Little Red

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CHAPTER 29

"Is there something on my face, woman?"

Scarlett's eyes grew wide as the realisation immediately hit her. Arsenio had caught her staring at him.

"Ahem. No... Nothing, s-sir." Scarlett cursed herself.

Being caught staring did not seem enough. Now she just had to stutter like a kid caught taking meat from a pot. What extent of embarrassment she has faced?

"Well, quit daydreaming and get back to work. Time is of the essence, woman," Arsenio scolded her.

"You know I have a name, Arsenio. Besides, I prefer to be referred to as a lady, not a woman," Scarlett said.

"What's wrong with what I call you?" Arsenio cocked a brow at her. His attention is fully off work.

"Everything," Scarlett shrugged and stood up after arranging the files.

Arsenio took a moment to stare at Scarlett and then they brightened as an idea had just hit him like a canon ball.

"Just call me by my–"

"Little red," Arsenio cut her off.

"Wait what? Where did you get that from? I am by no means little, Arsenio," Scarlett humphed and placed both hands on her waist.

Without a word, Arsenio stood up and strode towards her- slowly.

"W-What?" Scarlett eyed him.

Still no response.

The closer he got to her with every step, the farther she got with each step of her own. Until she got cornered with nowhere to take more steps. Arsenio's tall, big frame clouds her small petite self.

"So tell me... Do you still think that you are not little?" He asked.

Scarlett gulped. 'Oh crap, he's big.'

"Answer me," he demanded.

"N-No s-sir," Scarlett stuttered.

Her face was flushed as she was flustered by how close he stood before her and how his eyes never left hers.

"Very good. Now hurry off and get that work done," Asernio took a step back afterwards.

"Y-Yes... Uhm, please excuse me, sir," she scurried off on her feet out of his office. She could feel his gaze escorting her out as well.

*clack*

Arsenio sighed slowly. His eyes went back to the soot Scarlett once stood and the image of her flushed face and fluttered self flashed into his mind. He shook his head to gain himself.

"Get back to work, Arsenio," he chided himself and walked back to his desk.

Meanwhile, Scarlett bolted to her office without minding her image. She only took a deep breath once she was in the confines of her own space.

Her back against the door, files in her left hand and the other in her chest above her heart. She could feel its erratic beats.

"What was that? He... How dare he mess with my nerves like that?" She pouted. "But he's so handsome up close and he smells good."

"Gah!! Get a grip on yourself, Scarlett. Goodness, gracious. What is wrong with me?" She smacked her forehead a few times over.

She walked to her desk and dropped down on the swivel chair behind it. "Get your grip together, Scarlett."

****

Lunchtime caught up with Scarlett while she was preparing the summary Arsenio requested. As soon as she had done the needful, she rushed down to the cafeteria to meet with Ace, Lily and the others.

"Scarlett! Over here," Lily waved her over.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I had to finish making a report for the CEO before coming here," Scarlett apologised before taking a sit with them.

"It's alright. Everyone makes it late to lunch at times," Kelvin spoke.

"Hmm. Ace," she placed a food flask in front of him. "Your package as promised."

"Thank you. I didn't have anything yet cause I wanted my stomach to have more than enough space for the food," Ace winked playfully.

"Well, it's all yours."

Ace rubbed his palms together to show his excitement. A sumptuous meal was what his eyes met. His mouth watered.

"What's this? Looks like Miss Secretary already has a goal in mind?" A familiar annoying voice sounded beside them.

Lily couldn't help but roll her eyes at the intruder.

"Tasha, can't you come to the cafeteria and leave without trying to make trouble for others?" Ace fired.

"Trouble? Pfft... Please," Tasha scoffed. "Butt out of my business, Ace."

"I think it's the other way around."

"Well, it's not."

"It is," Scarlett cut in. "And I don't think I'm your business, Ms Moore. So leave me alone, okay?"

Tash tilted her head to the side and smile mischievously.

"First of all, you got into the company. And not just into any position but the CEO's personal secretary. And now you're bringing lunch for Ace? I wonder what trick you used, you shameless thing."

"Why do you want to know? Do you intend to use the same trick to make the boss notice you?" Scarlett was rather bold in her comeback.

Tasha frowned at this. She was not expecting her to fight back considering how she acted last time.

As for Scarlett, she wasn't going to let things off like the previous day. Hell no. The earlier she stopped this charade, the better for her.

"I see you've gone to toughen up from yesterday, huh? That's how you got Ace to meet up with you at the shredding room," one of Tasha's minions three an accusation.

"Excuse you. I didn't ask to be met at the shredding room. Why don't you ask the dude yourself instead of pointing your crooked fingers at me?"

"You... You–"

"What cat's got your tongue? I should have known how baseless you all are. I suggest you get a nutritious lunch to make up for the brain cells you lack," Scarlett said as she stood up.

"How dare you say that to–"

"Secretary Davis, the CEO needs you in his..." Ryker trailed off as he tried to access the scene. "What's going on here?" He asked as he walked to their table not too far from the entrance.

"It's nothing I can't handle, Assistant Jones," Scarlett replied with her eyes still on Tasha's speechless minion.

"Alright. Don't bother about your lunch you'll have it after a meeting you need to leave with the boss for right now," he informed.

"Alright." Then she turned to Tasha and said, "I won't be entertaining you, Ms Moore. Have a nice lunch."