"Hey Mr. Gazer, why have you been staring at me all this while? I'm not okay with that and if you must know, I bite." I said in a low but audible voice as I leaned close to his side faking a frown, avoiding creating a scene. His fragrance almost choked me pleasantly as I inhaled the Giorgio Armani perfume. I must admit, I stopped for a moment to catch my breath, even for a split second, enjoying the lavishness of his smell.
"You know Miss Ella, you have a beautiful set of dentition and you look more stunning when you pretend to be angry. Your food is getting cold or have you lost your appetite already?" The young man spoke in a low but appealing tone that swept me off my feet, letting out a chuckle. He carefully waived off my threat with both a compliment and a tease and for one, I loved his charisma as well as his confidence.
"You're impossible! Next time I catch you staring at me I'll..."
"Bite me? Come on Miss Ella. I'm not an enemy and yeah, I was wrong to have stared at you in such a manner, must have been too engrossed by your enchanting beauty. I'm sorry. Okay?" He said, this time with a smile that shook me off my balance.
"Whatever! Stay away from me." I snapped and walked away. I hurried back to my desk, trying hard to downplay what had just transpired in the office canteen. I knew the young man was a recruit to Oswealth company where I worked as a secretary, and he was one among a few others. I hated the fact that he was already a pain in my ass and hoped I would not have to encounter him again even though his smile perfectly carved on his chocolate face kept replaying in my mind. 'Ella, get a hold of yourself, don't let your guard down.' I thought to myself as I sat on my desk and rearranged my table.
"Miss Ella, you're back so soon?" Mr. Rasaq, the human resources manager called out to me just as he approached my desk.
"Yes sir, lost my appetite," I replied with a feigned smile as I stood to my feet (this was a gesture to show respect to a superior officer).
"Sorry about that. There is a minor reshuffling in the office. You have a new partner in the Secretariat and you would kindly take him through all he needs to know. He's one of the newly recruited staff, Mr. David is his name." Mr. Rasaq said and waved me to sit while he walked away, quickly disappearing beyond the walls of the office. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. 'partner indeed, I've never complained I needed extra hands' I thought to myself while I took my seat.
Barely fifteen minutes later, the guy from the canteen walked into the open space carved for my desk as the secretary beaming with smiles. I was shocked and for a moment, prayed earnestly he would not be the 'partner' the HR had told me about.
"You missed your way?" I snapped at him, frowning my face.
"Not exactly, I'm your new partner and you're supposed to help me find my way. So, yes, I kinda missed my way." David said, chuckling.
I stormed out of the office and headed straight to the HR to protest my displeasure. "Sir, I'm not comfortable working with him and he's the reason why I lost my appetite earlier. Kindly reconsider and post him anywhere else other than the Secretariat." I pleaded, wearing on my face as much somberness as I could muster.
"Ella, it's beyond me. The order came from the CEO, I'm sure you'll adjust. It's too early to pick a quarrel with a recruit." Mr. Rasaq said.
I slapped gently my forehead before making a turn toward my office. Immediately I opened the door, I let out a gasp that equally destabilized David.
"What are you doing on my seat?" I almost let out a scream.
"You scared me, Miss Ella, thought you saw a ghost," David said as he stood up from my office chair.
"Stay away from me....."
"David, my name is David," David said, giving way to me as I walked straight to my seat.
I sat down, took a deep breath, and looked at David with a side look, "I have boundaries and I would appreciate you steer clear.
"And if I choose to storm your castle nonetheless? David chuckled as he came closer to me.
"Let me watch you try," I said as I stood up to match David, his pupils further fascinating and weakening me to my bones.
"I see you both have already met, maybe on the wrong footing." Mr. Rasaq interrupted, appearing out of the blue. "Miss Ella, be nice please, he means no harm." Mr. Rasaq said. "And Mr. David, take it easy on her, remember you're to learn the job from her." He continued and turned away.
"Guess I am a necessary evil," David said, as he walked towards one of the empty seats reserved for visitors.
My attitude towards David was very unreceptive, wasting no time to show how much he was unwelcome.
"I think you should take it easy Miss Ella, you're getting yourself unnecessarily worked up," David said after a while. I ignored him and continued with my work, explaining to him occasionally what his role was as a secretary.
The day ended lazily and I hastily disappeared from the office but more importantly, from David. Subsequent days were a bit more tolerable even though Mr. Rasaq came around occasionally to placate the atmosphere even though I seemed to be enjoying it. I began to gradually let down my guard and began passing civil comments to David even though it was occasionally and I was glad he had begun to behave himself. Gradually, I became more receptive to David, enjoying his company and humorous attitude.
Our relationship soon became more cordial than the office requirements and I had to admit to myself I was beginning to like David, even though we mostly threw tantrums at each other while at work. I enjoyed his company more and the entire staff had begun passing comments about us which cared less about.
"Miss Ella, Mr. Davild be moving to another department." My Rasaq broke the news to me three months later. I was shocked and angry, hoping it was not true. I had gotten used to David and I could not imagine us working apart.
"But sir, he still has some lessons to learn." I protested.
"That's not a problem. He has gained the basics. I trust you'll adjust." My Rasaq reassured.
The memories I had enjoyed with David began to play out in my head and for a moment, went speechless. "Alright sir. Thank you sir." I managed to say.
I walked back to my office, guiding and counting my steps unconsciously.' David had stormed my heart with his charming presence and here he was, being taken away from me with little I could do to salvage the situation.' I thought to myself. I met David's table being evacuated by one of the cleaners and immediately I noticed my table was equally being emptied, attempted to stop the cleaner. "Leave my table, it's just Mr. David's you should empty." I said.
"But ma, the HR instructed me to empty the office and not just Mr. David's table." The cleaner replied.
"That must be a mistake." I said and turned towards the HR's office only to meet him standing right behind me, causing me a startle.
"It's not a mistake Miss Ella, Mr. David is our new CEO and he requested we play along keeping his identity. He's waiting for you on the top floor, your desk is right next to his. Enjoy your promotion." Mr. Rasaq said and patted me on the shoulder before walking away.
Many questions ran through my head and I wanted to punch David at that moment but restrained myself, remembering he is the CEO. I dashed to the top floor immediately, wanting to reach him faster than my legs could carry me. I knocked on his door and opened it after I heard his "come in" I stood transfixed both at the admiration of the exotic office as well as the surprise to know David was the CEO.
"Good morning sir." I managed to let out, shy to look up to David. Before i could say Jack, I felt David's presence hover around me and with a sweep of his arms, reciprocated his bear hugs.