Chapter 14

This kind of attitude made Leonard curious, so he insisted on finding Calista's life. However, It was complicated to reveal information about her. She was like an unsolved mystery.

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"Calista, have breakfast first, sweetie."

"Sorry, auntie, I will go first and have breakfast at the office, I'm late," Calista then kissed Mira's cheeks.

It didn't matter even though Calista was late. However, she was too lazy to deal with the killer, who was always looking for various ways to still interact with her.

Calista instantly cursed as she was annoyed because the road had started to jam, while her phone kept ringing, showing "HR Killer" name.

Fortunately, After 30 minutes, she arrived at the office.

"Good morning, Calista. You're being late," Leonard teased.

"None of your business. And could you enter my room by knocking on the door first?"

'What a mannerless man.' Calista thought.

"Oh, it's definitely my business as long as it relates to employee performance. I'm your HR, and why are you late today?"

"Traffic jam," Calista sneered.

"You already know that Surabaya is always jammed. You should leave earlier. Sorry, Calista, I treat all my employees the same, including you. Being late means there is a penalty."

"I already contacted you if I was late today."

'You don't need to explain, Calista, I know. And... don't look at me like that. You make me want to pounce on you right now.' Leonard thought.

"If you forget, let me remind you," said Calista while showing the history of her call with Leonard.

As if ignoring Calista's words, Leonard gave her a sharp glare and then stepped forward until the distance between the two was very close.

"Today you must come with me!" Leonard exclaimed. He was full of undeniable orders.

Before Calista had time to protest, Leonard had just left, leaving her with a vexed feeling in her heart.

'Be careful, Calista, that man must have planned something for you.' Calista whispered in her heart softly.

'If he dares to mess with me, then I will never give him mercy.' Calista thought as she slammed her bag on the table.

Calista was too focused on her work until she didn't realise it was already noon. Instantly, she remembered her promise to Leonard, but she just ignored it. After all, she didn't accept his invitation either.

However, unbeknownst to Calista, someone was staring at her intently.

"You just forget or intentionally forget your promise, huh?" His cold voice tickled the ears.

Calista immediately lifted her face so that her gaze met black eyes staring at her sharply. Noticing the uncomfortable look on Calista's beautiful face, Leonard's gaze softened.

Calista chose to lower her gaze by pretending to focus on the document before her because being stared at like that from such a close distance naturally caused a strange tingle.

Leonard's fingers reached out to grab Calista's chin so that his gaze locked on the beautiful-grey eyes that could always make a great flutter.

"What's wrong, hmm?" Leonard asked softly.

"Could you please get out of my room? Your presence bothers me." Calista replied.

"It's break time, Calista. You promised to have lunch with me."  

"I didn't make an appointment with you. Neither did I accept your invitation. So I have no obligation to obey your orders. Get out!" Calista's index finger pointed at the door.

"Did you forget? This is the consequence of your lateness!" Leonard replied.

Hearing his words made Calista's patience erode so that she immediately raised her chin defiantly.

 "Listen to me, Mr Leo. It would be better if an HR person like you is professional at work instead of..."

"Enough!" Leonard interrupted.

"Get out of my room!" Calista snapped.

"Okay I'll go out, but can you stop calling my name formally?" There was a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"We've been colleagues for more than 2 months, can't that make you soften, at least accept me as your friend, Calista? I have no other intention than to be purely friends with you." Leonard explained.

Without answering, Calista looked into Leonard's face, looking for the truth in his eyes and yes, what Calista found was sincerity.

Calista was softened for a moment, but Leonard's following words had created a sense of disgust.

"Listen Calista, if you keep acting like this you will never have male friends. No man will want to be close to you."

"I don't need them either," Calista replied indifferently.

'What a stubborn, ignorant, and arrogant girl.' Leonard thought.

 "It's useless talking to you," said Leonard as he slammed the door behind him.

Since then, the two of them have kept quiet about each other. They didn't greet each other even if they passed each other.

Calista should be happy, but she felt something was missing. Somehow, her heart was empty. Could it be that Calista had gotten used to his flirtations and mischief? Or Did she start to fall for him? Only Calista knew the answer.

Until the following days, Leonard's attitude was still cold. He never wanted to interact directly. If it has something to do with work, he would ask Dera to tell Calista. It can no longer be covered up. Calista was sad about it.

However, everything changed since the arrival of Matthew, the old manager who had just landed from Jakarta and managed to make Leonard restless.

How could he not? When he arrived at the office, He began to spread his charm to Calista.

"Leo, let's have lunch together. Invite Calista so I can be closer to her." Leonard immediately looked up and showered Matius with disapproving looks.

"Can you please knock on the door first?" Leonard asked for Matius's concern.

'What a mannerless man. Does he think this is his ancestor's office??' Leonard thought.

"And one more thing, Matius, this is an office where you work, not a place to find a girlfriend," Leonard added.

"I know. Why do you look like you don't like me talking about Calista? Why, huh? Or you…" Matius immediately paused after finding Leonard's eyes turning bright.

"Okay, okay, then I'm out." Matius understood the situation.

"Wait! Where do you want lunch?"

"In the lounge, I'll take Calista along with me. I'm sure she hasn't had lunch yet," Matius then immediately walked away from Leonard's room.

"Matius, wait!"

Matius then turned around. Leonard also walked in front of him by stepping his feet towards Calista's room.

Now the three of them were in the restaurant and sat at one table.

Matius's eyes stole glances at Calista over and over again, and it couldn't be separated from Leonard's sight.

"Try this, you'll like it, it's very delicious," said Matthew as he put the food on Calista's plate without permission.

Calista immediately gave a disgusted look and Leonard immediately gave Matius a warning look.

"Are you bothered by Matius' presence?" Leonard asked in a gentle tone as if he wanted to provide protection.

"It's okay," Calista coldly replied without wanting to look at Leonard's face. This was the first time they spoke to each other after days of silence.

Sad, that was how Leonard felt because until now, Calista treated him indifferently.

Not wanting to linger in the feelings that continued to undermine his soul, Leonard immediately got up from his seat.

"I go first, excuse me," said Leonard with his eyes still hanging on from Calista's beautiful face.

Calista nodded as she continued to stare at the burly back that was getting further away. For some reason, there was a sense of loss. Not to mention that her eyes instantly felt hot.

Since Leonard's departure, Calista no longer has the appetite for lunch.

Matius, who sat next to Calista, noticed the change. Seeing her, who just stirred the food without any intention to eat it, made Matius wonder.

"Calista," Matius called.

Calista directly looked up.

"Is the food bad?"

Calista just smiled.

"I go first, excuse me."

Even though half of the food had not yet entered her stomach, Calista chose to walk away.

Matius wondered what was wrong with Calista and Leonard. There must be trouble between the two of them.

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