Chapter 2

I was so pissed off I couldn't sleep a wink.

The next day, I dragged myself into work with massive dark circles under my eyes.

But as soon as I sat down, I got called into a meeting.

The meeting was all about next month's project.

Liam and I sat at opposite ends of the conference table.

He never looked at me once during the whole meeting.

But I could feel him stealing glances at me from the corner of his eye.

Halfway through the meeting, he suddenly spoke up.

"Sophie, share your thoughts," Liam said.

Wait, what?

What thoughts?

I was just an administrative assistant, and he was asking me for project ideas?

Everyone was staring at me.

I awkwardly got to my feet. "Uh... I think this project is pretty solid."

"What's so good about it?"

"Uh... everything, I guess."

Liam's face went as dark as a thundercloud.

"Sit down," he said.

I sat down.

I couldn't help but think that he was the one who asked me to speak, yet he wasn't satisfied when I did.

Seriously, what was his problem?'

*****

After the meeting, I was gathering my stuff to head out.

Suddenly, someone blocked my way.

It was Ethan from the marketing department.

He was a total heartthrob, and many girls in the company liked him.

"Hey Sophie, you free?" Ethan called out.

"Uh, what's up?"

"How about grabbing dinner together?"

I froze for a second. "Why?"

Ethan flashed a smile. "Because I want to chase you."

I was completely baffled.

What kind of plot twist was this?

It was far too sudden.

Before I could formulate a response, a voice cut through the air from behind me.

"Sophie, come here for a second."

It was Liam.

He was standing at the conference room door, looking like he was about to unleash a storm.

I gave Ethan a quick, apologetic smile. "Hey, I gotta run."

Ethan grinned and nodded. "No problem, next time then."

I followed Liam into his office.

The moment the door clicked shut, the interrogation began.

"Ethan asked you out for dinner?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Did you say yes?"

"I didn't even get a chance to answer, then you called me over."

Liam's expression darkened even more. "Don't hang around him anymore."

I blinked, not getting it. "Why?"

"He's not a good guy."

"Seriously, what's wrong with him?"

"He's bad news, period."

Was that supposed to be a valid reason?

I couldn't help but retort, "Mr. Sterling, that's a bit much, don't you think? Who I go out with is my own business."

He paused for a second, then said, "You're my employee, so your private life is my business," Liam said.

I had heard enough of that manipulative boss crap. I was not buying it.

*****

Over the next week, Ethan dropped by almost every day to see me.

He'd bring coffee, juices, and fruit.

He was always asking how I was, super attentive and thoughtful.

It was a night-and-day difference compared to Liam's cold, stone-faced vibe.

People around the office started talking.

"Ethan's trying to win Sophie over."

"Seriously? Is that true?"

"Yeah, for real, he brings her something every single day."

"Man, Sophie's got it good."

I had to agree, I was lucky.

Finally, someone was treating me with kindness.

It was a sharp deviation from the constant reprimands I endured from a certain other party.

At lunchtime, Ethan showed up once again, this time bringing me a cup of mango juice.

"Sophie, here's your favorite mango juice," Ethan said.

"Thanks, Ethan. How did you know this is my favorite?"

"I noticed," he replied, his smile soft and warm. "You ordered it in the break room before."

I was so touched.

This was how a normal person courted someone, not with sarcasm and scorn.

Right as I was thinking that, Liam came over.

Liam shot a look at the juice in my hand, his lips twitching ever so slightly.

"Sophie," Liam said.

"Mr. Sterling, do you need something?" I asked.

"We're leaving for a business trip at three in the afternoon. You're coming with me."

"Wait, a business trip? Where are we going?"

"Seaville City."

"Seaville City? That's not just a quick trip, is it?"

"A week."

I was totally caught off guard. "But I haven't packed anything."

"What is there to pack? The company pays for the hotel. Just bring some clothes to change into."

He glanced at Ethan. "That's all. Go get ready."

Then he turned and walked off.

Ethan leaned in and whispered, "Why did Mr. Sterling suddenly ask you to go on a business trip?"

I blinked, just as puzzled. "I have no clue."

"You think he did it on purpose?"

"On purpose? What for?"

"On purpose..." Ethan started, then cut himself off. "Forget it."

My brain was just full of question marks.

What was happening?

*****

At three sharp in the afternoon, I showed up at the company entrance, right on time.

Liam's car was already waiting there.

It was a sleek, understated black Maybach.

I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up.

He started the engine and eased out of the parking lot without uttering a single word.

The silence inside the cabin was suffocating.

I tried to make conversation. "Mr. Sterling, who are we meeting in Seaville City?"

"Jelon Group."

"Oh, what do they do?"

"Real estate."

"Oh."

And just like that, the conversation died.

I gave up.

Talking to him was more exhausting than drafting a resignation letter.

*****

After two hours on the road, we finally pulled into a highway rest stop.

Liam pulled over. "Take a break. Go get yourself something to eat."

Without another word, he handed me a card.

"The PIN is four zeros," he said.

I took the card, kind of caught off guard. "Wait, I get to use your card for this?"

"It's the company card."

"Oh."

I got out and headed to the convenience store.

I picked up two pieces of cake, two bottles of water, and two eggs.

When I got back, I saw Liam leaning back in his seat, eyes closed.

He seemed to be asleep.

I carefully opened the car door and put the food on the passenger seat.

Then I couldn't help but sneak a peek at him.

Honestly, if one ignored his crappy attitude, this guy was seriously handsome.

He had striking brows and bright, piercing eyes, a high, straight nose, and thin lips.

His eyelashes were so long, they looked like tiny fans.

What a shame, such a handsome face, wasted on someone with such a mean mouth.

I was caught up staring at him, completely lost, when he suddenly opened his eyes.

We locked eyes.

I froze.

Liam kept silent for a second.

"Have you seen enough?" Liam said, his tone flat and distant.

My face went bright red, all the way to my neck. "I-I wasn't looking!" I stammered.

"Then why were you staring at me?"

"I was looking... out the window!"

"Is the window on my face?"