The bet

"Miss Rossi?" Meredith looked up from her lap when she heard her name. An attractive man with dark brown hair and brown eyes was standing in front of her with the friendliest smile she has ever seen on his face.

Yeah, the guy was sure handsome but not as handsome as Atlas. Damn she should stop comparing people with her new boss.

Meredith returned the smile and replied, "Yes, that is me."

"I'm Albert Matthews." He told her while extending his hand for her to shake.

"Meredith Rossi." Meredith said as she shook his hand.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He said, winking at her.

Meredith blushed and let out a chuckle. "Are you trying to hit on me?"

She asked, raising her eyebrows in question.

"Is it working?" He asked.

Meredith giggled and shook her head. "No."

"Well at least the nervous look on your face has disappeared. You looked so tense I couldn't help but try to lift your mood." He said softly.

"Yeah, my mood is so much better now. Thank you."

Albert gave a small bow. "It's my pleasure to put a smile on your face, princess."

Albert laughed and Meredith followed. A start of a great friendship.

"Mr. Martini said I should give you a tour around our beautiful company. Are you ready?"

Meredith nodded, "Yes!"

Albert tittered, "Alright princess, let's go."

********

"Are you sure you remember everything?" Twenty minutes later after the tour, Albert asked.

The company was huge with different departments but Albert took his time explaining everything to her. Fortunately, she had a good memory than the average human.

"Erm…Mr. Martini said he would like a cup of coffee every morning but I didn't see any coffee machine? Do I buy it outside?" Meredith inquired.

"Oh, I forgot. We have a cozy break room where the coffee machine is. Let me show." Meredith nodded and gave him a soft smile.

Albert was really kind and patient. Something that was rare in people nowadays. He led her to a big room with a purple and white wall. It was indeed cozy.

How nice it would be to sit here reading while sipping a cup of coffee. Meredith thought with a dreamy look on her face.

"Here are the cups, spoons, filters." Albert opened a cabinet and turned to look at her.

"Thank you, Mr. Matthews."

Albert scrunched his brows and held his hand dramatically over his chest.

"Mr. Matthews? Ouch princess I thought we were friends?" He questioned.

"Ah…we are?"

Albert bobbed his head in agreement.

"Well, if you want to be my friend so bad, I can't refuse you, eh?"

An amused expression quirked up the side of his mouth as he studied her.

"It seems Atlas has found himself a gem to work for him. Not only are you beautiful, you're interesting too. Lucky bastard."

Meredith raised her brows when she heard him.

"Erm…...Atlas? Not Mr. Martini?" Meredith questioned. Judging from Albert's tone it seems he was close to her new boss? She wasn't sure.

"Yes, unfortunately I'm one of the few friends he has. And if I say a few I mean the guy has only two friends."

He gave her a whisk of a smile and continued on.

"As friends let me give you a free piece of advice. Don't fall in love with him. He has no heart unless you plan on giving him yours."

Meredith's flushed at his words.

"What if he falls in love with me?" She asked flashing an innocent smile.

Silence fell between them until Albert broke out into hysterical laughter; a sort of half chuckle, half splutter.

"Love? Atlas? Pftt…...like I said, he lacks a heart. And I don't mean to be rude but you're definitely not his type."

The corners of Meredith's lips quirked into a light smile. Maybe reading many erotic CEO books were messing with her head right now because she uttered something that shocked even her.

"Wanna bet?"

Albert pursed his lips together in a faint smile and nodded.

"Why not?" He smirked.

"It will be fun to see the almighty Atlas whipped for a woman; that's only if you succeed. If you don't, I will take you clubbing to mourn your broken heart- "

"What if I win?" Meredith interrupted him.

Albert raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Hmm…. I will still take you clubbing to celebrate your success."

Meredith shook her head while having a faint smile on her lips.

"Alright, we have a deal!"

Albert stretched out his hand for her shake.

"Deal." He said as Meredith took his hand.