Chapter 18

"Watch out if you get me into big trouble, Leonard!"

"Take it easy, it must be Sarah."

--

When the door opened, Calista gasped. With trembling lips, she greeted the most important person in this company.

"Good morning Mr Albert," Calista greeted and gave Albert space to enter her room.

"Good morning Ms Calista," Albert replied as he put on a smile that could captivate any woman's heart, including Calista.

Leonard, who was standing not far from there, felt disgusted and cursed in annoyance. It seemed like he wanted to reward Albert's handsome face with a crushing blow for daring to seduce his woman.

"Please take a seat, Mr Albert."

"Thank you, Ms Calista."

Albert accidentally caught Leonard also in the same room. One thing he thought, what was Leonard doing in Calista's room?          

"What are you doing in Ms Calista's room? You're an HR and your job has nothing to do with Ms Calista." Albert added.

Leonard was hesitant to answer. Fortunately, Calista cut off the conversation by explaining that several things needed to be discussed with Leonard.

After explaining to Albert, the grey-eyed woman looked at Leonard with a sharp gaze.

Understanding the meaning of that gaze, Leonard immediately left the room. But, had not yet time to walk from the room, he was stopped by Albert.

"I want to discuss some important matters with you, Ms Calista," Said Albert and then he turned to look at Leonard.

"And also with you, Mr Leo," Albert added.

"I know we discussed it yesterday but I want to say again that I have high hopes for you to assume the CEO position at a company based in London."

'CEO position? London? What does this mean?' Leonard thought as his gaze locked on Calista.

However, Calista ignored him and remained focused on Albert.

"As we discussed it yesterday, my decision remains the same, sir. Thank you again for the offer and I apologise for not being able to accept it." Calista replied.

"Does this have anything to do with Mr Jozh?"

Calista shook her head.

'Who else is Jozh?' Leonard was getting more and more confused. He didn't know many things about Calista because, until this moment, she was still an unsolved puzzle to him.

"Then, what's the problem, Ms Calista? Honestly, I feel bad for hiring Kafeel's daughter in such a disproportionate position. What should I tell Mr Kafeel and also your brother, Mr Calvino if they find out you are only a CFO."

"There's nothing wrong with the CFO position, sir."

"But, it's not suitable for the heir of Kafeel Group, please understand Ms Calista," Albert replied.

"Please don't look down on me, sir. You must be fair to all the employees of this company." Calista replied.

Leonard, who was also involved in the conversation, was sincerely taken aback by the reality that had just hit his consciousness. He never thought that Calista, the woman he adored so much, was actually Bramantara Kafeel's daughter, a wealthy businessman from Bandung.

All this time, he had been desperately trying to uncover Calista's identity, and today he got the answer. His gaze instantly lit up, not knowing whether to be happy or not.

For the time being, his heart was filled with anxiety because he had dared to approach Kafeel's daughter.

Leonard then immediately said goodbye to return to his room, but Albert stopped him again.

"Aren't you in a meeting with Ms Calista? Please continue, I'm sorry to bother you."

Albert then locked Calista's gaze.

"Please think of my offer again, Ms Calista,"

Calista just smiled as if to say, ok, sir.

After Albert left, Leonard approached Calista, looking at her with an unusual gaze. He then said goodbye and returned to his room.

However, Calista was uncomfortable with his formal attitude.

"Leo, wait!"

"What is it?" Leonard turned his back.

Calista's fingers stretched out to twist Leonard's body so that their gazes locked.

"Look at me when I'm talking!" said Calista while looking into the depths of his black eyes.

There was a sense of awkwardness. But, she deliberately made a temptation so that Leonard didn't feel embarrassed.

"Where did your super-naughty and annoying attitude go, huh?"

Leonard just smiled at her.

"Come here! Don't you want us to have breakfast together?"

Calista pulled Leonard's hand, leading him back to sit on the sofa. After that, she ordered Sarah to clear the schedule with the excuse that she was still meeting with Leonard.

"Why are you lying? We're not in a meeting."

"Yap."

"Then, why did you lie?" Without answering, the corner of Calista's eyes glanced at the food box.

Leonard smiled.

"Um, did you make it yourself?" Calista asked.

"Does it taste bad?"

"Erm it's okay, not too bad, but unfortunately..."

"What?"

"This is too spicy, I can't eat spicy food," said Calista.

Unbeknownst to Calista, such a kind of attitude made her look even more adorable.

"Then, don't eat it!" Leonard immediately snatched the spoon from Calista's hand.

Calista then wondered why.

"I don't want you to get sick. How about I order food from a restaurant? What do you wanna eat?" Leonard asked.

Calista shook her head.

"I have no appetite."

"Then?"

"I want to continue my work. I have a lot of work to finish,"

"Wait, Calis!"

Calista turned her face as if to say, 'yes, Leo, what's wrong?'

Leonard looked pleadingly, then patted the sofa next to him to give her space to sit by his side.

"Why didn't you ever say that you were Bramantara Kafeel's daughter?"

Calista narrowed her eyes until his brow furrowed.

"Did you ask that? Didn't you?" Calista replied.

"So you deliberately faked your identity when you applied for a job at this company?"

"Yes, it's true but not completely."

Didn't want to be asked further questions, Calista immediately changed the topic. She then walked over to her oversized chair. The strong fortress rose again as if she was again untouched by anyone.

"Are you going to accept Mr Albert's offer?"

"I haven't thought about it," Calista answered without looking at Leonard, pretending to be busy checking reports.

Her eyes corner glanced at Leonard, who seemed to have left the room. She then leaned her head against the back of the chair with her eyes closed.

Since then, their relationship has been strained again.

Leonard chose to stay away after knowing Calista's identity. It wasn't because he didn't want to be with the woman he loves, but he realised that he couldn't possibly reach Calista Earle Kafeel into his arms.

"You've been looking glum for the past few days, what's wrong?" Kiara asked.

"Nope, it's just your feeling, Kia," Leonard replied while eating her lunch.

Realising Calista and Matius's presence, Kiara immediately waved, asking them both to join.

"It's rare that we can get together for lunch like this, right?" Said Kiara.

"Leo and I often come here. The most difficult one is..." Matius's gaze directed at Calista, but the one he looked at seemed indifferent.        

"Oh ya, I heard that Mr Albert asked you to go to London. Did you accept the offer? If I were you, I would accept it. The opportunity will never come twice, Calis, you better accept the offer," Kiara suggested.

"I'll think about it later," Calista smiled and then her gaze sharpened on Leonard.

One thing Calista was thinking about was who spread the news?  If it has already spread, it means that her identity has also been exposed.

Calista didn't mean to hide who she really was. She just didn't like it if the people around only respected her after knowing that she's Kafeel's daughter.

As if knowing what the grey-eyed woman's meaning was, Leonard looked down again, pretending to enjoy his lunch.

Meanwhile, Kiara and Matius just looked at each other after the tension started to arise.

🍁🍁🍁

Next chapter ...