"My boyfriend," I answered, trying to stand confident—even when lying.
The boss's face changed; his eyes were flashing with surprise as he leaned back in his chair.
"Don't tell me you believe that. It's getting better," I lied.
But seriously, how can I work for someone who saw me naked? uh?
Avoiding his eye glare, I walked to the shelf where the knife was kept so that I could cut some vegetables like onions.
As I sliced the onion into half, a drop of tear fell off from my eyes.
I didn't know onions could make me cry so badly, mostly in front of him.
The tears kept dripping like a damp oven, though I sniffed and closed my eyes.
Still lost in my tears, I mistakenly cut my pinky nail.
"Ahh," I yelled in pain.
"What happened?" he rushed over as he grabbed my hand in speed.
"I—I cut my finger," I said, sniffing.
He quickly cut out his singlet he was wearing into pieces and tied it around my finger.
The chest and abs staring at me made me blush slightly. This is the second time I'm seeing his chest.
Last time I didn't admire it much.
"Is that why you're crying?" he asked, teasing.
I couldn't respond to him quickly since I was lost in his chest. He repeated it again while I nodded.
He stared at me and noticed I was staring at his chest.
"Cough, cough," he coughed loud while I quickly stared back.
i look so pathetic right now.
"Be careful, you haven't done anything and you already cut your finger ."
"Tch."
"Hmm," I nodded. "I still have to cook."
I walked away to where I kept the onion.
***
As she stood at the kitchen counter, her injured finger throbbed in pain. The onion lay before her, its layer waiting to be revealed, but her hand trembled with each tentative cut. Just about cutting a clean slice, she felt a presence behind her. Before she could react, a warm chest slowly came to rest against her back, sending shivers to spiral.
His hand, strong and gentle, wrapped around hers, grasping the knife with a confident grip.
Their white fingers intertwined, he guided the blade through the onion.
The crunch of the vegetable beneath the knife, the only sound breaking the silence.
She felt her heart racing, her face aflame with a red heat.
Yet she dare not move, transfixed by the sudden intimacy.
The gentle pressure of his warmth cloaked her. It made her immobile and hopeless.
Both eyes met in the window reflection, his burning with intensity that…made her cheek flush hard. This world around them melted, leaving only the soft whisper of the knife, the onion's sweet fragrance, and the thrumming of their hearts beating as one.
"Are you crying?" she said after noticing his eyes on the window.
"Huh?" he uttered as he stared at the window too; his eyes were filled with water that was almost dripping off.
"I will be back," he mumbled out of the room.
"Huh?" she stopped after he left.
Can she continue to cook when he's gotten so close to her body?
Can she when his chest rested on her back?
He really wasn't like this. He was rude, but now he is different.
He's no longer a gay...
After some minutes, he walked into the kitchen.
Her heart thumped and she could feel the flutter in her heart. Cody was dressed in a sleek black shirt, his hair was perfectly messy, and his eyes sparkled.
So he went out to change his outfit. How could he have clothes like that here? And why does it fit him so perfectly, as if it was sewn just for him and him alone?
Those thoughts flooded her head, but she couldn't bring herself to get him out of it.
Alva grilled the meat while smoke rose like a fire of burnt clothes. Actually, Alva couldn't cook. It was her first time grilling meat since she'd born. Now she didn't know what to put after this, or what to do, but she believed she could bring something out of this.
Staring at the burnt meat was a new job for Alva. She admired how it got burnt slowly and how it smelled. Now her boss will know She can't even grill meat.
She is doomed.
Suddenly, he quickly transferred the beef and vegetables to a serving platter.
Is he going to be the hero today?
He had helped her tied apron on her way in, helped her cut the onion. Now he is—
He moved toward her in high speed and turned her over to the right side, as the oil peeled off onto the floor and splashed on his chest and his broad back.
The hero is injured. Help!!! HELP!!!
She screamed too. She apologized, staring at the floor.
Was she the cause of it? She was the one holding the pan and she got lost in her own thoughts without knowing what she just did.
This is the second time he's going to change just because of her.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Umm. I am," he groaned.
"You are not. You just got splashed all because of me," she said as she struggled to hold back her tears.
"You are not the reason…"
"I'm—I am!" she yelled, crying.
"Then what are you doing standing here? Since I got the lotion and you're here, the guess is—"
"Shut up," she said.
"Are you going to treat me, tease me, or allow her to put it on your body—back or what?"
"Answer me!" he groaned like a beast.
She felt like a sidekick, and she wasn't the only one trying to kiss him—but he too was?
"I'm... going to treat you. Let me go to your room to see if you're hurt."
"Are you a doctor?" he lifted a brow.
"No," she replied.
"Then leave it," he groaned as he spoke.
"No."
"I'm the cause."
"And so?" His eyebrow raised.
"I need to treat it, boss. Let go," she said, dragging him to his feet.
She had forgotten she was just a secretary—and nothing else.
We both stared at each other for a while.
I was really afraid to tell him to pull his shirt...
Pull your shirt....that really hard to say
Was it about shame?
"I... I..." I couldn't finish my statement when I blushed hard—my cheeks flushed.
No, I should be serious.
"Could you pull off your shirt?" I asked.
He looked at me, ashamed. I noticed his pink ears. Haven't he seen my exposed body before.
Oh boss, I haven't seen you without a shirt.
He raised his hand, which he could not move.
"You can help me," he replied, still smirking.
"Please," I said softly, "don't forget that I am your secretary. I'm not your girlfriend or your boyfriend.I mean it's not a joke,"I said.
I really meant what i said, but because of that deadly sexuly lip and smirk, I knew something is going to happen between us...
Even when done speaking, he didn't utter another word. Then I began unbuttoning the shirt—the first button came off, same as the second and third...
Don't stare at his chest. Focus on the pain you inflicted on him, I kept saying the words to myself.
The buttons were finally out, but his chest was still covered by the shirt.
"I don't think I would help you pull off your clothes. I should go get the ice from the table," I ended my quote and got on my feet to collect the ice.
I placed it gently on his chest.
He laid still while I rubbed it gently.
I couldn't imagine his chest cold...
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked, cutting me off guard—from his chest and back to his cut lip, murmuring slowly and gently.
I tried avoiding his lip because I didn't want to kiss it, but his lips were as hot… It was so tempting.
"Uhhh… why do you care? Do you lack interest on yours?"
"You think I'm gay?" he smirked.
"Of course I think you're—"
"Just because I'm not interested in women made me gay, huh?" he said in disbelief.
"Then are you interested in me?"
Ugh… I forgot my place and asked him...
He heaved a smile that I haven't seen or encountered before.
"Do you think I am?"
How dare he throw a question to me as my answer.
I was a little scared—what will be his answer?
His question really got me frozen…
So he really doesn't like me.
I don't like him too. How can I forget my theory of avoiding a rich man—mostly, an annoying person like him?
But… his lips were so tempting that I really wanted to kiss them slowly and gently. I want to puff this hungry desire in me right now, but... I was—
"I don't know," I reply.
"Hm," he took a deep breath. "Do you hrave a boyfriend?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
Lies, lies, lies, lies, lies!!!
"Does your boyfriend know that you're staring at my lips?"
"Uh? Cough cough"
He knows. He knows I'm staring at his lips. That's why he is licking it softly—uh…
"I'm not—"
"You're."
"I'm not staring."
"You are."
"I'm staring…"
I plug my lips on his.
oh shit im doomed
***
As their lips met, the world around them melted away, leaving only the soft, heated caress of their kiss. It was a gentle burn, like the first tender flame of a winter fire.
But just as she tried to pull away, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close with a gentle pressure. His hand moved lower, his touch sending shivers down her spine as he slowly peeled off his singlet.
The ice block she had been holding slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on her chest—its cold was a shock, making her gasp.
She tried to pull away, but he held her too firmly, his lips never leaving hers.
As the chill seeped into her skin, she tried to squirm free, but he was relentless, his hand slipping beneath her...
His fingers brushed against her chilled flesh, his touch a spark flying through her skin, sending a jolt straight to her core—hot, even like fire, in the dark of a summer night.
And yet, even as she tried to push him away, she couldn't help but be drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
His touch was a slow, sweet torture, melting her resistance like ice in the spring sun.
But then suddenly—someone was at the door.
A loud thud.
"Are you here?"