Chapter 6: Canceled Meeting

Four days later.

I was starting to get bored seeing the four corners of this condo unit. I was spending all my day alone as Alfred would usually go to work in the morning and would come home at night.

If I was not chatting with Emily, I was watching tv, or browsing social media. I was not used to this kind of life. However, I still couldn't find a job. I already submitted my application to five companies, but unfortunately, I still haven't received an email nor call from any one of them.

Sigh. How long would it be before I could find a job? I'd go crazy if this took longer. Weird. I was beginning to think if my previous employer blacklisted me, that's why I couldn't find a job until now. I panicked at the thought.

I guessed Alfred was my only hope. However, I couldn't bring up the topic as we rarely talked these past few days. What made me wonder was he didn’t sleep here the last two nights. We just got married. Does he have an affair already?

“What are you thinking?” Alfred asked in a deep cold voice, which snapped back my thought.

It’s Friday. He was sitting in front of me while we're having lunch. He just came this morning and hadn’t told me where he had been. I know I should not feel this way as we have no intimate relationship like the normal couple, but, at least, he should tell me if he’s going home or not. So I would not wait for him and hadn't spent two sleepless nights waiting in vain.

I glanced at him and saw his forehead creased while his cold, steely blue eyes were staring at me.

“N-nothing,” I mumbled softly. Then, I took a glass of water and drank it as I couldn’t help looking into his steely blue eyes.

Afterward, I stood up to go to the kitchen. However, he suddenly held my arm and stopped me from walking. I was startled as I felt again a jolt of electric current that ran through my veins caused by the warm sensation from his hand.

  

“By how you twitched your brows, it seemed that you thought something bothersome. What is it?” He asked again.

How could I say that I was wondering where he spent the last two nights? “Ah, hmm. I was just t-thinking if you already recommended me to your friend.” I reasoned out. Fortunately, I was able to think fast.

“Yeah. I was about to tell you, but you were in a daze earlier. Anyway, I just talked to him, and he agreed to give you a job. The Vice President needed a Secretary. You can start on Monday.” Alfred announced.

My eyes glimmered by the good news I heard from Alfred. I was so happy. I grinned broadly.

“Really? That was so fast! Thank you!" I uttered as I unconsciously hugged him in delight, only to feel uncomfortable thereafter. 

My heart raced as I quickly withdrew my arms and stepped backward. However, I accidentally lost my balance when I tripped over my left foot and was about to fall. My eyes slammed shut as I expected to hit the floor.

Surprisingly, a pair of arms swiftly grabbed my waist and pulled me up. Then, I hit into a firm chest and smelled a familiar scent. I gasped.

My heart kept on pounding hard in my chest as I slowly opened my eyes. I met Alfred's steely blue eyes staring deeply at me. There it goes again. I felt as though everything had stopped as an unknown force consumed my being.

My entire body became impossibly still. I could only hear my racing heartbeat. 

Lub dub, lub dub, lub dub!

After a while, Alfred released me and sat back in his seat.

"I-I'm sorry. I was carried away by my emotions." I apologized after I pulled back my senses. I looked down as I could feel that my face was blushing.

Thank goodness, Alfred shifted his gaze back to the food on his plate. "Get ready. We're going to Prime Mall this afternoon to get your uniform. He also gave you this bank card for your signing bonus." He stated as he took the bank card out of his pocket and handed it to me.

"Signing bonus?" I repeated, still processing what I heard.

"Yeah. Since he learned that you are my wife, he gave you a special signing bonus. Your salary would be credited to that bank card as well."

My eyes widened in surprise. I could not believe that aside from having a job again, I'd been given a signing bonus as well. I was amazed, gazing at the bank card in my hands.

"Is this even real? Alfred, can you pinch me?" I asked. I totally forgot what just happened.

"It's real. So dress up, and we still need to get your uniform. Otherwise, you cannot go to work on Monday."

"Alright, just a moment," I mumbled as I excitedly went to my room.

After thirty minutes, I came out wearing a knee-length plain white dress. I noticed that Alfred changed his clothes as well and was ready to go.

Shortly after, we went to the mall mentioned by Alfred. I was so delighted and ecstatic. Finally, I have a job, and I could go out from the four corners of the condo unit.

We traveled thirty minutes to the Prime Mall. It's the biggest mall in the country. Their head office was also located on the top floors of the building. Looking at the high building where I would work, I could not explain the mixed emotions I was feeling. 

Then, Alfred brought me to a well-known clothing store in the said mall. I was wondering what we're doing here as we're supposed to pick up my uniform, so I asked. "Alfred, do you have anything to buy?"

"Nothing. I told you we're going to pick up your uniform, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but what are we doing here?" I asked again as I was confused. I was expecting that we're going to the office to pick up my uniform.

"As an Executive Secretary, you should wear elegant and smart clothes. That's why we're here." He explained.

I was about to speak, but a saleslady approached him. "Hi Sir, we've already prepared the clothes and shoes as per your instructions."

"Alright, please take care of her," Alfred ordered as he gently pushed me towards the woman. I glanced at him with a questioning look. However, he didn't notice me as his phone rang.

"Hi, Ma'am. This way, please." Then, the saleslady led me to the fitting room.

I smiled at the saleslady as I excused myself. "Wait a minute."

I couldn't buy clothes in this clothing store as I knew how expensive their clothes were. A piece of dress would cost a few days of my salary. I couldn't afford it. I should tell Alfred that we should go to another store instead.

Hence, I followed Alfred, who went in the corner as he answered his phone. His back was facing me, so he didn't notice that I was standing a meter away from him. Then, I heard him speak irritably to the person he was talking to on the phone.

"Didn't I tell you to cancel all my meetings today?... I don't care! Just cancel it!" He bellowed as he hung up the call.

Afterward, he turned around. It was the only time he noticed my presence. And it seemed that he was shocked when he saw me. Perhaps, he didn't expect that I followed him.

"Do you have a meeting?" I asked as I wasn't sure if I heard it right.