4 The Question

"Come on! Hurry...faster!" Charlotte scolded her printer as if that would help it work more efficiently. Finally it pushed the last page out. Charlotte grabbed it and dashed for President Zhou's office. It was two minutes until lunch break and he wanted these documents by lunch. She hadn't realized just how many pages that coffee collusion had damaged until she'd started typing. She was a fast typist but not a miracle worker.

In her haste, she completely forgot about basic etiquette, like knocking on the door of his office before rushing in.

Gordon Zhou and two businessmen looked up at her in confusion. They'd been in deep discussion at a conference table in front of a floor to ceiling window.

Shocked silence reigned for a few moments as they all took each other in. Charlotte spoke first; "I'm really sorry!" I'll leave now!"

She rushed out and nearly slammed the door behind her. The two men looked at Gordon and started chuckling.

"Gordon, what just happened?" One of the men, Michael Fu, asked.

"She's new." Gordon said dryly.

"She's interesting." Michael said.

"If you're courting death." Gordon muttered.

The other man, Andrew Xiao said, "Gordon, have you found someone to accompany you to that charity ball this weekend? You should invite her. She's beautiful!"

"Will you be paying my hospital bill if I do?" Gordon snapped.

"She can't be that bad, bro." Michael said. Andrew snickered.

"I'd like to live longer." Gordon said in a cold tone.

"Well if you aren't interested then I am! I'll see if she'll accompany me instead. She'll add some much needed excitement to those boring events." Andrew decided.

"Alright, enough. We have reservations for noon. We better get going or we'll be late. I hate being late." Gordon said, changing the subject.

————

Charlotte sat at her desk with her head in her hands. She was pretty sure she was going to be fired on her first day. She couldn't imagine it getting much worse.

Just then she heard someone clearing their throat. She peeked between her fingers and her eyes met with Gordon Zhou. Just outside her doorway the other two men waited.

"Charlotte, I need those documents before I leave." He said with a chill in his voice. His eyes gave off an angry vibe.

She meekly handed him a folder with the needed paperwork.

"I'm really sorry Mr. Zhou. I wasn't thinking. I was in a hurry to get these to you and I—" She was cut off as Gordon turned to leave without acknowledging her apology.

One of the men in the hallway pushed his head into the room and said, "Hi Charlotte. I'm Andrew Xiao and I was going to ask you if you'd accompany—"

He was cut off by Gordon who suddenly turned around to face her. In his usual icy voice he said, "There's a charity ball this weekend that I need to attend. I don't have anyone to accompany me. I need you to do so if you are free. I'll pay you overtime."

Michael whistled in surprise. Andrew's eyes had grown exponentially in size.

Charlotte's head was spinning with how fast Gordon had changed his approach. One moment he was ignoring her and in the next he was inviting her to a ball.

"Um, sure, I can do that. But you don't have to pay me to go. I'd be honored to attend with you." Charlotte answered softly.

"So it's settled then?" He asked with a hint of anxiety hidden in his abruptness.

"Absolutely! It's a date. You can give me details later. I don't want to make you late for your lunch meeting." Charlotte said gently.

"Why don't you come with us for lunch, Charlotte? You can be my companion today!" Michael said with a teasing glint towards Gordon. Gordon sent a murderous glare in response.

"Or maybe another time." Michael said with an apologetic smile. The three of them took their leave and Charlotte chuckled. She may not be able to understand her enigmatic boss, but his two friends were pranksters at heart.