Lanie's First Day (Part Three)

Lanie Lee was face to face with The Gavin Park. His chiseled face, square chin, and model looks up close were alarming. His arm around her waist was firm and strong. Her heart beat hard in her chest. Her eyes traveled from his chin to his mouth. His lips looked soft and had a slight pink tone. Lanie's eyes moved up past his straight nose to his dark eyes. Those eyes were heavy lidded with thick lashes and their gaze was tender and slightly amused. A boyish grin crossed his face, dropping his so professional demeanor.

Lanie did not know how to process the situation. She was being held up by the most eligible and powerful man in her industry. And, he was incredibly charming and ridiculously handsome. And if she was like any other woman in this scenario, she would have made a flirtatious move.

Lanie's rag doll meowed and weaved her body between their stance. Yummy stretched up and put her paws on each of their legs.

Lanie mumbled," Mr. P-park, I'm so sorry!"

Unfortunately, Lanie was not like other women. Social cues, flirting, and all that were foreign concepts to her analytical mind.

Gavin laughed as he set her to her feet. He led her to the table set with lunch. Yummy trotted behind them like the diva that she was and hopped into an empty chair. Lanie gave her cat a what in the world look.

Her boss chuckled as he saw the cat take her place at the table.

"Oh, I am so sorry. Yummy doesn't do that at home. I don't know why." Lanie apologized, mortified as she sat in the seat next to her cat.
A petite pretty flight attendant came out from the kitchen in the back of the plane with a tray. She placed a bowl in front of Yummy, who started eating right away.

Gavin laughed and said," She's got the right idea. Let's eat."

Lanie noticed that the lunch was things that she enjoyed, like Italian subs, a Green Goddess Salad, and Iced Tea. She hesitated as she stared at the food. Lanie had grown up in the States as a child and ate how she pleased, but as a teen moving back to Seoul, the pressure to be beautiful and slim was the norm.

"Help yourself," the smooth voice of her boss cut through her scattered thoughts. "I hope you don't mind about the menu, I chose it beforehand."

"Mr.Park?" her voice echoed in her head.

"Gavin." He stated.

"Gavin," Lanie repeated and drew out a slow breath."Interesting choices."

Gavin's brows raised as he said," Oh? Hmm, I just like these things when I travel overseas. Trust me, my chef knows his stuff."

The flight attendant poured the iced tea into tall tumblers with straws and placed them on the table.

"Thank you, Sally," Gavin thanked the flight attendant, who bowed at him and to Lanie.

"Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Park and Secretary Lee," Sally said as she excused herself and headed back into the kitchen.

Lanie grabbed a tumbler and sipped from the straw. Sweet Tea?! That was one of her favorite drinks growing up.

"Not sweet enough?" Gavin asked.

Lanie was startled and almost choked on her drink. She sputtered," No, no, it's fine. It's fine, perfect."

Yummy looked at her mom's quizzical behavior and went back to eating her considerable bowl of delicious chicken paté.

Lanie reached for a sandwich and salad plate. She took a bite and it brought back fond memories of her childhood. A lifetime ago, her family was intact and happy. Holding back her tears, she delicately took some salad on a fork and ate that. Before she knew it, Lanie had finished everything and felt satisfied. It was like her soul was renewed. She glanced up and took notice of how Gavin gazed at her with his deep-colored eyes as he sipped his tea.

It felt like he knew what she was feeling internally and the struggle she had.