19

Chapter 19

Three days after I had the fever, I am now back in the office. For real this time. The first thing I did was check my emails and sift through the important stuff. I don't know why but it soothes me to open every email that was sent to me, including the company-wide emails and reminders. To be honest, I  missed my work desk or working in general because it is the only thing that makes sense in my life.

The quarterly review is scheduled on Friday and we only have two days to prepare for the presentation. I know that the board expects a lot from Richard since the last quarter was under his reign. Some people would be excited to grill him with questions especially those who have their hidden hatred for him due to his shortcut to the top of the corporate ladder. Other executives would love to see him fail and I don't want to give them that satisfaction that is why I am adamant in going to work today to smoothen out every possible questions that they would throw at us.

Everyone in our floor already left the building except for Richard and I who are currently in his office going over the reports that was submitted to us.

"Do you have the cycle count for last quarter?" Richard inquired.

I rummaged through the stack of papers on my table until I found what he needed. Just as I handed the file to him, my phone chimed and we both instinctively glanced at my phone. I tapped on the screen to read the message and quickly replied to the text before I put it down. However, it was soon followed by a loud ding, just as I let go of it.

"Sorry for that." I muttered to Richard, acknowledging the abrupt disruption. As my eyes skimmed the message, an involuntary chuckle escaped my lips.

Richard looked at me with furrowed brows and inquired, "What's funny?"

I hesitated whether to share the joke with him but he probably wouldn't understand it. "Oh. It's nothing. Just a silly text from Damien."

The mere mention of Damien's name seemed to capture his attention because he set aside the paper he was reading and focused his attention to me.

"Damien?" he asked.

"Yes. We've been exchanging messages lately."

"Lately?" his one-word interrogatives were becoming rather characteristic.

"Yeah. He even brought me a box of biscuits last week when he found out about my injury."

"He what?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Sorry, what was the question?"

"When was this thing that you're talking about?"

"The biscuits? Last Thursday."

"While I was at the office?"

"Yes."

"And you never even bothered to inform me?"

He's right. I never bothered to share them.

"I'm sorry. The biscuits were incredibly delicious so I ate them all." I confessed. "If you want, I'll purchase a whole box just for you tomorrow. I just assumed you didn't like them since you never helped yourself from the previous batch the he gave to us."

Richard arched an eyebrow and stared at me judgingly from my rambling explanation.

"You allowed a complete stranger into our property without notifying me?"

"I told you, he's not a stranger." I corrected him. "Besides, what the difference between him and the delivery riders?"

"We never had food delivered at home and all deliveries are handled by security at the gate."

"Fair point. My bad."

"Just... don't do that again. Not without my permission." I felt his disappointment in his voice.

"Understood." I replied, nodding in agreement.

The phone rang again and both our eyes landed towards it. I reached for my phone but Richard's commanding tone halted me.

"Put the phone down!" he growled with intensity.

I immediately complied, setting the device back on the table.

"Now, put it on silence and let's focus on our work if you wanted us to finish our task early."

"Okay." I conceded, quickly flipping the switch to silent without glancing at the new message.

The atmosphere completely changed and I feel like I offended him somehow. His icy demeanor is very familiar and I can recognize the telltale signs that he is giving me the cold shoulder. I continued my work while stealing glances at him from time to time. He's very serious about doing the report so I didn't bother confronting him. A couple of hours later, we were done.

As we stepped into the elevator, I couldn't help but break the silence. "Have I done something wrong?" I asked.

"Well, did you?" he challenged, throwing the question right back at me.

I squinted my eyes. "I'm not sure. You seemed upset with me to me for some reason."

"I'm not upset." he replied, his demeanor, however offers a different answer as he slammed the car door forcefully. Not upset. Sure.

"Then what is it?"

He sighed deeply. "Nothing. I'm just tired."

I settled into my seat, securing my seatbelt as he started the car. "It's about Damien right? Why are you suspicious of a baker anyway?"

"Are you serious? I don't know the guy and he even shares the same name with that evil kid from the movie The Omen."

"Well, if you try to get to know him, you'll realize that he can be trusted. He's my only friend and I wanted to keep that connection."

Richard shot me with an incredulous look. "Only friend? Then I must be some stranger."

I met his gaze. "You know very well that you're more than just a friend."

His initially contorted expression gradually softened and I could detect a suppressed smile as the corners of his lips started to twitch.

"You're like the little brother that I never had."

I heard him curse under his breath and had to look the other way. I would be touched too if someone told me that.

"You know..." I began. "When I was delirious from the fever, I realized something." I can't see his expression because we reached the dark area of the highway. "That I need to build more relationship with people. It's hard being alone in this world."

"You've got me." I heard him mumble.

"I know that." I replied. "And if Damien never showed up, I wouldn't have anybody else."

"You also have Evelyn." he added.

"Yes, but I think I should build more relationship outside the Preston residence and so..." I shifted my gaze outside hoping to shield myself from the potential embarrassment I might feel on what I am about to say. "I was thinking on accepting Edith's offer for a blind date."

I never heard a word from Richard.

"What do you think?" I probed and glanced at him. I see him grip the steering wheel tighter but I can't see his face clearly from the darkness.

Feeling a bit embarrassed from the lack of reaction, I looked forward. Richard remained silent until we got inside their property. It might not be noticeable but I saw a small shadow moving towards the vehicle.

"Stop the car!" I yelled.

Thankfully, Richard reacted swiftly, slamming his foot on the brakes just in time to avert any potential mishap.

"What's wrong?" he inquired.

"I-I think I saw something." I replied and got out of the car to confirm my hunch. Richard followed suit. There it was in front of the vehicle is tiny black kitten.

"Aww. What are you doing here you cute little one?" I scooped up the furry creature and began to stroke it affectionately.

Richard, however, doesn't share my sentiment. "What do you mean cute? That cat looks like it could bring misfortune." he grumbled. It was likely because the kitten I was cradling was entirely draped in black fur, which is considered bad luck in some superstitions.

I shushed Richard to stop saying offensive things to the animal.

"Don't mind that grumpy person. What are you doing all alone out here? Where's your mother?" I spoke to the cat in a manner that one might address a baby.

In response, the kitten let out an endearing meow. Adorable. I scanned the surroundings hoping to spot any signs of other cats in the vicinity but there was no indication of any.

"I want to keep it." I appealed to Richard.

"You don't even know if that is somebody else's pet or if it has rabies." he countered.

"The nearest household must be kilometers away from your property and I see no collar on this adorable kitten. And I sincerely believe that a cute little ball of fur like this doesn't have rabies. Please? Can I keep it?"

The kitten seemed to join my plea with another meow. Richard stared at me and the kitten and thought about considering it for a second. I moved closer and presented the adorable little cat for his appreciation.

"Fine." he relented. "Just ensure it doesn't create a mess or else kitty goes bye bye."