Strange kind of attention

"Should I come with you?" Nori asked, and Chloe rolled her eyes. It was already 4 pm that same day, and Karina was preparing to go to Veron's office.

She didn't understand the kind of attachment these two had to each other. Their relationship was confusing even though they claim to be sisters and had the same surname. If she hadn't been staying with them, she would have thought they were into each other sexually.

Despite being irritated by the display of affection between them, she held back her tongue from commenting. She had only returned to the room this morning and didn't want any trouble yet.

"No. You have your own problem to tend to. Don't worry. I'll be fine." Karina responded, her hands moving up to gather her hair into a low ponytail.

"You don't know your way around the city." Nori pointed out part of her worries.

'And whose fault is that?' Chloe asked in her head, barely holding back from spilling the words out of her mouth. 'Argh... Mind your business, Chloe.' She reprimanded herself.

"I know. But it's a popular place. I won't have a problem finding it. I'll see you soon." Karina said, flashing Nori a smile before stepping out.

But Nori couldn't relax. She could only pray that Karina will be alright because if not, it would spell doom for her.

***

The taxi dropped Karina in front of a picturesque high-rise building with 'RON'S REAL ESTATE' written boldly on it.

Okay... She knew Veron was rich, but this was beyond her expectation. Again, the question of what he was doing in school resurfaced in her head. If he had all these, what else was he looking for?

The building stood dauntingly beautiful and proud, just like its owner. When she stepped inside, she immediately realized that the outer look was nothing compared to the intricate interior design.

Because she wasn't prepared for the beauty that would greet her sight once she stepped in, she slowed down to admire and take in what she was seeing. For a moment, she forgot about her reason for being there.

The sound of someone clearing their throat caressed Karina's ears, forcing her to get a hold of herself and turn toward the source of the disturbance.

"Good day, ma'am. How may I help you today?" A smartly dressed young lady sitting behind a desk on the right side of the building greeted her. She had a polite smile on her face, which Karina was forced to return.

"Hello, there. I'm here to see Veron." Karina stated, moving toward the lady's desk with her fake smile still intact on her face.

She already accepted there was nothing she could do about her situation, so she would try to be on her best behavior until the end of these three weeks dedicated to their research work.

The lady's expression switched into shock, then confusion in less than three seconds, which Karina didn't understand why.

"Mr. Veron Silver? The CEO?" She asked, to be sure she understood what Karina just said.

At that moment, Karina realized something. She had called Veron's name so casually in a place where he was the boss. Of course, that would be enough to trigger such a reaction from the lady.

"Yes. Mr. Veron Silver." Karina confirmed, this time, adding the title and last name just as the lady said it.

The lady's brows pulled together as she looked Karina over. From the way she was dressed, the receptionist felt Karina had no business looking for Veron, unless they were related.

"Who are you if I may ask?" She asked, looking at Karina with suspicion and a kind of complicated expression.

"Karina Harper."

"Is he expecting you?" Another question flew out of the lady's mouth, and Karina almost groaned in frustration.

'Enough with the questions already.' She complained in her head but maintained her smile on the outside.

"Yes and no." She answered, since it was Skye who invited her, not Veron himself.

When she saw confusion register on the lady's face, she let out a sigh.

"It's complicated. Just inform him I'm here." Karina suggested, and after a short moment of hesitation, the lady picked up the phone.

"Sir, there's a lady here by the name of Karina Harper. She said..." The lady trailed off, staying silent for a few seconds before she dropped the phone.

"Top floor, last office by your left." The lady said and Karina nodded.

"Thank you." Karina's voice echoed, then she turned away from the lady in readiness to advance to the top floor.

But she paused and turned back to the lady.

"Where is the elevator?" She asked, after looking around but not finding the elevator anywhere around.

"That way." The lady pointed toward a direction where Karina's eyes missed.

After flashing her an appreciative smile, Karina moved to the elevator. Once inside, she let out a breath, and the smile on her face faded.

She had not even begun anything and she was already exhausted. For god's sake, they were both students, yet she was the only one going through all the stress.

Just as the doors of the elevator opened again, welcoming her to the fifteenth floor of the building, her eyes landed on Skye, who she figured had been waiting for her.

Another forced smile made its way to her face as she stepped out.

"Welcome, Milady. This way please." Skye said, moving his hand in a gesture that said 'follow me.'

Karina nodded and followed him silently. It was no surprise for her to see Skye there. Although she didn't know what their relationship was, neither did she care, she had always seen them together.

When they got to the last door, which Karina noted was larger than the other doors she had seen in there, Skye halted.

He placed his hand on the door, turned the handle, and pushed it open. Then he smiled and gestured with his head for her to go in.

Karina returned his smile before she stepped into the vast office. Her eyes swept across the room, and she had to force herself to stay focused on the reason she was there.

Thankfully, before she could get carried away, her gaze landed on the man sitting leisurely behind the large mahogany desk.

She immediately forgot about the beautiful interior when her eyes met his. His posture wasn't intimidating or anything of that sort, but those silver orbs commanded a strange kind of attention from her.