Chapter Sixteen:
(Edited by: Noble4ever. Thank you hun x)
Emberly's POV:
Needless to say, I was feeling like shit today. I was too scared to face him knowing it was my mistake. I should've reserved it as soon as he wrote it down but hey, in my defence it wasn't entirely my mistake. I agree, I lost the note but I did tried calling him. I really did though.
Like this will help.
I don't know how I even got home in the first place. I even thought of calling all the hotels and making reservations for them two but then I thought it's beyond my reach to call 100+ hotels and reserve a single table for both of them. God knows it might turn out to be one of Arran's friends owning the hotel. I'll end in more trouble than I thought. He asked me to do one little thing I end up failing that too. I am starting to feel that I am attracted to all sorts of problems, like hey problem my week is going great but I need you to do something to make me look like a complete idiot in front of my boss.
The whole night I couldn't go to sleep, even if I did, I woke up sweating and worried. It was worst than the day I had my driving exam. I couldn't sleep the whole night and I was worried as hell that I would fail. Here I had two reasons not to sleep: one my mother and second him.
My eyes were wide open at three am. Never in my life I've woke up this early. Slowly I saw my room brightened by the sunrays and I could hear bird chirping as usual.
Maybe I can take a day off.
As much as the idea sounds appealing I know I cannot do it because of two hurdles.
A.   He will think it was my fault and I am hiding instead of facing him.
B.   I simply cannot afford to take a day off knowing I will be a nerve wreck the whole day.
Dejectedly, I managed to get off my bed and get ready for work. I swear my bed and I have the best relationship ever. He will accept me no matter how stupid I can act. Okay, I am sounding crazy now.
You see now how much I fear his anger? I know he will lash out on me, probably planning to make my life hell again. I called my dad quickly and he told me mom is out of danger but they have kept her. For some reason, her mind is not fully accepting the heart transplant. I was glad to know she was out of the critical condition.
On my way to the office, I stopped near a floral shop. Maybe I can apologise him with the flowers. Who doesn't like flowers, especially roses? I can use it for my defence too if he tries to attack me. I hope he is not allergic though, that would be waste of effort and money. Not that he cares but I do.
I was confused by which colour to get him though. All I know was red was for love and I was secretly hoping for someone would give one to me one day except Cherry, who gives me on every Valentines Day. An old lady came to my rescue.
"What's the occasion sugar?" She asked me gently.
"Uhmm... to apologise." I muttered.
Or not to get killed. I am too young to die. I've not even lived my life yet.
"Special person?" She asked me whilst indicating me to follow her.
I almost wanted to scoff. Yeah, if the special person wants me dead then yeah, he is special. Very.
"My boss..." I explained and she laughed softly.
"Well pink roses are normally to apologise." She informed me.
Giving Arran pink flowers would be equal to rub salt in his wound. It will only hurt his bigger than life ego.
"What about those orange one's?" I asked her.
"They mean 'I admire you.'" She replied me and I shake my head negatively.
Yeah, I don't think so. I do admire him but I doubt if he even wants to see my face ever again.
"The lavender one's?"
"They mean I have fallen in love with you."
Okay, say what? I almost chocked on air. Yeah right, me falling in love with him would be like me willingly hugging a cactus plant.
Maybe I could give a black flower since he is in love with black. I do doubt whether he will accept my apology.
"I think I will settle with the white one's" I finally told her.
White stands for truce therefore I shall make peace with him.
"They stand for unity." She told me and I shrugged my shoulders.
I ordered a dozen of white roses, and much to my delight she wrapped it beautifully. Giving her the last change I had, I managed not to grimace at my condition.
Damn, I need my pay pronto. I simply cannot wait to blow my money.
I have to admit; it was pretty embarrassing carrying a bouquet of flowers in front of your co-workers, who were eyeing me suspiciously and whispering to each other.
I quickly rushed inside my cubicle and took a deep breath. My heart was thumping loudly and I could hear my own fanatic heartbeats.
Five minutes left.
Consciously I fixed my shirt and smoothed my hair. Damn my heart is in racing faster than Bugatti Veyron.
Two minutes left.
I placed the flowers on the chair, hiding it. I was scared to even give it to him.
Maybe I can run away from here and never look back. I can go to Spain and hide there. To hell with this contract, I can always pretend I am dead. I heard the door open I closed my eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
"Office now." He ordered me harshly and with I nodded. He strides into his office, slamming the door, obviously still furious.
No running back. I can't hide. Taking another lungful of air, I confidently strode inside his office. What I wasn't expecting was for him to be so calm and composed about this, which makes me even more nervous.
"Did you or did you not reserve a table for us?" He asks me firmly, his eyes gazing darkly at me intently.
Said it too early. Damn, no good morning or anything, just straight to the point. Maybe, I can tell him about my mom. I doubt if he cares but I can always try.
"Actually what happened was..." I opened my mouth to speak when he cut me harshly.
"Yes or no?" He asked me toughly as his eyes were fixed on me.
Most of the blood drains from my face and knots form in my stomach.
"No." I admitted it honestly, looking down at my shoes.
"Fuck... " He growled quietly.
"I am sorry." I apologised sincerely, tears brimming in my eyes but I kept looking down at my shoes.
"Don't you fucking start with that shit." His tone made me flinch. I looked up blinking back on my tears.
"This is not why I god damn pay you for." he snaps at me, his mouth pressed into a hard line.
"I am sorry; I swear I even tried calling you..." I try to reason it out but he interrupts me.
"Did you do this on purpose?" He runs his hand through his hair and accused me.
"What?" I asked him, bewilder by his accusation.
"Did you or did you not?"
I admit, it was my fault but accusing me for doing this on purpose? Like hell I was going to achieve anything from this.
"No I did not, why would I? I couldn't find where you wrote and when I tried calling you, your phone was switched off." My own tone was getting louder.
"Sure, blame it all on me now." He snaps and I took a deep breath controlling my rising anger at him.
"I am not blaming I am just..."I exclaimed loudly.
"Maybe you should learn to shut that mouth of yours and start doing your work properly." He hissed angrily at me.
I blink in surprise. What exactly is his problem? Why cant he just listen to me without passing rude remarks? Even a criminal gets a chance to justify his or her actions and I just mere committed a harmless mistake. All he was doing was snapping constantly? I am trying my best to explain it to him and he is accusing me and telling me to do my work properly? Who the hell he really thinks he is?
"Maybe you should learn to treat me as an assistant not as your personal slave." I blurted out.
There, I have said it. Adrenaline was flowing through my body. I don't know how I managed to snap back it him but it must be his accusations. His eyes flared momentarily in surprise. He inhales sharply, and I cringe, horrified.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
Oops, too late now.
"Just get out." He growls in frustration.
"You are unbelievable." I muttered more to myself.
"I am unbelievable? Lets rewind what happened Emberly, I went there and found out my little assistant didn't even book the table at the first place and there I was, arguing like an idiot saying they are wrong when it was your mistake." he growled at me, his voice a blistering cold shard of ice.
Well that's what I am trying to explain from last half an hour. It wasn't my fault. I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I have done it once but I cannot afford to rile him up again. This will lead us nowhere. He is too angry to even think about this situation. Closing my eyes, I imagine all the happy places I've been.
Shit, I haven't been than many happy places. No matter what he says he has a right to be this angry. I had to keep reminding my self that. I opened by mouth to apologise once more when his next words shocked me.
"Just when I thought I could trust you, you showed me why I shouldn't. I wish I wasn't stuck with you." Â He sighs in exasperation and shakes his head.
His words wounded me more than it stunned me. My chest tightened painfully and I look down at my hands as I felt myself getting suffocated. Biting harshly on my lips I feel fresh hot tears forming in my eyes. I stormed out of his room without uttering a word. I was about to sit on the chair when I saw the flowers.
Damn those flowers.
Here I thought, if I give him these flowers he would have forgiven me. I wanted to laugh at the irony. Gripping the bouquet in my hand, I forcefully threw them on the wall.
I decided to go outside the building to get fresh air. This might help me calm down. I practically ignored Jason who kept calling my name from behind. Sensing people eyes on my back I went inside a random room over my left. Gladly it was unlock. The room was dark and empty.
Good this will do.
I didn't even bother turning the light on and sat in what I thought was chair. Breathing deeply I look around and I am overwhelmed by the surrounding.
Shallow and empty.
Never in my life, I've felt this alone.
Now I feel even much worse.
Tears pool in my eyes and spill down my face. What can I do to make him think I am worth this job? Why is it my one mistake will make him this angry? Am I that pathetic that he wishes to get rid of me? I burst into full-blown sobs, burying my face in my hands.
Maybe he is right. I don't deserve this job. I'm just an opportunist. Also, pathetic who cant do a simple task properly. He has every right to be mad at me. I would I had an assistant like myself.
After a while I heard someone opening the door. Soon I heard a familiar strong masculine voice. The person turns the light on momentarily blinding me.
"Who is in here?"
Shit.
My heartbeat accelerates. Nervously, I tuck my loosened hair behind my ear. I was surprised to see Mr Raymond looking down at me with the same surprised expression. I sniffled, wiping the tears with the sleeve of my shirt.
"What did he do this time?" He looks down at me sadly and sighs loudly.
Well this is awkward. What the hell I am supposed to say? That how much I hate your son? Or how much he hates me? Or how I am making his life hell? Or how I am so pathetic for him that he wishes to get rid of me.
He pulls a chair and brings it closer to my side. He passes me a handkerchief from his pocket and smiles sadly at me.
"I... kind of... for... forgot to reserve... a table for him and..." I spoke between the hiccups.
I let him figure out the rest. He takes a deep sigh as sadness registers his face.
"I am sorry for my son's behaviour Emberly." He said quietly, shocking me.
Why is he apologising to me? I am literally no one to him. I instantly felt uncomfortable having him apologise to me.
"He wasn't like this before." He continued speaking.
Wasn't like this before? I thought he was born like this. I managed not to roll my eyes but I am sure my expressions gave it all away. He chuckled at my reaction and continues talking about him.
"Really, he was a happy going care-free young bloke before. Just give him some time. He will change for the best." His voice was distant but he brings back his eyes on me and they shone hopefully at me.
"I don't think I am doing this well." I admit quietly.
"Well at least you didn't sleep on your first day." He chuckled probably thinking about something and I managed to gawk at him.
No way.
Arran slept on his first day? The same Arran who can't stand if the work is even one millisecond late?
"Emberly, my son has been through a lot and its not my place to tell you all this. That day in the hospital I didn't see someone who he will use as a punching bag, I saw a strong beautiful woman who I knew for sure will not let anyone walk over her." He said proudly.
This shocked me. First Luke and now Mr Raymond. I am really curious to hear the reason that made him this way but it wasn't the right place or the right time.
"I also saw someone who could bring my son back. Call it strange but I have a strong feeling you will." He whispered as his eyes looked troubled.
I just noticed that behind a tough billionaire, there was a loving father who was very concerned about his son. I nibble on my bottom lip, not knowing what to say. Instead of waiting for my answer, he gets up and fixes his blazer.
"Be strong and don't worry, your mother is going to be fine. I promise you on that." He added whilst going out of the room and my mouth hung open.
My mom was severely ill yesterday and suddenly she was doing much better today? It wasn't a coincidence. He must have done something. But how does he even know that mom and dad are in Spain? I never told him. He did a favour on me again and I don't even know how I am ever going to repay him back. Maybe I should try to do what he just told me to. If he believes I can, maybe then I can. Arran can be understanding and patient when it's needed. He protected me from Ken look a like the other day and I am sure he will do it later too. But I just messed it all up by riling him up more. Sometimes, I really do wish I could just take a moment to think before saying it aloud.
I should have realised how punctual he is. He doesn't even like if his coffee if its few minutes late and worse, he hates waiting. Plus he is CEO of one of the leading company in the world and he has a reputation to live up to. No matter how harsh he was the mistake was mine. It was my job to keep everything up-to-date. Â I composed myself and cleaned my face with the handkerchief. After cooling down, I made my way to my cubicle and once I've reached there I noticed something was odd. Looking around suspiciously I couldn't register what it was.
Looking at the closed door of his office, I sighed sadly. Maybe, I should've resolved this matter by giving him flowers. That's when I remember. The thing that I had found odd when I entered. The flowers were missing. My white roses for him were nowhere to be seen in this room. I checked in the bin, under the table everywhere in my cubicle but I couldn't find it. What if he saw them and got even angrier? What if he ordered someone to throw them away?
Poor flowers.
I had to let stop myself thinking about the flowers and concentrated on work ahead. My phone beeped indicating an alert. I checked it and it was a reminder of Arran's meeting with his sister in half an hour. Luckily for me, we finish early today. Forgetting what happened earlier, I softly knocked on his door before entering.
He was engrossed with a file in his hand but I knew by the fact he wasn't concentrating on the file at all. His eyes were staring at the file blankly. It does scare me sometimes thinking how much I really know him. I took a brief look over his face and nearly forgot to breath. God, he is really good looking.
He momentarily took his eyes off the file and looked up. When his eyes met, I felt tingles run down my spine. My stomach did a back flip and my breath was caught inside my lungs. His eyes were so intense that I found my self getting lost in them.
Wait a second...
Did I just say lost...
I quickly snapped out of my dreams and blushed cherry red. However his eyes were wide in panic.
"Where did you go?" He asked me urgently.
His question threw me off guards.
"Just... outside." I muttered.
"I thought you left." He sighed deeply, leaving me utterly confused.
"I cant, Arran. I am really sorry for my mistake and I promise not to commit it again. Please don't be mad at me." I softly pleaded.
Much to my horror he doesn't say anything. This is where he is supposed to say, like I don't know, I am sorry too? I look up only to find him glazing at me intently. Been the girly girl I am, I flush deep red.
"What I mean to say is... I shouldn't have broken your trust. I know, you said this wont be easy and I thank you for helping me... I apologise for my mistake and if you want me to, I will apologise to Miss Hart too." I said carefully, making sure my words don't offend him anymore.
Seriously, I am about to squirm under his gaze. I managed to look everywhere except his ways. I could feel his eyes boring on my face. It was so unexpected but not more than when he got up from his chair suddenly and slightly pushed me out of his way. He storms out of his office leaving me confused and concerned. It took me few minutes to register that he left, without any answers, just like that.
Okay, what the hell did just happen?
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Dedicated to a very special friend :)
Okay here's a question :P have you ever got caught staring at actor/model/singer hot body by your fam or friends? Where they are basically in their undies? (My case: twice... by grandma...) >.<