Chapter Sixteen - Public announcement, Cherry is my girlfriend

 Andrei's POV 

I drove to Cherry's house that morning to pick her up, as always. These past few days, Cherry has been retiring late, she even skipped lunch twice all in the name of working and I was getting agitated, not with her, but with her superiors at work.

"You have to respect her wish," I told myself anytime I felt angry, I couldn't meddle in her matters.

"You look pale, are you sure you want to go to work today?" I asked her when I saw her, she looked really pale.

"Pale? I'm fine. You worry too much Andrei, I will just take a few tablets and I would be good to go," she assured but I doubted.

"Don't worry about her, Andrei, she's fine," Daisy also assured before driving to work in Cherry's car. 

I let her have her way and decided to let it be. But then, during the drive to work, she slept all through and her temperature was high.

"Cherry, we are at work now," I announced when we were at her usual alighting place.

"Bye, Andrei," she said before leaving.

"Sir, it's been confirmed, Mam Cherry is not being fairly treated there. Also, Miss Peterson asked the rest employees to deal roughly with her since the beginning," Jenny announced when I asked her to investigate.

"Thanks, you may leave," I told her.

I knew something was not right and Stephanie, she went too far. I would have thought her a lesson if not for the situation I was in. I needed her when it came to dad and Brandon, it was the only thing we had in common, the same enemy. 

I stood up, I would not listen to Cherry this time. I can't continue to watch her being bullied. 

I walked out of my office and towards the elevator. Then I went to the sixth floor.

Everyone stood as I walked into the large marketing office.

"Good morning sir, Good morning sir," everyone greeted and I just ignored them as I walked in. 

I saw Cherry and she was part of the people to greet "Good morning sir."

"Well, she could pretend all she could, but I would do what I came to. I walked towards her and could see the signs she was 

trying to give for me to leave. I ignored the signs completely, went towards her, held her right hand and kissed it.

"Public announcement, Cherry is my girlfriend. Keep that in mind when you relate with her," I said, then dragged her towards the elevator. I could hear their gossips when we walked passed.

"Andrei, why did you do that?" Cherry asked angrily and took her hand from mine.

"You're burning, let's go to the hospital," I told her. She looked away and refused to look at me even when we walked to the garage.

"Take us to the hospital," I told David.

"I know you're mad but please don't ignore me like this," I said when the ride began.

"Andrei, what do you want me to say, I begged you not to reveal our relationship but you did it anyway and without my consent," she replied angrily.

"Cherry, I couldn't sit back and watch you being treated that way. They have to know your place as future Mrs Laurel," I told her, she looked away and gave a smile. I knew she'd never stay mad for long.

"My princess, my darling, please don't be angry, they were eventually going to find out. You are so nice, you didn't want to use your power but they didn't appreciate that," I gave some blandishments.

She didn't reply but I knew I was forgiven.

"She'll be fine, it's just a slight fever, rest and a few medications would do," the doctor told us when he finished examining her. 

She sat on the bed and took some medicines. She still hadn't spoken to me. She reached for the glass on water on the table.

"Let me" I said.

"I can do it myself, I'm an independent woman," she replied.

 Cherry's POV

At first, I was angry when Andrei told everyone because now I'ld be given special treatment and everything I do would be considered a favour from him. 

But unlike the old Cherry, just a few flatteries did the trick and I still couldn't believe all my anger was gone.

But I still had to teach him a lesson, so I pretended to be angry by not talking to him.

"Let me," he said trying to get a glass of water for me.

"I can do it myself, I'm an independent woman" I replied.

"I'm an independent woman," he mimicked. "Quit saying that, don't be so tough."

"Don't talk to me, Andrei. I'm still mad at you." I said with squinted eyes and a pout, and then my phone rang. It was Everly calling.

"It's finally official?" She asked when I picked up. I gave a pretentious frown because Andrei was listening.

"Yes," I said very slowly.

"What's with that tone, don't tell me you're angry? Cherry don't be a goody-to-shoe, you should thank Andrei. Do you know everyone at global tech is talking about it? It all over the media now, you're famous now.

 Even I have to thank Andrei, do you know I got three offers for a treat? Everyone at global tech is acting nice to me all of a sudden because of my relationship with you, they all want to be my friend.

Cherry, I really have to thank Andrei," Everly was saying.

I looked at Andrei who was smiling victoriously.

Everly was such a betrayal, she took Andrei's side because of the favours she was getting. I hung up and looked away from Andrei.

"Don't tell me you're still angry, even Everly is on my side now," he teased.

"So what if she's on your side? I'm still upset with you," I said, took my phone, switch on my data and checked for the trending news since Everly talked about it.

A picture of Andrei and I was on the page with the headline reading,

"A perfect romance story: The CEO of global tech's confirms his relationship with employee."

I checked the comments section and what I read got me sad.

"She's not even suiting for him."

"I should be in her shoes, it would suit me better."

"What? Such a low life for a perfect prince charming."

"Aside her pretty face, what's so special about her, nobody's heard of her before."

"Oh no... Why did she have to steal my prince charming."

"Girl, back down. You're not suiting for him."

Andrei grabbed the phone away from me when he saw how down I was, the comments were heart breaking. Can't people just not be judgemental.

"That's enough, stop reading those comments, they are stupid for saying such things and don't worry I promise to sue them for slander." He scolded calmly.

"It's fine Andrei, they can judge all they want but I wouldn't be shaken, and you don't have to sue them, they just expressed themselves,"

"I'm sorry, baby... I promise I'ld make some compensations,"

"Compensations?" 

"Yeah... Like riding my chopper through town," he said and I was super elated. I was going to be entering an helicopter for the first time in my life.

"I forgive you then."

By morning the next day, all the comments had disappeared, infact there was not a single piece of information about our relationship on the net. Andrei must have done something, anyways, it's better now.

I didn't have to alight some miles away from the company as before. Andrei and I alighted and took the elevator together. We got stares all through but unlike yesterday, no one dared to comment.

"Bye," I told Andrei when I stepped out of the elevator at the sixth floor.

"Just bye?" Andrei asked and I sort of knew what he meant.

"People are watching," I whispered.

"And so," he said, then gave a gentle peck. I exhaled at least it was just a peck not a kiss, I just couldn't afford one in the presence of the many people here.

I got to my desk and was surprised to see tones of letters, apology letters, as well as presents from my colleagues. And that wasn't what shocked me most, almost everyone offered me coffee and no one called me by my name, they all called me madam.

Well, except for Kayla and Jessica. It was understandable with Kayla as she was my friend but Jessica, all she could do was give a fake oral apology.

"Cherry, I'm still upset with you," Kayla said when she came to my desk.

"I'm sorry Kayla, for not telling you earlier, I just didn't want to tell anyone but he did it anyways," I said.

"Don't worry I'm not mad anymore. You're the most humble person I know. You have so much power but still chose to put up with the treatment of other employees towards you, " she said and I blushed.

"Cherry, everyone has been acting nicely towards me, I'm so lucky to have such a high level friend, " she said and I couldn't help but smile.

* * * * * * * * * * 

Everly was so excited when I gave her some of the presents I received that evening.

"And what are these?" Andrei asked when he saw me with numerous wrapped-up presents close to the car

"Apology presents," I said.

"Cherry, you won't be working there tomorrow," Andrei said when we were seated and I was surprised.

"I don't understand."

"Our relationship has been announced so don't expect people to treat you ordinarily. You'd be getting your own office and be given a higher position," he said.

"What?"

"This is not a favour, it's an order. I am giving you a higher responsibility, you would be the marketing manager from now on, so you have to prove yourself and show what you got. Make me proud, make global tech proud and make the technological world proud, " he said and I hugged him tightly, really tight.

"Thank you and I promise I'ld be serious in work, I'ld make global tech proud and prove you made the right decision. And I want to take an examination before resuming work to see if I'm really qualified."

"I know you're qualified and I know you'd do great. But you have to promise me you will still have time for us and not prioritize work."

"I promise."

"it's Sunday tomorrow, so I was planning my family and yours would go picnicking at noon," he said and I was excited.

"Picnicking? Wow... Don't worry Daisy and I are in."

"If Daisy refuses to come, just tell her Steve would be coming too."

"I will," I said and smiled when I remembered our monthsary was coming soon.

Our very first monthsary, I was going to surprise Andrei.

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing."