Chapter 52 Confront
Clio
Two days passed. The office resumed like usual while I tried to gain the courage to go up to Matthew and ask him about the call and texts.
I was handing the printouts in the office that I printed when I heard Imani and Jacob talk,
"The CEO and the director seem to be having a serious conversation." Imani raised her brows and Jacob copied her. Since they sat side by side, they both were gossip buddies.
I heard them when I handed them the printouts and got curious, "Hmmm?" I turned around to see them walking toward the elevator. They both had grim expressions on.
I wonder what's troubling them?
I pursed my lips
And I wonder if I'll get the time to ask Matthew about anything? They both stood outside the office looking inside for a while and I couldn't bring myself to go to them, so I just did my work.
"Could be something about the company, it looks serious." Imani nodded, "I've never seen the boss look so confused and stern."
Jacob whistled, "Now, I'm even more curious," He looked at me, "Do you think we're going under?"
"Hey!" Lizzo popped his head from the other side, "We don't talk about that!" He pressed his finger on his lips, "What if it comes true?"
"So what?" Jacob rolled his eyes, "We'll get other jobs,"
"As if," Imani pinched his ear, "In this economy? We'll be starving before we find another job."
"OW!" Jacob moved away and rubbed his ear, "We can all huddle together and eat each other- I mean, with each other!"
"Your dark thoughts are coming out Jacob," Lizzo snickered.
The conversation turned into friendly banter after that and I told myself that when Matthew comes back, I'm definitely going to talk to him.
>>Matthew.
"Is a man's ass supposed to be that pretty?" Azef and I stood outside the open office for a moment while we were making our way towards the elevator.
"Yes, I noticed that too." Azef answered, "I'm telling you, his ass has gotten fatter." He answered as we both watched him hand the printout to his colleagues.
"Right, and his eyes!" I ran my fingers through my hair, "They look rounder."
"That's just your imagination." He added, "And for a fact, today he is wearing tighter pants,"
I shook my head as something inside of me refused to calm down, "It's not just that," I said, "He smells a little different too,"
Azef folded his arms, "Wait," He tilted his head, "You're right, he does," We exchanged a glance of confusion.
"What is happening?" My eyes twitched and an air of doubt filled the room. Am I sensory hallucinating or something?
Why is his scent changing?
Azef tapped my shoulder, telling me to keep moving since we had a meeting to attend but I couldn't get Clio off my mind.
>>Clio
I knocked on Matthew's office door during lunch. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to approach him since he came back alone and everyone else in the office was out.
I waited a few seconds but didn't get an answer so I took a deep breath and opened the door slightly to peek in. I don't know what I was expecting after confronting him but I couldn't bring myself to just sit by and say nothing.
I pushed open the door gently, my eyes scanned the room, searching for him, but it was empty. The office felt oddly quiet, making me frown.
I was sure I saw him come back! Where did he go?
I looked around
He can't magically disappear!
With a sense of unease, I stepped further into the room, my gaze drawn to the terrace just beyond. There, bathed in the soft, golden light of the setting sun, I spotted him. He was engrossed in a phone call, his back turned to me.
Oh!
I shook my head at myself. Of course, he could go there, how stupid of me.
I facepalmed myself
Taking another deep breath, I decided that this was the moment to confront him, and I walked towards the terrace.
The gentle breeze ruffled my hair, and for a moment, I hesitated, but I couldn't turn back now. The desire for clarity weirdly burned within me. I don't know why I was so hell-bent on it but I wanted to ask him about it.
I barely even reached the door when his ears flinched. As if he was some sort of an animal, he noticed my presence and turned slowly, the phone still at his ear when our eyes met.
!!!!
"Clio?" He raised his brow at me, then remembered he was on call, "I'll call you back, take care of things there." I think he was talking to the director.
He lowered the phone, a look of surprise on his face as he noticed me approach him. I walked towards the other edge that had tree branches hanging inward on the terrace and tried to speak.
"Um," I tried to meet his face, "Hi?"
He got confused but answered anyway, "Hi,"
I gulped
"Um, Clio," He spoke first, "Have you changed your perfume?" I looked at him with a frown. Why is he suddenly asking that? "Or changed anything that has a different scent now?" I would have thought he was messing around with me but his expressions were so serious I chose to give him an answer.
"No," I replied, "I didn't change anything and I don't wear perfume."
He looked away for a moment, "I see," His frown deepened for a moment but he didn't say anything after that.
"Um," I took a step towards him, "Boss," it's now or never.
He shot his head towards me, "I wanted to say something-" I had just started speaking when his eyes widened with shock. His voice, filled with urgency, cut through the tension.
"Stop!" He exclaimed, his words a command laced with concern, "Don't move,"
Startled, I froze mid-sentence, my heart racing as I tried to comprehend the sudden change in his demeanor. It was then that I noticed the look of alarm in his eyes, and I followed his gaze to where he was staring.
!!!!
A shiver ran down my spine and my heart skipped a beat as I saw it—
A snake,
Its sinuous form slowly creeping down from the branches above, drawing nearer to my shoulder. Time seemed to stand still as fear washed over me, my voice caught in my throat.
OH HELL!!!
OH MY GOD!!!
HELP!!!
I pleaded in my head silently but who was gonna listen to that!? I wasn't even looking at Matthew!
As the snake continued its slow descent, I stood frozen in place, my heart pounding in my chest. The fear that had gripped me was palpable, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the sinuous creature inching closer to my shoulder.
OH! MY GOD! OH! MY GOD! OH! MY GOD! OH! MY GOD!
I'm done for!!!!
Suddenly, Matthew sprang into action, moving surprisingly calmly and confidently. He approached the snake with a measured, deliberate pace with an air of cool composure that while the fear continued to grip me but seeing him come closer somehow made me feel a little better.
As if I was sure he would help me no matter what.
With deft, practiced movements, he expertly and gently picked up the snake, his hands moving in a way that showed an understanding of the reptile. His actions were careful, calculated, and entirely without fear.
HUH?
I watched him with astonishment as he held the snake, and I couldn't help but be impressed because the reptile swiftly went to him.
The initial shock and fear that had overtaken me began to give way to a different kind of admiration.
Oh wow...
There was something undeniably attractive about his ability to remain calm in the face of danger and my swooning admiration for him grew as he carefully and confidently released the snake back into the branches from where it had descended and disappeared into the foliage.
Wow....
He then turned his attention back to me, his eyes meeting mine. He immediately came over and held my hands, his eyes filled with genuine concern, "Are you okay?" It made my heart skip a beat. His eyes held something soft, full of concern, and I couldn't help but think it was for me.
!!!
At that moment, my feelings were a whirlwind of emotions, I felt so odd I couldn't describe it.
I nodded shyly, my heart still racing but not because of the fear, "Yes, I think so. Thanks to you..." I felt shy all of a sudden but didn't want to move away from him but at the same time, I couldn't bring myself to look at him either and looked down.
He gently reached out and placed a comforting hand on my face, making me look at him, "I'm glad I was here," His words made my heart beat stronger, "It could have ended badly otherwise." He passed me a soft smile and my heart pounded louder.
Oh, GOD!!!!
Why does he look so charming?!!!! Am I going insane or something!!?
"Thank you," I said, my voice a mere whisper and I even felt my eyes shaking.
He nodded, his gaze unwavering as he said, "No problem,"
....
Has he always been this handsome? Wasn't I afraid of him when I first came here? So why does he look so nice right now?
His eyes held an intimate depth.
And there was no need for me to remain this close to him and not push him away while he had his hands on me but there was something very odd today.
I came here to ask him about something but now that he's this close, I don't feel like I need to ask anymore...
Almost as if this was the only thing that I actually wanted.
As we gazed into each other's eyes, a bubbled feeling simmered up, and I found myself inching closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull that drew us together. Matthew noticed that and instead of moving away he moved his face closer as well which shortened the distance immediately
And our lips got locked in an intimate action