Take Your Time

**Few hours prior**

'Last day of work is finally over.'

'Uff.'

Clara left out a sigh. She was finally free. No more internship and no more training. Clara was free to do whatever she wanted in her case and focus on her small company.

But for tonight she would have a nice hot bath and watch tv series last night. Eat ice cream from the bucket and sleep till afternoon.

After making her plans, Clara danced in her head. She was humming a song while packing her things.

'Free, free, I am finally free.'

'No more deadlines and no more complaining.'

'No more nagging boss with scary eyelids'

'Free, free, I am finally free.'

"Someone looks happy leaving." Lily smiled as she walked near Clara. Lily heard a small murmuring sound from Clara, and she could guess her words easily. Lily tries to maintain her grin even though her hands irked to hit Clara on her head.

The girl couldn't wait for a second to complain about her. Even her song describes her as a nagging boss.

"Well." Clara scratched her head as her eyes looked down, avoiding Lily's gaze.

'Of course, I am happy. I feel like dancing right now.' but Clara controlled her words. Some things are better not said.

"I can see your sentiments in your eyes." Lily giggled, "Everyone that leaves has the same reaction."

"Am I such an evil boss to work under?" Lily asked Clara as they entered the elevator.

"No," Clara responded in a small voice as she shook her head in a no, but inside Cara's head, she was nodding her head in full speed.

The elevator landed as both Clara and Lily walked out the door.

"Can I talk with you?" Lily asked. After Clara nodded, she finally questioned, "What do you think about working under me permanently."

Although Lily did not like Clara in the start, but slowly her heart warmed towards her. Clara was hardworking and determined. She always had her spirit high while doing work and took challenges wholeheartedly.

Lily was sure Clara would not last long, but the outcome stunned her.

"No," Clara refused. She learned a lot under Lily, but she wanted to fly high in the sky. The first action is taking a step forward.

Lily knew Clara's answer, still she asked. Lily smiled and did not insist.

As they both left the building, they saw a man standing there beside a car.

Even though the car was expensive, the charm of the man was more exaggerated in front of a high-end brand.

"Mr. Oliver, what are you doing here?" Lily smiled as she walked towards him.

Oliver was wearing a white plain shirt paired with slim fitted trousers. Oliver was never dressed so casually. He was more approachable now.

Lily was confused about why Oliver was here. He never came to their company with no work.

Oliver ignored Lily as his sight was focused on Clara.

"I am here for Clara." Oliver finally recovered.

"Oh," Lily smiled. A person who never cares to look into another person's eyes was looking at Clara with softness and affection.

Lily had known Oliver due to their work. He was a corporate lawyer and represented a firm. Oliver was strict in his deal handling, some might even say cruel.

Clara was agitated to see Oliver here. 'Do they know each other?' was the question circulating Clara's mind. Then Clara remembered Lily usually attained the negotiations.

"you guys know each other?" Lily smiled.

"Our families are friends," Oliver smiled as he moved towards Clara, taking her bag from her.

Clara did not want to make a scene here, so she followed behind Oliver.

"We will leave now." Oliver nodded as he looked at Lily.

Lily smiled when she saw the two people back walking towards the car.

Oliver helped Clara with her seat belt before she could react, a soft kiss landed on her forehead.

Clara's heart stopped for her second as her eyes widened in shock.

Clara glowered towards Oliver, "You You.."

"Oh." Oliver smirked and rubbed Clara's head, "It was a mistake. Your little head came in between."

"As if." Clara sneered.

"What, you don't believe me." Oliver moved near Clara's ears and said in a whisper, "Want to try again?"

Clara's ears turned red due to the fiery breaths blown on it.

"Shameless." Clara pushed Oliver as she closed the door.

Oliver laughed as he sat in the driver's seat and started the car.

He turned to Clara just to see her neck still red. Oliver's lips curled up.

"Where are we going today?" Clara asked.

"Dinner?"

Clara turned in her seat to face Oliver, "Do you have a habit of kidnapping people to have dinner with them?"

Clara spoke without thinking. Just as the words came out of her mouth, she clasped her hands over her mouth.

Oliver was famous in the company. Even if he rarely came into the company, his topic was never old.

If Oliver was this famous, won't he have a long list of girls flocking around him? Oliver's technique was not bad. Clara had experienced it first handed.

But if Oliver had used it on others then...

Oliver looked at Clara, who was consumed by her thoughts, "only you."

Oliver's voice was clear as day, and his words possessed a charm that destroyed all of Clara's negative emotions.

Clara sat back properly and looked outside at the changing lights. She could not meet Oliver's eyes.

'Was this a type of confession?'

Before Clara's mind could wander around, Oliver gave her a tissue.

Clara did not take it from Oliver's hand but just kept staring at it in confusion.

Seeing no movements from Clara, Oliver said, "Remove your makeup."

Clara took it from his hand, but before the tissue could touch her face, Clara's eyes glinted with mischief. She turned around and faced Oliver, "Don't you like me in all forms and sizes?"

"Who said I like you?" Clara's smile stiffened. Was she mistaken? Oliver did say it was only for her.

Thinking back now, Oliver had never said once that he liked her. Remembering it now, Clara's face fell.

Oliver saw Clara's face, which had turned from blooming to lifeless with his single sentence.

Oliver smiled at this discovery. His heart melted as he turned around and went near Clara. She was still gazing outside with a crumpled face.

Oliver whispered in Clara's ears, "My emotions cannot be displayed in a single word."

Clara's eyes widened. 'This is definitely a confession.'

She turned her face to see Oliver's face in front of her. Clara was started as her mind went black, peering straight at his eyes.

Oliver's eyes were brown with a tint of black. It was so beautiful, just like dark chocolate. Clara stretched her hand and touched Oliver's eyes subconsciously.

Such breathtaking eyes.

Oliver turned into a statue. His breath quickened as he allowed Clara to manhandle him.

Being satisfied in her heart, Clara came back to her senses. Her orbs widened when she realized what she was doing. She retrieved her hand back and turned her head around.

They were already outside the hotel. Clara did not know how long they had arrived.

Oliver saw Clara and breathed out a sigh of relief. He was about to lose his control.

"I am outside, take your time." Oliver left the car and took deep air.

He needed to calm his mind from unwanted thoughts.

When Clara was observing Oliver, he was busy observing her as well. Clara's small eyes were twinkling looking at him. Her sparkling eyes could make stars shy.

Her rosy lips that were slightly opened towards him were tempting Oliver to do unspeakable things.

Oliver's mind started drifting away. If they were not outside, Oliver was sure he could not control himself.

Oliver looked at the car with heated eyes. He ran his hand through his hair in irritation.

'I need to control myself. I will go crazy near her.'

Clara was so shy that she took a few minutes to calm her heart down.

"What was that?" Clara rubbed her chest.

She removed her disguise and makeup, exposing her soft fresh face.

Clara readjusted her dress and walked outside the car to look for Oliver. She saw her standing nearby and walked towards him.

Oliver was busy with the phone, but as soon as he heard footsteps from behind, he hung up the call.

"Ready?"

Clara nodded.

Oliver walked in front of her, but Clara hopped near him, walking side by side. Their hands touched as Oliver held Clara's fingers.

Clara looked at him, but did not retract her hand. Oliver's hand gave her a feeling of security, a feeling of warmth that promised to never leave her.

As they both entered and walked towards their table, they saw Alexander patting Evelyn's back with a worried expression.

Oliver's hand formed a fist, looking at their close proximity. 'Why would Evelyn allow Alexander near her?' Thinking about all the possibilities, Oliver's eyes were filled with rage as he wanted to hit someone.

Clara was equally confused. She knew Alexander was interested in Evelyn. 'How long was this going on? They didn't even tell me.'

Clara did not see Oliver's unusual behavior until he called out

"Evelyn?"