OPHELIA'S POV
The afternoon went swiftly as I did some coordination work on my phone then later roamed the building to tie up my department in a neat bow for the day. I was on my way back to my new office when Jeyk spotted me and was waving from the cafe.
I gave him a two-finger single-wave and just continued walking.
"Hey boss, he has it bad for you, you know?" Arman said joining my stride towards the elevator lobby.
"We both know I don't have any interest in that area." I said.
"Incoming." Arman warned.
"Ophelia!" Jeyk jogged towards us. I side-eyed Arman, who snorted rather loudly.
"I haven't seen you in your office." Jeyk said, huffing beside me.
"Any urgent matters—office matters?" I asked, straining not to throw Arman a 'shut it' look.
"Oh, yeah, something interesting at that. Can't discuss it here. Report's in my office or I can just bring it to your office." Jeyk beamed.
"Your office." I said, reaching for the elevator button.
"I'll take the stairs." Arman waved a hand as he disappeared behind the auto closing doors of the stairs.
I followed Jeyk to the fourth floor. I think he was saying something but I didn't hear any if it. I was doing a mental dig through my laptop. I still can't figure out what could be in my laptop that those thieves would want.
"Ophelia, it's over here." Jeyk was already a bookshelf away when I got my head back to earth.
"So," he started as I walked towards the end of the bookshelf, "as we're moving along with the digitization of our archives, we found out that there is a missing book right here. It's not so obvious but the book number skips in this shelf. We do have this list of all the books under the shelfmark and actually this book in this decimal system. So, since the physical count skipped right here, and I am pretty sure, not one book in the Library is misplaced; I had my crew check all shelves, then I have tagged the book as "missing". The thing is that I am not sure if the book was taken out, misplaced, and who took it out. So right now we are trying to chase it. So, yeah, this is just to let you know that we're missing a book." Jeyk ended his verbal report, although it seems like he wanted to talk some more.
"I see," I frowned. I hate it when items like this go missing. I am the department head and I'll have to report this tomorrow. "But we do have the title of the book right? Because we have a list? Can you give me the report by end of the day?" I asked.
"Actually the report has already been done and I'm just gonna send it to you this afternoon but I ran into you, so..." His words trailed. "Since you're here, I have the physical copy in my office."
"Perfect." I said as I followed Jeyk into his office and saw his secretary on her table who greeted us as we entered the office."
"Linda," I greeted with a nod as I walked by her and Linda was cheery as ever. She is one of those perky people and sometimes it's a little bit annoying because she's trying to ship his boss and me. That's why she's a bit giddy every time I come into Jeyk's office I mean, even if it's an official meeting or conversation or it's an office matter that we're talking about she's still obviously very giddy and I don't know what's up with that. But anyway I'm not here for that.
"I have the report right here, Ophelia. You can make yourself comfortable. I'm just gonna get you coffee." Jeyk said, turning to his coffee maker espresso machine.
"I actually don't have time right now. Can I just have the report if it's done?" I asked, dismissing any conversation that Jake might think of initiating. "I still have to finish my presentation for tomorrow."
"Oh. Okay. Here it is." He handed me a folder, which I quickly scanned through. "It's a brief report, but there are pictures in it and the status is that the archive team is still looking tracing the book."
"Thanks Jeyk. I'll work on the department's bi-weekly presentation now. Send me the digital version, okay?" I said, turning out of the door.
"Ophelia," Jake called out
"Yeah?" I asked not looking at him; my eyes are still glued to the report he made.
"Maybe we could have dinner tonight?" He asked as he walked to approach me.
"Oh. No, I think we've already discussed what we need to discuss. Also, I'm not free." This time I looked at him. "Work." I said somewhat quickly as I shut the folder and clapped my hands to sandwich the file. "Right. Goodbye." I just turned without waiting for him to answer.
I heard his footsteps follow me as I made my way towards the elevators. So I jabbed the buttons, willing the doors to open and it did! It opened right at that instant before Jeyk caught up with me, That saves me from his attempts to walk me to my office.
Turns out my efforts were in vain because Jeyk was able to catch up, "Wait up," he called. "Let me walk you--" he was cut off as the elevator doors opened and a pair of sharp eyes met mine.
The Guardian of the Skies is here. I thought, chuckling to myself. Impeccable timing.
Henri's smiling face looked at me then Jeyk. Zeus, on the other hand, kept his sharp stare fixed at me. His face was stoic. Emotionless. Straight.
Jeyk stood behind me, and still continued what he was saying, "I'll walk you to your office."
Just then, Zeus suddenly chimed in asking in a low voice that cracked as it sounded my name, "So, Ms. Ophelia, are you ready for our meeting?"
Catching that drift so fast, I answered, "Yes, sir."
There was an awkwardness in Jake's voice when he said, "Oh, sorry. I didn't know you had something up."
"Yeah I'm quite busy." I said as I stepped into the elevator. I did not wait for Jeyk to get in and I just pushed the button to closed it. I saw him just have this puzzled look in his face as the elevator closed.
Of course, like every elevator, there's a reflection on the doors as it met in the middle to close. I can see the face of the people behind me. I watched Henri stifle his laughter into a smile while struggling to keep his bowed head from shaking. Then, there is Zeus right in the middle just staring back at me through the reflection.
I'm actually getting used to how awkward every encounter with Zeus is that I can bear to stand in the elevator to stare back at his reflection.
Props for myself because I know that if anybody else is in my position, that person would probably break down and just try to run away and wait for the Earth to swallow them.
But me? Yeah, I stared at him through the reflection.
As the elevator the door opened and I stepped out of the elevator and reached to open the door to the Aurelion floor, when Henry said, "Let me take care of that, Ms. Ophelia."
I started walking through the lobby as soon as the doors were open. I marched into the hallway and straight to my office.
Zeus followed which is kind of weird and that's when I turned to ask, "is there anything I can do for you?"
Zeus studied my face for a moment before asking, "Did you have your afternoon snack yet?"
"Not yet." I answered, "Maybe after I work on the report."
"It's only Wednesday, you still have time to work on it tomorrow." Zeus ran his hand through his hair.
"Yes, and I want this to be done within an office hours and with the other daily tasks I have, it's safer to finish this today."
"I know you won't say no to coffee in the lounge." Zeus said walking and stooping over the plant he gave me.
"I'm bringing my laptop." I said standing up.
"Of course, you are." Zeus turned to take my laptop and proceeded to the hallway.
I followed with a folder and my mouse because I can't work poking on a touchpad. As we reached the lounge, he called out to his secretary. "Henri, coffee."
A few minutes after working in the kitchenette, Henri approached the table with a tray holding two cups of coffee and two slices of cheesecake on there which made me smile.
"I wouldn't have resisted if you said there was cheesecake." I said side-eyeing Zeus. "Thanks, Henri! love cheesecake how about you Henry won't you eat?" I asked sweetly.
"I'm quite right Miss Ophelia. My slice is right beside my desk phone." He curtly nodded and left.
I laid out my phone, laptop, and Jeyk's latest inventory report in front of me.
Zeus unwrapped the forks, grabbed one of those cheesecake slices, a took a swig, and before I knew it, the fork was an inch away from my lips.
I looked at him. He just nudged the fork motioning for me to just open my mouth and take the bite.
So, I did.
Yes, I took that bite that my boss was offering and said thanks. Gods, what am I doing?
I gave the cheesecake a swirl in my mouth. My eyes lit up as the pastry was moist with a crumbly crust. I turned to him and said, "ish good!" with my lips, barely parting just to keep the crumbs in my mouth.
Zeus' gave me that gentle smile once more, saying, "Glad you liked it."
He might continue feeding me so I distracted him by showing him the file that Jeyk gave me and pointed at the showing a shelf of books that skipped in numbers. "Jeyk reported a missing book today. They're digitizing the library and gallery and this is the first that's been tagged as missing." I explained.
I saw him stare at the list for a moment and traced the words on it. Then he took a bite of the cheesecake and then he started putting fork full of cheesecake in his mouth and pushed the file away.
He took a gulp of coffee and looked at me.
Puzzled of his non-reaction, I asked, "What, that's it? No reaction? It might be connected to the break-in." I furrowed my brows at him.
He tilted his head sideways and squinted at me, as if waiting for me to figure it out myself. When I didn't answer and just stared back at him, he said, "you know where it is."
An uncomprehending and irritated look dawned my face.
He chuckled. "Let's just enjoy our cheesecake." He said, handing me an untouched slice of cheesecake with a clean fork. I did not take it just yet.
"OK, sure." I said, setting the file down. "So you're certain that whatever this book is not missing at all?"
"No, it's not. I told you it's kept safe." He grinned. "You know where it is. You've seen it and you know where it is."
"Uh- I don't have it." I said, scrolling through my report.
"I did not say you have it; I said you know where it is." He teased further.
"Can you just stop the riddles and just tell me so that I can go through my cheesecake now."
He still had the slice of cheesecake midair. "You don't have to figure this out, just know that the book is not missing."
"Well you don't know me at all. I need to figure this out before I deserve to eat." I said, taking another look at the folder.
"That's ridiculous." He said, setting my cheesecake back down to his right.
"It's just the way I am." I said with a shrug.
"Fine." There was a sort of resignation in his voice. "Then, finish your cheesecake and I'll tell you. He pushed my laptop and the file folder away further from me and towards the middle of the table. He then placed the plate of untouched cheesecake and my cup of coffee in front of me.
I was looking at it, and just realized that I already took a bite off my cheesecake a while ago but the one he handed me was untouched, the fork was clean as well.
I looked at him, "I thought I already took a bite off my cheesecake?"
He game me a one sided smile and said, "that was my cheesecake." He said as he toyed with his fork.
I cut him an admonishing look. That is so irritating. He seemed to be crossing boundaries that I don't want crossed. I drew a sharp breath and rolled my eyes.
He chuckled, "Oh, lighten up. It's just food; We can share." He finished with a wink.
I rolled my eyes as I breathed out in exasperation. "You know what?" I started as I headed for the lounge door to close it. "I think I should just repeat myself because it seems like you keep forgetting. I have to draw this line between us. There's nothing -- nothing's gonna happen here. I am not interested in you and for sure you're not interested in me. I don't know if I'm being stupid presumptuous, but I cannot deny that I'm really comfortable with you taking care of me giving me stuff and just doing things for me. I don't feel uncomfortable at all, but the thing is I had to put a boundary because I don't want this to go any further." I finished standing across him with my hands on my waist.
At that point he just looked at me and then went back to eating his cheesecake.
Good, I thought and went back to my chair to start with my cheesecake. I was halfway through my cheesecake when I froze and a realization dawned on me.
I looked at him. He was done with his slice, and he had is back on the chair rest. He was taking sips of his coffee, and just looked at me when I angled my head to look at him squarely.
My hand was on my mouth, "Oh, gods, I know where the book is!" That encased manuscript in the hidden room in his hidden closet!
"Good." and he smiles.
"The boss has the book, so no problem. I still have to call Jeyk later."
The afternoon and went by smoothly, along with dinner just before my phone beeped with a message from Zeus' driver who's already at the the building's back parking, ready to pick me up.
The driver, Joe, was curt but silent. He did not ask any questions. He just took me to The Patron and waited across the street until I finished my shift.
I saw Joe resting during my break so I didn't bother him. Instead, I shared a smoke with Will, one of the bouncers, outside The Patron while we swapped small talk.
As I walked towards Zeus' car by the end of my shift, I felt a heavy arm drop around my shoulder followed my a loud, slurring "Annie, luv!" Theo, of course.
Instantly, Joe got out of the car when I shook my head to him. No, please.
I pushed Theo to turn. Will was already taking his arm.
I heard the car door close. Ah. Joe's already in the car.
The ride back to the office was silent until I asked Joe, "you're not gonna report that to Zeus, right?"
Joe peered at me through the rear view mirror. "Oh, photo already sent to boss, Ms. Ophelia." He said.
"Of course." I said, pursing my lips.
Joe parked at the back parking of the building and signed off for the night. I entered through the narrow entrance in the Lori gate, which is now manned.
I greeted Lloyd, the guard assigned, and he tipped his cap.
Unlike the previous night, I don't have to duck from the CCTV camera and when I got into the lobby, the lights were on.
Security was already informed that I'll be pulling all-nighters for the coming weeks.
Motion sensors were activated on the 10th floor after office hours so my movements turned the hallway lights on. Zeus gave me a key to his office so that I can access his secret closet.
Oh, my routine. The first thing first thing I did was to wash up and change into my pajamas, and I sat down and I converted the sofa into a bed and snuggled in the fluffy comforter while sending my guardian a message as per agreement: Confirmation message will be sent to Party A as soon as Party B is back in Aurelion Building from The Patron.
In sent, "I am home."
Surprisingly, he replied right away. "Welcome home."