OPPOSITE ATTRACTION - Part 2 Episode 2

Clara’s Pov

” So, when is our new HR going to come?” I ask while we talking.

It’s been an hour since I came and there is no sign of him.

I hope he is not like Drew. I have enough of it, even Tina. Hope he is not a pervert like the one before.

“He went to meet the new C. E. O. He might be here now.” Nick said.

Before I can reply back Kevin spoke.
“He is here.” He stands up saying that and I sigh. I pray he is not like that old pervert.

I look at Tina’s seat and find it empty. She must have gone to washroom.

Kevin and Nick both shake hands with him and I stand up to wish him as well.

I look at him and find that he really is not that old. In fact not old at all.

He might be in his late twenties, nearly the same age as me.

I must say he looks handsome.

But not as handsome as the Handsome Man you met today morning, my brain said.

Will you just stop it!

You might turn obsessed with the man soon if you keep thinking about him!

I scold my brain, I mean myself.

I break off from my thoughts when I hear the staff greeting him.

“Good morning Mr. Sanders!” Kevin greeted him giving him his hand.

“Good morning and please Sir or Mr. Sanders. Call me Chris.” He smiles.

He seems like a friendly guy. Nick greets him next and along with them a few other office members from the financial department that is on our floor.

Once everyone is done greeting him I go to greet as well when he is talking to Kevin and Nick.

“Good morning, Chris! Welcome to our company.

I am Clara.” I introduce myself with a smile. He pauses for a second when he hears my name. Quickly recovers from that.

It’s almost unnoticeable. I frown internally. He gives me a smile before shaking my hand.

As far as I see, his smile is not creepy, his gaze is not creepy and his hand shake was just perfect, not too much or awkward.

May be he is a good person. I do feel comfortable, at least not creepy. He seems like a nice guy.

“Good morning, Clara. Thank you.” He later looks at all three of us from the H. R department and asks.

“Have I met everyone from our department?”

“No. There is one more person. She just went out, will be back in a minute.”

“Okay. The new C. E. O of the company, Mr. Dalton Bryant will meet us all during lunch.

I will send a mail to all. Just complete your lunch sooner than every day.”

“Sure Chris.” We agreed.
“He is a bit strict from what I saw. Also, let’s go to dinner tonight after office, just the H.R team. It’s my treat.

I want to get to know my team better. So, what say?” He seems really enthusiastic and life like guy. I am starting to like him.

“We would love to.” “Of course.” “I want Chinese.” The last one was from Nick.

Kevin and I looked at him asking with our eyes.

Have you gone mad? He realizes what he said and looks like he is caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Nick is obsessed with Chinese food. “Even Clara likes Chinese food.” He says and I glare at him.

I do. Way to go Nick! Kevin is trying to stop his laughter. Chris chuckles.

“Okay. Chinese it is then. I know this good Chinese restaurant.

Let’s go there.” He says and we all agree. “I will go to my cabin now.

You guys continue with your work.” He says before leaving to his cabin.

Just when he left, Tina came back from the washroom.

“Tina, where were you?” Nick asked her. We both rolled our eyes. Of course, it’s bathroom.

It’s not like she can leave the building during office hours.

Nick really does not understand girls matters.

“The new boss asked you to meet him,” I tell her and she looks alert with wide eyes.

“No, it’s nothing serious. We all met him and he just wants to meet. That’s it.”

“You don’t need to worry. He is really cool.” Kevin says smiling and we all agreed sitting down in our chairs.

“Okay.” With that, she left to meet him in his cabin.

It’s lunch time and Sam has mailed all of us that the new C. E. O will be coming to meet us all during the lunch.

I am feeling so hungry. Can’t we just start and hide our boxes once he comes back.

I know, I know, no one brings a box to the office, but mom made my favourite and just thinking about it makes my insides melt.

Oh, Mr. C. E. O, when are you going to come?!

“When is he going to come?” Nick asked and I nodded my head at his rhetorical question with my cheek against my palm.

I hope he comes soon. We both yawn.

“Such lazies, these both are!” Kevin says and we give him a sheepish grin.

Tina just shakes her head. For some reason, she has been grumpy since she met our new head, Sam.

He came out cursing and mumbling angrily under her breath.

She is really not into working today, I can see that. What happened in there?

I don’t think Sam will make any stupid move on the first day like our old boss I hope.

“Guys, he is here!” One guy from the financial department almost shouted and we all got up to meet the new C. E. O.

Chris came out of his cabin just in time and went towards the stairs.

I feel someone nudge me on my shoulder from behind and it is Nick.

“What did you bring in lunch today?”

He is one of the fans of my mother’s cooking. Kevin shushed him, but I turn around to reply.

“Why not open my box and see for yourself?” I smile. It’s his favourite today.

“Oh my God! The suspense. Just tell me!”
I shake my head poking my tongue out at him. He rolls his eyes and pulls my nose.

It’s always like this between us. We are more like a brother and sister.

We are so lost in our own world that we did not see the commotion around us.

There is no one around us. All the employees gather near Chris’s cabin. Tina turns around and spots us both.

“Guys!” She whispers knowing what we are doing.

“Look! We are late against because of you.” Nick says playfully and moves from behind me and goes over to the crowed to stand beside Tina.

I went and stand beside Nick.

Everyone is greeting him. I cannot see his face as I was too behind and everyone in the office is taller than me.

I try to push through them, but my body did not make it. So, I gave up. I let out a sigh.

“Good afternoon, everyone!” My eyes went wide. That voice! That deep voice! Is it the C. E. O that just spoke?

Why did he sound like The Handsome Man from the morning?

I have to see him! I stand on my tip toes trying to look through the crowd but did I can only see his black hair.

Urrgh, people, stop moving! I am really not proud of what I am about to do. Then I did it. I started jumping. Up and down, thrice.

Clara! That’s enough! Manners! Behave like a woman! You just seem desperate and stupid now!

I hit my forehead with my palm for the stupid things I am doing and turn around to find Tina, Nick and Kevin looking at me like I have grown a second head.

Now I just want to face palm myself. I gave them a stupid grin and I turn my head to the front in hopes of catching a glimpse of him.

Just then, the two people standing in front of me, parted.

It all almost happened in a slow motion. Like a movie.

But I was no heroine. So, I did the stupidest thing again once my eyes landed on him.

My eyes went wide and I just stared at him in shock.

He is greeting someone else. His eyes didn’t meet mine yet.

I take a step forward and Chris smiles as he sees me.

The deep brown eyes, land on me as mine check out his face later meeting his eyes.

For a minute, everything around us vanishes. This weird feeling butterflies inside my stomach starts and I take a gulp.

Chris’s voice brings me back to the world.

“Mr. Bryant, this is Ms. Clara Edwards from the H. R department.” Chris introduces me.

He nods and gives me his hand for me to shake it. Without knowing it, I put my hand in his and he holds it firm, it gentle.

I can’t take my gaze away from his face. My rational thinking is long gone.

Before I know, my mouth got a brain of its own.

The Handsome Man.
I say out loud.

At that moment, that very moment I came out of my trance and my mouth is wide open now.

I look around and find people talking with each other. I am the only one that is introduced last to him.

Then I look back at Chris and find him giving me the look. Oh no, sweetie, I can help you .

I sigh and slowly look up at The Handsome- No! Mr. Bryant. I can see the smirk on his face which he is hiding.

“I am sorry, Sir,” I whisper looking down. He ignores me and looks away.

That has hurt me the most. I sigh and step aside. He looks at everyone.

“Good evening everyone. I know things have suddenly and having a new boss might be hectic.

This is what you must be thinking and you are right.

I don’t like any mistakes or excuses for the mistake you did.

I am not saying I will fire you either. Just do your job well.

Do not gossip and treat woman working here with respect and not just woman, everyone.” He ends.

“That is all I expect.”

A chorus of okay’s and sure’s are heard.
“You can get back to your work then.”

He says and disperses everyone. But I just stand there in front of them like an idiot still looking at him and feeling like a stupid for what I did in the past five minutes.

I made a fool out of myself twice. He turns to Sam to speak.

“Have someone deliver the files that I asked you to my office after lunch.” He orders.

“Okay, Mr. Bryant.” Chris replies. He gives Chris a kurt nod before turning around and walking out of the floor to the elevator, all the while without looking at me.

I feel hurt as I watch his back. I see fingers snap in front of me. I look up to see Chris. “Really?

The Handsome Man?”

He teases and I look down turning deep red, praying that the earth, no, actually for a phoenix to come take me away from here.

“I am sorry.” I mumble. He chuckles.
“It’s okay.

Now, get back to your place and have lunch.” He says and I agree giving him a nod.

I go to my place and find Tina looking at Chris and turning her face away as if she is annoyed.

He just gave her a smug look before walking into his cabin.

She turns forward towards her monitor. What is going on? I sigh. Today is too much and it’s just afternoon.

After completing lunch, we sit just chatting about things, movies and almost about everything.

Most of the time they are the ones talking while I am still scolding myself for what I have done after meeting him.

I come out of my thoughts when I hear Chris calling Nick.

“Deliver these files to Mr. Bryant right now.” He says and Nick agrees as Chris went in. I think about it.

How about I deliver those files? Is that a good idea? It is maybe.

I can deliver those files and at the same time ask him to forgive me.

But what should I ask forgiveness for?

For calling him The Handsome Man? That is even more embarrassing.

Okay, okay. I admit it. I just want to see him again.

Just one more time. Why do I feel those butterflies whenever I see him?

Why does my heart beat increase when I think about him? Like right now. Shh!

Will stop beating fast again? It is official, I have gone crazy.

Symptoms? Well, let’s see.

One: I have jumped like a little kid to see who the C. E. O is? Also got caught. How fun is that? Stupid, Clara.

Two: I have called him The Handsome Man in front of him.

Even stared at him all the while till he walked out of the room.

Stalker, Clara!