Professional Distance

Thane sits in his already moving car, his eyes fixated on his phone. 

"You must be waiting for an important message, with the way your eyes haven't left your phone," Jack, Thane's driver said.

Thane quickly tucked the phone into his breast pocket to avoid any more questions from Jack.

"Not really," he said and put on his glasses. 

He brought out his laptop and tried to distract him from Mira. 

"Let's go to the office," he said, his voice stern.

Jack, sensing his boss wasn't in the mood to talk. 

"Yes, sir," he said, and swerved left.

 Mira's heart sank in panic as the message popped on her screen. She guessed it was Thane and ignored the message. 

"Mummy, is this our new house?" Eli's sleepy voice called out.

Mira looked down on the little boy who was cleaning his eyes with his palms and smiled.

"Yes honey. We'll be staying here for the main time," she replied, walking into the house with her luggage being carried by the chauffeur.

She had told him that he didn't have to carry her bags for her, but he had insisted that he should, as that was what he was instructed to do. Mira had no choice but to approve as she was already carrying her baby boy in hand.

The room was decorated simple yet expensive. Mira shrugged.

"Welcome ma'am," Mira heard a feminine voice greet her. She turned around and saw a petite blonde walk toward her with gentle smiles. 

"I'll be your nanny and help throughout your stay in San Francisco," 

Mira nods. "My name is Mira," 

"Reyna. You should freshen up and come down for dinner, madam," 

"Mira would do," Mira replied, noting the lady might be the same age as her, or slightly older.

Reyna smiled.

"Mind if I take him while you freshen up?" she offered

"I'm sure you might have had a long and stressful day. Why don't you get some rest. We'll both freshen up and come back down," Mira politely said with a smile.

"Let me show you to your room," Reyna said and started up the stairs. 

*************

Mira walks into the office building dressed in her professional suit. She had left Eli in the hands of Reyna. She was hesitant at first, but she was somewhat relieved that she had a nanny provided by the company...or Thane. Either way, she was grateful to have someone who would look after Eli. 

Once she was in front of the elevator, she was met by a man in a blue suit, whose face looked friendly. 

"Hello Miss Mira. We have been expecting you," he said and offered her a handshake, which she took with a smile. 

"Oh. Pleased to meet you," she answered politely. 

"Let me show you to your office," he replied and walked on. 

Mira followed him quietly as he walked on and showed her things in the company, trying to get her familiar with the environment. Mira noted that the company is enormous 

The staff stared at her with admiration and curiosity with the aura she carried as she walked. Once they were both inside the elevator, the man in suit kept adjusting his tie. He seemed nervous and Mira was tempted to ask why, but she kept quiet.

Chime...

The elevator stopped at the room floor. As the elevator door opened, Mira almost gasped at the sight in front of her. Now she understands why the man was feeling nervous. There, in front of her, was Thane in all his glory. He stood there, his eyes boring into hers. Mira felt rooted to the spot as the man excused himself and went back into the elevator. 

"Welcome to the office," he said, giving her a little smile.

Mira nods. "Thank you Mr. Thane," she replied.

The title added to his name felt like a sleep to Thane's face. She had never for once called him Mr. Thane. He stared at her face for a while. The bright red lipstick made her stand out and look more professional. She kept a straight face as he assessed her. 

"Let me show you to your office," he offered

"Thank you sir," she said and followed him

"Mira," Thane called out to Mira, who dropped her handbag and sat on the swivel office chair.

"Yes sir," she answered.

Thane cringed at the title again. He wasn't sure he could be settled with this new title Mira added to his name. 

"Can you stop already?" he said.

"Stop what Sir?" 

"You know what I mean, Mira,"

"I really don't,"

"Why do you keep referring to me Mr. Thane?" 

"Isn't that your name?" she asked.

Thane kept mute for a while. Knowing she wouldn't bulge, he decided to drop the topic.

"I want us to talk about something important," he stated.

Mira looked up from her already opened laptop with little interest.

"What is it sir?" she inquired.

"Can we talk about it over dinner?" he requested.

"I don't think it is appropriate for an employee to have dinner with her boss. Or are you inviting all the employees for dinner?" she asked, smirking.

"Mira, stop acting dumb. You know exactly what I'm doing," he rubbed his palm on his temple in frustration.

"Thane. We are divorced. I would appreciate it if you would leave me alone and focus more on your company," she spoke calmly.

"You think you're that relevant for me not to focus on my job?" Thane scoffed.

Mira felt her ego crumble. She swallowed hard and tried to retain her pride.

"I am your project manager, so in other words, you employed me and this is my first day at work. And we do not know each other," she breathed in sharply as she spoke.

"So you want us to act like strangers and pretend not to know each other?" he questioned 

"Exactly Thane. That would be much appreciated," she responded, clasping her hands together.

"Is Eli my son?" he casually asked, his eyes fixated on her for a moment.

Mira felt her pulse quicken. She knew a day would come when he would ask about his son but she didn't know that day would come on her first day in the office.