FILE.5

"You were serious?"

Cedric didn't even lift his head from the documents he was reading when he said, "Yes."

Rosie lifted her eyes heavenward, praying for patience. He was seriously driving her nuts. "Why would you ask that of me?"

"Ask? I didn't ask. I gave an order."

"Order, my—." She bit her lip.

His brow lifted. "You were saying?"

"I didn't say anything."

"Are you certain?"

"I just..." She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "I just don't think you can give me an order that pertains to my personal life, sir."

"What's my schedule today?" he interrupted in a don't-you-dare-argue-with-me tone of voice.

Rosie just barely controlled her glare. Maribel was already on leave and finally left her in charge of him.

She looked at the tablet in her hand. "At 9 am, you have to lead the meeting in the conference room on the 10th floor. Then at 11:30, you should return to the office for the meeting with the board members. While you're in there, I'll have your lunch prepared for you because knowing you, you'd probably skip lunch again. It drives Maribel crazy with worry, you know, that's why she's always setting up lunch meetings for you just to get you to eat. Why don't you eat anyway? It's not healthy to skip meals."

He looked up and gave her a scowl. She cleared her throat awkwardly before she continued.

"Then you have an interview with the media at 2 in the afternoon followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony of the science center you purchased downtown at 4. Michael will be assisting you in both. You were supposedly to have a dinner meeting with Mr. Hewitt but he has canceled because his wife is sick which leaves your evening free." She eyed him over the tablet. "I could however move your meeting with the business managers tonight instead of tomorrow if you would prefer it."

"No." Cedric closed the files he was perusing and handed them to her. "Keep my evening free. I'm going out tonight."

"With who?"

He frowned at her. "Excuse me?"

"Nothing," she blurted, mentally scolding herself for that slip of the tongue. She really needs to work more on this personal secretary thing. "Um, do you want me to make reservations for you?"

"No. And I want you to assist me with both meetings. I'm certain Maribel had left instructions for those to you."

She did. But Rosie had hoped he wouldn't need her.

Sighing, she said, "Alright. Is there anything else, Mr. Orion?"

Studying her face, he leaned back on his chair and said, "No. You may go."

Gladly, she thought.

But then she noticed his empty mug as she turned and she looked at him.

"What?" he asked irritably.

"Do you want a refresh?" she asked, reaching for his empty mug.

The irritation on his faded. "Please."

"How do you take it?"

"Black."

"Like your soul?"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

She also pretended she didn't just say that as she rushed out of his office. It was hard to stay professional around him when he seemed to bring the uncivilized out of her. And strangely enough, he mostly just let her get away with it.

A well-dressed man was walking in the outer office just as Rosie closed the door behind her.

"Hello, Michael," she greeted, slapping a smile on her face.

Michael grinned at her. "What? What did he say this time?"

Rosie's smile disappeared and she sighed. "Nothing. He's just being... a boss," she ended in a surly voice.

Michael gave her a sympathetic look. He was Cedric's Executive Assistant and contrary to their boss, exuded informality and easy charm, and had a friendly smile and advice for everyone. Rosie still couldn't quite get over the fact that both Michael and Maribel had managed to keep their good nature and humor working for Cedric. If it were here, she would have already lost her cool years ago.

"I'm making Mr. Orion coffee. Do you want me to make you one too?"

"Yes, I would. Thank you. Is Mr. Orion busy?"

"No, he's ready for you. I'll bring both your coffees in once I'm done."

And after asking his preference, Rosie went to the pantry to make their coffees.

**********

Rosie caught the elevator just as the doors were about to close. She rode the floors down to the lobby weary and deep in thought. Between catering her arrogant boss and handling other tasks, she had been kept incredibly busy the whole day.

Still, she couldn't help but admire her boss.

The first time she assisted with his meetings had left her in total awe. And for rest of the days that followed, he still did. He always seemed to have a solution for every problem and issue that arose, as well as his show of brilliancy and his resonance of power. She couldn't take her eyes off him.

Actually, no one could.

Like her, they were all in awe with his persona, his strength and his command of the room.

It was raining heavily outside, Rosie saw with dismay.

She dug through her bag and groaned. She had forgotten to take an umbrella with her to work. The bus stop may be a short distance away from their company building but she'd probably be drenched by the time she made her way there. And she could no longer catch a ride from Jenny or any of her friends since they had already left an hour ago. She blamed overtime work. She blamed Cedric Orion.

Stepping outside, Rosie felt the slap of the wind and the spray of rain water. There was no other way. She'd have to make a run for it. Bracing herself, she took a deep breath and bent forwards, counting.

One.

Two.

Three—.

"Stop."

She slid to a halt. Cedric was scowling at her by the revolving doors.

He gestured for her to come to him and she did with a bewildered frown.

"What is it, sir? I've already clocked off, if you must know."

"Were you seriously going to run into the rain?"

"Yes, I was," she answered slowly. "Why?"

He raised his eyes heavenwards and sighed. Then he turned, beckoning for her to follow him.

"Where are we going?" she asked when he led her to the elevators.

"Basement parking."

"Why?" she asked nervously.

He gave her an irritated look. "Because that's where I keep my car parked?"

"Oh," she muttered and entered the elevator behind him.

"Oh," she repeated with dawning realization when he opened the door to his car and told her to get in. "Are you giving me a ride home, Mr. Orion?" she asked when they were both buckled in.

"Yes," he mumbled. "I usually wouldn't go through the trouble but think of this as a compensation for your good work these past few days. That's not to say you're special or anything."

"I would never..."

"Never what?"

"Nothing," she sighed and looked out the window. Saying the words out loud, that she never would assume she was special to him, didn't sit well with her for some reason.

The familiar road he was taking had her focusing.

But how did he found out where she lived?

Feeling uneasy, Rosie glanced at him. She wanted to ask him how he knew but she'd better just keep her mouth shut for now. His driver probably told him anyway when the guy took her home from the hotel after having dinner and drinks with Aiden.

She almost jumped when Cedric suddenly reached out and took her wrist.

"Stop biting your nail," he commanded quietly.

She didn't even notice she was biting the nail of her thumb until he said that.

Rosie watched him push her hand gently down to her lap. And when he let go, the warmth of his touch still lingered on her skin, making her blush.

Cedric dropped her off right at the front door of her apartment building. She didn't know whether she should be impressed or terrified.

"Thanks for the ride," she muttered after the short ride was thankfully over.

He didn't even look at her when he said, "You're welcome."

Feeling utterly bewildered by the situation, Rosie got out of the car. Fortunately, the rain had stopped but the pavement was quite slippery so she made sure to walk slowly so she wouldn't fall on her face. She glanced back when she opened the door. Cedric was still parked at the sidewalk and was looking at her. He was making sure she got in safely and it made her smile. Giving him a small wave, she walked in. Only then, did he leave.

She smiled to herself and entered the elevator. The teenage boy in the elevator with her was giving her a thorough once-over but she ignored him. She still couldn't get over the fact that her boss had just given her a ride.

Her boss was a strange creature and she could never quite comprehend what he was thinking.

But wait.

Rosie got to her door and stared at it with her keys suspended in the air.

The door was ajar and a sense of dread washed over her after she felt her chest jolt with a sudden pounding heartbeat. She was certain she had definitely closed and locked it when she was leaving this morning.

Rosie slowly pushed the door open. The devastation of her apartment didn't register on her quick.

And when it finally did, she started crying.