3. The Debate

Arriving at the lobby, Mia walked with unsteady steps. Her mind was still on the staff's words, until suddenly, someone jerked her arm.

"Why did you leave without telling me?"

In just an instant, the girl's eyes opened wide. With a sigh of disbelief, she checked the surroundings. People were excited to see their CEO's behavior. Julian had to be awakened immediately.

“S-sorry, Sir. But, I'm in a hurry," Mia answered flatly. With a stiff expression, she pushed the man's hand to let go.

"Where are you going?"

Quick as lightning, Mia made up an excuse. "Visit my mother, Sir."

"What's wrong with Auntie?" Julian asked, ignoring the eyes around.

"Nothing, Sir. I promised to spend some time talking to her after work. Lately, I've been too busy with work,” Mia explained with a slightly downcast face. She wasn't usually worried if her lie was detected.

"Then, let's go together. I have to go there too. Cayden is waiting for me," Julian said with a firm nod.

Mia spontaneously glanced around her. Many eyes were still watching their movements. If she refused, there would definitely be a commotion or misunderstanding. With such conditions, the girl was forced to accept the offer. "Okay."

Without waiting for Julian, Mia walked to the CEO's special elevator. The girl didn't want to be a spectacle any longer. The sooner she disappeared from the cynical gazes of the female employees, the sooner she could scold the CEO for such an irrational act.

"Why did you do that, Sir?" Mia attacked as soon as Julian got in and closed the car door.

With high arched eyebrows, the man replied, “Did what?”

"Stopped me in the lobby and blatantly offered me a ride," the girl snapped.

"Is there something wrong with it?" Julian asked, completely carefree.

Receiving such a response, the secretary spontaneously released annoyance in the air. "Of course it's wrong. Have you forgotten that you are already a CEO?”

Without thinking, the man shook his head. "No."

"Then why don't you keep your reputation?"

Suddenly, Julian's eyes narrowed. “Do you think that offering you a ride can damage my reputation?”

"Of course. Everyone who sees it will badmouth us.”

Hearing the tone of the voice that began to rise, the man shook his head, not understanding. “For the past two years, we always went home together. Why do you suddenly think so and object now?”

"Because I just realized. A CEO shouldn't be too close to a secretary. It can cause envy in the hearts of other employees," the girl replied with a small frown at the base of her eyebrow.

“Your words really don't make sense, Mia. Anyone knows that a CEO is indeed closest to his secretary.”

“But working hours have ended, so has my duty as a secretary. Your attitude could cause suspicion and bad news about us. They will think that we are in a relationship. You can be labeled as a CEO who is unprofessional and has low taste,” Mia said firmly.

The silence was gripping for a moment. Julian had just read something in his secretary's eyes, something he had been looking for in a long time. Honesty.

“Is that the reason you rejected me all this time?” the man sighed in disbelief. "Are you afraid that our relationship will destroy my reputation?"

In just an instant, Mia gasped. Her lips trembled wordlessly. She had said something Julian shouldn't have known.

In order to cover up the heart that had been revealed, the girl shook her head quickly. "No. Obviously, that's not the reason."

"So, what?"

“Because you are not to my taste, Sir. A man who has neither courage nor self-control is completely unreliable. It often makes me sick.”

Hearing this statement, Julian's breath suddenly roared. His heart was torn apart by a turmoil of feelings that were difficult to describe.

"Have you ever loved me?" Julian asked in a low, emphatic tone.

While clenching her fists, Mia forced her stiff head to move. "I never loved you, Sir."

"Nonsense!" The man's rebuke succeeded in making the girl hold her breath. “You obviously have the same feelings as me, Mia. Several times, I saw it in your eyes. But, why do you always deny?”

"It's just your imagination, Sir. I never had that kind of feeling. Our relationship is only limited to subordinate and superior."

"Lie!"

A second later, Julian clutched his head and grimaced. "If you never love me, then why are you always faithful to be by my side?"

“Because I owe to the Evans family. It is my duty to help you in any trouble."

Hearing such an excuse, the man shook his head and sighed. "Impossible. You even cried when I almost died. Your kindness and concern are not only because of obedience, Mia, but because of love,” he said in a pitiful tone. The man had succumbed to emotions that resembled a roller coaster.

Unexpectedly, the secretary snorted.

“I wonder why you insist on believing things that are not real. The love between us is just your wish. If you consider my attention as a form of affection, I'm sorry, Sir. You are wrong. Rather than love, it's closer to pity," the secretary said with teary eyes. It took all her strength to say such a cruel word.

"Pity? You feel sorry for me?” Julian mumbled with maximally arched brows.

While clenching her jaw, Mia nodded. "Yes. Because of that too, I never mentioned the reason why I couldn't accept you. It's clear that you would be hurt, just like this time. Sorry if I hurt your feelings, Sir, but that's how it is."

In the silence, Julian looked the girl in the eye. He saw no honesty in it. But why, the secretary's words sounded so steady?

“What makes you feel sorry for me?” the man asked in a low voice. He still hoped to find a gap to break the defenses of the girl's heart.

“As you said, we have known each other since childhood. Good or bad, your character has been recorded in my brain, "Mia answered smoothly.

"Then, how is Julian Evans in your eyes? What makes you feel pity?”

Knowing that the man was testing, Mia lifted her chin.