Chapter 10: Hot Coffee

Friday.

It's been more than a week since she's started working for Parker. With the same routine, she got used to his short and curt responses. She would attend meetings with him and make him coffee, schedule and cancel of appointments if necessary or whenever he says so.

It's almost eight in the morning when the suite floor's lift opened and Parker stepped out, wearing yet another crisp black suit with confidence. She stood up and greeted him.

He nodded and went straight to his office. She gazed at him until he closed the door shut.

Yes, I could get used to this view! Seeing him every morning like he walks on the runway wearing different custom made slim fit suits, ties and expensive shoes.

She also anticipated seeing another beautiful model coming by his office in the past week since her first day but no one came. That was odd but probably he will see one again once his schedule clears. She had scheduled him a lot of meetings and appointments with clients for that week. That's also probably why he's been quiet and most of the time in deep thought.

She went to the pantry to make his cup of coffee. She accidentally dropped some sugar cubes on the floor so she bended down to pick them all up, even the ones under the pantry table that she needs to stretch her hands out to reach them. She sighed as she stood up and threw them in the bin next to the countertop.

"What are you doing?" Parker's deep voice startled her. She accidentally hit the cup of coffee on the countertop and it fell on the floor, broken into pieces.

"Oh, God!" She exclaimed when she felt the hot coffee burning her hands. But she was more concern with the spilled coffee and broken cup. She was about to pick up the broken glasses but Parker immediately reached for her hands and put them under the cool running water.

He held her hands tighter and pulled her close when she winced. She can't help holding her breath being too close to him. His manly scent mixed with his expensive perfume intoxicating her senses, making her excited about the idea of smelling it directly from his skin.

She felt better. But she's not sure if it was because of the cool running water, his perfume, him touching her skin or it's all of them. She blushed with the thought.

“I t—think I can take care of it now." She said, trying to get his hands off of hers or... she'll feel hotter than the coffee.

Realizing that she's right, Parker lets go of her hand and grabbed some paper towels to dry his. "You should be careful next time." He threw the wet paper towels in the bin and started picking up the broken cup pieces on the floor.

"I will. If you don't sneak up on me like that." She mumbled to herself.

He stared at her, amazement in his eyes as he stood up and threw the pieces to the bin. She suddenly felt uneasy, realizing she may have said it louder than she intended.

"I demand you say that again, Miss Summers." He walked towards her slowly.

She stepped back. "I didn't say anything." She lied.

He reached out and clipped the loose strands of her red hair behind her ears, slightly touching her smooth cheek. She shivered in his touch.

"You are not a good liar, Miss Summers." He smirked. "Forget the coffee. Let's go out and have breakfast."

"But you have a meeting with Mr. Cole at nine." She reminded him.

"Cancel. I'll wait for you in my office after you clean up." He ordered and left.

She swept the floor clean using paper towels and washed her hands before going to her desk. She looked for Mr. Cole's phone number to call him and cancel.

The lift opened and a tall young man in his dark gray slim fit suit and black tie stepped out. His blonde hair cut neatly. The man started walking towards her while getting his phone from his chest pocket and answered the call, "Cole speaking."

"Mr. Eugene Cole?" She asked, the handset is on her ears while looking at the man in front of her.

He smiled at her and ended the call on his phone. He offered his right hand for a handshake. "Yes. Miss Summers, right?"

Geez! How many men in suits do I have to see before I stop acting like an infatuated teenager?

Her jaw dropped and it’s not just because of their next meeting has already arrived but because Mr. Eugene Cole is also a stunner.

But nothing beats Parker. He still holds the winning card for me!

She puts the phone down on the receiver, takes his offered hand and nodded. "I'm sorry, Mr. Cole. I was just calling you to cancel your appointment with Mr. Neumann." She told him, feeling bad that he already arrived in the office when they’re canceling the meeting.

"Oh! That's okay. We can reschedule right?" He smiled and asked politely as lets go of her hand.

"Yes! Definitely!" She answered, delighted. She took her iPad and checked the available schedules.

They finalized the meeting for next week and he puts a note on his phone as well. "It's nice meeting you, Miss Summers. You're new here?" He asked but it sounded more like a statement, telling it to himself.

She nodded. "Danielle please. And yes. I just started this week."

"Ah! That explains it. I heard Mr. Harvey retired and his secretary, too.” He placed his phone back to his chest pocket and offered his hand again for a handshake. "I think I won't mind coming in early next week and end up rescheduling my appointment again." He teased, flashing his childish smile.

She was laughing with Eugene when Parker's office door opened and he came out. He stared at them, a serious look on his face. His eyebrows met when he lowered his gaze and saw her hands in Eugene's.

He started walking towards them. "Good morning, Mr. Cole." He greeted, still with a serious look on his face.

"Good morning, Mr. Neumann! I was just leaving. Danielle here already rescheduled our meeting." He said emphasizing her name and lets go of her hand.

Parker nodded curtly. "I'll see you then."

Eugene nodded in agreement then smiled at her. "I'll see you next week, Danielle."

"Thank you, Mr. Cole." She smiled back.

"Eugene please." He winked before leaving.

She looked at him leaving, not realizing her smile is still pasted on her lips. Parker cleared his throat to get her attention.

She looked at him. "Would you like me to call a specific restaurant and make a reservation before we go there?"

He looks pissed. "Bring me a cup of coffee." He answered and turned his back on her, walking back to his office.

What the hell is wrong with him?