Chapter 16: Chapter Fifteen ✓

Chapter Fifteen:

(Edited by: kashene. Thank you so much :D)

Emberly's POV:

As much as I am enjoying working these past few days, I really am missing my parents badly. It's strange because they left for Spain last week. It was a really weird feeling. I know I should be used to live on my own by now but I guess the reason my mom needs extra care is not settling well for me. But I will always be grateful for what Mr Raymond; the senior has done for our family. He was there when we had no hope left. Even though he made me sign a contract, it was still worth it. I am worried for my dad but I don't doubt his love and affection towards my mom. I know he will be there with her all the time. Not that she gets an option but my dad is really caring.

Thinking about Arran, I flustered instantly. I am having sleepless nights for the last few days and I am ever so eager to go to work the next day. Even in office, I can't help but ogle at him, which is getting embarrassing for me. Maybe it's his calm yet arrogant style, which pulls me towards him. I don't know why he have such an effect on me. Is it because of the way his eyes blaze every time he looks at me? Or the way his eyes would dance in amusement? Or the way he will smile at me softly. Or maybe its time for me to visit the psychiatrist.

I do wonder sometimes why is he so arrogant and then when I think about it, I always come to the same conclusion, why shouldn't he? He has everything anyone could ever dream of. So what if he has more money than a normal 24 years old have? He is working hard so he deserves to live his life the way he wants to in spite of what how he lives it.

However, something about him is not right. He seems so distant and he would always become so cold in a blink of an eye that it surprises me. Like yesterday, I asked him about the ceramic plate, he deadpanned and almost refused to utter a word back. But when he did, it was bitter and harsh. I swear to God that when I broke it, he was acting like I literally took his heart out and when I asked him about it, he basically told me to get lost like it means nothing to him.

I went inside his office to give him the documents and he told me to sit down and wait. After sitting down, I watched him intently, it's amusing to watch how he kept rolling his eyes in annoyance, how his lips were parted and every time he tries to talk, the person on the other line kept on cutting him. I had to stop myself from laughing at this. I've never seen him so nervous. Hell, I haven't even seen him getting nervous at all.

"Mother, this isn't the solution.... Yes I know she is a lovely girl but seriously? I can't jeopardise our business relation... You know who she is. Mother.... May I talk? You are not done talking yet? What do you mean? I haven't even started yet, you've been talking since the last few minutes." He sounds exhausted.

What's with these rich kids addressing their parent so formally?

I zoned out of his conversation whilst making mental notes on what to do next. Let's see, I have 72 emails to reply to, print 12 copies of terms and condition then file them in order, I have to order his lunch and I still have to fill his organiser for this month which will take half of my time. Damn, why does he have to work so hard? Can't he just cut it out a bit?

"She is unbelievable." I heard him growl.

"Who?" I asked him.

"My mother." He sighed irately and I smiled softly. Thinking about mine, I know how hard moms can be. Man, I miss her.

"Thought so." I muttered.

"Anyways, I want you to book a table for us." He orders me and starts inspecting the document in front of him.

Huh? What? Us? I look at his side confused. He kept his gaze fixed on the documents.

"Us?" I questioned him, clearly surprised.

"Yeah. Us." He uttered leaving me confused and annoyed. Why does his answers have to be so twisted?

"Why?" My voice was barely audible.

"Because we are going on a date." He trails further, leaving me dumbfounded.

I'm sure my mouth is touching the floor by now. I think I have heard it wrong because for some reason I think he said the words 'us' and 'date'. Not believing it I ask him again.

"What?"

"I said we are going on a date. What's wrong with that?" He frowns.

My heart slams into my mouth. I'm sure he has lost it. What is wrong with that? Let me tell you what is wrong with it. One, you do not ask a girl out on a date like this and second, he is my boss and its wrong. I wanted to scoff, snort, or laugh but I was too stunned to even respond.

"Why?" My voice was squeaky by now and I didn't care at all.

"What why?" He stops reading the file and raises an eyebrow at me.

"A date..." I flush under his steady gaze.

"Yeah I said book a table for us..." He narrows his eyes at me.

"Yeah I heard that but don't you think it's a bit inappropriate?" I ask him uncomfortable.

"No, I don't think so." His brow furrows in confusion.

That's it; my boss has completely lost it.

"It is." I exclaimed.

"How?" He questions me.

Dear God, is he really that dumb or today is just a special occasion. Why would anyone take his assistant on a date? A DATE! One does not simply ask his assistant on a date.

"Because it's inappropriate. I don't think your father will approve it." I manage to shake my nerves and reason it out. Mr Raymond, the senior will flip out if he hears about it. He clearly told me to work for him not to go on a date with him.

"Why wouldn't he? He basically told my mother to ask me to." He shrugged his shoulders and carries on reading the file.

I think I am going to faint.  Mr Raymond asked him to ask me to go on a date with him? I think I need to get my hearing be checked too. I am hearing stuffs, which are not possible.

"Why would he do that?" My eyes widened more and I am struggling to maintain a straight face.

"I know right, I don't know what's going on in his mind." He cocks his head to one side and thinks about it.

"That's strange." I mumbled.

"Tell me about it. I don't want to discuss this anymore so book a table under my name and send an invitation to Julienne Hart." He frowns, and turns his attention back to me.

Huh?

Wait a minute.

What?

What?

WHAT?

"Julienne?" I ask him unsure.

Now who the hell is Julienne?

"Yeah Julienne." He replies really slowly as if I am a five-year-old kid and I managed not to scowl.

"Why her?" I was beyond confused now and to be honest my head was floating by now.

"What do you mean her? I am going on a date with her." He looks puzzled by my reaction.

"You are going on a date with her?" I asked him.

"Yes I am."  He confirms.

"Tonight?" I ask him again, confirming that I am not hearing stuffs.

"Yes tonight." His tone is emphatic and I cringe inwardly.

"A date with Julienne?" I whisper unconsciously.

I am having a hard time believing him. He said 'us' before now he is saying him and this Julienne girl.

"Yes Emberly, a date with Julienne" He snaps at me exasperatedly.

"Are you sure?" I pursed my lips together.

I refused to believe it in fact I do not believe it. Ha, who am I kidding? This is so embarrassing, how can I think like this.

"Yes I am. Do you want me to write it down?" He glares at me.

"I am just..." I was about to tell him what I thought when he interrupted me.

"Here I will write it down. Now book a table for us at this hotel." He adds and quickly scribbles it down on a piece of paper.

A date with Julienne. Here I thought he was asking me out on a date. I don't know whether to feel relief or feel bad about this situation. I almost wanted to laugh at my thinking and then cry. I end up laughing softly. How stupid of me to think he was asking me out. I felt a pang of jealousy inside me but I brushed it off. He looked at me as if I have lost it. To be honest I have completely lost it. Wiping the tears with my fingers I managed to stifle my laugh. He looks amused and bemused at the same time but doesn't say anything.

"Sure, I will book it for you. I am sorry for all... these questions. Something was on my mind. " I apologise and take the file from his hand.

He smiles at me and it makes my heart stop a bit. I fiddle with the file in my hand and quickly left his office. Sitting down on my desk, I bang my head with the desk a couple of times.

Ouch, it hurts.

I don't even know why I am feeling so bad about it. I guess I had it coming. I was excited for no reason. It can't be possible. He is just a boss who I work for, ignoring the fact that he is ridiculously handsome. I have to keep reminding myself.

He left for home early and I managed to do all the tasks except booking him a table. Quickly glancing over the time, I gasped loudly. I rushed inside his office and started looking for the note, where he left the hotel's name. As I was about to look under the files my phone started ringing. Yes, I've finally gotten myself a new phone. However, I blink rapidly at the number showing on the screen. That's strange; no one calls me this time. I hastily pick it up and was shocked to see it was my dad on the other side.

My heart began pounding as I listened to the sound of my dad in my ear.

"Hey... Berry." His voice was croaky and I instantly knew something was wrong.

"Hey Dad what's wrong? Are you okay? Is mom okay?" I panicked.

"Berry..." He was struggling to speak. There was silence.

"Dad... you are scaring me now. What is wrong?" I ask him, my own voice was shaking.

"Berry it's your mom. She is unwell again."

I felt my heart miss a beat as I slowly registered the information.

"What happened...?" I swallowed hard and managed to whisper.

"They took her in again. She is under observation and they don't know when she will recover." He sounds so dejected.

How I wish I was there to console him. We've already been there and I know he doesn't know how to react. Last time when mom was in hospital he went into mute mode the whole week.

"Dad...  don't worry... she will be fine. Just... take care of yourself please...? Be strong for us dad... Trust me..." My voice trembled slightly.

I comfort him over the phone with my own shaky voice. I had two options here, wail like a baby and cry over it or be strong for my dad and tell him mom will be fine so at least he can relax a bit. Once I managed to comfort him he cut the call saying he needs to go to hospital.

Even after cutting the call I didn't know how to respond. I thought everything would be fine then why this now...? What did I do wrong? Maybe I haven't appreciated what I've got but... mom. She was so happy a couple of months ago and now all we can do is wait and pray. Thinking about the pain she is going through, my heart clenched agonisingly.

My hands were trembling as I slipped on the floor with a loud thud. My throat tightened as if it feels like I've got a ball stuck there. I feel like I can't breathe. It feels like I can't get enough air in my lungs. I focused on my breathing. I tried to calm my quivering body only to have another thought about my mom.

Calm down, calm down, calm down. I chanted in my mind.

I remembered Dr Phil telling me to distract myself when I am having a panic attack.

Table, I still need to book it. I went inside his office with my legs feeling like they would give up any minute. Gripping the corner of the table tightly I began to look for the note. I blink furiously to clear my vision.

Where is that note.

Not finding, I called him but only to be forwarded to the voicemail. I tried to call him so many times. I am seriously about to loose my senses. I've never felt so panicked. Tears were brimming in my eyes. First I hear about my mom's condition worsening and now this. He will kill me if I don't make the reservation but I can't find the paper. How can I be so careless? I slid down on the floor and not being able to hold myself anymore I end up crying at my misery.

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Arran's POV:

"Sir, there is no reservation made under your name." The receptionist looks up nervously.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and told her to check it again. As per my mother's wish I asked Julienne on a date and she was more than happy to accompany me. She was looking strikingly beautiful in a red evening gown. As much as she tried to seduce me I know I cannot put our business relation on danger. Nevertheless, she was one of our top stakeholder. Everyone including my mother knows her importance in the business but its not like if she refuses to work with us we will go bankrupt, yet its good to have a stakeholder backing you up during finance crisis. I have to be careful with her because one bad move and it will jeopardise our business relation.

"Check it again, it should be under A. Raymond." I ordered her sternly.

What is with these hotel managers hiring 19 years old as receptionist and waitresses? I almost wanted to snap at her for making us wait this long. Julie on my side was equally annoyed.

"Sorry Sir, but there is no reservation made under A. Raymond." She answered back in a weak tone.

I briefly closed my eyes to contain the anger. She is really starting to piss me off.

"Try Arran Raymond." I snapped harshly.

"Sorry but there isn't any." She replied showing me the monitor.

She was right though. My name wasn't on the list. That only means...

"Excuse me can you go and call your manager." Julienne told her politely.

"Sure Ma'am." She followed the instruction and called her manager.

I couldn't comprehend what she was saying. All I was feeling was the anger and humiliation that she has caused. Never in my life had I waited for a fucking manager to take us inside. I used to walk like I own this place and now I have to wait for a manager to let us in. Not to mention I am with Julienne.

"Ahh Mr Raymond, how lovely to see you again. Please come inside." The manager recognised me instantly.

"But Sir there is no reservation..." She muttered, reminding me a lot of Emberly,

That girl.

"Claire, they are our special guests. Please come in..." He replied her sternly and turned his attention to us.

The whole evening I couldn't stop but think about her. I guess I was more disappointed with her than angry. Fuck, I was equally angry. I agree I promised myself to go easy on her but how much help does she needs? I fucking wrote it down for her yet she still forgot to reserve it, even after reminding her twice before going home. I cannot believe how absurd her behaviour was regarding work. Never in my life have I been so embarrassed. She managed to humiliate me in front of someone who admires me for my efficiency, all thanks to Emberly.

I cannot fucking wait to see her tomorrow.

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