Their Rumors

~~~CAT'S POV~~~

It's been a month since Mr. Vann or rather Nate has been doing these things to me. I would like to think that he was just being considerate and is just making these adjustments so that I could continue to work in his company because I am doing my job well.

But the thing is, I don't want to get used to this. And it kinda freaks the hell out of me because I am getting used to this. I am starting to like it though I know that part of the reason why he is doing this to me is that I am treating his daughters well. So he is just peculiarly returning the favor.

I am afraid once he finally finds a permanent nanny for the girls, everything will change. He'll go back to the way he used to treat me. Cold and inconsiderate.

And I am thinking, will he continue picking me up and driving me back to my apartment every day? Will he continue to let me wear flats in the office? Will he continue taking me to lunch or ordering take out for the two of us then we'll eat together in his office? Will he continue being nice to me and asking if I am alright or in pain? And will he continue ordering flowers every day so that I could put some on my table and in his office?

Right, that's one more thing. I don't know what he did or told Eric for the poor guy to stop sending me flowers. I feel bad towards Eric and I hope we could still be civil towards each other after that since we were not friends, to begin with. I thought I would miss those flowers, but no, I don't. Why would I when Nate orders flowers every day? His reason? Well, he said that I will have flowers to put on my table and in his office.

That's strange because as far as I know, he is not that fond of flowers. Is he?

"Hey! Cat to the earth! Are you listening to me?"

I blinked twice when I noticed Grace waving a hand in front of my face.

"Huh? Are you saying something?" I asked innocently. Grace and I were having lunch at the cafeteria. It has been months since we ate lunch together. When I was still working for the old Mr. Vann, Grace and I always ate lunch together almost every day.

But ever since Nate takes over the company, it has become rare for Grace and me to see each other even though we work in the same company. My schedule has always been unpredictable.

During the first weeks of working with Nate, I barely got to eat lunch on time, or sometimes, I never got the chance to eat lunch.

But these past few weeks, it all changed. I get to eat lunch on time but it would always be outside the office or in the office. And every time, it was always with him.

Today, I didn't get to eat lunch with Nate. He is out in a lunch meeting and he didn't take me with him. He said that I should rest.

Yesterday I had the usual flu-like pain but after a long sleep last night, I felt better when I woke up this morning. Nate instructed me to stay at home and take a rest but I didn't listen to him. Instead, I came early for work. When he arrived and saw me at my office desk, he became annoyed and instructed me to stay in his office the whole morning.

I thought that he would just let me work in his office where he could watch over me but no, he didn't. He just let me sit on the sofa doing nothing while he works and at the same time watching over me the whole morning. He didn't even let me out!

I can't believe how strange that man is!

So, yes. Now I got the chance to eat at the cafeteria with Grace because he left for a lunch meeting and didn't take me with him saying that I should be resting as if the whole morning doing nothing is not enough to rest. Well, he did leave me a food box from the keto-friendly restaurant we usually had lunch together.

Grace rolled her eyes at me.

"I said, I cannot believe you dumped Doc Alvin! I mean, what are you thinking? It's Doc Alvin! He is the sexiest doctor alive. A perfect husband material! Kind, handsome, sexy, and did I mention hot?" Grace had dreamy eyes on her while she was describing Alvin. Then in a blink of an eye, her face hardened when her eyes landed on me.

I sighed exasperatedly, I haven't moved on to the fact that Alvin confessed to me. He said that he loves me. He said that he loves me and that's why he wanted to marry me. We had seen each other twice since his confession and so far, it has been so awkward.

I wanted to return to those times when we were just friends. Well, he is still my friend, but after his confession, I can't help but feel guilty around him.

Grace is right, Alvin is perfect husband material. I would be lucky to be his wife, but the thing is, I don't love him the way he loves me. I hope I can but I just cannot.

"So, you knew? Did he tell you?" I asked because I thought I am the only one who knew how Alvin feels about me. I hope Grace and Aunt Molly didn't know about his marriage proposal.

"No, he didn't tell me or Aunt Molly about how he felt towards you. But, hello! It is too obvious. I thought you would see that! But your naivety is something that you should have checked with a doctor. The poor guy. Why can't you just fall in love with him? You deserve someone like him."

I looked down at my food box on the table and played with the cherry tomatoes with my fork. "I don't know. I love him as a friend but I cannot love him more than that. It would be wrong to lead him on. It would be unfair to him." I said feeling guilty.

There was silence. I saw Grace look left and right then he leaned over the table and asked me in a low voice, careful not to be heard by the other people eating at the tables near us. "Is it because of Mr. Vann? Not the old Mr. Vann. I am talking about the son, Mr. Nathan Vann."

My eyes widened in shock. "What? Of course not! Why would you think of that?"

Grace flipped her hand in the air. "Oh come on! Why would I think of that? Because everyone in this building, even the janitors and the guards, was thinking that something is going on with the two of you! Tell me honestly, are you two dating?"

I cannot believe the words that are coming from my best friend's mouth. Why didn't I notice that there were already rumors going around about me and Nate? Was I too preoccupied with the way Nate is treating me?

I shook my head vigorously as if that is enough to make Grace believe me which she should. "No, we are not!" I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Grace raises a brow at me. "Don't lie to me, Catherine. Because according to what I heard, the way Mr. Vann treats you is not how a boss should treat his assistant." There is a hint of accusation in Grace's voice and I would be lying if I said I am not hurt.

"What have you heard?" I asked because I don't want to start talking unless I know what the rumors are.

Grace stood up from her seat and sat beside me. "Well, people have been seeing you and Mr. Vann coming and leaving from work every day. The guard could attest to that. Then people could see how gentle Mr. Vann is around you. That the two of you were always eating lunch together either outside or in his office. How do you spend a lot of time inside his office? And how Mr. Vann seemed to always worry about you."

Well, that was not just a rumor. That is a fact because that is really what is going on between us. But not because we have a relationship. That is because he is concerned about my condition and he is making up for what I am doing for his daughters. Why does it seem that the last part of the truth hurts? I shook my head and started explaining to Grace what is going on including my side job as a temporary nanny to his daughters.

"Oh my God! He knew?" Grace cried and I nodded my head. Then she sighed and looked at me sympathetically. "God I am sorry about the rumors. But you cannot blame them because they do not know what is going on. But seriously, Mr. Vann should not act like that. Now people are thinking that you are his mistress."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Your assistant could attest to how Mr. Vann gave you special treatment. And people have a wild imagination. You know what I mean."

Daisy. I cursed my assistant internally. I would not be surprised if she is the one spreading that kind of malicious rumor. After all, she is the one trying to get Nate's attention.

"But I am not!" I pointed out. "And besides, he is not married anymore." Why do I sound defensive?

"What do you mean he is not married anymore?" Grace asked with curiosity.

I know I should not be talking about Nate's private life but I cannot help it. But just this once. "His wife died years ago. And don't you dare tell anyone about it." I said in a hushed tone.

Grace's hands covered her mouth and nodded her head with a wide eye. And I knew that I could trust her.

After a moment, Grace speaks again as if she had been thinking of something. "Well, if that is the case. I could think of the reason why Mr. Vann treats you that way. And don't tell me that it's because of your illness or because you treat his daughter nicely." She said, narrowing her eyes at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked confusedly.

Grace rolled her eyes again. "I cannot believe what level of the naivety you have. Oh no! You are not just naive. You are blind as well!"

I frowned at her straightforwardness.

Grace sighed exasperatedly. "Oh, God! He is in love with you Catherine!"