Xia’s Thoughts

Xia was not prepared, the unexpected question made her think so deep that for a while she was silent.

Mr. Zachary Benedict is a very strict boss not to mention a great perfectionist. He can fire as many employee as he can for a day if they were incompetent. And once, Xia had witnessed as he transformed into a complete devil during one incident. Xia remembered the exact details and until now it made her supper scared of him.

The incident happened inside the conference room when the head of every departments of the Blaze Empire gathered for their monthly meeting. The CEO as usual sat on his usual position in front of the table facing everyone, wearing his usual grim expression.The first sign that the meeting would be bloody was already written on his face.

"What kind of work is this one?" The CEO began as he was faced with the manager of the Marketing Department." In his hand he held a document." It was obvious, the CEO called for an urgent meeting just to terrify and roast his employees.

"S-Sir I just followed your order. I did the outline that you told me to follow."

"You're not following the proper instruction then. This is work is trashy." The CEO was calm as he spoke. His eyes showed no emotion. And that exactly makes him even more terrifying.

"I did not spent sleepless nights to accomplish that report Sir just for you to call it trashy." Ms. Min's voice quivered and she stood up, unable to hold her emotions.

"What adjective you want me to call it then Ms. Min? Worthless? I hate to disappoint you but you wasted your sleepless nights in creating a rubbishy work."

"I- I worked hard for that Sir. Haven't you have any consideration?"

"I have no room for sympathy when it comes to work Ms. Min. I don't pay my employees an astounding amount of salary just to pass incompetent reports. I want you to to revised this one."

"It was the tenth time I did that Sir!" Ms. Min was about to cry and Xia's heart felt as if someone was squeezing it inside. "I will not repeat it Sir!"

"I will make sure you will Ms. Min." After saying that, the CEO tore the 20 page document into a hundreds of pieces and it scattered into the shiny floor like a confetti.

"Don't you have any heart Sir?" Ms. Min began crying.

"I wish I have one." The CEO said like an emotionless statue.

Xia must say that it was natural for a boss to be strict but Zachary Benedict was too much. Not just because he desires to improve his company he will torture his employees by pushing them to work beyond their capacity.

She was tiggered when the CEO began to embarrassed Ms. Min. If he will do it with Xia she will not be scared instead she will be mad at him. She will punch him in the face to make him realize how bad he acts..... Of course she was just kidding.

"Xia?" Phoebe said, noticing her silence.

"Sorry, I just remembered something. Xia smiled at Phoebe.

"Err, I saw you slicing the onions with murder in your eyes. Anyway how does it feel to be working for the most handsome man in town?"

"Scarry Phoebe. He was called the Fallen Angel for a reason."

Phoebe chuckled.

"He was like a tiger when he was angry. His voice roars like a thunder that sometimes it sent chills down my spine and makes me want to resign every time he activates into a beast mode." Xia sighed lowering her eye to the floor.

"Atleast you're lucky to have the job as his secretary Xia."

"Me lucky? I think not Phoebe. It's either I will die of nervousness or a heartattack before I could resign whenever he transforms into an angry beast. Xia replied and fried the eggs she'd just beaten and added the chopped onions.

Phoebe was now done with her own cooking and for awhile she was now looking at Xia.

"I don't really know him entirely Phoebe. Despite him being a jerk all the time, I can't judge him easily."

"What matters is atleast you are able to handle him that well Xia. And you have a wonderful job thousand of people wanted."

"Exactly Phoebe"

"The Fallen Angel was said to be heartless and emotionless and I could understand how hard it is to handle someone like him."

"Yeah he was sometimes hard to handle, I must admit but there are times he seems to be a perfect gentleman." Xia remarked agreeing and disagreeing with Phoebe at the same time.

"Gentleman? He Zachary Benedict Kassanov aka The Fallen Angel a perfect gentleman? No! Never!"

"He is!" Xia insisted, "Sometimes he is."

"You must be referring to a totally different person. The word 'gentleman' was never in his vocabulary."

"He may be arrogant and cold sometimes but he was a perfect gentleman."

"In what way? Xia, is there something you want to tell me?" Phoebe asked with scrutiny.

"Well, I'm not keeping anything away from you Phoebe, you know me well from every corners of my being and you're the only one who was aware about my hello kitty obsessions to the point that I secretly wore a hello kitty under wear way back in our junior years. You're the only one who knew I got a rosary tattoo on my back. I can't keep anything from you without you finding out."

Fondness sprang on Phoebe's eyes and a wide smile formed on her lips after recalling their teenage memories. "I know. I'm simply teasing you. Please continue."

"He opens the door of his car for me."

"And then?"

"Whenever he walks, he usually puts his hand on my back like a perfect gentleman."

"And lastly?"

"He invites me to lunch."

"Oh! How sweet." Phoebe teased Xia."

"It's just natural Phoebe. I'm his secretary. I should be there wherever he is."

"How many times he took you to lunch?"

"I think it's thrice a week."

"Wow! He never takes any of his secretary to lunch. You're the first! He likes you!"

Xia laughed. "I'm not his type Phoebe. I'm not Cinderella and fairytale doesn't exist in reality. Okay?"

Xía fried the ham too after she's done with the egg and she proceed to prepare the table by arranging the plates and silverware at the top.

"You're the one who taught me to believe in fairy tales Xia." Phoebe said taking off her apron and hanging it in the rack.

"That was then Phoebe." Xia said as she took ber apron too. She then sat on one of the chairs.

"Yeah, that was then.... Before Gabriel broke your heart and Zian cheated on you." Phoebe said. Occupying the chair opposite Xia.

Xia looked at her. Her smile vanishing from her face. "Gabriel was gone in my life Phoebe. He's not coming back. And so did Zian"

"That's my point. You simply need to move on."

"I already did." Xia replied forcing a smile.

"I think you don't. Because if you did, even if I brought this matter a couple of times you would be comfortable talking about this."

"You're sounding like a priestess again, giving me a sermon early this morning."

"I'm simply want what's best for you Xia."

"I know Phoebe. Thank you." Xia said finally giving her a genuine smile. "We've been talking about my job and look what our conversation led to."

"Come on, let's eat." Phoebe said to finally end conversation. After saying their grace before meals they started to eat.

"By the way Xia, I need to go to Queenx Club after this. I'm sorry I will not be able to accompany you to the Mall."

"It's okay Phoebe. No problem."

"I'm really sorry Xia. There's some problem in the Queenx Club right now. I need to fix it first. Maybe some other time. My treat."

A bright smile formed on Xia's lips "That would be lovely."

When they are done eating Xia gathered all the plates and brought it on the sink for washing. "It's my turn. I'm gonna wash the dishes." Xia said stopping Phoebe when she attempt to to help her.

"Go change your clothes. I bet they are now waiting for you."

After giving Xia a bear hug to say 'thank you,' Phoebe rushed to her room and to change

Xia was left alone wondering how would she spend her whole afternoon without Phoebe's banters.