The CEO's Assistant

Liam finally left his office with a daydream look in his green-blue eyes and an out-of-this-world smile on his face. His employees were starstruck, they'd never seen him smile like this before.

"Good evening everyone, I'll see you tomorrow." He was practically skipping down the hall, "Have a good night. Oh Josh enjoy your honeymoon next week." Liam smiled as he passed the finance manager on his way to the elevator.

"T...thanks sir." Josh looked momentarily shocked. "Have a good evening boss," he managed to spit out while recovering from his confusion.

Liam entered the elevator, "What are you all doing, pack up, go home and have a good night everyone, see you all tomorrow." Then the door closed on his gleeful smile, and the office erupted into gossip. Questions flying left and right, theory after theory kept them guessing, but no-one knew what caused their boss to be in such a pleasant mood. They didn't care, they just started packing up and getting ready to leave for the day.

DING!

The loud ding of the elevator caused everyone to pause, anxiously stare at the elevator, only to see a beautiful young, British-Chinese beauty step out of the elevator, everyone sighed in relief and resumed packing up. Fury fell upon her when she saw the entire office packing up, getting ready to leave for the night, it was only just 4:57PM now, who dared to leave before the CEO.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Alexandra yelled at the entire 20th floor staff. "How dare you leave now, if Mr. Clair finds out you'll be fired."

"Miss Ning, you don't understand Mr. Clair has already left, he just told everyone to go home now." Josh stepped forward to defend everyone.

"What are you talking about?" Alexandra couldn't believe what they were saying. Liam Clair leave before 5PM, that was completely unlike him, the last time that happened was when... Chloe? No? Was he back with her or has he found a new love?

Alexandra quickly turned around using the executive elevator down to the underground carpark, getting there just in time to see Jasper watching Liam's limo leaving.

"What is going on?" Alexandra looked anxiously at Jasper, who's stone cold expression didn't even flinch. "Come on, Jasper tell me who is in that limo with him."

"Simply a friend, I don't know her." Jasper shrugged before continuing back into the building leaving Alexandra speechless.

'A friend? Yeah right. Some random woman isn't good enough for my Liam, it can't just be a worthless commoner.' Alexandra thought to herself, her eyes narrowed as she watched the car disappear into the streets. Grinding her teeth, she already hated whoever was in that car.

~ ~ ~

"That was pretty risky move," Arianna spoke without even looking up from her phone.

"What do you mean?" Liam sat across from her, admiring her as she continued diligently working even after leaving the office.

"Sending your assistant down to greet me," Arianna felt his gaze was fixed on her and couldn't bring herself to look up at him, so she continued to read the same email about the upcoming fashion week. "What if a rumour spreads that I was getting into your car? What if your father finds out?"

"How do you know he doesn't already?" Liam gave a mischievous grin.

"Because I would have heard from him already, if he had even the slightest idea that anything had ever happened between us, I wouldn't be alive to speak to you now." Her tone was aloof and distant as she continued to stare at her phone, she was waiting for Sarah to send her through the finalised selection of outfits.

"Relax, he won't find out, Jasper is loyal to me, not my father nor the company." Liam softened his voice, as he searched for her eyes, but she refused to meet his gaze. "Are you alright?"

"Oh... I'm fine, just tired." Arianna put her phone into her bag and finally faked a smile to look at him. "So when we return to your manor I have some business I wish to discuss with you."

"Business?" Liam was caught off guard by her professionalism. She saw how he tried to hide the disappointment in his eyes and truly she felt it too, but she knew this was the only way they could interact. She'd spent the last two days thinking how to get around this predicament, they tried to stay away, but fate seemed to have different plans, but she knew all too well that their fate was already tied.

"Yes, well I have a business proposal, but I knew that the media would have a field day if they knew we were meeting, that's why I asked to meet you in private and this way we can avoid office gossip." As she spoke a clear line was drawn where their relationship stood on this issue.

"Oh, of course." His voice too was coated in a rather professional persona. He turned looking out the window, watching the people on the street as they passed by.

Arianna's heart ached as she watched him stare out the window, but she couldn't keep doing this to herself or to him. She'd given in to her feeling and acknowledged how much she loved him, but she knew that they need to make a decision and stick to it, tis game of cat and mouse was only going to hurt them both in end.

Liam felt her eyes on the back of his head but couldn't bring himself to look at her. He knew what she was thinking, and he also knew it was time to make a decision, he knew, better than anyone, his father would eliminate her if he discovered the truth.

"What about us?" Liam finally got the courage to speak but couldn't bring himself to look at her. He stared out the tinted windows at the people passing them by.

"Well, we need to discuss that as well." She let the sadness in voice slip out, as if allowing Liam to hear her pain. She knew it was time that they defined their relationship. "But I think we need to put our feelings aside and focus on business first."