Chapter 9 - Starts Thinking About Her

He couldn't concentrate during a meeting with his client. His mind was occupied by Serena Olive Clarkson. That woman really managed to make him unable to think of anything other than her.

Even after a month, he thought he would forget her, but fate brought him together unexpectedly, without him asking or hoping.

"Mr. Johnson?"

His client called out and the secretary at his side elbowed him out of his reverie.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I've had a lot on my mind," Vernon replied as he massaged the bridge of his nose.

His client then smiled and said, "We can continue whenever you're ready, Mr. Johnson. I understand."

Vernon was reluctant to agree, but he did. He couldn't even concentrate positively. His thoughts about Serena were leading him to negative but delicious ends.

"Is that alright for you, sir? I really feel uncomfortable."

"It's alright, Mr. Johnson. How about the day after tomorrow?"

Vernon nodded and replied, "Deal. My secretary will note it."

After ending the meeting, Vernon sighed as he looked at his secretary who was confused with him. It was probably the first time she had seen his boss look so lost.

"Sir, are you alright?" he asked her.

"Hmm, yeah. Please note the meeting schedule for the day after tomorrow. I'm going to my room now."

But, as Vernon was about to go back inside his office, he was surprised to see the cubicles of his employee workspace empty. But he heard excited voices in the lounge. He furrowed his brow and approached the lounge since it was not break time.

Instantly he was shocked to see Serena among them, surrounded by them one by one asking for a selfie with her.

Gone was his plan to hide Serena from his employees, leaving him speechless let alone angry.

"Oh my God! It's Serena Clarkson!" Shouted his secretary who appeared and ignored Vernon.

Vernon sighed as he waited for them to finish but they didn't notice him watching them.

Serena herself just smiled as she saw Vernon standing but she deliberately didn't seem to know that Vernon was watching her.

Then when one of them realized Vernon's presence, they immediately told each other and fell silent, not as excited as before.

"Go back to your work," Vernon ordered. "And this time I'm going to punish you for leaving the office one hour after work."

They looked shocked but they were also used to Vernon's habit of punishing them.

Then Serena approached him and smiled at him. "You can't do that, Vernon. They also have their own interests after work, right?"

Somehow, with just her words, Vernon couldn't answer or protest.

"Well, everyone, you can go home according to your working hours. Okay? Let your boss, I will take care of him," Serena announced.

They looked happy and even applauded as if Serena was an angel in their office, an angel who could cool down their boss' mood.

"And please, don't tell outsiders that I'm in your office. It will be bad for my reputation and that of your boss. Let time take its course."

Her hand was then pulled by Vernon towards his office, making Serena smile to herself once she was inside.

And it was the first time she had ever seen Vernon gasp for air other than after making love to him.

"You had no right to do that, Serena. I wanted you to stay inside, didn't I?"

"I was bored and—

"Do you know that you messed with my mind while I was meeting with my client?!"

His sudden statement took Serena by surprise and she couldn't continue. She thought she needed more effort, but it was tantamount to Vernon confessing his feelings, right?

She was happy but she hated it even more when someone interrupted her when she was talking even if it was a guy she liked.

"Well, I'll leave then so you can concentrate. After all, I already got your approval to work with me, right?" Serena reached for her bag and fiddled with her cell phone.

"Who said you could leave? What are you coming back with?"

"I have a driver I can call."

Vernon grabbed her cell phone and saw on the screen that Serena was actually calling someone. He immediately canceled the call and gave her the phone back while saying, "Let's get out of here. I'll take you back."

She didn't know where he was taking her, because Vernon didn't say anything. He didn't even know where Serena lived yet, and surely Serena was enjoying her time with him.

"Forgive my words earlier. It sounded rude and I even interrupted you when you were talking," Vernon said feeling guilty.

"It's fine. I've been treated like that many times."

As if reminded of her past, Serena was silent and expressionless. It wasn't a lie either because her asshole ex-fiancé did treat her like that.

Vernon was silent with a growing sense of guilt. Then his hand touched Serena's hand and rubbed it.

"And I'm sorry if I made you remember your past," Vernon added.

Serena sighed and smiled. Although she was comforted by Vernon's sudden attention, it would be hypocritical if her past didn't trigger her to become a quieter woman than she was before.

"You're very fond of apologizing, huh?" asked Serena trying to break the ice. She didn't want to get lost in sadness because after all, part of her heart had been filled by Vernon.

"Just learning from the past. That sometimes there's nothing wrong with apologizing first even if you're not wrong. But, I admit that I was wrong to you earlier," he explained.

Serena was getting more and more interested in him just by his words just now.

"Very wise. And I also apologize for not listening to you and staying in your office."

"You admit your mistake, that's good."

"I don't like being a woman who always blames men, Vernon. Besides, apologizing won't demean you either."

Reflexively, Vernon ruffled Serena's head of hair until she grumbled in annoyance at being ruffled by him.

"By the way, I intend to take you to my house. Are you willing?" asked Vernon suddenly.