When I entered the cafe, it was eerily quiet and too peaceful. The customers were engrossed in their talks in hushed whispers. I had no idea why. My eyes were busy searching for the CEO. Silver-grey suit, emerald eyes and a smirk forever painted on his face. The search was a fail. I didn't find him, so I went to the table near the window and ordered my pastries and orange juice. When I checked the time, it was 12:10. He was late by ten minutes.

My lunch even arrived, and I ate alone. Not that I minded. I even wished that he would not show up.

When my watch struck 12:30, I knew my wish had been granted. There was no way he would show up now that it's thirty minutes to one. I didn't even mind that he ditched me. I was forever grateful. When I had finished, I paid the bill and collected my belongings, then stood up.

He did me a favor by not showing up. He would've made my lunch awkward and uncomfortable.

I exited the cafe and went to my car. The street was buzzing with people going all over the place. It was lunch, of course. That was to be expected.

I got in my car and put on the seatbelt. Putting the keys in ignition, I was about to turn it, but got interrupted by a knock on my window.

I tilted my head to the side and looked to see the CEO. I'm sure a frown was etched on my face when I rolled down the window. He was a sight to behold because of his disheveled hair, loose tie and a half-buttoned shirt. He was panting like a dog in heat.

What had me recoiling in disgust was the realization that he hooked up in the lunch hour. How disgusting.

"I need a favor from you, Jones. Could you please drive me to my place? I'm begging you,"

"What for? And where's your car?" I asked, having a half mind to just close the window and go back to work. Checking my wristwatch, I realized that I had ten minutes to get my ass back to work.

He had the audacity to roll his eyes, and I wished that they would just get lost during the process.

"Look, are you going to give me a lift or what?" he snapped, his patience long lost. For someone who sounded desperate just a few seconds ago...

I raised a brow at his tone. "And you do realize that I have ten minutes left to get to work, right?" I asked him. He may be the CEO and all, but ordering to skip work and drive him to his place was not in my job description.

"I don't care about that. Unlock the door for me and I'll give you the address to my place," he said, then started walking towards the passenger's side.

I sighed in exasperation and unlocked the car. He opened it and got in, plopping down on the seat. I started the car and put in his address into the GPS.

We stayed quiet for a few minutes whilst I was driving. That didn't last long because when we were halfway to his place, he broke the silence.

"So, how long have you worked for the Hughs’ Enterprise?" he asked me. His voice was blank, like he masked both of his emotions and tone.

I glanced at him shortly and focused on the road. "For about a year," I replied.

He hummed in satisfaction and didn't continue his questioning.

The silence had grown awkward and I didn't know when. Taking my chances, I risked a glance his way. He was staring out the window, lost in thought. I did wonder what he was thinking about. I wondered if he had thoughts like mine, thoughts that were so dark and twisted that you would be lucky to get out of them unscathed. I wondered if he sometimes thought about how he could've lived his life differently or how his life had no meaning.

But who am I kidding? Of course he didn't think about those thoughts. Someone like him didn't think like that. Someone like him thought about who his next fuck was going to be, what he would wear on the next meeting or how his company was doing. Someone like him didn't have time to think depressing thoughts.

Seeing that we were only ten minutes away from his place, I couldn't help but to ask, "I know this is none of my business and all, but why did you need a lift?"

I heard movement on his side. He must've shifted. I didn't dare look at him, but I could feel his stare digging a hole on my face.

When I thought he wasn't going to reply, he surprised me by doing the opposite.

"My car. It broke down a kilometer away from the café."

I was astonished. I'm sure that his bank account is overfilled with 100 bills. Then why the heck would he buy a car that was a scrap?

"I know what you are thinking and no."

"So you're a mind reader now? Wow!" I exclaimed, sarcasm dripping in my tone.

"Just shut up."

I did shut up, for a few minutes. We arrived at his place and he took out a remote that he used to open the steel gate. When it opened, I think I fainted a little. What had me opening my mouth was the mansion that blessed my eyes. Holy cow! This must be heaven!

The mansion in front of me was magical and surreal. Surely a house like that did not exist. It was situated in a secluded area that I failed to notice before. The different flowers that were grown on the sidewalk were brightly colored, giving the mansion a colorful look. The palm trees were all over, surrounding the house.

I was snapped out of my trance when I heard the CEO click his tongue and the car door open. I remained sat on my seat, getting ready for him to leave so that I could also leave.

"Are you coming or what?" he asked me, raising his brow. I shook my head.

"I have to get back to work," I reasoned. He gave me a deadpanned look that had me questioning why I was like this at some times. Well, most of the times.

"You see, Jones. I lied. My car never broke down," he said.

I felt a pang in my chest. Something in me died. You know, the gut feeling that something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Don't be looking at me like that!" he snapped, his frown deepening.

"Like what?" My voice was above a whisper.

"Like I'm going to kill or kidnap you. Just let me explain."

I had two hearts. One was telling me to hear him out, but the other was screaming loudly at me to get the hell away from here and to never look back.

But you know what they say. Curiosity killed the cat. I'm not going to be killed because I'm not a cat. I wasn't even angry that he lied to me. No. I was scared, scared that he was somehow going to kidnap me or show me what terror looked like.

I decided to hear him out. He looked bare and honest.

I got out of my car and rounded it to get to his side. Leaning against the passenger door, I crossed my arms and waited for him to talk.

He stood in front of me, blocking the sun.

"I wanted you to come to my place," he said. I didn't understand what he meant by that.

"To do what?"

His face kept on taking different expressions that would've been funny if this wasn't serious.

"To collect the files."

Now I was beyond confused. What the heck is he on about?

"What files?"

"My files. I need you to take them back to my office and give them to my PA. She'll know what to do with them. Just follow me,"

My mind was numb. I followed him without thinking because my thoughts were all over the place. He opened the glass door and got in. I didn't have the mind to appreciate the beauty of hia house because my confusion had clouded my mind.

I followed him up the spiral staircase like a lap dog. Shouldn't his PA be doing this instead of me? I didn't question him because he was still my boss. No matter the situation, he'll still be above me in status.

We arrived at a door that he opened. He told me to stay outside whilst he collected the 'files'.

I looked around me to see a long corridor with more than six doors. Were the rooms bedrooms?

Boredom started gnawing at me when he was taking forever to get the damn files. What kind of files were they? And this was not in my job description. I felt like I was running errands for him. Is he maybe punishing me for talking back at him when he crashed into me? Was this payback?

When I had lost patience and was about to knock, the door opened, leaving my fist hanging. He raised a brow at that.

"You were taking forever," I tried to justify my actions. I was like a kid caught stealing cookies in the cookie jar. I was caught red-handed.

He rolled his eyes and pushed the files into my arms.

"Take this and give them to Mariann, my PA. Don't even open them, or look their way," he instructed.

"Don't even look at them? I understand the not opening part, but looking?"

"You know what I meant. Just go."

And now he was chasing me away like a dog.

"Why am I even collecting these files?" I asked, irritation filled in my tone. I followed his lead because I would surely get lost if I walked alone.

"Are you questioning how I do business, Mr. Jones?" his tone was challenging me to talk back. I knew what would happen if I did. I'd find myself jobless tomorrow.

"Not at all, Mr. Hughs. I'll get going now. Have a good day,"

I walked out of the house, my mood doing a 180. The moment I got in my car and drove out of his driveway, I felt glum again, like I did in the morning. The rest of my day was ruined.

He made me feel worthless, stupid, useless and upset. It was easy for someone to offend me without them realizing. That's what having a low self-esteem does to people like me.