Chapter 11

*Tina's POV *

I woke up feeling much more refreshed. I felt like some weight was dropped from my body. For some weird reason, a smile appeared on my face. Yesterday was really something. From nearly assaulted by some drunk perverts to being rescued by Alejandro. It was one hell of a twist.

I tried to stand up and then discovered an arm around me. A gasp escaped my lips as I turned around. Kelly's sleeping face met mine. Her mouth was wide open and her hair was as wild as a hornets nest.

"Holy shit!" I exclaimed.

My cry immediately rattled her and her eyes fluttered open. She squinted at me a bit and then went back to sleep. It didn't register to her until seconds later. Her eyes flew wide open.

"What the fuck!" she cried, immediately jumping out of my bed with surprising agility. Her actions exposed more of her nude body to me. I couldn't help admiring and yet being envious of her shape. I took in her wide hips, large breasts and rather flat stomach. She was shaven and her thighs were quite smooth. I couldn't help but wonder how she managed to drink so much booze and yet managed to have a trim and smooth stomach. Heaven knows if that was the case with me, i would be rivaling middle aged dads with beer bellies. The sunlight making her body glow didn't help matters.

"What the hell happened?" She snapped out of my gaze. I felt embarrassed and hoped I wasn't caught staring. It would be more embarrassing than the situation we already found ourselves in. "Tina, how did I get here?"

"You don't remember clubbing and getting wasted?" I folded my hands and deadpanned at her. She scratched her head and stared into space. Honestly, how the hell was I friends with this woman?

"Oh, that's right." She smiled sheepishly and I rolled my eyes.

Her eyes scanned her nude body then gave me an accusatory glance.

"What is it this time?" I folded my arms.

"My clothes," she said. "Did you—"

"Of course not!" I snapped, knowing what she was implying. "Jesus, Kelly I'm not pitching for the other team, despite my terrible luck with men. I took off your clothes because I didn't want you to catch a cold. Sorry I was being considerate."

She caught the bitter sarcastic tone to my last sentence and faltered.

"Sorry about that." She rubbed the back of her neck. "It's just that I've never been wasted before."

'No kidding," I thought dryly.

"Well, there's a first time for everything," I replied. "We have to get going."

I looked at the clock and groaned.

"Damn it, we're already late."

"Oh my gosh, we need to get going. " She paced frantically around. " I need to go home and get new clothes. And my place miles away from here. But if i can take the risk..."

"Not a chance." I stopped her. " You'll be more than an hour late if you do that."

I nodded to my closet. "You can try one of my office clothes."

Kelly stared at my closet as if it was a strange apparition, then she turned her gaze to me and her lips pursed.

"No offense, Tina, but I don't think they will fit," she said.

"Why not?"

She grinned as her eyes landed on my lower nude half. "Your skirt may be too wide for me."

"Ha ha, real funny." I rolled my eyes as I walked past her. "Get your ass in the shower quick. We're late as it is and that is enough worry for me. I don't need another worry of listening to your butt jokes."

I shoved her gently towards the bathroom .

"We're not taking a shower together, are we?" She gave me an amused grin.

"Just get in the bathroom!"

***

Thirty minutes later, we made our way to the office. It was busy with activities as if rubbing our tardiness to our faces. I inwardly groaned. This was a blemish to the perfect record I wanted to create in my new work place. We made our way to our seats but before our tired backsides could caress them, we saw Alejandro come out of the elevator and make his way towards us. My heart lurched as I saw those green eyes reminding me of yesterday night. However, those eyes looked different and a bit angry as he walked towards us.

"You're late." His voice sounded edgy as he stood before us.

"It was my fault, sir." Kelly stood up. " I held Tina back."

"I'm well aware of that," he replied. Mildly surprised, Kelly gave me a discreet side side glance, which was questioning.

My eyes gave her a subtle message: I'll explain later.

She glanced back to Alejandro's steely gaze. I saw it coming. I saw it in those eyes and I knew he wanted to do one thing. Fire her.

"Wait, sir." I stepped in. "It was both our fault. We overslept. It won't happen again"

I saw him falter a bit. He looked indecisive. Kelly however was still shaking in her seat. This was a first. I knew Alejandro was a powerful billionaire, but for him to make the feisty and strong-willed Kelly cower in her seat was a sight to behold.

"Alright," he said, "let this not happen again."

Kelly's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She looked at me and I managed a small shrug with an equally small grin.

He turned and walked briskly into his office. Kelly let out the huge breath she was holding for ages as she plopped into her seat. "Jesus," she muttered. "I thought I was a goner for sure. Something must have gotten into him. This is someone who has fired more than a dozen workers in one month."

I didn't reply. She turned to face me and gave me a suspicious gaze.

"And you," she said. "You have some explaining to do."

"I know, Kelly," I sighed as I switched on my system. "I know."

Hours later after lunch break, I made my way to Alejandro's office. It wasn't an easy feat as i had to avoid Kelly's wandering eyes. She was on to me after i explained details of last night to her. Luckily, it took one moment of distraction to get her off my back.

I sucked in my breath and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Alejandro said from the other side.

I opened the door and stepped in. Alejandro had his eyes on the system as usual.

"I was expecting you," he said, his eyes still on the system. "Is this going to be a regular habit?"

I saw the ghost of a smile on his lips and I knew I was safe.

"Probably," I replied as I approached his desk. I took in the circles under his eyes.

"You didn't have much sleep," I said.

"It's difficult to do so when you're trying to keep the company on top," he replied.

"Thanks for not firing Kelly," I said. "She's the closest thing to a sister I have in this company."

His eyebrows furrowed. "As much as I understand your empathy, keep in mind that a job should not be truffle with. Many people nowadays don't get the privilege you ladies have today."

"I understand," I replied.

He studied my face for a while and then his face softened. I saw the brightness come back to those green eyes as he regarded me. I felt like melting on the spot. Out of the blue, he dropped an unexpected question.

"Are you free this weekend?"

"Come again?" I nearly lost my balance.

"I asked if you're free this weekend," he repeated.

I looked around the office to be sure I wasn't being planked. I stared back at him to meet a confused gaze on his face.

"Yeah," I replied, my voice coming out in a tiny squeak. "Why?"

I saw his eyes shift to the laptop, then to Sebastian, then back to me. He was contemplating something but seemed hesitant.

"Is there a problem?" I pressed.

The tension was killing me more than the tight heels I wore. Kelly was right. I was definitely gaining weight.

"I want us to have lunch together," he said, his face displaying no emotion.

I think my heart must have stopped beating at that moment.