Chapter 5 V

I don't think I've ever felt this sick before. This is the fourth time I'm throwing up this morning and I've barely had anything to eat plus Faith isn't home and I have to be at work in thirty minutes.

I have to give the presentation slides to Mr. Moore today so I dragged myself up, showered and got dressed in a navy blue button up blouse tucked in a grey skirt and paired with black heels and light makeup to cover up my sick face.

I gathered my things and got in the cab I booked.

I'm an hour late for work but I think Mr. Moore will understand if I explain how sick I am.

I passed and waved at Jenna, she waved back with a nervous smile.

"Mr. Moore has been waiting for you, he doesn't look too happy". I gave her a quick nod and headed to the office. I knocked twice before letting myself in.

Alex was sitting behind his desk glaring at me.

"Good morning sir, I'm sorry I'm late, I had to......."

"Do you want to get your sorry ass fired this minute? On your first day on the job I told you I don't tolerate incompetent staff and you had the guts to come in late today" he shouted, slamming his fists to his desk as he stands up from his seat, the abrupt action make me yelp in fear.

"I'm so..... sorry sir, if you'd please let me explain. I do have a reason for coming in late" I said, stammering.

"Do you want to get fired, Ms. Clark ?" he shouted, his voice louder than before.

"Do you ?" he yelled again. I shook my head in response.

"Use your words" he said sternly

"N-no sir" I answered quickly, my voice uneven but loud enough for him to hear.

He groaned in frustration

"Drop the presentation slides on my desk and go make yourself useful. I don't tolerate incompetence and this is your last warning. Now get out" he said with so much hate in his voice.

I dropped the presentation slides on his desk and walked out of the office. I feel tears stinging my eyes but I won't let him see me cry. He doesn't deserve to see me cry.

Days like this got me thinking, being a cleaning lady or a waitress is better than being yelled at like this. It's much better than being an assistant to an arrogant boss.

I made my way to my cabin, locked the door and cried. I didn't want to bother Faith, she's been stressing about me a lot lately.

After a few minutes of crying, I dried my tears and heard a ring, it was Mr. Moore.

"I need you to get the Anderson's contract file from Jenna, go over them, make changes where necessary and bring them to me as soon as possible" and he hung up. No apology, not like I was really expecting one from someone like him.

I got the files from Jenna and I was done with the work within an hour.

I made my way to his office to submit the files.

"Here are the files sir"

"Drop them on my desk and have a seat" he said politely. "Why were you late this morning ?"

"Sir, I wasn't feeling well this morning, I've been throwing up and I've barely had anything to eat. That's why I was late"

"Hmmm, I'm sorry I yelled at you without trying to find out the reason. That was uncalled for". I looked at him stunned. I never thought he'd actually apologize. "Let me make it up to you. How about lunch ?" I nodded in response

"Go get ready then" he said and he sounded almost excited.

I feel like he's messing with my head. One minute, he's yelling, the next, he's nice and today he's apologizing. Is he bipolar or what? Oh Lord help me.

He was waiting outside leaning on a black Lamborghini. He looked delicious as always. I walked up to him with a slight smile and he opened the passenger door for me, placing his hand on the small of my back which sent shivers down my spine as he guides me into the car.

We got to a restaurant that seemed too fancy for me. I felt out of place like I didn't belong.

A waitress was waiting in front. "Welcome Mr. Moore, welcome miss" she smiled at us but her eyes lingered on Alex for a second too long but he was busy on his phone and I felt a tightening in my chest.

"Mr. Moore, your usual table is ready"

He replied with a nod.

"Right this way" she ushered

I followed behind Alex as the waitress kept giving me death glares.

We sat down in a booth that overlooked most parts of the city. It looks really beautiful.We sat across each other and I was avoiding his gaze. There was no doubt the food here would cost a fortune, the whole place was screaming luxury and elegance.

The waitress returned with two menu booklets and I stared at the booklet in confusion.

"Your usual Mr. Moore ?" He nodded in response .

I looked up at Alex giving him a look to please help me. He looked at me with amusement in his eyes.

"Do you want me to order for you"

"Yes please" I'm glad he offered cause I didn't know what I was looking at. The waitress took our orders and left

"You seem to come here a lot" I said trying to kill the awkward silence

"Well I do, it's my restaurant" he said in a polite way and I looked at him. I was impressed, a side business.

A waiter came by, handing us our appetizers. It looks and smells really good, I'm practically salivating. I heard a low chuckle from Alex, if I wasn't paying attention I sure would've missed it.

As soon as the waiter left, I poked my food and ate a small quantity from it. Oh my goodness it's like the flavor is melting in my mouth. My taste buds have never tasted anything like this before.

"You like it ?" Alex asked with a smile. I nodded in response

"I'll be sure to send your review to chef" he said laughing

"Please do, this is really good" I moaned.

"Hope you'll be able to keep this one down without throwing up" he said with concern in his eyes.

I hope so too.

After the appetizer, the waiter from earlier brought the main course and it was just as good as the appetizer. While we were eating, I decided to break the silence.

"I don't mean to pry in your private life but can I ask you something ?" I don't know where I got the confidence to ask but I hope he answers.

"Go on"

"I notice anytime your fiancee comes around, she always leaves crying. Why is she always crying ?". I was really curious

"First off, Arielle isn't my fiancee, she's my ex". That brought me relief. I hope it's not obvious.

"We dated for a while but she cheated on me with my best friend. She keeps coming to beg me to take her back and my father is also convincing me to take her back but I don't want to".

"Wow, that must've been difficult". I wonder how he felt when he found out. I feel sorry for him.

"Enough about me, how are your parents ?" he's trying to change the conversation which is okay but why this topic

"Well my parents died in a plane crash while I was much younger so it's just me now. I sometimes feel lonely like I don't have anyone but my best friend Faith has always been supportive" I blinked back tears threatening to spill. I don't want to ruin our lunch with my tears.

"I'm really sorry about your parents" he sounded genuine and there was no pity in his voice. I was grateful for that.

"Thanks" I smiled slightly.

After our meal, I brought out my credit card to support the payment for lunch but Alex glared at me. "Put that back, I'm paying. Let me spend on you". I can feel the butterflies in my stomach reacting to what he said. I'm sure he didn't mean it the way I'm thinking.

He paid and tipped the waiter heavily then guided me out of the restaurant.

While driving I noticed we were going the wrong way. "That's not the way to the office?" It sounded more like a question rather than a statement.

"I'm taking you to the hospital to get you medications.

"Ooh that's alright, I can get them myself after work"

"No, I insist"

We got to the hospital, I was given medications and asked to rest.

"Put your address in the GPS. You can take the rest of the day off" I did as I was asked and said a low "thank you".

We got to my apartment and he opened the passenger door for me and helped me get out of the car.

"Thank you for today, I enjoyed myself" I said with gratitude

"You're welcome. Get well soon okay" he said, giving me that look, the same look from the other day.

As I was about to go into my apartment, he held me back and pulled me in a hug with a kiss on my forehead. I feel the butterflies in my tummy go wild again.

Ooh God help me, what is this man doing to me? He released me and I'm pretty sure I looked as red as a tomato. I walked into my apartment, closed the door and rested my back on it. What just happened

"Ooh my God, is that your boss?!!"I heard Faith shriek.