OFFICE DATE V

"Ivan!" A voice made Kaye turned around with an annoyed look and face the disturbing creature. "You look upset." Chris commented upon seeing her face.

"Well yeah? Glad you could say that." Kaye didn't pretend in front of the man at all. She was holding on Ivan's hand tightly which confused Ivan as well.

"Kaye, you don't have to be upset. You can have all my time later." Ivan joked to ease the atmosphere but Kaye glared at him.

Looking at their linked hands, Chris smiled mischievously. "Hey Ivan, can I have a sec with you. I've got to show you something." Ivan stared at him but upon seeing his mischievous grin, Ivan agreed with whatever he was thinking.

He guided them inside to his office but when they entered, Kaye paused for a while before pulling Ivan closer to her. Ivan just looked at her as if he didn't know why she was acting that way.

"Is there something wrong?" Ivan whispered at her but Kaye shook her head to indicate everything's fine.

However, when she stepped inside she looked at the woman sitting on the couch near the window. It was the same woman that she's wary of, Ivan's ex-girlfriend.

"Morning Ivan." greeted the lady but Ivan just nod at her because Kaye was already pinching his waist.

"She must be your childhood friend?" Giving emphasis to the last two words, Kaye grimaced at the thought. She was just a friend. She let go of Ivan's hands which startled him, but he didn't stop her.

"I'm his friend. You must be Therese? He told me so much about you?" 'About how you pretended to be me! About how you lied to him! About every thing!' Kaye wanted to add these words but she stopped herself from spouting these hurtful statement. Even if she felt that way, she's a woman and she knew how woman feels.

"Nice to meet you. I thought you're his girlfriend." Therese reached her hand for a handshake. Kaye took it without any ill feelings. The woman in front of her was just part of Ivan's past, same as her.

"You're mistaken. I am not. I'm just a friend." The word 'friend' sounded bitter but that's the reality that Kaye knew.

"Looks like you've got to work harder." Chris commented towards Ivan when he saw how Kaye responded to Therese's statements.

"I'll have a hard time, I know that." Ivan responded with a faint smile on his lips. Chris didn't really have anything to show him. He just wanted to show Ivan how would Kaye react upon seeing his ex-girlfriend.

"Good luck on that." Chris patted his shoulder with just the right amount of force.

Ivan and Kaye stayed in Chris' office for a while before they left to continue their tour. Kaye was distracted all throughout the tour since the word 'friend' haunted her.

She's been acting sweet around Ivan like his real girlfriend but in fact she was just a friend.

"Kaye! Kaye!" Ivan called out to her several times before she was pulled out from her reverie. "Are you alright?" Ivan asked in worry when he noticed the distant look in her eyes.

"When will you ask her to become your girlfriend?" Kaye asked directly without further ado.

"What are you talking about?" Ivan was startled and confused at her question.

"You told me you have someone you like, when will you ask her? When's her birthday?" She was asking him questions but she didn't dare look at him directly.

"I don't really get your point in all these questions. What exactly are you thinking?"

"You know what, I'll just enjoy whatever is offered to me every single day. When you get a girlfriend we'll have seldom time to hangout. So I'll just enjoy my day." Kaye's mood flipped in 180° but deep inside she was still in pain with the coming days. She didn't know when will Ivan be taken away from her.

"Stop talking nonsense! Let's proceed to the meeting room." Ivan wanted to hold her hand but Kaye pretended to check something on her bag so he couldn't hold her. She didn't want to get used to his touch because it would be more painful once he's gone.

Walking towards the meeting room, they were silent until Alex saw them.

"Where did you guys go? I went to your office but I couldn't find you." Alex asked Ivan before throwing a glance to Kaye who pretended not hearing anything.

"I showed her around the building though we didn't cover that much." Ivan answered without bothering her beside him.

Alex who noticed the cold atmosphere between them couldn't help but whisper at him, "Did you guys fight?"

"Nope. I don't think I said something that could hurt her." Ivan denied but he was getting worried as well. It wasn't easy to earn her trust and get along with her at all. He didn't want to ruin something precious to him.

Alex didn't take so much of their time so he left on his own so they could talk and work things out.

"Hey Kaye, there's a dessert factory near this area, would you like to go there during afternoon break?" Ivan asked with an expectant gaze.

"Yeah sure. Are you coming with me?" Kaye asked in return. If he wouldn't go, she wouldn't too.

"Of course. I can't let you wander on your own. Let's clear the schedule at 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon." Ivan suggested which made Kaye smile happily.

"I don't mind spending more time outside." She wanted to say 'with you' instead of 'outside' but she didn't want Ivan to feel awkward around her. Least, he knows about her feelings for him.