The trembling hands

"I'm Larissa. This is my friend, Mian"

Beneath a wide grin, L introduced herself to others. The new employees from different departments had come to meet at last. "Oh, nice to see you! You both are so pretty" The woman beamed as they shared firm handshake.  "Awn, thanks. You are beautiful as well" "Oh please"

The meeting room was filled with chat between the strangers. Some exchanged phone numbers, some shared their stories, while Mian and L waited for their long-awaited time to arrive patiently. "Boss, why are you standing here still? It is time for us to enter and introduce"

Luke, sounding confused, reminded the man from behind. They stood outside the meeting room in silence. Adelio's eyes focused on the woman inside the room, through the tinted window. No one could see through the window from inside but the ones from outside could clearly.

Quietly, Adelio had been observing L to see if she would panic to meet others just like how she did with him. But it seemed she was fine with others. "Who is that woman?" Furrowing brows, Adelio wagged his head to beckon. "Who? There are a lot" Luke squinted his eyes.

"The one with a bright smile..."

Over Adelio's description, Luke scowled. "My apologies for saying this but almost five of them are smiling right now. I don't know who you are talking about" He disclosed as Adelio let out a sigh. "Never mind" He shrugged it off and stepped inside. Hushing down the room.

"Boss!" Promptly, they stood up to greet. The managers from each department tried their best to catch the Boss's eyes and praise by behaving politely. "You may sit" Adelio waved as his eyes swayed onto the woman. She seemed scared right now. Her eyes never lifted to look up at him.

"As you may already know, I am the CEO, Adelio Vincent. This company was built fifty years ago. I am the second generation and I don't want this company to fall apart in my hands. Please work hard and I promise you a worthy reward" Sharp and short, he commenced the speech.

"He is Luke, my assistant. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him" Pointing at the assistant, Adelio ended his speech. It was quick. But no one complained. They all applauded. "Please introduce yourself" Luke flashed a grin. Finally, the time to interact had arrived.

The moment L had been waiting for.

"It is nice meeting you, Boss. I am Rose from sales department. Although it is my first time working in such a huge company, I will try my best to outgrow the company" One began. Earning applause from others. "May I shake hands with you, Boss?" Strangely, Rose requested.

Stunning everyone in the room. "Um..." Due to unexpected demand, even Luke could not react right away. Meanwhile, Adelio's gaze rested on L for a second. Handshake. He saw her sharing the handshake without any panic. "Sure" Adelio accepted calmly.

It put a smile on L's lips. She did not have to initiate. He just dropped his own bait and caught it again. "Thank you, Boss" Rose grinned. "Next, please continue the introduction" Promptly, Adelio rushed the process. Knowing well it was time for L to speak now.

"It's my pleasure to meet everyone" Gulping, L stood up. Her eyes laid on the table, not daring to look up at the man. "You can call me Larissa. I am from finance department. Just like everyone here, I am still new to this work. Please help me in the future. I will work hard"

She smiled, bowing her head.

But as she prepared to sit back down after the applause, Adelio's hand fell into her sight. He offered it first. "Um..." Obviously, L pretended to be stunned. She hesitated. Drawing attention in. "It's nice meeting you" Adelio voiced under a cold gaze. "Ah, yes, Boss"

L's trembling hand headed out for handshake with the man. Hushing down everyone. It could be seen clearly how scared she was. Their hands gripped each other at last. Adelio's eyes never looked away. He held her hand to observe her reaction in silence. She was shaking.

As if there was a gun pointing on her back. "Um, Boss" L's gaze lifted. Beckoning the man to let her hand go. She started to sweat. Portraying the terrified woman so well by wearing two layers of clothes. The eye contact was intense. Causing every other to hold their breath in.

Without any words, Adelio took his hand back. Finally letting L exhaled. She settled back down as Adelio took a step back. "Continue" He ordered. "I am currently working in the finance department. My name is Mian Clover, Mian for short. I look forward to work together"

Smiling, Mian introduced herself.

She then glanced at the man. Considering if she should sit down or wait for him to share a handshake. However, to everyone's surprise, Adelio neglected that part. "Next" He commanded. "Huu..." Mian was delighted though. She could not handle her Boss's strong aura.

In the end, the time for buffet arrived. "Goodness, I was starving. I thought I was going to die" As they walked to the dining room, Mian mumbled to her friend. "It's your fault. You should have had a cup of coffee at least" L retorted. "Yeah. Yeah. By the way, did something happen?"

Driven by curiosity, Mian finally asked out loud. Attracting the woman's eyes. "What?" L furrowed brows. "Don't lie to me. I know something happened between you and Boss. Otherwise, why would he try to shake your hand? Not to mention how terrified you were"

It was that obvious for her to catch up. "Nothing occurred. You are imaging things. Boss just wanted to be friendly. You know well how strong his aura is. It is just I was taken aback a bit by his aura" L spat a lie to veil her true intention. "Is that so? Maybe, I am overthinking"

Mian shrugged.

"So, that was the woman you asked" Crossing arms, Luke smiled down at Adelio who was sitting on the lounge in the office. "What are you trying to say?" The man shot a slight glare. "Adelio, you are showing interest in the women finally. This is such good news"

Luke expressed his joy. "Stop spouting nonsense" Adelio scowled. "No, no. It is true. Every single day, all you care is work, the company. Your life is just in black and white. But now, you've got a woman in your head. Larissa, that's her name, right? I must treat her well"

Chuckling, Luke made up scenarios. "If you don't shut up, I am going to kick you out" Coldly, Adelio threatened. Eyes gleaming in fury to be teased. "Don't be so ruthless" Luke pouted. "Can't you see how odd she is? She is trembling whenever she sees me"

The man disclosed dissatisfaction. He felt as though something was missing between him and the employees. Like a huge wall. Not that he just realized it but that woman named Larissa made it so obvious that there was a long line drawn between him and the employees.

"Now that you mention..."

Luke tilted his head. "She was indeed shaking in fear" He agreed. "Wait, did you say something to her when she tried to make coffee for you? Did you scare her off with your aura?! Perhaps, you threatened her!" The realization hit the two men. Adelio, now, quieted down.

He did nothing off the line, did he? If he remembered correctly, he only told her not to do it again. "No way. That silence must be the answer I don't wish to know" Luke pressed his temples as he leaned his head back in disappointment. "You are the worst" He muttered.

"I don't know anymore. Thinking about her is just wasting time. Let her be" Sighing, Adelio got up to work. Making Luke grin on the other side. He took a few steps forward. "So, she is the one you have been thinking about?" He wagged his eyebrows. "Luke, get out, right now"

And yet, Adelio did not accept any further. Causing the man to laugh out loud in amusement. "Fine, fine! You are being so obvious! Get her as quick as possible! She is too pretty to be left ignored" Adelio's death glare lifted. "Okay. I am sorry but remember my words!"

Luke ran out.

Leaving the man in fury. "Is he out of his mind? I don't even care about her existence. We rarely bump into each other" Shaking his head, Adelio murmured to himself. It did not matter if they were on same floor, in same company. They did not have time to meet always at this rate.

He was always in his office while she did not even walk past his office for once in a day. "Hilarious" Adelio muttered as sarcasm over Luke's statement. His eyes scanned the security camera. There she was. L was seen giggling with Mian while eating the buffet.

Thoughts ran back and forth on his mind. Adelio's adam's apple moved up and down. He turned his head; "I need to finish all the works" A mumble escaped between his lips. He concentrated on his work. Neglecting every other thing. The only thing that mattered was work.

Yes, work.