Chapter 65 Missing You
Holidays always made everyone slack off. Seeing her colleagues lounging around, Caroline reluctantly summoned the energy to brew herself a coffee to stay alert.
After a busy morning, she received a call from Xander just before her lunch break.
"Ms. Tudor, come to my office," he said curtly.
"Right away, Mr. White."
After hanging up, Caroline grabbed two documents needing Xander's signature. When she entered his office, she found not only Xander but also Paxton, the branch manager—the same guy Elysia had tried to set her up with on that blind date. Caroline wasn't sure if Paxton knew about that failed matchmaking attempt, but seeing him definitely made her uncomfortable.
"Mr. Bennett," Caroline greeted politely, placing the documents in front of Xander. "Mr. White, these two approvals need your signature."
Xander flipped through them. "The auto parts factory in the suburbs?"
"Yes, that's correct," Caroline confirmed.
As Xander signed, Paxton openly assessed Caroline. She caught him in her peripheral vision but pretended not to notice.
Paxton broke the silence. "Did you go somewhere for the long weekend?"
"I did," Caroline replied, wondering how he knew.
Paxton smiled. "I noticed that unique little ornament on Xander's desk. He mentioned you brought it back from your trip."
"Ah, I see." Caroline relaxed slightly, relieved it hadn't come through the Elysia-Xanthe gossip pipeline.
"You must have had a great time," Paxton continued. "Your complexion looks even better than at the company gala."
Caroline instinctively touched her face. "Really? Did I gain weight?"
"Not at all. You women, are too fixated on your figures," Paxton said with a knowing look. "I meant you're glowing. Happiness looks good on you. Among the three candidates, you're the most promising for the position."
Hearing this, Xander quickly jumped in. "Mr. Bennett, if you're saying that, I'll take it seriously. You'll have to vote for our Ms. Tudor in the upcoming election."
Paxton laughed. "I'm not just saying this because you invited me over."
When leadership visited, proper hospitality was necessary.
Xander gestured to Caroline. "Since Mr. Bennett has graced us with his presence, I've reserved a table at Gastronomy Royale. The three of us should treat him to lunch."
Gastronomy Royale was hardly casual dining—it was definitely high-end.
Paxton made a show of declining. "Something simple would be fine. No need for such a fancy restaurant."
These were just the expected social niceties; they couldn't actually take his modesty at face value. Especially since Paxton held sway in the upcoming vote. As a branch manager, they couldn't afford to treat him to anything less.
Caroline recognized Xander's intentions and lifted the documents. "I'll return these to their proper files first."
"We'll meet you downstairs," Xander replied.
Just as Caroline left Xander's office, she overheard Paxton saying, "Ms. Tudor is beautiful, capable, and technically savvy—an absolute gem in middle management. You've got a good eye. Between us, Ryder has approached me several times about transferring her to our branch."
Ryder Johnson managed operations at the branch office. If Caroline transferred there, she might as well retire early—her days would consist of leisurely coffee breaks and scrolling through social media.
Xander neither agreed nor refused—he couldn't afford to offend either superior.
"Ms. Tudor is still young. She needs more experience at the ground level. Once she's seasoned, we can consider her future. Let's not disappoint the leadership's expectations, right?"
With those few words, Xander skillfully changed the subject.
On the way to Gastronomy Royale, Caroline's phone rang—it was Leopold.
"Ms. Tudor, it's lunchtime. What are you craving today? My treat."
Caroline's eyebrows shot up in delighted surprise. "You're back?"
Leopold's low laugh traveled through the speaker. "Not yet. But there's always delivery, right?"
The smile melted from her face as she stopped at a red light. "Leopold, are you messing with me?"
"Remember, you promised not to get mad," Leopold said, his voice gentle. "I miss you."
Caroline froze.
Her heart skipped a beat, then raced.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she quickly checked the rearview mirror. Thank god she was alone in the car—her face was as red as a tomato.
When she didn't respond, Leopold sounded anxious. "Ms. Tudor? Ms. Tudor? Come on, you said you wouldn't get mad. Beautiful women shouldn't get angry—it ruins their looks."
"Mr. Wipere, you really suck at sweet talk," Caroline replied, watching the light turn green and accelerating to follow Xander's car.
Hearing car horns in the background, Leopold asked, "Are you outside? Not at the office?"
"No, a branch manager is visiting. Xander and I are taking him to lunch."
Leopold casually inquired, "Male or female manager?"
"Male," Caroline answered.
Leopold deliberately adopted a jealous tone. "A male manager? Is he handsome? How old is he? Is he single?"
Caroline couldn't help but laugh. "You don't play the jealous boyfriend very convincingly."
Leopold sucked in a breath, his smile evident in his voice. "What role would I play convincingly?"
Caroline thought for a moment. "You'd be perfect as the handsome—"
"What else?" He prompted.
"Tall."
"And?"
"Brilliant."
"Good," Leopold sounded satisfied with her choice of adjectives.
"Responsible."
"Not bad, continue."
Caroline giggled. "Intimidating male boss."
Leopold quirked one corner of his mouth, his long, mischievous eyes narrowing. "Tell me, do you miss me?"
Caroline bit her lower lip. "Of course I do."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Leopold asked, knowing full well what she meant.
Caroline opened her mouth but couldn't bring herself to say anything more intimate. "I've arrived at the restaurant. Gotta go."
She hung up before Leopold could respond.
Staring at the darkened screen, Leopold sighed in resignation.
Xander ordered Gastronomy Royale's signature dishes. Since they had to return to work, he skipped the alcohol, but premium coffee was served.
Throughout the meal, Xander praised Caroline's work achievements while Paxton excelled at flattery. Having grown up in a family that navigated corporate politics, Caroline handled it gracefully.
Their lunch break was limited, but Xander had successfully conveyed his message to Paxton. Judging by Paxton's attitude during lunch, he seemed inclined to vote for Caroline. With that accomplished, the meal had served its purpose.
Returning from the restroom, Caroline pushed open the door to find only Paxton in the private dining room.
"Xander went to settle the bill," Paxton explained.
"I see." Caroline reached for her purse while Paxton grabbed his coat. He reminded her not to forget anything, then gentlemanly held the door open. Caroline thanked him and was about to step through when Paxton spoke.
"You don't necessarily need more ground-level experience. If you're looking for advancement, come to my branch. I could give your career a boost."
The meaningful look in Paxton's eyes made Caroline inwardly scoff. If he thought he could get away with workplace harassment with her, he was sorely mistaken.