Chapter Twenty-Seven: Office Affairs

Eliora's POV

I wish.

I wish.

I wish.

"This is my wish." His words echoed in my head as we both stared at each other in silence, he hadn't given me any reply yet.

"What is your wish?" I asked politely to make a comeback.

The park was bustling with noise and the fireworks whistle continued blowing, we were standing closer to each other.

"My wish is..." Romans started but his phone rang and he quietly brought it out from his trouser pocket and took the call.

"Hey babe," Romans said.

I swallowed as I watched him in silence.

"I'll be back soon," Romans said.

"Okay. I just transferred our wedding cash back" Romans smiled.

"Sure. I love you too" Romans said ending the call and I sighed.

"So?" Romans raised a brow.

"I was asking about your wish" I said kinda jealous.

Should I add the word kinda because I was actually jealous.

"Oh. It's my wish to see the fireworks, I haven't seen one before" Romans said plainly.

"And you want me to believe that? How can you say you haven't seen fireworks before, not even by mistake" I laugh slightly staring at him.

"I haven't" Romans said vividly.

"I'm surprised," I said.

"But it's even amazing seeing it with you," Romans said lovingly.

"So, does that mean your first wish has been fulfilled?" I asked anxiously.

"Yes," Romans said.

"Who would wish to see the fireworks with a friend? I mean, you would have invited Jennifer instead." I said nervously and Romans smirked.

"We've seen it together countless times so it isn't anything special" Romans informed me and I nodded.

"So, what's your second wish?" I asked politely.

"You wait for it," Romans smiled.

His smile melted my heart which prompted me to smile.

"What next?" I asked.

"I'm getting the artificial river," Romans said confidently.

"But... It's a bit scary and one might think he or she is falling into the river. It isn't good for home or office use, it's just for fun" I tried to convince him not to get the tile.

"Don't you like it?" Romans asked in a whispering tone leaning closer to my ear.

His warm breath sent shivers up my spine and I remained speechless.

"What do you say?" Romans asked and I reacted startled.

"I... I don't like it" I stuttered nervously.

"I'm not getting it then" Romans withdrew from me tucking his hand into his trouser pocket.

"Let's go?" I asked in a suggestive manner.

"Not yet" Romans frown.

"But you have a plan with Jennifer?" I reminded him with an envious glare.

"It can wait" Romans said and we started walking out of the path, other people also dispersed as the fireworks had stopped.

The sound from the violins could be heard a bit clear now, I listened to it in silence as we walked.

"Eliora" Romans called softly and I turned to him.

"Yeah" I raised a brow.

It became a bit windy thus I tucked my hand into my blazer pockets.

"Why haven't you gotten a boyfriend yet?" Romans asked, looking so interested.

Why was he so interested in my love affair? What does he want to hear?

I couldn't figure out what's in his mind, so I smiled.

"Who told you I have no boyfriend?" I said rhetorically and Romans stared at me in surprise.

"You've got a man?" Romans asked anxiously.

"Yes, a serious one" I nodded courageously.

Romans mood changed drastically, I could see his eyes became restless and sad. What was he expecting to hear, that I was waiting for him to come back to me? I sailed with the flow.

"But Jennifer..." Romans began but was cut off.

"I haven't introduced him to anyone yet." I interrupted notwithstanding.

"Who's he?" Romans exhaled sharply.

Romans and I were standing beside the car staring at each other, the park was still bustling but not as earlier.

"Eliora?" a familiar voice came from afar and we turned.

"Nathan!" I called in astonishment and happiness.

Nathan approached us, smiling.

"He...?" Romans pointed at him clueless.

"Meet Nathan, my boyfriend and Nathan meet my boss, Romans" I introduced abstractly.

"Oh" Nathan's gaze widened and I signaled him with a wink.

"Boyfriend?" Romans asked in astonishment.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Romans, Eliora told me alot about you" Nathan stretched his hand out for a handshake.

"Pleasure" Romans shook his hand.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Nathan.

"How about I drop you home?" Nathan suggested lovingly.

"Su..." I began but was cut off.

"I brought her out so I'll send her back" Romans disagreed vividly and I smirked softly.

"I'll drop my baby home," Nathan said impulsively.

"I said I'll...." Romans started off annoyingly but his phone rings interrupting his statement and at the sight of his disturbed facial expression, I noticed it was Jennifer's call.

"I'll go with my boyfriend," I said courageously, taking hold of Nathan's hand.

"Good night boss," I said plainly.

"Good night Mr. Romans," Nathan said.

"Eliora..." Romans stared at us in silence as we left into the crowd, I felt sad and happy at the same time.

I entered Nathan's car and he started the engine.

"I'm so sorry about that.." I said apologetically.

"It's okay. I saved you and you owe me one" Nathan winks.

"What were you doing at the park and where have you been? You stopped calling me" I asked anxiously.

"I have been good. Searching for a job lately since my mum's farm got destroyed by some foreign developers. I went to the park for strolling" Nathan smiled as he explained.

"Cool. It's been a while" I nodded.

"How about you? How come you're at the park with your boss and what do you do now?" Nathan asked anxiously.

"After graduation, I got the privilege of being a supervisor at R- Industry and the man you met earlier is the CEO" I informed.

"Woa! He's the famous Triple R? I have heard so much about him and now we started on the wrong foot" Nathan exclaimed slightly and paused.

"What are you doing here with the CEO and what if you were seen with him?" Nathan asked.

"We had some deal and I'm only telling you this because of our past relationship, my CEO is my EX" I said nervously.

"What?" Nathan squealed in shock turning to me and I immediately turned his head back to the road in a funny way.

I don't want to die yet.

"It's the past though" I sighed.

"You're a lucky girl," Nathan smiled.

"So.... You .... You used me?" Nathan stammered sadly and my eyes quivered avoiding his gaze.

"I'm so sorry Nat... I had no choice" I pleaded sadly.

"It's okay" Nathan forced an assuring smile.

"As you said, I owe you one" I said mischievously.

"Really?" Nathan's mood lightened up.

"Yes" I nod.

"Then we are even." Nathan smiled, I sigh and lean my face on the window staring at the dark cloudy sky.

Romans POV

Who the fuck was Nathan and how does he relate with Eliora?

Eliora belonged to me and whether I wanted her or not was no one's business.

Her boyfriend? In his dream.

I couldn't stop staring at Eliora holding hands with another man and leaving me behind.

What was she thinking?

I angrily punched the body of the car, it hurt but I didn't wince. I was both angry with myself and mad at Eliora for moving on without me.

What's so bad about being single? It wasn't bad.

I rubbed my forehead trying to calm myself down when the annoying call came in again. I felt like smashing the phone but it's of no use.

The anger should be directed to Mr. Nathan and not my phone. I sighed and took the call.

"Hey babe" Jennifer's voice came out from the phone as I entered the car.

"I'm on my way honey" I said starting the engine.

"Sure. Drive safe" Jennifer said softly and the call ended.

Maybe I shouldn't care about Eliora, I have a bride that loves me down to earth. I must remain faithful, Eliora is nothing but my past mistake.

I drove out of the park angrily.

I arrived home a bit late and saw Jennifer standing in the passage waiting for me.

"Babe" Jennifer called out worriedly immediately she saw me.

"Hun" I approached her and gave her a warm embrace.

"I missed you," Jennifer said resting her head on my shoulder.

"I missed you too" I smiled as we slowly pulled away from each other.

"Come in then. I have been waiting for you" Jennifer led the way and we walked to the dining room.

"Where's Jane?" I asked while taking my seat.

"She left to her place" Jennifer said as she arranged the dishes on the table.

"Anything new?" I asked.

"Not exactly. She wanted to give us some privacy" Jennifer said with a smile and took her seat.

"That girl," I smirked.

"Go ahead and eat, you must be hungry." Jennifer said lovingly.

"You're the best babe" I said lovingly.

"The thing is that I love you so much ... I can't control my feelings at times" Jennifer explained nervously and I smiled.

"I totally understand babe, I love you much more than you think." I winked flirtatiously.

"I feel so special right now." Jennifer blushed as I started eating delicately.

"Oh!" I drink a glass of water.

"Are you alright?" Jennifer asks, concerned.

"Yes. I spoke to my parents and your dad, they advised us to hurry with our wedding so they would attend else we will get married in their absence." I informed happily.

"Really? That means I'll hurry with the preparations." Jennifer said happily.

"Please do. I can't wait to call you my wife." I said.

"Sure, sure. I'll hurry babe. Now eat." Jennifer said and I nodded.

Eliora's POV

Nathan and I parted ways after he dropped me at the gate. I walked into the estate in a confused state.

Did I do the right things? I think I did the right thing.

I couldn't think straight, why is it that anytime I spend time with Romans I always feel confused?

I ignored Desmond's greeting for the first time and went straight into my room.

Actually, today is a very good day.

The next day, I was about to enter the elevator when I heard my name from behind and stopped walking.

"Eliora," Jennifer called out.

"Jenny" I turned backward.

"What are you doing here? It's rare to see you" I said rhetorically in astonishment.

"Well, I have good news for you" Jennifer said happily tapping my shoulder softly, we started walking again and entered into the empty elevator.

"I'm impatient," I said.

"By next month, I and Romans are officially getting married" Jennifer said excitedly and I smiled.

I swear I forced the smile out but inside of me, I was burning in anger.

"Why? I mean why the rush?" I asked anxiously.

"Well, Romans parents and mine are quite busy thus we have to hurry to enable them witness our union" Jennifer explains briefly.

"Ohh. It's good news indeed" I said, nodding like a wall gecko.

I couldn't stop nodding.

"I need your assistant babe," Jennifer said sadly.

"How can I help you?" I asked.

"Well with the venue, wedding dress, catering service and all of it. Can we meet at the mall later?" Jennifer asked anxiously with a pitiful face.

"Sure. I'll try to squeeze out time but today, I'm a bit busy" I informed.

"Please do this for me babe, it's my perfect day" Jennifer said pitifully.

"Okay. Okay, I'll meet you there when I'm done with morning rounds" I said with an assuring smile.

"I love you Eliora" Jennifer said planting a soft kiss on my cheek and immediately the elevator rings sliding open, the staff standing aside waiting for an empty elevator stare at us in bizarre.

I cleared my throat nervously and left the elevator avoiding their gaze, Jennifer followed cowardly from behind.

After attending the morning meeting, I visited the counting site to meet with the manager in charge.

"Good morning ma'am" the Manager-in-charge named Ralf greets courteously.

"Morning Ralf, what's the update?" I asked as we walked on the passage.

There were loud horns coming from the vans and thuds from the stacking cartons. The minor staff were busy arranging goods for distribution.

"Nothing new ma'am" Ralf informed.

"No new import?" I asked.

"None at the moment. We are about sending these to the distribution unit so it will be given to wholesalers" Ralf explained briefly.

"Alright. I'll leave it to you then" I said.

"Sure" Ralf bowed shortly as I walked to the exit.

My phone vibrated and immediately I checked the message.

It was from Romans.

["Second wish: Meet me in my office."]

I read the message quickly with a small smile on my face.

Why was I smiling like a fool? Urgh!

I made my way to the Chief Executive Officer's office.

"Come in" Romans voice came out aloud and I walked into his cold office.

Yes, the air conditioner was really doing its work.

Romans eyes were fixed attentively on his laptop and I didn't want to interrupt him but I just can't stand in his office like a clown. I need to announce my presence, maybe he has forgotten someone is in his office.

"You called for me, Sir" I said softly in a polite manner.

"Yeah. Take a sit" Romans gradually closed his laptop as I proceeded closer to his table and took my seat on the semi hard leather seat.

"What were you doing?" Romans asked.

"I was checking out the products in the factory," I said courteously.

"Ohh" Romans nodded.

"Why did you call for me?" I asked anxiously as I couldn't hold my curiosity.

"I wanted you to fulfill my second wish," Romans said bluntly.

"Do you need all these wishes? You already have wishes that come true everyday. Look at you, you will be getting married soon. That's a wish come true!" I said sarcastically but my eyes showed jealousy and sadness, Romans smirked.

"Jennifer already told you." Romans raised a brow.

"Yeah and I'll be her maid of honor, isn't it gonna be beautiful?" I asked annoyingly.

"It will," Romans smiled.

Romans smiled those wicked and annoying smiles that will make anyone go mad for no reason.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked anxiously.

"What?" Romans asked slyly.

"Do you still like me?" I asked sadly.

"No," Romans said bluntly.

"Do you think I'm pretty?" I asked hopelessly.

"No" He didn't blink an eye.

"Do you want me?" I asked nervously.

"No." He sighed.

I was beginning to lose hope in these silly questions, I was asking but I didn't give up.

"If I die, will you cry?" I asked sadly.

"No." He said.

"If you were given two options to choose between your life and mine, which would you choose?" I asked anxiously.

"Mine!" He said vividly.

I stood from the seat and turned around to leave his office, tears were already gathering around my eyelids. I couldn't believe I had really lost him and I had no hope, I felt humiliated and my pride was stepped on.

Before I knew it, He grabbed my arm and I stared at him, clueless.

"I don't like you, I love you. I don't think you're pretty because you're beautiful. I don't want you because I need you. I won't cry if you die because I'll die with you. I'll choose my life because you're my life." He said lovingly in a soft gentle voice and I stared at him in astonishment.

"What.. do.. you.. want?" I asked, stuttering nervously with his beautiful eyes piercing deeply into mine.

It felt surreal and I wasn’t expecting such from him.

"I want to kiss you." Romans said impulsively as we stared at each other in silence.

What's going on? What do you expect me to do? He's freakingly getting married to my fucking best friend. I can't stoop so low but... I also crave for his dazzling lips.