< Derek <3 >

[puff…] 12.05pm

[I’m so sorry] 12.06pm

[We have to cancel our lunch again. Something came up last minute and I have to look at it immediately] 12.06pm

Oh, that’s a shame. Regardless being awkward around him, I’m actually looking forward to our lunch to be honest. It’s not because he’s buying me or something but just being around him makes me feel homely. He treated me like a friend.

Damn, now I realize how pathetic I am without Tyler and Kate.

This is the second time he canceled our lunch. Yesterday, he told me almost the same time as today that he had an emergency meeting and now this. I can’t help but felt disappointed.

But he’s the CEO after all. He’s handling the whole company, what do I expect?

I hope he didn’t skipped his lunch though. I’m worried he’s gonna get sick one of these days.

[Okay hehe] 12.10pm

Not long after that, he replied.

< Derek <3 >

[ :( ] 12.10pm

That short reply made me curve the corner of my lips. I can almost see his face with that emoji. He was so excited when he offered me two days ago. It’s too bad that he’s the one who have to cancel it.

Didn’t bother to reply as I put my phone on the desk and resume doing the work Mr Toons gave me. The work is nothing major, rearrange the documents on Microsoft Excel for an easier reference in the future so I can do it with my own pace.

My mind was wandering elsewhere, zoned out as I heard Mrs Green’s voice somewhere near me.

“You guys go ahead. I need to pass this to Ms Guinevive at 30th floor. She said Mr Collen needed thi-”

“30th floor you say?”

Absentmindedly shouted it to her face. Making the whole circle around Mrs Green including herself staring at me, eyes widen in shock.

Spring up my seat while clearing my throat. “Pardon, did you say you’re going to 30th floor, Mrs Green?” Top it off with a smile.

“Y-Yes, Cody. Is there anything I can help you?”

“Oh, no, I wanna help you, Mrs Green. I’ll run your errand and you can go lunch.”

“That’s so sweet of you but are you sure? I don’t want to burden you after last time and I don’t want Mr Collen to be mad for sending you instead-”

“No, no, it’s totally fine. Even if he did, I’m a hard shell to break with just a few words so go ahead.” Another smile, trying hard to convince her. I hope it didn’t came out desperate because I really need a reason to go and see him even for a moment.

Though she display uncertainty, she gave me the file in her hand which I receive happily. “Thank you so much, Cody. I’ll be going but if there’s any trouble, give me a call, okay? Don’t cope with the stress yourself.”

“Okay, Mrs Green. Have fun!”

A couple minutes of assurance later, they finally left. I know Mrs Green felt guilty from last time incident and worried every time I had to go see the CEO himself. Well, I will be too but now we’re on a good term. I hope there’s nothing to be worried about.

I made a quick journey to the Starbucks and bought his favorite drink, iced caramel latte of course, and made it back to my desk to grab the file. It took me only 15 minutes this time, probably because it’s still early to go lunch actually.

Get into the elevator, press the top button and wait for it to go all the way up. Private elevator so it barely have any interruption from 9th to 30th floor. I arrived quicker than I thought and got nervous all of the sudden.

Too late to back out now.

I step out then walking confidently to Tara’s desk. She must be busy that she didn’t saw me approaching her and startled when I call her name. “You scared me. I didn’t see you there.” laughing as she rub her chest.

“Sorry, Tara. Are you that busy to not notice me?” Totally sincere, not trying to be sarcastic or anything.

She chuckle. “Yes, actually. There’s an emergency occurred so we need to check everything up to make sure the errors are not from us.”

“Oh, is that so?” If she’s this busy, that means Derek also that busy. I felt sorry for them, being in the front line of a company is great in terms of money but sucks during faulty or error.

“So you’re not going to lunch too?”

“Too?” Instantly stop typing, staring at me. “What do you mean ‘too’?”

Cody, let’s use our brain before speaking next time. “I mean the employees in my department are also skipping their lunch so I was guessing if you’re doing the same work.” I said while snickering.

“Oh, no. I’m going for a quick lunch in a moment. I can’t work with an empty stomach.”

“Good to know.” Luckily she didn’t ask any further question or showing suspicion. That got me having cold sweat.

“So,” jolted when her voice brings me back to reality. “What are you doing here? Did you miss me or something?”

“Hm, I actually wanted to give the file Mr Collen requested from Highden and,” looking down at the sweating cup in my other hand, “give this drink to him.”

That made her lips shaped into a toothy grin. “Of course it’s not me. Missing Mr Collen, huh?” The bold statement strike right to my weak spot, making me involuntarily blushing.

“N-No, I’m not, Tara.” pausing for awhile, “I’m just doing a favor for Mrs Green. That’s all.”

“Yeah, right. By the way, you can just go in yourself. He’s quite busy and moody but I’m sure he’s okay if it’s you.”

“Why’s that?”

“Nothing. You can enter. You know the way.” she said and smile. That’s suspicious but I have an important thing to do now.

Uttered a quick thanks and goodbye before heading towards the familiar door. I knock on it twice, not too hard not too soft. Enough for him to hear. Tara said he’s quite moody now so I didn’t want to ruin his mood more,barging in without permission.

Waiting for his reply but receive none so I decided to welcome myself. I hear his voice as soon as I open one of the door.

“Tara, the fax …”

***

It’s impossible to have errors on our side. I had checked the reports countless times before handing it over and I don’t remember having these issues when calculating. So when Tara came in with the fax before, I was pretty much shocked.

I have no choice but to recheck everything all over again and involve my other employees on the 29th floor on this hectic path. I hope it’s not from being sabotaged again.

It wouldn’t be concerning and stressing if it didn’t involved this much money. We’re talking billions here.

Because of that, I had to postpone another lunch date with Cody once again. It didn’t help my temper at all.

Rubbing my temple as I felt my head starting to hurt from all the stress when I heard the door opened. “Tara, the fax earlier, can you give me a copy of that?” without looking up.

When she didn’t responded right away, I look up from the annoyance and found myself shock with the presence of a certain boy that was just running around in circle shamelessly in my head. All the tension and irritation fade away in a blink of an eye. Feeling refresh instead.

As he walk towards me, he smile and say, “I hope I’m not interrupting something.”

I was still in surprise state that I don’t utter a word and just stare at the little figure approaching me until he’s finally standing in front of my messy desk.

“I-I’m sorry, I must be distracting you from work. I’ll put this her-”

Guess I was staring too much, scaring him. “No, you’re not. Here.” Stretching out my arm to hold on the file. While doing so, I saw he’s holding a familiar cup in hand. “What’s that?”

“This is iced caramel latte. It’s for you.” Holding it out to me. It got me smiling like an idiot as I accepted it. Those little act from this boy alone recharge my exhausted condition and happiness meter going up instantly. I needed this shot everyday.

“So you do care for me.” then took a sip of the heavenly sweet liquid down my dry throat which almost make me moan. It’s so good.

“I didn’t want you to starve to death.” he replied. Just say that you care, then it would really made my day.

“I’ll pay you.”

“For what?” he said while walking pass the desk from his previous place. Shaking the drink in circle to mix the bottom and say, “Drink of course.”

By the time I finish my words, he’s already standing beside me. Exactly beside my chair that I have to lift my head slightly to meet his eyes as I talk.

“No need, it’s on me.” He duck down low until his lips made contact with the green straw that belong to the cup I currently holding.

He fucking took a sip of the same straw with his hand landed on top of mine that’s grasping it and casually back away with a grimace. It left me speechless. What just happened?

“How can you drink this? It’s too sweet…”

I can’t hear anything after that. I was taken aback by his action and absentmindedly replaying the scene numerous times in my head. His lips literally landed on the same fucking place as I was a moment ago, our saliva probably mixed together for a split second.

Indirect kiss!

And the touched on my hand. I swear I can still feel the heat lingering at the exact spot he touched. The warmth from his hand spreading to my cold ones, just perfect.

“...not good for your health, you know-”

“Let’s go to the burger place you’ve been talking about this Saturday.” Cut his words after coming back to my senses. I don’t quite catch what he’s babbling about, something about my drink being too sweet for him. My sudden offer might caught him off guard and quirked his eyebrow.

“Why all of the sudden?”

“Nothing. It’s just I can’t promise if we can have lunch together this week since I’m pretty busy.”

“So you don’t want to disappoint yourself, huh?” he said it before I can, as if reading through my mind. Yes, I don’t want to get my hope high and I can’t stand not seeing him for another day. By hook or by crook, we must meet up this Saturday.

Simply nod to his question then receive a smile in return from the latter. “Sure. Only if I’m buying.”

“No, it’s on me.”

“Nope. You’re my boss now but I’ll be the boss this Saturday. Regardless your protest, I’m buying. Else, the offer is off table. Your choice, Mr CEO.” he said while smirking.

Sigh, “Fine, whatever you want as long as you agree.”

I don’t know if he did it on purpose or the result of his joy, he voluntarily wrapped his slender arms around my neck and brought it close to his chest, hugging me then let go with a great pleasure and pure happiness plastered on his face.

Is this all it takes to make him happy?

He walk backward as he’s heading towards the exit, flashing the same smile that took my breath away. “It’s a deal then. I’ll contact you later for this Saturday. Bye!” then disappear through the mahogany door, leaving me alone to myself in the coldness of my large office.

How did it came to this? My heart skips a beat every time we made skinship. Fuck that boy for making me act the way I am. 

*Hey! I tried the scheduled publish. I'm afraid I'm gonna be busy these few days ahead because of Christmas. Thankfully this feature exist in Tapas, it's really helpful. Hope you enjoy! <3*