Six

Veil sat in the front of the Rolls Royce with the driver as they headed for the meeting with HKs executives. From what she had gathered online so far since the ride started, HK is an Advertising agency. She had an idea of what this meeting was about, all thanks to Simon who had given her a briefing. RM Groups was venturing into the Chinese market, so they were meeting with HK at a Spanish restaurant in town, to discuss a perfect Ad for the project.

Veil gave a glance outside the window. The weather was still bright and promising. It was that kind of weather that could put a smile on one's face, and it did put one on her face until her mind had to wonder about the call she had received earlier. She moved her attention from the outside view. She needed to distract herself from sad thoughts. It was her first day at work. A clear mind was required for productivity and efficiency. With that, she tried to get herself to focus on something else, and somehow her eyes traveled to the rearview mirror and stayed there.

Ander was sitting alone in the back, with long legs crossed against each other, and his laptop resting on his lap. His expression was serious as he glared at the screen. An expression that could send shivers down one's spine. Veil could only imagine what it is he was staring at. While she studied him from the view, Anders's authoritative grey eyes met hers through the view, and she looked away at once.

The car pulled over at 'El Puntal del Norte' a famous Spanish restaurant in the city. The driver, an average brown-haired man rushed out and helped Anders with the door. Veil helped herself and then followed behind Anders, trying to catch up with his long legs.

As they approached the reception, Veil showed their reservation. Seeing Anders, a waitress who couldn't control herself, offered to show them to their table, hoping the man would notice her. But a man like Anders was far too busy to notice less important things. Watching the waitress walk like one whose butt had gone through a lot, all in the name of cat walking, Veil couldn't help but roll her eyes.

The duo was led to a table for five at the VIP section where three young men, two who looked Chinese and one who looked American, sat. Seeing Anders approaching, they all stood up and welcomed him respectfully.

Veil sat next to Anders before the men took their seats. Both parties exchanged pleasantries and then the meeting commenced in Chinese. Veil was perplexed, but with the little knowledge she had of the language, she was able to jot down a few things.

An hour later and they were done. They rose to their feet and shook hands with each party saying their 'thanks' in Chinese. As they made their way out, Veil caught a few other waitresses staring at Anders with lust-filled eyes. A pair of subtle hazel eyes rolled on their own. It seems this is one of the many things she'd be needing to get used to while working with him.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, the driver who had been standing by the car all the while, hurried to get the door for the duo.

The rest of the day was spent from meeting to meeting. Veil barely got a chance to eat at lunchtime and when she finally did get the chance, she couldn't. Being her first day, she didn't know her way around, so she decided to skip. But Simon came on board to her office with a tray of snacks a few hours past lunch time He placed it gently on her desk with a smile.

"I didn't see you at lunch, so I reasoned you might be here, overworking."

Veil returned his smile. "I was just trying to catch up. It's my first day, you know? Plus, I barely know my way around." She took a bite of the hamburger.

"It's your first day doesn't mean you should overwork yourself. Also, if you need anything, let me know." Simon replied and then headed out.

A few minutes before the close of work, Veil made her way to the cash department and collected her half payment for the month. When she was done, she took the exit and made her way out of the building. Outside RM's building, she flagged down a taxi. This was going to be the best part of her day, going home.

On the third floor of the skyline, a certain someone watched with apt attention the brunette, until she was no longer in sight.

Veil got home beaming with smiles of excitement. It still felt unreal, the job and the fact that she had gotten a pay on the first day. The whole of her was rippling with way extreme joy that she found so hard to contend with and couldn't wait to share with June. As she entered the parlor, a little note on the table caught her attention. Craning her neck to see what it was, she dropped her bag on the couch and then picked up the piece of paper from the table.

"I'm off. Take care of yourself and don't stress out with this new job of yours. Tell me all the good stuff when I get back. Love love." The note read.

Veil let out a deep sigh. How had she forgotten about the travel June had dreaded for months?

On this day three months ago, June had received a call from her hard-as-stone father, demanding her immediate return to their family home in California. But June being June had refused outrightly. According to her, California didn't feel like home. Guess she finally decided to listen to her old as hill grandfather.

Veil could only hope for her safety, knowing June and her old man did not quite see eye to eye.

She dropped her bag on the couch and then went into the kitchen to make herself something to eat. When she was done, she had a cold bath, then she proceeded in sorting out what to wear on the morrow. When she was done, she retired to bed. Early to bed, early to rise, but... She didn't fall asleep until after reminiscing the events of the day. She that shock when she had seen who her boss was.

Now, thinking about it, she had burnt herself today. She climbed down from the bed and strolled towards the wardrobe, opened it, and then brought out a first aid kit. She sat back on the bed and dressed the burn before finally going to sleep.

As early as 7:00 AM, Veil was on her way to the office. Following Mr. Rodriguez's schedule, he was to be at the office as early as the rise of the day. She hailed a cab and spent her drive going through his schedule and pondering on how best to do her job. The car stopped almost immediately after she stepped in, at least it felt so to her. And when she looked out of the window, the building of RM Groups stood magnificent in the opposite direction. Her eyes bobbed up with surprise. How was she here so soon?

She alighted the car and then paid the driver. She looked carefully in the two directions for incoming vehicles and outgoing ones before crossing to the other lane with a bright smile on, and a confident mind.

As she walked through the entrance doors, it kind of surprised her to see that even at this hour, the office was filled. What is the resumption time in this place?

She said 'Hello to a few close people, giving a brighter smile when she saw Simon alighting the stairs.

"Good morning, Simon." She bowed slightly out of respect.

"Good morning Ms. Veil. You look to be in a better spirit today" Simon noted.

"Yes! Is Mr. Rodriguez here yet?" She inquired and Simon responded to her question with a nod. "Alright, thanks, I'll go now." With that, she walked passed him and headed towards the elevator.

The moment the elevator dinged open, she stepped into her office, dropped her handbag, and went to the coffee machine. When she was done, she took the cup of strong black milkless and sugarless coffee along with her iPad, to his office. She knocked lightly on the door and waited patiently for a response which she got in no time at all. Wounding the door open, she strolled in.

"Good morning Mr. Rodriguez, your coffee." She informed with a bright smile.

"It's just the way you like it, strong, and tasteless." She added, stressing the last word.

"You're late!" He replied instead, turning around to face her.

"Huh?" Veil asked. "It's just 6:00 AM."

"As my PA, you're expected to be at the office before my arrival. I got here at exactly 5:00 AM, you were supposed to be at your desk before the time of my arrival, but instead, you're an hour late."

Veil stared at Ander with eyes filled with surprise. Was he expecting her to be at the office as early as 5:00 AM?

"Mr. Rodriguez, I..." She tried to speak but got cut off.

"The next time you are this late, you'll be deducted. Get out!" He ordered.