. In a daze, I slowly pushed it open and stepped inside. I was still confused as I closed the door and walked further into the living room. Why did this place feel familiar?
I looked around and noticed the rooms. Slowly, I walked toward a closed door and stopped in front of it. I was about to reach for the doorknob when someone spoke behind me.
“How did you get in?” I turned around and saw Sir Maximus, wearing only a towel, with water dripping from his hair down to his neck, shoulders, and body. I couldn’t help but swallow.
“Can I have a taste–“