Aurelia POV:
The next morning, when I woke up with a huge headache, I stared at the wall in front of me while sitting there. I was frozen for five seconds, and then I realized what happened last night.
I slept on Vincent's shoulder.
But I didn't remember if I said anything, though.
Now I am hanging between two possibilities. I remember the action, but not the words. Ughhh. I guess it must have been awkward for him to stay still or to avoid moving me… I always thought I would be the troublesome type of drinker. I never thought I would actually sleep, though. Maybe making or doing something silly would have been easier rather than sleeping on my boss's shoulder, whom I have feelings for!
I thought all this while freshening up and going to the kitchen to make breakfast and lunch for office. I wish I could afford a cook for myself, but never mind.
Today's breakfast and lunch were pancakes.
Yesss, my favourite chocolate pancakes!
After a long time, I was going to eat my favourite dish—pancakes. Before that, I had honey water to ease my hangover.
I reached the office after an hour and a half, and I was already prepared to apologise to, you know, who?
Although, I don't think any of that was my fault, but you have to maintain your responsibilities and your lines.
I first settled down in my chair, where Evelyn was looking at me in a teasing way.
"What? Something in my makeup?" I asked.
"No, no. I am just looking at how you made us think you were so naïve to not know someone's fee—"
"Shut up! Not here. Come with me to the break room…"
"OKAYYY!"
IN THE BREAK ROOM
"Aurelia, you owe me!"
"Evelyn, see, it's my fault for not telling you this, but you know feelings can't be expressed so fast. I mean…" I made a pouty face while saying this.
"Okay, I will let you pass, but tell me, when are you going to break through from this and confess?"
"Confess? After what I did yesterday, seems hard!"
"What did you do?"
"Well, technically, I was drunk and—"
"AND?"
"And I slept on his shoulder throughout the ride he gave me, and when I regained consciousness, I said good night and left."
"You WHAT? Omggg, Aurelia, you really are something! But what seems hard? We already know he likes you…"
"I remember the action, but I don't really know if I said something while I was taking a nap. So, if I confessed, things would be awkward. If I didn't, then it would be something else. I DON'T KNOW!"
"If you really had said something, you would have been reminded or hinted by him. But I don't think you did. Looking at it, he didn't even arrive till now. He is never late to work…"
"I really-really don't know anything… but I think I should apologise for what I did."
"Right, you should… okay…"
"So, are we clear?"
"OF COURSE WE ARE! WHO SAID WE WEREN'T?"
"You scared the hell out of me, Dio…"
"DIO?"
"Nevermind…"
We went back to our seats, and when I took mine, I saw Vincent had arrived.
I went straight to his cabin door and knocked.
As usual, the same thing.
"COME IN…"
I went inside and, first of all, said thank you for dropping me home, and sorry for being a trouble and also for sleeping on his shoulder.
"Why are you being sorry?"
"Because I—I am sorry…"
He stood up and slowly walked across the table, coming closer to me.
"That's not right."
As he said this, he was already close to me.
I said, "Why?"
He started walking closer to me until I had already reached the glass wall.
Now I know why the curtains weren't open yet.
"You don't remember what you said yesterday to me?"
" No? I remember sleeping in your arms, but I can't recollect anything I said…"
He leaned towards me, placing his hands on either side of my head.
"Being naïve again?"
"Ag-again?"
He straightened up, but was still too close for my heart not to flutter.
"I heard your conversation in the break room."
"You know eavesdropping on someone's conversation is bad."
"Ohh, really? But talking about someone in their absence is not good either…"
"What are you trying to say, sir?"
He stepped back two steps.
And said,
"You know I like you, right?"
This man. How can he be so blunt?
I mean, I couldn't say anything. I just stared into his eyes with my eyes straight.
"Then, can I pursue you for giving me a chance to be yours?"
"Be yours? Generally, boys would say 'for letting you be mine'?"
"They are boys. I am a man. A man that is head over heels for you…"
"Hea—what? Omg, you are very cheesy, you know that?"
"So, what's your answer?" He leaned again, leaving a space of two centimetres between our faces. He continued, "Vale?"
I now started doing the exact same thing he did and walked towards him.
"I have no problem, but I can't guarantee to say yes!?"
He was finally at the edge of his table when I leaned towards his ear and said, "Good luck!"
I continued when I looked back into his eyes, "And yes, bring me my favourite flowers when we meet next time…"
I turned to leave, and when I was about to grab the handle of the door, he asked,
"At least tell me what flower you love?"
"Find."
And I left the cabin.
Before that, I tapped the button that opened the curtain and looked at him before I did.
He was fast at being himself at work. It took less than a second to change his entire attitude. Everyone thought it was a rough or tough meeting, especially Evelyn, who thought it was something cold.
But only he and I knew what exactly happened behind the curtains.
When I settled myself, I looked at him just to make eye contact for a maximum of four seconds that said a lot about his determination.
I turned back to my computer with heart flutters and a lot of butterflies in my stomach.
I believe my stomach has more emotions than my mind—or, you could say, my heart does.
I told Evelyn that everything was clear between me and him and that it wouldn't affect work.
After a few hours, Vincent's assistant-cum-manager came and informed us that the next first trial would be this week's Friday.
We didn't have to worry, as we already had the CEO's corruption files and the doctor's involvement files.
The only thing missing was the assistant Marco's background check.
I asked my team if anyone was free to come with me for research.
Carl and Austin had some drafting and negotiations with past clients, and Evelyn had some client counselling.
So, guess I was alone.
I picked up my handbag and left.
When I was outside the building looking for a cab, I saw a tall shadow appearing in front of me.
I turned around.
It was Vincent.
"Where are you going?"
"I sent you a text. I am done with the reports, drafting, and briefing, so I am going for fieldwork."
"What fieldwork?"
"I want to run a check on Marco."
"The assistant?"
I nodded.
He continued, "Let me go with you."
"No need. I can handle it…"
"MISS AURELIA VALE, let me go with you."
"OKAY! Fine…"
He called his car and his assistant, Mr. Sanchez. We sat in the back, and his assistant was in the driver's seat.
When we finally left, I told Mr. Sanchez to drive to Marco's old company—Nourishing Baby.
"He worked here?"
"Yes. He worked for years in California, but then he was transferred from here to Italy, and then he left and joined the LumiVital Group. Originally, he is from California, but he has roots in Italy…"
When we were in the middle of the ride, an unknown number called me.
I picked up, and it was on speaker.
After greeting him a few times, there wasn't any answer.
But then a deep, cracked voice echoed, saying,
"You will regret after finding the truth…"
I looked confused and immediately cut off the call and looked at Vincent.
He immediately ordered Mr. Sanchez to find the number details and everything relevant to him.
Who was he?
What truth?
Why would I regret it?
Is he threatening me?