OPPOSITE ATTRACTION - PART 2 EPISODE 4

Clara’s POV

“Tina, here is the file you asked. Can you hand me the employee details file.

I need to add the names of new joinees.” I ask her working quickly on my laptop.

“I don’t have it. It’s with Kevin.” She responds and I sigh. I talk to him without looking away from my laptop.

“Kevin, I need the employee details file.” Before I know it.

I feel a tap on my forehead and I know it’s the file.

He never stops teasing. Even at this hectic moment.

Today Chris has a meeting with Mr. Bryant and we are getting all the files arranged without errors.

There is so much work today. The whole H. R team, I mean the five of us including Chris are working hard.

Turns out Sam, that old bastard and our old boss did nothing but harass us.5

It’s not just the H. R department that’s under pressure.

From the past three weeks, each department has been working their butt’s off.

The new C. E. O or should I say “The Devil”, a name given to him by the office members, has been grilling all of us.

He really is Devil. Today it’s our turn to be fried.

It has been three weeks since I saw him or three weeks since I embarrassed myself in front of him.

Maybe I should say three weeks since he told me to not meet him until he called for me.

Not that I am waiting for him to call me. Why would he even ask for me?

I can’t honestly say that he clogged my thoughts because he didn’t.

My mind is actually clogged with the mystery person who keeps sending flowers every day.

Every other day a bouquet is delivered. One day roses, the other day tulips and one day some other flower.

Some days there are notes saying “Have a nice day.”

I tried to find out who it was by asking the delivery man but it was of no use.

The need to know who this person is increasing each day.

I can’t get one word out of my mind though. Soulless me. Okay, two words. But still.

“Clara, can you mail me the document I messaged you.

I need it right now.” Nick says ringing me out of my thoughts.

“Sure.”

The whole office is on run. I have never seen anyone here working like this in the past six months as they are doing now.

There is so much commotion, most of them are speaking on the phone.

God, he really is killing us! He didn’t seem like a strict guy when I first met him in the coffee shop. He is arrogant though.1

It’s almost two in the afternoon and we are done with all the works.

We have arranged all the files in a order and everything is set right.

Chris has to meet Mr. Bryant at 3 O’ clock. The last-minute comossion is going on.

I sigh and put all the files which are now completely organized in a row.

“Done!” Kevin said stretching his arms and legs in his chair.

I fall back on my chair and close my eyes when to breath.

“Tia, Chris is calling you.” I hear Nick say as he comes out of the H. R cabin.

I open my eyes and look at Tia. She looks alert.

“Wh-What? Why?” She asks. Nick just shrugs his shoulders.

“Don’t know.” He replies. I can see that she is too tensed than normal.

“But-But why didn’t you ask him? I submitted all the files.

I have sent him all these damn emails that are unnecessary which he asked.

I haven’t even had my lunch, we haven’t had lunch.

Why is he grilling me?” She starts panicking. I put my hand on hers trying to relax her.

“Tia. He just asked for you. He is not a serious guy and I am sure he wouldn’t get mad at you.

Stop panicking. Just go and meet him once.” I explain as calm as possible.

Meanwhile Nick, who just heard Tia rant is still in confusion. I turn to him.

“She must be tried. Don’t worry. I will take care of her.”

He nods and goes back before giving Tia a confused look.

She gets up and goes to meet him. She looks so terrified as if he is going to kill her. I shake off the matter.

“Let’s eat!” Nick says getting up. I get up with him taking my purse.

“Yes! Let’s go! I am feeling so hungry!” I say. Kevin just looks at us and rolls his eyes.

Nick grabs him and I leave a note on Tina’s desk to come to the cafeteria on the above level.

The three of us left for cafeteria chatting non-stop on the way.

Well, it’s only Nick and me that are talking while Kevin is busy checking his phone and rolling his eyes at our silliness on deciding what to eat.

“No, let’s have the burger!” Nick demands.

“No, Pasta!” I say and we both look at Kevin to take a side.

He raises his hands up in surrender.

“Don’t pull me into this. I am having a sandwich.” He says and we both shrug our shoulders.

Once we reach cafeteria, Nick goes to give the order while Kevin and I go sit at our regular table.

Once Nick comes back we both start talking again.

“Where is Tina? It’s been fifteen minutes?” Nick says.

“Chris is roasting her,” Kevin says and I look at him in confusion.

“What? Why?” I ask immediately. I feel my concern raising. I hope Chris is not like our old boss.

“Don’t know. He is giving her more work.” Kevin says.

Kevin is the type of employee that any boss can count on.

He is not able to digest that the new boss has still not observed how hard working he is.

I shake my head at him internally. He always wants to please the boss and he does.

He is good at his job. He is a good man too.

“I will go get her. Maybe she didn’t see the note that I left on her table.” I inform them and stand up as they agree. I turn around to talk to Nick.

“Don’t you dare touch my pasta,” I warn him childishly.

I didn’t wait for his reply which I know will be sarcastic.

I start walking towards the lift where I hear an employee greet.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Bryant.”

Mr. Bryant? Mr. Bryant! My heart jumps out of my chest and my mind starts replaying the words.

Don’t come in here again unless I ask you to. I don’t want a silly person spoiling my day.

I come out of my stance and see him going over to order something for himself.

He comes down to get his own food? He is cool!

He turns around and was about to look at me. I immediately dunk and walk over to Kevin and Nick.

I sit down and grab the menu card in front of us and put it beside my left ear to block him from seeing my face.

I look at my friends and find them looking at me like I have gone bonkers.

Maybe I have. They both gave me a questioning look.

“I will tell you later,” I whisper and they both look over my head to see who I am hiding from.

I bite my bottom lip from nervousness. If he stays any longer I think I might start chewing on it.

“Hey, Nick and Clara!” We hear the Jason, who takes our lunch orders daily, call.

Damn! Busted! Nick stands up and looks at me.

“Come on,” Nick says and I give him a facial expression as though I have just eaten monkey shit.

I stand up still holding the menu card and put it in front of my face.

I walk behind him to get the food with the menu card still covering my face.

“Can I have the menu please?” I hear that husky sexy voice again.

Oh God, why do I have to stand right beside him? I still don’t move the menu card away from my face.

“Sure Mr. Bryant.” Nick says quickly grabbing the one which I am using to hide from him and gives it to him.

I give Nick a hard stare. Him being his happy didn’t notice me.

I don’t even dare to turn my head to look at The Handsome Man.

I take the tray and turn around before rushing past Nick and going to out seat.

Setting the tray down I sit down again without looking back.

What the hell is wrong with you?” Nick says. I just shrug and concentrate on my food while I feel someone’s eyes on my back.

Finally, we have all completed our work and it’s time for Chris’s meeting with Mr. Bryant.

I sigh and fall back on my chair, resting my back and eyes.

“Guys, Chris just called me. He said we are supposed to go to the meeting along with him.”

Kevin says and I jump in my seat hearing that. What? That means I have to be in the same room with him.

“But Chris said it’s only him that the meeting was with.” I almost whine.

“Don’t know. Come on. We don’t want to be late now.” I stand up along with others and we all go together to the conference room.

“What are you sulking about?” Tia says and I shake my head.

Come on, Clara. It’s just a meeting. You don’t even have to look at him.

He probably wouldn’t even care that you are here.

I tell myself and take a deep breath before leaving it out.

We reach the room and go in. I stand at the back of the line, standing behind Tia, hoping to hide behind her.

She is taller than me. I tell myself not to look at him, but once I am in the room my eyes instantly met his.

I quickly look away. It was almost only for a second.

I take a seat beside Nick, while Tina sits beside Chris and looks like she is sitting beside a frog. I frown at her. She shakes her head.

I make sure not to look at The You Know Who. I don’t know why I am feeling nervous.

“The reason I called you all is just to inform you guys that you all are doing a good job.”

He starts jumping right into the topic not wasting any time.

I pretend to look at him, although I am just staring at the laptop that’s in front of him.

“All the accounts are good, there are no mistakes in any record, but,”

as soon as he says but all of our faces went blank.

I mean theirs went from normal to being scared, mine has been the way since I heard I have to attend the meeting.

“As you all know I have fired your former boss, due to some complaints that I received.”

I tense as he says that. I and Tina share a look. It must be about the sexual harassment.

“It’s about sexual harassment.” He declares and I take a deep breath feeling the air around me thicken.

“What? But as far as we know Sam was never that kind of guy.” Nick says. If only he knew.

“Yes. He treated all of us well.” Kevin supports.

“There are many things you don’t know about him and many complaints that I got about him.

I don’t want my company’s reputation to go down the drain, I won’t allow it and most of all I won’t bear any of my employees not feeling safe in their work environment.”

I suddenly remember how Sam used to call us to his cabin and use crude language.

Tears are threatening to fill my eyes, but I stop myself. Tina is looking the same.

“Chris, I want you to take a look into this matter. I don’t want any employee here going through that again.” He orders.

“Of course, Mr. Bryant.”

I look up and find a lone tear escaping Tina’s eyes. I want to go and comfort her.

“That is all I wanted to say. As a person of H. R department, I want you all to keep an eye on any of such kind of complaints you get.” All of us agree on it.

“You may leave.”

Tina not able to hold back anymore leaves the room. Chris follows her immediately.

“What happened to her?” Kevin asks turning to me and I myself have my eyes filled with tears that are about to fall. He looks shocked looking at me.

“Hey, D.” Nick stands up in shock and holds my face.

“Did he harass you guys as well?” He looks at Kevin. “How can we be so blind?” Nick tries to console me by hugging me.

“You both can leave. I want to talk to Ms. Clara.”

“But, Mr. Bryant-”

“Out.” He orders roughly. I give them both a nod and they leave.

I quickly wipe away my tears. He comes near me and hands me a glass of water.

Taking a gulp I drink in my tears as well before I cry out loud.

You are strong, Clara. He is not here now. I assure myself and put the glass down.

“Are you okay?” He asks and I nod looking down. “Why do . “Why don’t you look at me?” I suddenly feel my heart skip a beat at his question.

“Did I harass you too?” His question takes me back and I look at him to see that he is just teasing me. “Finally you did!”

I smile for some unknown reason. My heart feels lighter.

He is sitting on the table in front of me. He is still taller than me.

“Now tell me what is all that hiding your face with the menu card thing?”

Oh no! I am stuck!