Chapter 2

Kye's POV:

"Thank you. That's all from me for today. You are all dismissed except for Xander Helbram. Please stay behind for a short while." Upon my words, a large chatter of gossips started to fill the air as the other staffs from the same department started to question one another.

"Hey he's the one who just came back today, right?"

"Oh yeah. He took 2 weeks off right?"

"He took a week off just less than a month ago for personal reasons I heard."

"Is he going to get a warning?"

"Who knows?"

"G-Guys... lets leave quickly. Boss is staring." As if finally realizing that I was staring at them, squeaks left their lips in fear before they bowed and scurried away within seconds. Finally... I was wondering how long must I wait.

So... Xander Helbram. Just as they had gossiped, took 2 times urgent leaves in a period of less than 2 months, both due to personal reasons... but according to his previous records, his work performance is excellent and Father had no complains with him.

But looking at his overall image... I couldn't help but wonder if he was bankrupt or struggling financially. His clothes are not ironed, his poster hunched over, has a depressed aura surrounding him, long unkempt fringe that hides his face like jungle vines... overall, he is a walking mess. But that shouldn't be the case since his pay is over 6k per month.

"Boss?" His deep yet like alluring voice snapped me out of my daze as I turned over to look at his eyes. Well, fringe in this case.

"Ah yes. Sorry about that. So... are you okay?"

"Huh? I mean yes, Boss. Yes." He replied in a  slightly startled tone before regaining his composure.

"Alright." Eh... this is awkward. Why didn't father prep me on such things?

"You're not... going to ask?" Huh? Ask what?

"About?"

"What made me took those days off?" He said in a curious tone. Whether he is really curious or not, I'm not sure as his eyes are blocked from plain sight.

"Well it's your own private matter so even as your superior, I have no rights to pry it out from you unless you are willing to tell me the troubles you are facing, Xander. But I do hope that you will not let your private matters interfere with your work performance or I will have to take a certain measurement against it which I do not wish to do towards a valuable staff like you."

"Ah yes. Sorry about that Boss and I promise to you that I will not let anything affect my performance." He bowed slightly, causing his fringe to slightly shift to a side to reveal some of his defined features that makes guys jealous. Hell, even I am jealous.

"Good. You are dismissed then, Xander. Have a nice day."

"You too, Boss."

Xander's POV:

"Hey hey, Xander." A persistent feline pounced out of nowhere as she stared at me with bright sparkling eyes of hers. Sigh... not her again. Give me a break. I just sat down for goodness sake.

"What?"

"So did Boss fire you or something?" She questioned excitedly as she trembled on the spot in anticipation.

No? "Yeah."

"Yes!" She cheered ecstatically, jumping into the air and earning herself weird looks from the other staffs around us. What's her name again? Oh ya, Celine.

"At least that's what you want to hear but sadly for you, no. I'm not." This caused a huge pout to form on her face as she started to whine. Urgh. Please. Give me some peace.

"Awwww come on. And here I thought that I can finally get the best employee performance award for this year..."

"I didn't ask for it." I was just lucky that I've managed to grab hold of those big fishes.

"That's what you've been saying for 5 whole years!"

"Okay move don't disturb me. I'm not as free as you." I have a shit ton to do...

"Well if you quit, you'll be free. Sooo... quit?"

"In your dreams maybe." Shooing her away this time, she finally gave up and trudged away unwillingly like a brat. Finally. I feel like I'm getting a headache.

~ Time Skip~

"Hey Xander! Wanna grab lunch with us?" The guys offered just as the girls approached.

"No. He's coming with us. Right Xander?"

"What? Since when?"

"Since the start."

Can they just leave me alone? "Guys..."

"Yes?" They chorused in union.

"Shut up and get loss." This earned me 'eeks' from them before all went scampering into the lifts and out of the building, leaving me alone on that level. Finally some peace... plugging my earpiece in to some piano music, I pulled open my cup noodle stash as I searched through which flavour for the day. Chicken or sesame oil. Er.... Sesame oil one I guess. Ain't in the mood for salty stuffs. I want something sweet... oh wells.

Grabbing the cup noodle, I strolled slowly to the pantry, enjoying the moment of peace around me. Eat then sleep. That's what I'm going to do and really need. The sound of the piano keys embraced my hectic mind, giving it its long awaited rest as I huffed out in relief. How did I get myself into this mess? Before I even knew it, the cup noodles were long finished and I was already in deep sleep.

Kye's POV:

"Your lunch and sterilized cutleries, Young Master." Castian beamed as he placed the takeaways on my desk before handing me the cutlery case. Warm. Good. It was sterilized.

"Did you get them?"

"Of course, Young Master. Do not underestimate the efficiency of a butler." He mock boasted arrogantly as he handed me the items requested.

"Since when do I?" Taking the thermal flask and the package of dark chocolates, I stepped out quietly into the staff area where the sleeping beauty laid before pressing the cold surface of the flask against his face, causing him to jerk awake from the sudden coldness. His fringe falling back to cover his face as he stared up at me with an unreadable expression.

"Boss?"

"It's 5 minutes to the end of break. Go and wash up yourself. You look like a mess." I criticized as to cover up the concern over his well-being. I can't have my staffs working like a zombie. My clients will all be scared away.

"Yes...Boss..." He stammered out in a depressed tone. Sigh... placing the thermal flask and the bag of chocolates down on his desk, he stared at me with mouth slightly ajar like a goldfish out of the water. "For me?"

"Return me the flask when you're done."

"Y-Yes Boss. Thank you..." He said sincerely as he started to clean up his trash.

"...and eat properly." With that, I closed my office door behind me to a smirking Castian who's eyebrows are all wriggly. "What."

"Ah nothing, Young Master. Don't worry. I know it's just all for the sake for the company. Yes yes. I know."

"Good. Have you eaten?" His eyes shone brightly as he shot me a flirty wink.

"Well... I've eaten some ass before I came-"

"Stop. That's enough. I don't want to hear what you did with asses." Placing the takeaway boxes on the coffee table, I ordered Castian to sit down to which he eagerly did. Seems like he haven't taken his lunch yet. That idiot.

"Yes yes. I'm swiping the chicken." He announced shortly with a playful grin after the takeaway boxes are taken out of the bags.

Castian's ^

"Not that I want it. You cook chicken almost every day. I prefer the fish." This made him pout as he stuffed himself with the chicken while grumbling something about being ungrateful. Hey... people get sick if we eat the same thing almost every single things.

Kye's ^

"Then tonight's dinner will be chicken again." He announced jokingly.

"Oi."

"Just kidding, Young Master. Jap or Thai?" Hmm...

"Chinese."

"Gotcha. Chinese it is, Young Master."

Celine ^

Comments? Hows the plot going? Too slow too fast? Too boring too lame? Feel free to comment lol.