Chapter 2

Let some other woman have him right at this crucial moment?

Over my dead body.

Mateo's body went rigid, a flash of embarrassment crossing his usually impassive face.

"Don't... don't do that." He lowered his gaze, and his eyes seemed to glisten a little. "Scruffing my chin like I'm a dog... It's demeaning."

Startled, I yanked my hand back with an awkward laugh.

"Sorry, I spaced out for a second. What if I said I was thinking about scratching my own chin? Would you believe me?" I said.

Mateo's expression darkened. He frowned. "Spaced out? Thinking about another man in front of me again?"

His eyes were stubborn, holding my gaze. "I saw you do it to someone else last time. Why don't you want to do it to me?"

'Look, just because I'm not into it doesn't mean you get to skip the pets...' he wondered.

He pressed his lips together, swallowing the rest of his sentence.

I was taken aback by how chatty he was being today, and frankly, a bit exasperated.

I said, "So you say you don't like it, but you're demanding I do it?

"Just what the hell do you want?"

[The female lead really is immune to all reason, pushing the male lead right into the heroine's arms step by step.]

My crude language seemed to piss him off, and he stormed out.

The comments section was sighing.

[Once he walks out that door, things will never be the same again when they meet next.]

[I actually kinda ship them. If only the side character could read minds, they wouldn't have so many misunderstandings.]

[She's making a huge mistake. What could those male escorts outside possibly have that Mateo doesn't? Are they hotter? Do they... last longer?]

"Last longer"? How would I know? I've never tried.

And who said anything about me looking for male escorts?

I decided right then to make Mateo a loving home-cooked lunch.

I'd take it to his office.

I wanted to see if he was really as "enthusiastic" as the comments claimed he would be after a simple touch.

While I was cooking, my dad suddenly called. "Sweetie, I heard Mateo is taking you to a party tonight?"

I hummed in agreement, arranging the cooked corn kernels into a heart shape.

My dad started his earnest lecture. "Honey, maybe skip the partying tonight, okay?

"And maybe clean up your phone a bit? Don't keep so many guys' contacts."

I paused, finally remembering the networking event I went to with friends a few days ago.

I had added a lot of people. "Okay, Dad. Got it.

"Gotta go now, I'm making Mateo a lovey bento. I need to deliver it soon."

Maybe it was because my long, hopeless crush finally seemed to have a glimmer of light, but my hands were actually trembling a little with excitement when I reached the Knight Group building.

Suddenly, the comment feed exploded.

[Why is she at the company now? If I remember right, the female lead is interviewing for the secretary position today. Probably in Mateo's office as we speak.]

[This is a whole new level of awkward confrontation. I'm almost afraid to watch...]

Oh, hell no.

I immediately picked up my pace and headed inside.

Just as I was about to step into the elevator, a receptionist stopped me. "Hello, do you have an appointment?"

An appointment?

"No, but I...." I said.

She cut me off before I could finish. "Without an appointment, you'll need to wait in the lobby. I can help you schedule one."

Another receptionist nearby smirked. "Grace, don't be so soft. How many women throwing themselves at Mr. Knight do we see?

"Why bother scheduling for her? If you ask me, gold-diggers like this should just be shown the door."

The woman named Grace frowned. "Don't talk nonsense."

I sighed, pulled out my phone, and called Mateo's assistant, Matthew. "I'm at the front desk. Could you please come get me?"

Two minutes later, under the stunned gazes of the receptionists, I followed Matthew onto the CEO's private elevator.

Outside the office door, before we even entered, I could hear voices inside.

A soft, delicate female voice gasped. "Mr. Knight, what's wrong?

"Oh my god, you're burning up. Do you need help?"

Mateo's cold, weary voice followed. "No. Don't touch me. Just leave."

The sound of shattering glass echoed, and the woman's voice rose. "How can I possibly leave you alone like this? Don't be afraid, I'll take you to the hospital."

Mateo's voice held a thread of anger now. "I said don't touch me. Stay away."

Matthew glanced at me, looking slightly uncomfortable, but he pushed the door open for me.

The room was a mess. A woman with flushed cheeks was supporting Mateo by the arm.

When her eyes landed on us, her pretty eyes held a hint of timidity.

She spoke shyly, "Mr. Knight isn't feeling well. As a secretary candidate, it's only right that I take care of him."

Matthew's face turned cold.

He stepped forward and took Mateo's arm. "You haven't passed the interview yet. Your presence isn't required here. Please step outside."

Mateo was in a bad state. The hair at his temples was damp with sweat.

He looked at me, tried to speak, but only managed a pained groan.

Matthew said to me, "Mrs. Knight, please come closer."