The invitation

Warren pulled L.

Forcing her to step near as he leaned down to whisper; "He is scared of crowd" With his eyes fixed on the man who rushed out of the company, Warren smirked. The woman's whole body froze. She blinked. Processing the situation. Scared Of Crowd? "Isn't it pathetic?"

Warren backed up; eyes resting upon the stunned woman. "I have been attending the occasions on his behalf just because he can't face a crowd. I don't understand why he thinks of me as someone pathetic when he is the one in fact" He continued. Taunting his brother.

"Warren Vincent, you have done a terrible mistake" With eyes gleaming in frustration, Adelio seized L's arm to pull her back. It's when she gasped. The consciousness flew in. "I only did what I should. We need to know whether she's worthy of trust or not" Warren scoffed.

And Adelio threw a fist. Startling the people around, including L. "You have crossed the line this time, Warren. Don't beg me later. I am done with you" Breathing furiously, Adelio dragged L away from the place. "Fucking bastard! Do you think you are all that?! Asshole!"

Warren yelled.

But the two neglected him and headed inside the elevator. "Did he hurt you?" Adelio asked. "No, I am fine, Boss" Lowering her head to avoid the eye contact, L answered. "I am sorry on his behalf. Please forget whatever he said" The man sighed. "Boss..." L softly called out.

Her head lifted, meeting with the man's confused gaze. "He did not say anything at all. Actually, you arrived in time. He did not manage to finish his words. So, please don't worry. I am not a threat" A wide grin tugged upon L's lips. Hushing down the man. He blinked.

A lie. Just by a glance, Adelio could tell this woman was swallowing the truth. But why would she lie? Did she have other intentions? "Is that so?" Adelio replied calmly. "Rest assured, Boss. Your brother would never do such a thing" L flashed a bright beam.

For a moment, Adelio found himself lost in the smile of the woman. Questions filled within. Why would she lie about an obvious truth? But then, he broke the eye contact. "Thank you..." A murmur echoed in the lift. Delighting L. Why would she lie? Well, it's obvious.

To get him faster!

If she admitted she knew his secret, Adelio would suspect her and could even fire her with an excuse. She needed to choose the safest option by approaching his heart. With this kind of secret in palm, she could unlock his heart right away. A proud smirk tugged upon.

Just by thinking, she's thrilled. "Risa, are you okay?" When the woman walked to her desk as Adelio went to his office, Luke rushed towards L along with Mian. "That Warren Vincent is out of hand. Why would he drag you in their problems?!" Mian clenched her jaw.

"Right. Warren Vincent shouldn't have done that. Adelio is not going to let this slide easily" Luke sighed helplessly. "I saw him grabbing you. Does it hurt?" Mian pouted. They had been observing from above through glass window. "Don't worry. I am strong enough for that"

L smiled. Causing the two to frown. "An owner of golden heart would definitely say something like that. What else did I expect?" Mian rolled her eyes; exasperated over the situation. "I have to work. You can rest assured" L pushed the two away. "I guess she is fine"

Luke claimed.

"Adelio, is everything alright?" Stepping inside the office, Luke threw a question beneath a scowl. "He told her" Pressing temple, Adelio disclosed. Stunning the man. "Wait, Warren promised you not to spill the secret! How come he broke it?!" Luke gasped.

"I don't know anymore. For now, let's keep our eyes on Risa. Prepare a file of complaint to fire her if she does anything to spread the words" Adelio commanded. "Isn't it too much? I think Risa is worthy of our trust" Luke tried to defend. "She lied to me, Luke"

Adelio's gaze lifted. "She claimed Warren said nothing when it's obvious he had told her. Why would she even lie?" Confused by the circumstance, Adelio queried out loud. It quieted down the man across. "Let's watch her moves for now. We will think after"

Luke responded. "Do whatever you can to prevent the words" Adelio reminded. "Understood" The night approached. L returned home early. She knew something was odd. It felt like someone was observing her. "Don't tell me he sent people to check me" L muttered.

Another day passed.

Luke and Mian would come up to speak with L as usual. The woman did not get the chance to meet Adelio the whole day. He remained in his office, watching over her through security camera. "Larissa, where is the file number three? It's missing. Did you lose it?"

The manager complained. "I am sure I attached the file in order, Ma'am" L frowned. "Then, why is one missing? Did you leave it on your desk?" The manager asked the woman to check. "No, there is none on my desk" L shook her head. "Ah! I left it on the counter!" L gasped.

Causing the manager to sigh in exhaustion. "Where is it?" She lifted her brow. "In front of storage room, Ma'am. I wanted to have some water and probably left it there" Sheepishly, L grinned. "Gosh, go take it and bring it to me right now" The manager instructed.

"Yes, Ma'am!" The hallway was quiet. Only the sound of her heels striking against the marble floor echoed. Howbeit, when she stepped near, a man across the door of storage room prevented her. "Did you leave it here?" A familiar voice rang. "Boss..." L murmured.

"Are you in hurry?"

Adelio walked towards her; handing the file. "Sort of. The manager wants to examine the files right now" L flashed a smile. "Then, come to my office once it's done. I have something to tell" Under a serene expression, he claimed. It shocked the woman inside. Why?

What was this move? Why did he approach after avoiding her? "Understood, Boss. I will be there" L grinned. And she walked away; brows wrinkling in puzzlement. Something's up. "I found the file three, Ma'am" "Took you longer than I thought" The manager frowned.

Just as the case finished, L headed to the office. Meeting Luke outside. "Risa? Did Boss call you?" He raised his right brow. "Yes, I think it's urgent" L replied. "Alright, go on" Luke beamed. L tilted her head. How odd. Luke did not know about this? "Boss, it's me"

She entered the office. He was already waiting with the cup of coffee on table. "Sit" An order fell. L did not refuse and followed his instructions. "Did Warren attempt to approach you or hurt you?" Unexpected query echoed. Confusing the woman. "No, Boss. We never met again"

L awkwardly smiled.

Someone better get her out of here, was what she's been thinking the whole time. "I see. Why don't you attend the welcome party this year, Miss Larissa?" Strange. He addressed her formally. Welcome party was famous among the employees as golden opportunity.

The CEOs of most widely known companies had to pick their outstanding employee to attend the party and introduce to others. If the employee's marketing skill caught the others' attention, the company could rise to top with fame by incoming contracts. "I cannot, Boss"

L shook her head and lowered her gaze. "How can a new employee like me attend such party? I don't deserve an opportunity like that, Boss" She played her humble self to master the character she's in. "You are outstanding enough in my eyes though"

Adelio's statement caused the woman to raise her gaze. Stars sparkled within as her lips slowly curved up into a smile. It's when Adelio's eyes widened slightly. He inhaled. Looking away from the eye contact. "Thank you for the compliment, Boss. But I need to improve"

L declined.

"It's quite crowded party. You can meet many people there. Why don't you grab the chance?" Adelio straight up asked. Hushing down the woman. Crowded. Wasn't he scared of one? Also, it's Warren who had to attend instead of him every year. Now, the table turned.

L's eyes glinted in realization. He was testing her; whether she would try to divulge his secret to others at the party by dragging him into the crowd as proof. He really did not trust her to share the secret. The woman couldn't help but felt exhilarated over this.

"Please give me a month to improve, Boss. If the results satisfy me and everyone, I will accompany you this year" A grin tugged at her lips. Adelio's right brow raised. He then nodded in approval. "Sure. You may do as you please" He permitted. "Thank you, Boss"

When the woman left the office, Luke barged inside. "Adelio, how did it go? Did she accept the offer? Is she going to do it?" A list of queries fell. "She requested a month to improve her advisory skill on marketing" Adelio leaned back on the lounge. "What? How strange of her"

Luke scowled. "If she tries to divulge the secret to everyone at the party by dragging me into crowd, you know what to do, right?" Adelio's gaze shifted to the side. "I hope she doesn't. Risa seems like a good girl" Frowning, Luke pouted. "People aren't that trustworthy"

Adelio mumbled and shut his eyes.