My Beautiful Liar

Chapter 7 Liar

HER

    Since our last conversation in the coffee shop, I didn't get the chance to see Paul in the office the whole week until this morning.  I wanted to set the record straight and clear his wrong assumptions that I am married and already have a daughter.  But we got cut off with an important call from a foreign investor.  I hope I'll get the chance to talk to him again soon.    

I have been inside my office for almost the whole day now.  I just finished a video meeting from another potential investor.  Christian already gave me a heads up that there's a lot of offers coming our way for possible mergers. 

But I told him that I want Millennium to be a standalone company.  We could entertain investors since our stocks are soaring high but not mergers.  No more co-ownership.  He agreed with me on that.

My schedule is already booked for the next three months.  I couldn't believe I'm officially in the business world and making tough decisions for the company. 

Since Mr. Lee expressed his intention of leaving Millennium to start a new business venture, my brothers started grooming me to be the head of our company.  I assured them they will never regret their decision of making me the CEO of Millennium.

I rubbed my temples and massaged the back of my neck.  It has been a tiring week.  I just finished reviewing some documents on my desk and I badly need another cup of coffee.  I was about to press the intercom to ask Tina, my secretary, to bring me some fresh coffee when I realized that it's already past 5 PM.  I almost forgot that she peaked in my office a while ago to say that she'll go ahead. 

I decided to get up and head to our cozy office lounge. I am also craving sweets to go with my coffee.  A famous bakery delivers a variety of freshly baked pastries daily which are sinful.    Our employees could go to the lounge anytime and enjoy different sweet treats. I am already thinking of the mouthwatering soft brioche with butter and sugar topped with lots of grated cheese.  I can already feel it melting in my mouth. 

As soon as I entered the lounge, I saw Paul on the counter already raiding the pastry bar.  I can smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.  He must have heard the click-clack of my heels because he turned around fast, looked at me and smiled curtly.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Arkin."  He greeted me.

I walked towards the pastry bar and stood beside him while looking at the display of desserts in front of me.  I got the soft brioche, placed it on a small plate and faced him.  We were a few feet from each other, but I could smell his familiar fresh, crisp scent.  It's almost the end of the day and he still smells so good.  I wonder how much cologne he sprayed on his body.

"Paul, can you please cut the formality?  Just call me Cassie, okay?"  I said to him while taking a small bite of my brioche. 

"I can't do that, you're my boss. It's a sign of respect." He replied.  I frowned at his remark.

"Then, I'll start calling you Mr. Rivera, too.  Like how I called you when you were still my professor.  How come you're so formal?  Where is the guy I met in the bar a long time ago?  You were so laid back then.  Where did you hide him?"  I teased.

"Wow, I'm surprised you still remembered that.  You've never met him.  He's just a figment of your imagination." He replied bluntly.

I raised my eyebrow.  This conversation is getting interesting.  "Really? I don't think so.  I remembered him even getting my number that night.  He's sleek like that."  I continued to annoy him.

He grimaced and didn't respond.  He passed by me and went to the other side of the counter to get a cup of coffee while holding a small cream puff on his other hand.