Chapter 7

*Tina's POV*

I sat, bored to death, as the CEO paced around the room speaking about something I didn't give a flying fuck about. Two weeks had passed since I was hired and it was safe to say it was a smooth ride. That was when Alejandro wasn't being a total ass. He was so strict to the core and got offended for the slightest of things. Someone once collided into him one time and spilled coffee over his expensive suit. The poor fellow was fired on the spot. My saving grace was that I mostly stayed out of the dragon's way.

But this time I had no choice. Today was a board meeting and everyone was there. Including myself.

"We managed to grow our usual sales by forty percent," Alejandro continued, pointing to a graph displayed on the large screen by PowerPoint.

"More people are now interested in purchasing meters for their houses to generate power. It's now safe to say that our vision for this company is heading to the right direction."

I smirked at my seat. Who else was the sole cause? Yours truly. My degree in public administration wasn't for nothing and my marketing skills in convincing potential clients was further proof. Now all that's left is for our arrogant CEO to acknowledge me.

"Thanks to everyone's joint effort," Alejandro said.

I nearly lost my balance and fell off my seat in shock. I composed myself and glared hard at him as everyone clapped. He met my eyes and a smug blank look crossed his face. This sucker deliberately refused to give me the credit. Son of a bitch.

"Could this meeting end already?" I heard a groan beside me and I glanced to the side.

My colleague,Kelly, had her palm against her cheek and was giving the most uninterested look she could muster.

Kelly was like the sister I never had. She was a curvy attractive red head with blue eyes and was quite the talker. And her personality was the same that was common with redheads. Fiery and feisty. She could curse freely and talk trash too. I fell in love with her moments after we met. She was my perfect other half.

"Now to important matters," I heard Alejandro clear his throat.

"There will be a charity event this weekend," he said. "Gonzalez Industries has been invited to partake in a donation at the town hall in order to promote awareness and and give more exposure."

I rolled my eyes. I'm definitely not attending. I have better ways to spend my weekend. And it involves one hundred percent not going out.

"And everyone must attend," Alejandro added.

Fuck.

I saw Alejandro stare at me as he made that statement. It was almost as if he read my mind.

"Do we really have to?" I whispered to Kelly.

"Sadly yes," she whispered. "I don't enjoy those boring things where snob assholes display themselves with plastic bitches with fake stupid accents. But too bad it's mandatory."

"The meeting is dismissed," Alejandro said.

"Hallelujah," I breathed in relief. So glad that was all over.

"So are you coming for the event?" Kelly asked as we walked down the hallway.

"Hell to the fucking no," I replied.

She stared at me like I had two heads.

"Stop kidding," she said "Who says I am?"

"You know you can't defy his orders, asshole or not," Kelly said. " If you don't come for the event, you might as well kiss your job goodbye. And it won't be a good look for you, considering as you just got it."

I groaned.

"It's okay, love." Kelly smiled, slinging her arm around my shoulder. "It may not be that bad. If it comes to the worst, we can always bail."

I could only hope so.

***

I alighted from the taxi and walked towards my apartment. The rest of the day was a total bust. As much as my new work didn't suck as I feared, I wasn't looking forward to any social event. For fucks sake, i wasn't going to fit in there.

I raised a brow on seeing a car parked near the entrance. It was a Lexus and the latest model. Did someone move in?

I narrowed my eyes as I stepped in and met Mrs Kirby by the door. There was an unusually nervous look on her face.

"Can I help you?" I frowned.

"There's a gentleman by your door," she said, her voice low. Weeks after our 'interaction' when I tore into her, she had made the wise choice to stay out of my way. And now that my income had increased, I wouldn't be bothered by her obnoxious face for a long time. Well, until today.

I tilted my head at her at her statement. She didn't say anything further. Needing no further interrogation, I walked past her and made a turn for the hallway where my flat was. My heart lurched as I saw the familiar figure of no other than Alejandro staring at my door.

"The fuck?!" I yelled.

He spun around, clearly hearing me. "Miss Campbell," His expression was as straight faced as ever.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, stomping towards him. I stopped near him and flared my nostrils, trying my best to look intimidating. Sadly, it didn't have any effect. He just stared back at me with that blank innocent look I hated.

"Familiarizing myself with my workers," he replied.

Sure, that would make this situation less awkward.

"By stalking them and standing by their doorstep like a creep?" I nearly yelled.

"You have quite the mouth,Miss Campbell." He folded his arms. "And I wasn't stalking."

Right.

"I wanted to make sure you're attending the event," he said.

"What if something comes up that day?" I frowned. "I might have plans."

Sure. Plans like watching movies and stuffing my face with chocolate and doughnuts. But he didn't need to know that.

He leaned towards me and looked me in the eye. His green beautiful eyes have that hypnotic glow within them that made me nearly melt on the spot.

"Cancel it," he said.

"Have a good day." He nodded and walked away. I glowered at his straight and perfect shoulders as he moved and clenched my fists.

Son of a bitch.