CHAPTER TEN: MY BOSS' CRUSH

Melissa just returned from a trip to Africa. This particular trip was a dream come true for the company. They've been working on planti a company in Africa for two years now but they've always have one issue or the other. But within two weeks, Melissa successfully struck a deal with them. So this cause for celebration in the company headquarters.

"Ma'am you are a genius" Larry praised.

"Miss O'Dell, you surely did it" another praised.

"C'mon it's the Lord's doing" she corrected smiling.

"God truely is on your side" Lara agreed.

Joanna, who didn't like the way Melissa is been praised gave her an envious look. She never liked Melissa in a bit and she didn't do a good job to hide it.

"Don't make her feel so special. It's not as if the President hasn't done much more. He has even established two companies each in two countries in a matter of few month. So what's the big deal in hers that has already been done and she just did the finishing" she criticized jealously.

They all looked at her but ignored her. They knew it was all from jealousy.

Joanna on the other hand wasn't happy to be ignored. Before Melissa's arrival, she has been friendly but since Melissa came, her attitude has become hostile to anyone who seems to favour Melissa.

Joanna has always been said to be the most beautiful at the company but ever since Melissa appeared, even though no one ever mentioned that Melissa is more beautiful, all attention has been shifted from her to Melissa and this is one of her cogent reason to hate her.

Melissa never cared. She never even noticed her cold attitude.

Melissa was tired because of the up and down she was doing since morning that she didn't know when she slept off putting her head on her table.

"When you are so tired, why not go home"

It was the voice that made her realise she was sleeping. She opened her eyes slowly to see who it was and she saw Drew giving her a mocking look. She quickly stood up.

"Like you care" she murmured but he heard which she didn't mean for him to hear.

"Of course I don't but I won't want an uproar because you fell of the table" he looked at her pitifully.

"How did you....." Her words hung in her throat has she scrutinized him with a debatable look.

"What?" He asked with a frown.

"Did..... Did" she stuttered, bringing out her neck to look at him the more.

Drew looked at himself to check what birth the baffling look on her face but he found none so he increased the intensity of his frown.

"Did you wear make up?" She finally let out.

Drew gave a curt look. "You must be kidding me" he said.

"I'm not" she said firmly. "If you are not on make up then you would have gone for sauna" she asserted confidently.

"Sauna!" He gave her a irksome look. "I think you are still in your dream land and you are not thinking right" he ridiculed.

"Meaning?" She asked firmly.

"You are dumb" he replied casually.

Melissa's mouth hung open but she didn't say anything but just glare.

"Why didn't you come to my office when you arrived?" He asked bossily.

"I came but your secretary told me you are not in" she replied quickly.

"And what time was that?" He gave a disagreeing look.

"Sir, it's not as if I won't see you today. Moreover, there's a meeting scheduled to give report of my trip and with that I need a little rest before the meeting which just ended now" she retorted but not loudly.

"What are you pointing at? Is it that I don't have the right to know about your trip before hand?" He asked with a strict voice.

Melissa knew she just angered him. "Never said that" she pouted.

"What would you have insinuated if not that?" He asked sternly.

Melissa dare not look at him. She bowed her head just to avoid the look of his temper.

"It is not totally your fault. It was I that thought to check on you when you didn't show up at !y office as expected. That's what gave you the effrontery to talk back at me" he dart he a hot glare.

Melissa gazed at him underneath her eyes, pushing her lower lips out and she closed her eyes after she inhaled and exhaled. She scolded herself for her big mouth.

"I know what to do?" He said and left in feign anger.

Drew really enjoyed her cowering in front of him and he smiled as he left.

Melissa sat on her table with a huge frustrating sigh and hit her head slightly ruefully.

By the time she got to the meeting room, everyone was seated including Drew. She quickly checked her time to see if she was late but she was still five minutes early.

She wondered why Drew came this early. He do walk into their meetings at exactly two minutes to the time so as to avoid looks.

This time he seems not to care because Joanna was beside him talking and laughing at the same time, even though the person she is talking to seems totally uninterested.

Joanna wasn't suppose to be seated beside Drew because that's Melissa's seat but seeing her Melissa who wasn't ready to sit beside angry Drew took her seat beside Larry who gave her a surprised look immediately.

"Ma'am why are you beside me?" His voice didn't hide his surprise even though he whispered.

Melissa smiled at him.

The rest looked at her but Nick couldn't hold it.

"Ma, you shouldn't be sitting there" he said. "And you when did you get the right to sit on that chair?" He asked Joanna sternly.

"Let her be. It is my choice to sit her" Melissa said softly with a smile.

"That I won't accept" Vivian objects. "Ma, you need to go to your seat while this nitwit go to her rightful place" she invect looking dourly at Joanna.

"Hey be careful there! I never said I won't vacate when she comes and I don't even know what's your business that you start barking and howling at me" she said crudely still seated.

To say the truth, she was not ready to leave. She was glad that Melissa didn't mind her sitting with Drew.

Her words invited more words from the rest. They kept arguing and Drew didn't seem to care. This seems to be their lucky day because no one dares to talk not to talk of argue when he is seated. But since they saw him arrive early, they knew his mood was tolerable.

Drew knew why Melissa refuse to sit beside him so he wasn't moved. He didn't even do as if he was there, talk more of correcting Melissa or Joanna. He was waiting patiently for his meeting time. Immediately it was time, he slammed his hand on the table gently and they were all called to order.

Some thought he was waiting for the meeting time to address the issue but to their surprise he ignored it and just ordered Victor to give a opening prayer.

Victor did the prayer very well for about three to four minutes. Some of his colleagues gave him unpleasant expressions during and after the prayer.

Melissa was the first to give account of where she went, then followed by other too who were given delegations. Some where applauded while some where reprimanded for not doing a perfect job.

While the meeting was on but it's intensity has reduced drastically which means it is almost coming to a close, Melissa brought out her phone secretly and messaged Drew.

Hey man stop staring. I've got holes on my body.

When his phone backlight flashed , he looked at it and saw Melissa has the sender. He looked at her and wondered what she sent so he checked. When he saw it he couldn't help but smile and looked at Melissa who widen her look to say she is serious.

People who were seated saw him smirk and they almost got a shock. They couldn't believe what they saw. Some in the company thought he doesn't know how to smile nor give any expression and that's one of the reason he was mostly feared because no one can predict his emotions at any moment. They wondered what brought the smile on his face. Even Joanna tried to peep but received a straight look that she adjusted.

It was Barbara that was talking when her text came in.

You've got the courage to talk to me now? He texted back not minding that everyone had their eyes on him.

This is the very first time Drew would be in a meeting and he would hold his phone to text. It seems to him that Melissa us making him break lot of his rules and he seem to enjoy it.

Melissa didn't know that she was that obvious to Drew. She never knew he would guess that she was a bit scared of him that's why she was spitted afar.

I'm not scared of you. She texted.

Then explain why you are seated there.

That's because I don't have strength to be persuading someone to leave my seat. She saw something to hinge on.

No one noticed Melissa's phone because she was spitted balanced and his it well under the long table but Drew's was visible but none dare query him.

"Are you listening sir?" Joanna asked.

"Yes I am" he replied dryly. That's a blatant lie. All you wanted us for me to keep seeing you. He texted with a smirk on his handsome face and he looked up to answer a question thrown to him.

The ladies seated were almost swooning at him smile. He was more than handsome to them when he smiles. They felt the Lady bringing the laughter was indeed lucky.

Poppycock! She texted.

You are also paying so much attention to me that's the reason you were able to claim that I'm staring at you.

He texted when he was done treating the questions asked.

Me, pay attention to you? Tsk. She texted and made the tsk sound before she realises it.

That drew Larry's attention to her. It qaa then he realised she was also chatting on her phone but he said nothing.

Didn't you place yourself right in front of me so that I'll take full view of you and also see you constantly? Well Miss, you are not in anyway attracting me. Even if you place yourself right in my eyes, you are still the ugliest girl I've ever known.

He felt like bursting into heavy laughter when he saw the shocked dlook on Melissa's fa e after she read his text but he knew that would be unethical of him and also more shocks to those who have been giving him mysterious look all the while, so he restrained himself.

Joanna on the other hand, kinda noticed that the person Drew is talking to is Melissa due that she followed his looks and saw the expression on Melissa's face. This didn't make her happy. She felt more jealous and she tried to distract Drew by speaking so loud on what does not even seem to concern her but her trick seem not to work.

What nonsense! Don't get me irated and just thank your stars that we are in a meeting. If not I would have dart the mug right in front of me at you. She texted adding a very angry emoji with it.

Drew couldn't read the text immediately because he was attending to something which Melissa also qaa included.

Joanna was glad that they both were occupied now. So, she spread her legs that it toughed Drew's and that made him look at her. Even though the look wasn't in anyway friendly, she still liked that he looked at her.

"Sorry" she whispered with a seductive smile.

Try it. He texted Melissa.

Joanna touched Drew's thigh gently and Drew feeling her hand on his thigh, dashed her a look of 'meaning?' But instead of her to remove it she begin to caress it. Drew who didn't want yo make a scene, hit her hand off his thigh but she placed it back immediately.

Melissa who wanted to reply his text got her phone slipped off her hand to the floor.

"Sorry my phone slipped off" she whispered to Larry and quickly bent to pick it.

She didn't know how her eyes got there but she saw Joanna's hand on Drew's thigh and he was trying yo shake it off. She looked up at Drew who knew that Melissa will see what Joanna was doing sharply that Larry thought she couldn't find her phone.

"Has it gone far?" He asked with concern.

Melissa shook her head and bent back to pick her phone that was her initial plan before she saw what she saw. By the time she looked up, she wore a develish grin, not minding what those around will say.

Drew wanted to talk but he shut his mouth before any words escape when he remembered where he is. He sent Joanna a malevolent look that she fret and adjusted immediately.

You are really enjoying boss. She texted.

Drew knew Joanna just opened a door for Melissa to mock him and he was angry and at the same time he wanted to laugh at the looks Melissa is giving him. Melissa's brows were dancing up and down in mockery. She twisted the edge of her lips trying not to smile.

Fortunately for Drew the meeting came to an end with Larry who gave a closing prayer that doesn't even sound like one. Drew averted immediately while his guys packed his things and ran after him. Melissa too was not left out.

"Why the rush boss?" She teases.

"Should I have waited till everyone leaves?" He asked rudely.

He didn't even slow down his steps that Melissa had to be on the run to catch up with him. She don't even care despite her been on heels. All she care about was she mock and poke nosing she wants to do.

"Never said that. But your leaving show so much hurriedness" she said in disdain.

Drew stopped abruptly that Melissa who didn't know he qaa going to stop hit him and qaa about to fall but he caught her. she quickly bounced out of his hand as if she was held by fire and she gave a pouting expression looking at him.

Drew looked at her cute face thinking she is such a pest.

"What what exactly do you want?" He asked curtly with a frown even when he clearly know the answer to his own question.

"Hey don't be harsh on me boss. It's not my fault for seeing what I saw" she giggled like a Charlie.

Drew looked at her and shook his head entering his office. He knew she is really happy. She followed him into his office.

"But sir, let's be truthful here. I understand but you two should have endured till the end of the meeting" she stylishly mocked with a serious look.

"Melissa" he called.

"Hmm" she replied with excitement.

"Get out" he asserted firmly.

She gave him a crestfallen look. "Why?" She asked like a child.

"Stop wagging that your tongue and get out of my office" he insulted.

"Don't insult me. I was only saying the truth" she said firmly.

"I don't need it. I'm free to do anything I want" he retorted.

Melissa smiled. "So, you admit that you love the touch" she teased.

Drew felt like to strangle Joanna for what she did. If not her sly attitude, Melissa won't be here poking fun at him. He was suppose to be angry at her but he wasn't. He qaa only devising a way to get her off his back.

"You are disturbing me young woman" he raised his voice.

"Don't shout at me. It is not my fault I saw what I saw" she stood in akimbo ready to tackle him.

"Why are you acting as if you are jealous?"

He moved to his window and saw his father's cars emerged which means, his father is around. He knew if his father meets Melissa here, he would surely want to know the in to to of the issue which he never wanted. Now he tried more to think of what could send her off.

Melissa snorted with pride. "What is there to be jealous of" she chuckled.

"If not why are you here?" He gave her a skeptic look.

"I only came to advice you no to leave someone who doesn't care where the place is but show her unconditional love" she feigned seriousness but was seriously laughing inside.

Drew knew this. "And chief adviser how is that your business?" He invect.

"Sorry if it seems like I'm prowling into your private affairs. Juat wanna help" she pleaded with hypocrisy.

"Private affairs?" He scoffed. "Is all of it not your fault?" He asserted firmly.

"Hey boss! Not there. Did I tell her to touch you?" She backchat.

She knew Drew was right but she will never admit it. If she hadn't allowed Joanna to sit beside him, she won't have done what she did because it was only Melissa's seat that is close to his.

"If you were on your seat, would it happen?" He blamed her.

"I vacated my sit because I was tired of sitting beside you and since she's not the only person in the room neither is that seat the only empty seat available, then I'm in no way to be blamed" she defended hotly.

"You were tired or just want to look at me?" He asked with scorn.

"Who us looking at who?" She grimaced. "Don't try to put the blame on me. You could have commanded her to leave your side but you chose to let her stay knowing fully well she loves to glue. So why lie on pretty me?" she said firmly.

Drew chuckled at her word 'pretty me'. "I think I know why you followed me" he said with a smile.

Melissa gave him a queer look knowing that there's always nothing good that comes out of his devilish smile, so she made herself ready for it.

"You just came to finish what she started. Isn't it?"

Melissa almost got a heart stop at his thought. She didn't even see that coming.

"What!" She shouted and her face got hot immediately.

Her blush came to view immediately.

"I think I'm ready for you. Is it caress you want? No you are too greedy" he said shaking his head, moving closer to her and she moved back swiftly. "Is it pure romance, wiid kiss or even se..."

"Shut up" she shouted.

Now it was as if she was on fire. Her blush is now reddish. She couldn't believe he could say such words to her.

"I'm out of this place!"

She averted without another glance at him. She almost collided with Mayfield at the door. She bowed and left quickly without waiting for an answer so that he won't see her burning expression.

"Hi dad" he said to Mayfield who wore a confused expression.

"What's wrong with Melly?" He asked instead of replying.

"Nothing. I only gave her what she deserves" he replied nonchalantly.

Mayfield frowned. "You've not ceased from been mean to this girl right?" His voice wasn't friendly.

"Don't start dad. You don't even know what she did" he said with a babyish frown.

"I know you Drew...."

"That I'm a tyrant" he cuts in.

"No. That once you don't like someone, you will never show them your cool side" he said calmly.

"It's still the same. Melly doesn't deserve my cool side. She's mean herself so don't take her side. I'm the one who works with her and I know her fully well" he said impassively.

"Treat her well Drew. Ladies are to be treated with curtsey not harshly. Be a good gentle man" he said seriously.

"You sure know I'm a gentle man" he said smiling.

"Then make Melissa happy".

He burst into laughter. "Am I her husband?"

Mayfield eyed him. "Just be nice".

He laughed again.