The Boss

Natalie was shocked! She tightened her grip at the files that she's holding.

Her gaze never left the man who is sitting in front of the CEO's table.

Natalie didn't know whether to walk closer to the table or to walk out of the room!

She just stood rooted on the ground!

She couldn't believe her eyes, this man is very familiar to her!

He knew him very well!

Natalie just stared at the man, he is wearing a white long-sleeved polo shirt, black tuxedo, and a black necktie. He looked like a businessman, his expression is as cold as ice. He looked so aloof and stern.

His eyes are pitch-black, his hair is slicked back which made him looked more respective and his red thin lips are tightly closed.

He looked so different from the man that she knew five years ago.

He looked more matured and masculine now.

"Why are you just standing there Miss Zhuang?" The man asked coldly.

Natalie did not respond, she just stared at the man with her blank expression. She can't explain what she feels, she's nervous, surprised, scared, and...hurt!

'The way he speaks... also changed.' He's so cold to the point that Natalie can feel the chill to her bones.

"It's... It's... you..." It's the only three words that Natalie was able to blurt out in a faint voice.

The man did not respond, he stared at her coldly.

Natalie can't look at him straight to his eyes, so she just lowered her head to hide the pain that she felt inside.

The way he talked to her... He hates her.

And she knew the reason why...

"So... you're the CEO of TTC." It was not a question but a confirmation.

TTC [Today's Trends Clothing] is a clothing company that was founded two years ago. But she had just started working here as a designer one month ago, during this one month, she never had a chance to see and meet the CEO of the company and she did not expect that Jian Hong, her ex-lover is the CEO and founder of the company.

Natalie never thought that they will meet again after their break-up.

But... why did he employ her?

He hated me, does he employ me to take revenge?

To give me a face slap? And to show me that what I've said to him five years ago are all wrong?

"Are you just going to stand there?" Jian asked again but now, his gaze sharpened.

Natalie swallowed her saliva!

"Miss Zhuang, stop wasting my time!" Jian raised his voice.

Natalie snapped back to her senses. She lifted her gaze and looked at Jian's cold expression. "I'm... I'm sorry... Jian..."

Jian narrowed his eyes, [Sorry for what?! For dumping me five years ago?!] Jian thought.

Jian did not voice it out, but his gaze feels like it's going straight to Natalie's soul!

"How dare you call your boss by his first name?!" Jian asked in a sarcastic tone.

Natalie held her breath, she looked at Jian's dark expression and realized something.

'Yeah right!! How dare I forget that he is my boss and I am just her employee?

And how dis I forgot that he hated me?

He treated me like he never knew me!

He hated me, so I should not act like we were close to each other!'

'Wake up Natalie!'

Natalie wanted to slap her self.

"I'm... I'm sorry ... Mr. CEO." Natalie apologized.

She took a deep breath before she walks closer to the CEO's table while holding the files with her hands.

Natalie tried her best to walk properly even though her entire body is trembling.

She put the files at the top of the CEO's table, "These... these are the designs for the winter edition, sir." Natalie said.

Jian pick-up the files and take a look at it one by one.

Natalie silently stood in front of the table.

After a while, Jian suddenly slammed the files on the table.

Natalie's heart shaken!

"Do you call this a design?!" Jian asked in an intimidating manner.

"Miss Zhuang, I thought you're the best designer? How did you win as the best designer at the Aspiring Fashion Designer's Competition? These designs of yours are like trash! Did you pay for the Juris to win the competition?" Jian insulted her.

Natalie bit her lower lip and tried her best not to cry. She suppresses her tears not to fall.

This is too much!

Jian is doing this on purpose!

He purposely provoked and insulted her!

What for?

She can allow him to insult her work if he's not satisfied with it.

But!

She can't allow anyone to insult her!

She won't cry in front of him! Never!

She won't show him her weak side!

And as for the competition? She knew that she deserved to win!

Natalie took a deep breath before she speaks. "Sir, I won as the best designer because I deserved it!" Natalie lifted her chin and she finally looked at Jian's eyes... "I am confident that my designs are the best and I don't need to bribe someone just to win! I've worked so hard for my designs! I'm sorry if I have not satisfied your expectations, sir!"

Jian gritted his teeth before he speaks coldly, "Then prove it to me! Prove it to me why you deserve to win the best designer in the competition!" Jian challenged her. "And make sure that your next designs are not trash! I don't want to waste my money on incompetent people!" Jian said in a sulky voice.

Natalie gulped, her heart is aching!

She knew, her tears would fall at any moment. So she did not argue with him anymore.

"Fine, sir!" Natalie replied with her blank expression.

"Leave!" Jian said as if he is chasing away the person he hated the most!

Natalie did not waste time anymore. She quickly gets out of the CEO's office. But she did not go back to her office, instead, she went straight to the ladies' toilet and silently cried there.

C'mon Natalie, after you dumped him, do you expect him to treat you nicely?!

Why are you crying now? Huh? You're stupid!

He is obviously over you!

How about you?

You're the one who left, but you're the one who can't get over him?!

Natalie can't help but think about the past...