Chapter 22: Chapter 22

I was still on my rush from what transpired when I entered Raphael's office.

'Are we giving interviews now?', Raphael asked with irritation.

Just like that all my high is gone. 'I solved the crisis. I handled as best as I can without further damaging our sales. With the limited time that's all I could come up with', I responded sinking into the same mood he is in.

'You could have just offered her the money she wants and done with it. Now the other channels are aligning for an interview. We are not running a talk show here', he gritted each word out.

'But she asked half a million dollars', I gasped.

He lifted his eyebrow implying, 'so?'

The maddening quirk of his eyebrow. Oh, how I itched to pluck the stupid thing from his forehead. Seriously, if I saved half a million dollars of someone other than him, they would have been falling under my feet, ok at the least, grateful. But not Raphael Sinclair. He is irritated even for doing that. I wonder what will make him grateful to me.

'If you want to throw the money away, could you do that in my direction?', I asked wistfully.

'And why Ms. Anderson would I do that?'

'For saving you that money or for stopping bad publicity or for helping not to shut down your new product, I could go on. You can pick one'

'Seeing as you demand (emphasizing the said word) compensation for doing your job, I would cancel the remaining balance for your dress, as you are delinquent in your payment', he said as if bestowing me with God's greatest gift.

I swallowed the curses which were trying to tear from my throat. With a great, great effort I said, ‘Your generosity astonishes me'

'Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Ms. Anderson. However, I would like to thank you for what you have done,' he said with sincerity.

'Huh...umm...what…what?', I stuttered not at all sure whether I heard correctly or not.

At this point, something happened to make me confirm that an alternate universe does exist. He smiled. Raphael Sinclair smiled at me. Good old me. And what a smile it is. I couldn't even stutter now. My voice lodged itself in my throat. I gaped at him, opening and closing my mouth.

'I know Ms. Anderson, we started on the wrong foot here. Why don't we start fresh? Hi, I'm Raphael Sinclair, CEO for this enterprise', he said extending his hand.

Whoa. First thanks, then smile, now this. My brain can short circuit from this much overload.

'I... I..', I started thinking of something to say but don't know what (good to know I can stutter again). He didn't lower his hand still expecting me to shake it. I tentatively raised my hand expecting rebuke at any minute now when I clasped my hand with his. Electricity shot through me where our hands touched. Making me want to get near him. Phew, why is it hot over here suddenly? I shook his hand quickly not wanting to prolong touching him. He smiled knowingly at the effect it is causing me.

'I better go', I said and rushed from his office not glancing back.

That day set the tone between us. It's been two weeks now. Not only the workload has gone way (no extra tasks that don't fall under assistant category) down, but also the timings. The most different thing is his change in behavior towards me. Now I get the meaning of Rose telling him being genuine.

He says the magic word now, 'please’, before asking anything. No more silly demands, no challenging with the eyebrow (I miss that one) and no more silent glare (which he used to give me in the beginning). He insists on me joining him for lunch daily. Who am I to say no to free gourmet meals daily? The most annoying thing in all this is him smiling with his knowing look at me, constantly. I'm still skeptical about his sudden change in personality but a girl can get used to this treatment easily.

On the other hand, there was no progress with the investigation. The tracing of money from the accounts is taking a longer time than we thought so. Kade smells foul play. He thinks someone is on us and watching our every step though there was no tail following after that failed chase. I agree with him. The only other lead is Sophie's former roommate from her previous flat. She is currently on a vacation. The owner said she will be back by the end of this month, which is still two weeks away.

Between this and Raphael's sudden change in personality, a girl can go crazy easily.

It's Friday night, and for a change, we are still in the office. I'm finished for the day. I started sorting my desk before leaving with a hot bath on my mind when Raphael sauntered outside his office.

'Ready to leave?', Raphael asks with his laptop bag in one hand.

'Totally. I wish I could teleport myself to my home. I'm so tired', I said flexing my neck with my hands caressing it.

His gaze fell on my hands and suddenly there was electric tension between us. We are getting this episode more rapidly now. A simple touch, a smile, or shit even a certain look is it all it takes. But every time it happened; I held back. We never kissed. It's now the matter of when not if.

'Then allow me to grant your wish. Let's go'

'What? No no. It's ok. You don't need to drop me.'

'I don't need to, but I want to. Now common', he holds my hand and starts walking.

I'm struck dumb. This is the most contact we allowed ourselves. It's new, it's electrifying. My defences are at an all-time low, it may be because of how tired I'm or the night light that illuminated us in a romantic glow. I followed him silently.

The tension in the lift multiplied because of our nearness. It sure looks cozy in here. Our hands still connected, I turned to him to say thank you, but my voice is stuck in my throat. The look he directed towards me can only be described as intensifying. Unbeknownst to me, I took one step, closing the gap between us.

'Raphael...', I said in a husky voice.