3 - Lunch With Him

"I'm sorry?" Hailey replied, ensuring she had heard him correctly.

"Let's have lunch. There's a restaurant just a few blocks away. We can take a walk and get some fresh air." He stated, getting up from his chair.

She couldn't help but wonder if her boss was really that bored or if he just wanted someone to talk to. Not that she wanted to turn down his offer, but she couldn't say no to him. He was her boss and if he wanted to have lunch with her, who was she to decline?

"Uh, sure."

After sending a quick raincheck text to Zach, she followed Romeo outside the building.

She folded her lips between her teeth as they walked on the sidewalk of the busy street.

Glancing up at the blue sky, Romeo breathed, "It's a beautiful day."

She nodded in agreement, "Yeah."

The rest of the walk was silent. Both of them had no idea what to talk about so they kept quiet and just basked in the warm air as they walked.

She stole a few glances at him. He was clad in a full black suit. His trousers neatly hugged his toned thighs and his muscular biceps seemed to be bursting through his sleeves. Her eyes fell to his butt as her steps slowed and she walked behind him. He was one of the most sexiest man she had ever seen.

Finally, they arrived at the restaurant and they both decided to order mashed potatoes and baked chicken.

After getting their meals, they found an empty table on the outside.

"Have you ever been to this restaurant?" He questioned, opening his food box.

She shook her head, "No, I've never even heard of here."

"I think you should eat here sometime. The food here is delicious." He suggested before taking a bite of his chicken leg.

Her eyes fell to his chewing lips and she bit her own, sulking back into her chair. She hadn't realized how long she had been staring at his luring mouth until he noticed she hadn't opened her food.

"Eat," He stated, with a chuckle, pulling her out of her daze.

She laughed nervously and proceeded to open her food. The delicious smell filled her nostrils and she felt her stomach grumble. She hadn't realized how hungry she actually was.

"So, do you have a boyfriend, Hailey?" Romeo questioned, staring expectedly at her.

"Um, no," She replied in uncertainty. Why did he want to know?

Romeo found it hard to believe that she didn't have a boyfriend. She was a fine woman and she had a sweet personality. How could she not have a boyfriend? Several men must be dying to have her.

"How come?"

Clearing her throat anxiously, she responded, "I'm just not ready for a relationship."

He cocked a brow, "Are you saying that you've never had a boyfriend?"

She giggled, "No, that's not what I meant. I've had three boyfriends. It's just that I've been heartbroken too many times and I guess I'm still healing."

He nodded in understanding, taking a chunk of his potatoes, "So, what about your sex life?"

His question surprised her and suddenly, she began to choke. She held her tummy as she coughed continously.

"Are you alright?" He inquired, placing a hand on her back.

She nodded in response as she continued to cough.

"Here, have some water." He suggested, offering her the bottle of water he purchased earlier.

Thankfully, she grabbed the bottle and drank as much as she can. Eventually, she felt a lot better and she looked up at him with a sheepish smile.

"I'm sorry, sir, your question caught me by surprise."

He chuckled, "You can call me Romeo."

Her brows furrowed slightly, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay..."

"So, are you going to answer my question?"

A nervous laugh left her lips, "Uh, yeah. What would you like to know about my...sex life?"

What did her sex life have to do with her job or her boss?

"If you don't have a boyfriend, how do you take care of your needs?" He questioned, staring at her.

"Um, I do have a friend with benefits." She whispered. It felt so awkward to tell her boss this, and it was even more strange that he wanted to know.

He raised a brow in slight surprise, "I see. What does he do?"

"He's a cop."

"Oh. So, how long have you been single?" He responded.

"Over two years."

"Don't you get lonely?"

"Hence, my friend with benefits." She laughed sheepishly.

"Ah." He breathed, a small smile playing on his lips.

"What about you? You're married, right?" She questioned, before taking a sip of the water.

He nodded with a flat look, "Yeah. Three years."

His expression had turned a little sour and she wondered if he had a happy marriage. Even though they were having a rather unprofessional chat, he was still her boss and she didn't want to pry into his personal life.

"How long have you been the CEO of your company?" She inquired, changing the topic.

His eyes smiled at her, grateful that she chose to speak about something else, "Almost ten years. I worked really hard to build Snider's Incorporated from the ground up."

Her brows raised in awe and admiration, "Your parents must be so proud."

He nodded, "Yeah, I believe so."

They spent a few more minutes talking about anything that came to mind. They both enjoyed each other's company and she learnt a few new things about her boss.

"We should do this again sometime." He suggested as they walked towards the workplace and she smiled,

"Yeah, I'd like that."

When they returned to the building, she noticed a few employees looking at them in suspicion. Romeo hadn't noticed them though. He held his head up and walked away into his office. She quickly strolled into her office ignoring the whispers and stares of her coworkers.

A few minutes after she made it into her office with a relieved sigh, Zach walked in with a disappointed frown.

"I thought we were having lunch together." He began.

"Didn't you get my message?" She replied, sitting behind her desk.

"Yeah, I did. Is everything alright? Is Mr. Snider firing you?" He questioned, his frown turning into concern.

"No, he just invited me to lunch."

He raised a brow and sat on the edge of her desk, "To lunch. Why?"

She shrugged casually, "He asked me a few questions."

"Like?"

"Like you're too nosy. Now, get out of my office. We have work to do." She laughed, shooing him out.

He huffed and hopped off her desk, "This isn't over."

She shook her head at his retreating back as he returned to his office.

A smile played upon her lips as she leaned back into her chair, recalling the conversations she had with Mr. Snider, or as he insisted, Romeo.

He was so easy to talk to and after a while, she found herself completely relaxed. She had enjoyed his company. She laughed so much until her cheeks hurt. She didn't know he could be so fun. He always seemed nonchalant and uptight.

His handsome face appeared vividly in her mind. Damn, he was a sight to see.

Before she could think of her boss in an unprofessional manner, she shook her head continously, pulling herself back to earth.