IV : Weird Way to Make Him in Love

The next day wasn't much different. In fact, Axel showed up earlier than usual.

"Well done, only fifteen minutes late today," I said

He leaned against the doorframe, his smirk as infuriating as ever. "It's because I'm doing you a favor," he replied smoothly. "I know you want to see my face as early as possible."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Thanks," I muttered, deciding to take his teasing. If I just went along with it, maybe it wouldn't bother me as much. Besides, I was still reeling from yesterday's embarrassment. It wasn't that I liked him—seriously, I didn't! Asking a guy out was just awkward for me, that's all. Socially awkward.

Believe me or don't. I don't care.

But last night, I'd come up with a strategy. Yesterday's attempt at being nice had worked in making us friendlier, but that wasn't enough, I needed to step up the game, I needed to take things deeper if I wanted to succeed in my mission.

So, besides being nice, I'd push my second plan.

Familiarity

Research says that familiarity brings attraction. So it means that to make him feel attracted to me , I must spend more time with him until he becomes familiar with me, with my presence, and then surely he will like me and maybe even fall in love.

I will get my tenfold payment, my family needs money more than ever, my parents' small chicken restaurant wasn't doing great, and my sister needs money for her tuition fee and her preparation for college, So whatever happens, I have to get the money.

I have nothing to lose, even though I don't familiar with love, and maybe never will.

But I believe nothing is impossible to do, all we need is a perfect plan and determination to execute the plan perfectly. I could even put my life on the line

Today I will follow him wherever he goes, then he will love me. Simple right?

I handed him the day's schedule and gave him a quick rundown of what he needed to know. He barely listened, his focus shifting more on me than his tasks.

"So how was your lonely dinner yesterday?" Axel annoyingly asked me,

"Great, actually. Thanks to you," I replied, emphasizing the last part with a smile that wasn't entirely fake. Maybe I was being too honest, but whatever.

"Huh? You were really alone?"

"Yes, and I'm grateful that you rejected me yesterday" I said it with a genuine happy tone. Oops. Maybe I should've dialed it back.

"But, I didn't reject you yesterday, I didn't even say no" Axel furrowed his eyebrow, "And one thing that I don't actually understand, why do you actually look really happy?"

"Are you perhaps?" He looked at me like he figured out something,

Did he find out that I don't actually have any feelings for him?

"Hiding your disappointment so you looked strong?" I almost let out a sigh of relief, but Thank God I was still able to handle it. He must think every human on this planet was in love with him.

"It must been so hard though," Him with his fake sympathy

"Moreover, you thought you were rejected by me." Him and his narcissistic ass, how he supposed to think that I actually liked him with that over self love personality,

I couldn't even think of any words to answer his bullshit words, He got me speechless, so I just smiled and nod, smile and nod Cora. Just what I did all day yesterday.

You're doing well Cora

Hurriedly, I got back to my desk so I won't hear his teasing anymore, but he thought I was just being shy, and I still have to push the 'familiarity' point.

Our desks are kinda far away, should I do my work in his room? But to be honest, I'm not feeling it. I felt exhausted, I don't think I can.

Because It is still 9.30 AM today, if I go to his room now it means I have to be with him until we go home, so I think if I start to get closer to him after lunch it would be fine, and I will have the energy to face him with full stomach rather than empty one.

And I also have to follow him everywhere, But right now, let me take my time to prepare my mind first and enjoy my working time before spending time with him.

"Cora!" After two hours working in peace, this jerk finally disturbed my peace.

"Yes?" I'm standing in front of his desk, "Lunch time. I want a full set course meal today."

I raised an eyebrow. "A set course? You mean appetizer and dessert too?"

"Correct." He handed me his black card with a wink. "Surprise me."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again. "What kind of food do you want?"

"Like I said. Surprise me." He smiled lazily. "And because I'm such a generous boss, don't forget to get something for yourself."

Great. That meant I'd have to eat with him in the office, and all I wanted was to escape to the canteen for some quiet time. But fine. If I had to be stuck with him, I'd at least treat myself to something decent.

I ended up ordering Italian for him and a hearty Korean meal for myself. Meat. Lots of meat. Because if I had to sit through lunch with Axel, I needed comfort food.

When the delivery arrived, I laid out his ridiculous five-plate meal with a smile that was only partly genuine. "Here you go."

"What pasta is this?" he asked, inspecting the dish.

"No idea," I replied. "I just ordered the course like you wanted."

"And what are you eating?"

"Korean food. Beef."

His eyes lit up. "That. I want that. Switch." He separated the pasta plate from all the food that he has. "And these too, I don't want it." He also picked a small plate of a piece of brown cake with almond topping, and also a plate of walnut salad.

No! My meat! I want my meat, I don't want some pasta with lots of toppings or moreover the salad, but there is nothing I can do. I just silently switch my meal from my desk to his.

He looked happy, "Now, this looks good." He started eating his meal, I meant MY MEAL deliciously.

I am really craving some beef now… I ate my meal fastly while imagining that what I ate was beef.

After lunch was over, It means I have to begin my plan now.

I grabbed my laptop and the mountain of documents I needed, heading straight to Axel's office. I plopped everything onto the table in the middle of the long sofa that he had.

"You can do it Cora." I spoke supportive words toward my best friend, which is myself. I finished my meal, I'm sure I have the energy now to spend time with this annoying guy.

Axel looked confused, "What are you doing?"

"Working." I pointed all the documents that I had with my right hand politely.

"Why are you here?"

"I just think that I will work better here." Of course, It's not true at all.

"I don't expect that you are this straightforward to love" He wasn't totally wrong, but not for love i did this, but for money HAHAHA. I think I must be out of my mind, to laugh at my own jokes in my own mind.

"Great, I like bold women." Ugh, why do I have to hear that? What a snob he was. I can't even look at him, cause I'm sure he will give me that gaze that I saw yesterday, you know a gaze that I usually see in movies which men often use to 'lure' women.

"Now, before you continue to work. I'm craving some fruits." What did he expect me to do then?

"And?"

"Before you dive into work, I'm craving some fruit," Axel announced with a nonchalant wave.

"And?"

"Fetch me some, will you? I'm in the mood for strawberries dipped in chocolate."

Seriously? What was he, a five-year-old? "Didn't you just order dessert with lunch?"

"And you ate it."

"Yeah, and you're the one who told me to," I shot back, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice.

"Right, and now I haven't had my dessert. So, chop-chop."

Before I could retort, he cut me off. "The quicker you get back, the more work we'll get done today." Seriously, why did he have to eat so much?

I got him what he wanted, after he finished that he stood up,

"Where are you going?" I also stood up, and followed him .

"None of your business, get to your work."

"It's my business, everything about you is my business now. I'm your assistant."

"No, right now it's not."

"Do you follow me?"

"I'm going to the toilet okay, don't be a freak."

"Let's go then,"

"Don't! I know you liked me but not like this, just back to your seat."

"I will get back to my seat when you are back."

"Where are you going?" I stood up, Just like him as he headed for the door.

"None of your business. Get back to work." Axel didn't even look at me, just pointed vaguely toward my desk.

"It is my business. Everything about you is my business now, I'm your assistant, remember?" I kept following his step, walking behind him while I was still holding my tablet, doing some work.

He stopped suddenly and turned to face me, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Seriously? You're following me?"

"Yes, seriously. Where are you going?" I folded my arms, refusing to back down.

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly done with me. "If you must know, I'm going to the toilet. Happy now? Stop being weird."

"Great, let's go then." I motioned for him to lead the way.

Axel stopped walking, eyes wide like I'd just suggested we go rob a bank. "No. Absolutely not. I know you like me a lot, but following me to the bathroom? That's... next-level stalker, Cora."

I shrugged, smiling at his horrified expression. "I'll sit down when you get back. I'm just making sure you don't disappear on me."

For a moment, Axel just stared at me, and then he shook his head, muttering something about me being impossible before he stormed off. But I noticed the tiniest hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Axel stormed off, clearly fuming, but I didn't miss the tiny smirk he tried to hide.

I think this way must be really working, I acknowledge that it's the weirdest way to make someone fall in love.