Love and Crosses: What the Heart Wants

Charlotte and Riele were discussing when Riele heard her name. "Riele Grants!" Mr. Owen called.

Charlotte looked at her. "What did you do this time?" She asked, but Riele shrugged.

"Don't look at me like that, I did absolutely nothing."

"Did you pick him up at the supposed time?" Charlotte folded her arms while waiting for Riele to lie.

"Um, I woke up late," Riele answered softly.

"I just hope you are not in big trouble."

"I guess we are about to find out," Riele said as she walked to the office.

Riele exhaled and inhaled for thirty seconds. Affter she had gotten her boldness, she knocked.

"Come in," she heard Mr. Owen say as she unlocked the door and entered inside.

The first eyes that met hers were those of Kim. She tried to keep her beating heart in check. "Um...you called me?" She asked Mr. Owen.

"Yes. Please have a seat," he gestured for her to sit next to Kim.

Riele couldn't count how many times she almost tripped. This is what you get when you have a stunning and handsome new boss. Even though he isn't doing anything, you can't help but just  fall for him.

His dark hair, flawless skin, doe eyes, prominent shoulders, and that cute smile of his made her heart flutter, and her stomach churned in joy.

It was her first time to see someone so handsome.

She sat down and listened to the meeting. 

"Kim, this is Riele Grants and she's going to be your PA as agreed."

"I still don't know why you chose her," he said coldly. He looked up at Riele trying to find out if there was something special in her.

"I didn't choose her, we all did," Mr. Owen explained. "She was voted in. That's why I decided that she's the one for you..." Riele gave Mr. Owen a confused look. "... I mean the job," Mr. Owen quickly rephrased.

Kim turned to look at Riele who was trying her best to avoid to meet his eyes.

"Fine then." He turned to face Riele with folded arms. "So Riele Grants, what do you have to say for yourself?" He asked

She turned to face him. "Um...I don't understand the question," she told Kim.

"Do you think you're worth it?" He asked as Riele raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"I don't know what sort of question this is, but if you're trying to put my worth on a weighing scale. I can assure you that it's more than you can ever imagine."

Kim smiled. He must admit, she does have something special in her.

"Do you want to work for me?" He asked, his eye not leaving hers. 

It's not like I have any other choice. Riele murmured inside her head. "Of course. I mean who wouldn't?" She faked a smile. 

"Then first, I need a place to stay," he told her bluntly. 

Riele was shocked at his demand. She looked at Mr. Owen who was trying his best to avoid any conversation from her. 

"I thought they made provision for that, didn't you?" She directed the question to Mr. Owen.

"They did, but it's not ready yet. I saw the place and I didn't like it so I told them to change some things. That's why I need a place to stay before then," Kim answered.

"Mr. Owen, I think he's directing this to you".

"Come on, Riele just let him spend a few days or weeks or months with you, besides you stay alone," Mr. Owen said.

"I am sorry. There's no way I'm going to allow him anywhere near my house. If he wants a place to stay, someone like him should be able to book a hotel or something, not share a house with his P.A. Who does that?" Riele asked in rage and disbelief. 

"I accept her as my PA," Kim said as he got up and left.

Riele didn't understand what had happened. Did he just accept her? 

"See why I told you that you're the right girl for the job." Mr. Owen patted her back.

Riele was still having a hard time trying to process what had just happened. Her started started to ache. It was like her body was telling her she was going through a lot at the moment.  She pressed the two sides of her forehead gently, trying to suppress the pain a little.

She walked out of the office and what she saw shocked her. "Can someone explain to me what's going on here?" She asked. Charlotte pulled her close as she whispered in her ear. "Moving my things? To where?" Riele asked.

"As my P.A, you are going to work in the same space with me. Do you have any problem with that?" Kim's eyes pierced the deepest part of her soul. 

Riele was about to complain when Charlotte pinched her. "Ouch!" she whimpered, glaring at Charlotte.

"I'll take that as a no." He threw a file to Riele which she had a hard time catching. "Get me in touch with that person."

Riele opened the file only to find a picture of Kim Utter. She stared at Charlotte whose eyes were glued to the file in Riele's hands. "Can I know why you're choosing this guy?" She asked.

"Don't you think you ask me questions a lot?" He asked and Riele knew he was right. Ever since he came in, she has been questioning mostly everything he does.

"I'll get in touch with him right away," Riele avoided his gaze.  

Kim shook his head and sighed before going into his office. 

Charlotte couldn't believe her eyes, she wasn't ready to face him and here he is. What's she going to do now? "Riele, I'm not ready to face him yet," she whined.

Riele understood her plight and pulled her into a hug.

"Then you don't need to. I'll try to see if I can talk him out of this."

"That will get you into a lot of trouble," Charlotte warned her.  Riele pulled her away a little so she can see her face.

"And you are worth it." 

"Thanks a lot."

"Like I said, can I punch Kim Utter when I see him?"

"If the need arises, go ahead," Charlotte answered. 

"Let me try my luck with, Mr. Handsome." 

Riele took a deep breath before going into his office.