Windows of the Heart

Chapter Nine Wanting to Capture You in My Eyes

Then in a soft, romantic, so intimate whisper, while looking at her straight in the eyes, he said, "I want to capture you in my eyes." She froze, having a strange feeling rushing into her veins, her face blushed, and she felt misty-eyed. She was so confused by the way Hyun-Ki moved at her.

She slowly treads to her workplace, sits on the floor leaning behind her desk with her head buried in her knees, and goes on crying, feeling somber and tormented.

Hyun-Ki went back to his office after leaving Megan. He was finding a way to get to Rielle but was wary of coming to her, for it may raise attention and suspicion. Time passed until Rielle's staff made known of their leaving, and though there was no reply, the two secretaries left.

Hyun-Ki waited until they were gone, then slowly sneaked in, looking for Rielle. He heard a soft sobbing where a table was and found her endless crying. Wanting to put his arms around her but was hesitant. Aware of his presence, Rielle suddenly spoke inquisitively:

"Why was I accused of being a wicked snitch, Sir? Why should you involve me between the two of you?" Hyun-Ki could not honestly reply because he was also distraught by the situation.

He knelt before her and replied, "I don't know what to say, Rielle, and I'm not even sure if you will understand," he said defensively.

"Why would I not understand, Sir? You pushed me into this shameful situation, yet I won't understand. As far as I know, I'm not that ignorant concerning you and Megan; you were both enjoying each other's company, you cannot deny it, and both of you were even in such a playful mood during that presentation, even having caught the two of you in a shocking behavior when you thought everybody left and yet you'd say I will not understand? Oh, please, give me a break!"

"If only you had given her much of your attention instead of showing a gesture of appreciation to me, you should have done that to her in the first place, then maybe this incident could not have happened, sir." Feeling guilty for his misdemeanor, he is caught in a stressful situation and becomes speechless.

"I'm sorry, truly so sorry. I have no intention of putting you in this crucial situation. I-I-I- cannot give you a better answer for that because I am also confused" Thinking of a way to distract her from this unlikely conversation:

"Can we drop this and be in our normal selves? Look at you, look at your face in the mirror, please fix yourself; it's getting late already," to take her mind off her distress."

"I'll bring you home, for it's late. Your family might start worrying now." Expressing his concern, he then continued, "I'll be waiting for you outside. I don't take no for an answer," giving out a dominant voice.

She put on her make-up, highlighted her eyes to erase the traces of her weeping, and put on her red lipstick.

Rielle came out of the office and walked straight to the elevator, where she found Hyun-Ki waiting, signaling her to run fast. And when inside, he held her close to him to keep her from being bumped into, and when it reached the ground floor, the more he kept her closer to him, pulling her to the end of the elevator.

"We're going down to the basement for my car," he said.

Hyun-Ki again gets so close to her face while pulling the seatbelt, and as both stare up-close, feeling light-headed, her heart thumping again quickly. Feeling uneasy with her emotions, asking herself: 'what is he doing to me?' Her spirit continues to flutter.

Then in a soft, romantic, so intimate whisper, while looking at her straight in the eyes, he said:

"I want to capture you in my eyes."

She froze, having a strange feeling rushing into her veins; she blushed and was misty-eyed. She was so confused by the way Hyun-Ki moved at her. Hyun-Ki became conscious of her uneasiness that he suddenly removed his gaze and looked straight ahead to drive. With a bated breath, she sighed nervously, anticipating what would happen next if he had not been conscious of how she returned his gaze with panic.

She was full of uncertainties and doubts: 'Am I falling for him? Is he attracted to me because we're alone, or is he falling for me? In outright confusion, she shouted at once to stop the car, which puzzled him.

"Just stop here, sir, and I'll walk; our house is just around the corner." She insisted.

He grasped her hand gently, saying, "I didn't drive too far for you just to let you walk on your own. No, tell me where your house is, and I'll drop you there to be sure you're safe." he ordered insistently.

He stirred his car, and Rielle couldn't do anything. Pointing at her house, she said to wait while he pressed the doorbell and offered his hand to assist her in the car, but she grabbed her bag. He followed her to the gate and greeted her mom, respectfully bowing and introducing himself.

"I am Han Hyun-Ki, Korean CEO of KOR H&H Manufacturing Industries and, incidentally, Rielle's boss. I drove her home to see her safety, for it was already late," he explained.

At that moment, Mrs. Calma had misgivings about him for being a Korean. Still, she dismissed that feeling, instead showing a happy face and expressing her appreciation for his concern for her daughter.

When he left, Mrs. Calma became curious. "Is he courting you, Rielle? He is your boss, a CEO who won't mind driving you home? Or are you already in a relationship with him?" asked with apprehension and concern?

"What if, mom?" that is all she said and ended the conversation. She was full of thoughts about Hyun-Ki and felt a pricking thorn of roses piercing her heart.

Rielle came in early to her office that day, and her staff was looking at her, examining her for her appearance yesterday was mysterious, but Rielle only winked and smiled, telling them to forget what happened.

Mr. Han Hyun-Ki came in high spirits. They heard he was even whistling.

"Good morning, Sir. Thank God you're in high spirits today."

"I should ask the same question, is everything fine with you? Please don't mention yesterday, am done with that for now."

"I'm fine; my mom asked too many questions, though,," smirking.

"Mhmm, she must be thinking that we have something, well you know…" staring at her straight into her eyes, trying to probe deeper into her senses.

She quickly removed her gaze to not reveal her true feelings for him and changed the subject.

"You'll have a meeting again with Mr. Borja to finalize the proposal for a possible investment to this corporation, Sir, and that will be today at 1 pm for a late lunch at Shangri-La Plaza."

"In that case, be sure you'd take a break today so you won't go hungry before lunchtime. The documents are all ready, right?"

"Yes, Sir, we both already reviewed his proposal, and the VP for Finance also approved on the investment, so everything is well taken. And also, Sir, you will be attending an evening ball in a five-star hotel with the Korean Business Group tonight, which I failed to inform you yesterday because of that unexpected incident; I'm sorry, Sir."

Hyun-Ki looked grim as he pondered on Rielle's statement.

"Well, that's not a problem; there'll be another event to attend anyway."

"But Sir, you are the guest speaker for the opening remarks!" Rielle is fidgety at the way Hyun-Ki is looking at her, point-blank.

"If that's the case, I need to attend, that's it? And what is the attire for that event, hmm?"

"The dress code is Tuxedo, sir. And this formal gathering will be held at 6 pm."

"How about the dress code for women? You didn't mention that."

"It's a cocktail dress for women, Sir. Do you have in mind to bring along so, I can inform your date while there's still time?

" Yes, I'm bringing you with me as my date." Rielle is struggling with words on how to refuse him.

"I do not take a No for an answer, Rielle, and you know that! And one more thing, do I have to remind you that is one of your functions as my Executive Assistant?'

"I understand, Sir, but I have no cocktail dress to wear for that occasion and one more thing, I will not be effective in performing my function because I am no Korean, Sir; I do not speak nor understand even a single word of your language."

"Look here, young lady. That is not a good excuse not to attend the event with me; these people have long been staying in this country, and can communicate well with anyone less our language. Leave that cocktail dress to me, there's nothing that cannot be done; and no more buts nor excuses, Rielle."