For Blaze Davies, his life was just like a series of boring days.
It started when he opened his eyes in the morning and prepared himself before going to the office. He would meet his beloved daughter at the dining table after that, chatting about one or two topics with her before taking her to school. From there, he continued to work at the Pageant Corp building headquarters. He spent hours immersing himself in work. Then after nightfall, he would return home to rest before welcoming the same routine the next day.
It felt so meaningless. It didn't mean he didn't value the time he spent with his daughter, but he couldn't deny that sometimes. He was like an empty shell that lived just to keep breathing.
However, it felt a little different lately. Since he met that woman, strangely, she rarely left his head. It was always the dream with her that greeted him before starting the day. Then, even though he didn't want to admit it, he was always keen to meet her in the office.
Lillianne Guinn made his days feel better since she arrived. Going to the office was at least no longer boring, and his dreams, which were previously only filled with meaningless empty visions, were like a series that he always looked forward to.
'You like her from the first time you laid your eyes on her in Gozo Island.'
Blaze felt like it was even more of a secret. Even though he tried hard to deny it, the fact became more transparent as time passed.
He kept wondering about how all this could happen to him. Since Rhea Harrison left, lots of women have come into his life. They tried to sway him, but it had never been like this. They had never left a deep impression for him to continue thinking about them all day. Let alone have sensual dreams with any of them.
Why is this one different? How could Lillianne Guinn easily become an exception? He didn't get it at all.
Even so, that didn't mean he could give up on this confusing feeling that easily. The circumstances were so complicated. He had promised his late wife that he would never be with another woman again after she was gone. It was also for the sake of his daughter who found it difficult to accept other people in her life, let alone a stepmother.
Apart from that, his professional self didn't want to mix work with personal matters. He cannot like his secretary. That woman also had a very flirty personality with every man she met. It was just a few days ago she was willing to accept an invitation from one of her clients to the hotel room, though.
Lillianne Guinn had everything that didn't suit him. She was supposed to be the last person who could attract him from the many candidates who came into his life. However, the situation was the opposite and he didn't know why either.
This morning he returned to the office with the same enthusiasm. He wanted to meet Lillianne Guinn quickly. He missed her even though he hadn't seen her for a few hours only.
It wasn't until he saw that Theo Greg had already approached her at her desk. The two of them chatted happily there. There we go with how Lillianne Guinn showed off that flirty smile again. It made him feel even worse with the strange feeling that had been taking over him lately. The woman did the same thing to every man she met, though. Who knows, she might also confess to them like she did to him.
“G-Good morning, sir.”
The two people stopped talking to greet him when they noticed his arrival. Blaze didn't understand why his mood suddenly became so ruined. Especially when he saw a package containing food and medicine on her table. It seemed to be Theo Greg's gift to Lillianne as he had promised yesterday.
"Y-Yeah." He still had an expressionless face. "Greg, come with me to my room," he said as he walked towards the entrance to his room. He only glanced at his secretary briefly.
“Yes, sir!” said the assistant before pursuing him inside.
Strange. Theo Greg has been weird lately. Blaze Davies couldn't stop thinking about it. I mean, that guy was even colder than him. Blaze always failed to read the emotions behind that poker face on his face. He never even saw his smile.
However, why was he different lately? Not only how he behaved in front of Lillianne Guinn, but his expression had become brighter. He looked more alive for some inexplicable reason.
'He is just like me. He is clearly attracted to her.'
But, why? Why her? He admitted that Lillianne Guinn was insanely beautiful, but how did she do that? What charm did she have that made all men - including himself - want her?
"Is there anything I can help you with, sir?" Theo Greg asked after just standing in front of him for a while. Maybe he was confused as to why the CEO didn't say anything for a few minutes.
"Uhm..." Blaze looked away from him. He was busy looking for topics to ask about. He couldn't be honest that the reason he called him here was just because he was jealous of seeing him talking to his secretary. "I am curious about the progress of recruiting brand ambassadors for our newest product. Have you heard from the marketing department?" he finally found something to ask.
"Yeah, just yesterday I asked them, sir. Model and influencer Helena Grace responded well to our offer. Now they are still in the process of negotiating before dissolving the contract," the assistant answered.
"Good. Continue following the process and keep me informed. You know that we are racing against time regarding this matter."
“I will do that, sir.”
There was another awkward silence.
Blaze again ran out of topics, but he still wanted to keep his assistant here. He wasn't willing to let him chitchat with Lillianne Guinn again outside.
However, he quickly came to his senses.
'Ah, how childish? What am I thinking?'
"You can--"
"I am sorry, sir--"
Both men spoke at the same time.
"Sorry, sir, please continue to say what you want to say to me," said the subordinate.
"No. You first. Say it."
The assistant looked hesitant. He was so nervous while scratching the back of his neck. "It's nothing important, sir."
'What's with his reaction? I've never seen him like this before.' Blaze became even more suspicious. He began to have a hunch about what might be going through the assistant's head. 'Don't tell me...'
"It's okay, just say it," he assured him.
"Uhm..." He still looked hesitant. "I am sorry if I seem bold and unprofessional, sir, but...'
He paused again, looking at the boss reluctantly. Blaze was getting impatient with what he was going to say next. He already had a bad feeling about it, though.
"I was planning to confess to Miss Guinn, but I don't know if it seems weird because we just met each other. I've never done it before either, so... I wanted to ask your opinion..."
Blaze Davies' forehead immediately frowned when he heard that. He couldn't believe what he heard.
'What the hell?'
***