4 AN UNEXPECTED MEETING

After Mary changed to a night gown (this one was bought today and was of the same 'naughty girl' type) she decided not to give up so easily. She prepared a cup of steaming hot chocolate and knocked on Daniel's cabinet door.

He was really working and also texting someone. "I wonder, who might that be?" Mary thought with irony. Of course she knew it was Gabriella spitting her venom in Mary's direction.

Mary put a cup in front of Daniel and caught him in embrace, "I think you need a small break."

He looked at her, saw her new night gown, stunning, irresistible, and took her on his lap, "What naughty girl! You didn't go to sleep as your daddy asked."

"How could I? When my man is working hard, I want to provide as much support as possible."

He chuckled and landed a kiss on her neck. She lowered her head and managed to steal a kiss on the lips as well.

"Maybe I am falling for her tricks and traps, after all," he thought remembering the warning that Gabriella had just given him. "And so what? It's a rather pleasant fall..."

When he finished drinking his chocolate, he resumed his work. Mary did not go to her room though; she went to his bedroom instead to wait for him.

Later at night he found her soundlessly sleeping on his bed. "What a spirit!" he thought. He gently woke her up to prepare the bed.

"Can I stay here for the night?" she asked in a sleepy voice.

He smiled slyly.

"Why not? You are here already! Though I must warn you, I'm too tired for any further advances of yours," he said laughing and cautiously measuring her night gown with a long look.

"As you wish," she said triumphantly.

In the morning they slept late, because it was a Saturday. During breakfast Mary asked, "Can we go out somewhere together? It's a weekend; you don't have to work today, do you?"

"Mary, men like me have to work almost every day," he said laughing. "But we can go out today. What do you think about trying some Italian food for dinner?"

"Italian's fine," she said gladly. She was a bit tired of spending her time alone.

Daniel chose a luxurious Italian restaurant with a dress code, and they arrived there right at dinner time. Mary wore a beautiful cocktail dress and looked stunning in it, so gentle and true. It was her natural beauty that attracted Daniel in the first place.

When they were entering, a middle-aged couple was heading out, seeing them Mary pressed her fingers hard into Daniel's elbow as if frightened or startled by something. The couple halted when the middle aged man saw Daniel.

"Mr. Melrose, nice to see you. Turns out we like the same places! Quality comes first," the middle aged man addressed Daniel politely and somewhat looking up to him, trying to please.

"Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, good day! Hope you had a nice dinner," Daniel answered indifferently.

"Oh, yes, this place is as high-level as usual! And may I inquire who is your charming companion today?" he said smiling, but slowly recognition grew in him and his face changed from courtesy to disbelief, from disbelief to worry.

He knew who Daniel's companion was! Though she looked different, not like a willing horse anymore, he still recognized her. It was that despicable girl whom he helped to fire a couple of months ago or more. She was like an eye sore; always straight with her opinions, always quick with her clever remarks and she wanted the position which was surely too good for her. He so much congratulated himself when she left the company at last. He even made sure that no other big company in the city would hire her and was glad to know that after all this time she was still jobless. But who would have thought that she was close with Daniel Melrose, the owner of Melrose Corporation himself?!

Daniel noticed the change in Mr. Edwards' eyes, "Do you know each other?"

Mr. Edwards was gasping for air and unsure what to answer, that was when Mary said coldly, "It happens so that we do. Don't we, Mr. Edwards?"

"Oh yes, we do," he said very quietly. "I think I'm a little unwell. Beg your pardon."

He and his wife were already resuming their way to the exit.

"Of course, see you on Monday," Daniel answered still contemplating.

"How do you know each other?" he asked Mary whose mood suddenly was not so high.

"Oh, it's a regular business, it's just the guy who fired me for being a smart-arse and gave me an awful credential so no big company in the city would hire me now," she answered him nonchalantly. "Let's have our dinner first." She smiled trying to hide the unpleasant memories swirling in her head.

When they sat down, he still wanted to return to the previous topic, "So you worked for him in the Melrose Corporation?"

"I surely did!" Mary said. "He's one of the most detestable men I've ever met!"

Saying this she remembered that Mr. Edwards addressed Daniel as Mr. Melrose, and Daniel said that they would see each other on Monday.

"Don't tell me that you are the Daniel Melrose himself, the high and mighty?" she asked when realization hit her.

"Asks the woman who moved in with me not even knowing my surname…" he said and chuckled.

"Don't evade the question!"

"I don't evade! My name is Daniel and my surname is Melrose. So it was my company that you worked for. Why haven't you seen me before?"

"Because Mr. Edwards never allowed me to attend any important meeting; you know, me being too smart and all," she joked.

"No wonder he ran away after seeing you with me!" Daniel laughed heartily. He still could not believe that the reserved and proper Mr. Edwards could be such a cruel person to not only bully and chase someone away but also to ruin their future career.

Apart from that unexpected meeting the evening was marvelous, the food was delicious, and Mary was so natural in her beauty, that the man by her side could not take his eyes off her.

On Sunday Daniel planned to go out to meet his friends and suddenly decided to take Mary with him. Meeting his friends was a good thing, wasn't it? But Mary had a feeling that some of them might be just like that Gabriella, and speaking of her, she probably would also be there and would not miss a chance to cling like a limpet to Daniel. Of course Mary had to go!