Fire And Flame

The man was Jacob. It was intentional. The collision resulted in scattering of loose papers Gabriel was holding. He tried to help gathering the papers, but surprisingly, Gabriel started to collect all papers by himself not giving Jacob a chance to help. But Jacob had a quick check on the papers. Those were company papers. As he watched Gabriel drive off, he called Laura informing her that the work had been done.

Brandon and Laura watched the whole video play in front of them on Brandon's personal computer. Those tracking devices could also record video.

….

Brandon was snapped back to his senses when Laura had knocked on the glass door three times.

"You okay, Mr. Reynolds?" she was worried for him. The events that took place today might be stressful for him.

"Yeah, I am. Can I take you out for dinner lunch?" He offered with a gentle smile.

"Let me treat you this time, please." Last time, Brandon had given her the best lunch at the old couple's restaurant. This time, she would like to return the favor.

"Okay..." when Laura was around, Brandon couldn't help but smile more often.

Laura booked a table in a restaurant. After booking, she looked at him with urgency.

Brandon narrowed his eyes studying why exactly was she looking at him like that.

"Is everything alright?" he stood up and walked towards her.

"No, No! I'm fine… I need to use to washroom. I will be back. It must be on eight floor." Laura assumed there won't be any ladies washroom on his floor as the whole floor belonged to him and not everyone could come here.

"You don't have to worry about that. Come with me, I will show you the way." he smiled at how adorable she looked when she blushed… her cheeks flashed a pale pink color which looked cute.

Laura followed him as they stepped out of his office room. The opaque door she had noticed earlier, Brandon unlocked it. She didn't expect him to have a separate room for himself in his office building. Bu then, she realised that being the CEO of Maple Inc. isn't an easy task.

"It is my room. You can use the washroom here. I will be waiting outside." Brandon showed where exactly the washroom was and stepped out of his room, shutting the door.

Laura expected his room to be extravagant and a luxury room. But, it wasn't the case. The room had a homely touch to it. Unlike the building, the walls of his room were of green apple white color. Two small glass windows were covered by golden color curtain which complemented with the apple green color of the walls. His bed was big enough with two lamp stands on both sides of the bed, placed on clear glass tables. His wardrobe was of coffee brown color and there were many picture frames hanging on the wall.

'Maybe they are his parents?' Laura thought to herself. There was a picture where a couple holding a baby. They were looking at the baby who was smiling brightly at the camera.

But, Laura couldn't waste any time as she had to urgently go to the washroom.

After a few minutes, she came out and didn't look further what all was in the room as she thought it was in a way, unethical.

As she stepped out of the room, she found Brandon leaning on the wall with his eyes closed. He looked tired. But the moment Laura stepped out, he opened his eyes and smiled back at her. Looking at Laura made his mood get better.

"We can order food if you want. You look tired." Laura felt bad looking at the tired face of him.

"I am alright."

"Let us plan on some other day… I am tired too. I will order food." Laura lied, not looking at him. Brandon didn't say anything as he knew that she cancelled the plan because he was tired.

"Okay… "

The food arrived in less than thirty minutes. Laura had ordered non-veg manchow soup and chicken noodles. But this time, they had no plates. Remembering the last time they had lunch together in his office, they were quiet the whole time which was pretty awkward.

"I have an extra plate. We can eat in my room if you want." Brandon hesitated before offering but he had no other option. They needed plates to serve food.

"Alright." Laura accepted his offer and stood up to pick the bag of food.

"Let me carry this." Brandon extended his hand to pick the bag.

"It's alright. It isn't heavy."

"Fine… " Brandon opened his room door and shut it from behind.

It was so awkward.

"Let me get the plates and bowls." He quickly rushed to the kitchen and picked up all necessary cutlery.

Meanwhile, Laura opened the seals of the food boxes. The room was filled with the delicious smell of noodles and soup.