In the office

Even though his eyes were fixed on the screen in front of him, his mind had settled on something else entirely…or someone. He finally gave up trying to work and closed the laptop with a sigh. The door whined open immediately.

"Why do you have that frown on your face?" Risabel questioned, catwalking to the table.

Leonardo eyebrows drew in when he noticed the documents on her hands. Risabel dropped them on his table with a thud.

"Why are these here?" He asked, ignoring her first question.

She rolled her eyes. "At least, tell me thank me for climbing the stairs to bring it to you. My heels are in pain."

"And we have an elevator you typically avoid for reasons best known to you." Leonardo concluded, dropping the book he held.

"Everyone have fears, Leo," Risabel said, obviously annoyed Leonardo will continually remind her about her past.

"Of course." He mocked. "These documents aren't mine to check."

"I checked his office. Andrew isn't around, just like yesterday." she noted whispering.

He shook his head, resting on his chair. "Andrew was around in the morning–"

"And left just after he met with you. He never came back after that." She didn't know how to tell Leonardo that his disappearance has become constant, making her take up Leonardo private dealings.

He knew Risabel wanted to tell him something, but his mind was already occupied with someone else; he didn't want to let that go. "Risabel," he called. "Take this documents and see to them."

She sighed wishing he had asked further details about Andrew's whereabouts. Not only did he not do that, he's moving this huge chunk of work to her!

"That will be impossible, Leonardo." She said, and immediately wished she withdrew saying anything due to the anger brewing in his eyes. "What i meant was, I already have some work you told me to focus on. Adding this will make me slow."

He stared at her hard before he nodded. "I will call Andrew."

"I have tried that, he's not picking. I really hope he's not in any trouble." Her voice laced with concern.

"He is not." he said firmly, knowing Andrew to run from trouble than to enter and be silent about it. "Leave the documents or assign it to someone else." Closing his eyes to his thoughts.

Risabel watched him in wonder. She could never understand how he reasons sometimes. Some days he's funny and alive other days he's moody, rude and angry for no reason.

She stopped gathering the documents when she remembered something. "Did you send Nicholas to Sylvia's office?"

He snorted. "You know too well why I'll never do that," He replied with his eyes closed.

"Hmm." Risabel said, with a frown. "I'm sure I heard his voice coming from her office."

That caused his eyes snap open. "Are you certain about what you heard?"

"My ears aren't faulty, Leona–"

"Just answer the question!" He shouted, hitting his fist on the table.

But that only caused her to frown harder, thankfully the books where on her hands already. "Yes. I am sure. You can go kill him since that would better this mood of yours." With that she turned her back and left office.

Leonardo couldn't care less about Risabel's feelings. Nicholas finally decided to play this game well, the thought ran through his mind that caused him to smile eerily. He stood up, tucked his jacket again and left his office.

***

"Sylvia. You are really intelligent, it's sad you don't give yourself much credit." Nicholas complimented, unable to hide his smile.

When he was told Leonardo was getting a new assistant, he wasn't expecting to see a beautiful woman like the one before him. He had to control himself severally when he noticed he had stared for too long. He wasn't going to let her pass him by. He will make her his by all means.

"Sir Lewis, you flatter me," She said with a fake smile hinting her lips. Nicholas stare felt intrusive and made her inside recoil with disgust. She had begun to wonder why he was even here in the first place, so she tried to chase him away. "Do you know when this Andrew will resume?"

A frown suddenly appeared but he covered it with a shrug. "It is not my job to keep up with lesser employees. I'm a stakeholder, Sylvia," He reminded her.

Wasn't she also a lesser employee? She wondered but decided not to stop trying. "Well, Andrew was supposed to help me startup with my work–"

"I can do that for you. Andrew doesn't know more than I do," He said, taking a step closer.

She stilled, noticing again how hard he fixed his eyes on her again. "Mr Lewis–"

"It is Nicholas, I told you to drop the titles."

She nodded. "That's true, but I also told you I will call you by your title." She noticed his jaw ticked in annoyance but was certain he will understand she's not that easy. "Mr Lewis, you don't need to bother yourself at all. I'll wait for Andrew or begin on my own."

He laughed mockingly. "You can't begin working as the CEO's assistant without some training, Sylvia." He drew closer. "All you need to do is ask."

The situation was getting awkward and she didn't know what else to say or do. She sucked her breath in and smiled, staring at Nicholas.

Nicholas visibly frowned, all the women he has met always falter their resolve when he pushes them past their strength, but this woman is smiling, holding her stare on him.

"I will wait for Andrew, whoever he is. Mr Lewis," she finally said.

Shocked at her refusal, he said, "My offer is still up, I'll teach you things better than anyone in this company." He slid his card on the table.

"There will be no need for that." A male voice came from the entrance.

Sylvia's eyes widened, immediately standing up. "Mr Leonardo…" not knowing what else to say.

Leonardo blood boiled seeing Nicholas close to Sylvia, but he refocused his attention on Sylvia. "Andrew may not come today. I'll help you start up."

Nicholas was able to hide the shock that was written on his face. He said "The CEO isn't supposed to–"

"So you now tell me what to do in my company" His voice was strained with controlled rage.

"It was just a suggestion–"

"Nobody asked for." He taunted. "Surprise me, what are you doing in my assistant's office?" Leonardo asked, taking the card from the table.

"Mr Lewis offered to help me start but as you said, there will be no need. Thank you for your help, Sir." Sylvia replied quickly, trying to reduce the tension in the room and also dismissing Nicholas.

Nicholas marvelled at her boldness, staring at her with wide open eyes. He smiled to himself, and finally left the office.

Leonardo watched her shoulders relaxed which only caused him more anger against Nicholas. How long has he been here?

"Well…" breaking the silence. "Now he's gone. Let's begin with our lessons." He said, tearing the card into pieces.