Loveless CEO

Let me drop you home

"But I knew him first before her." She withdraws back to her keyboard. Her eyes fixed on the computer screen as her fingers moves from key to key, her mind can't help but dwell on the stunt at the café.

Lost in her thoughts, Ava barely registered the sound of her office door opening. She looks up to see Susan, standing in the doorway with a look of concern etched on her face. "Hey, Ava, is everything okay?" Susan asks, her voice laced with genuine concern.

Ava quickly composes herself and put on a fake smile. "Oh, everything is fine, Susan. Just had a bit of a rough day, that's all."

"A rough day?" Susan says, adding some steps further to pay attention to Ava. "It's nothing to worry about. I'm doing just fine now." Ava insists, sipping her coffee.

"Okay, if you say so. Because I'm sure I heard clearly, a slammed door." She responds as she retraces her footsteps back to the door and shots the door behind her on her way out.

"Huh... Damit... Why is she so intruding? Why can't she just mind her business?" Ava thought as her hands run through her black hair to her face in frustration. Her jaw groans and her face grows red. "Ava... Calm down, calm down." She talks to herself, exhaling and inhaling breaths of relief, trying to calm herself down.

While her gaze is still fixed on the computer screen, she digresses her hand from one file to the other, scouting for a pen to write some details. When she remembers, she had kept it in the desk drawer the previous day. Just as she opens the drawer, she sees a business card inside. Pondering how a business card got there, but then she remembers that Aunty Tina had given her the card and asked her to place a call to her. "Ooh... Aunty Tina." She pats her forehead. But at the second glance of the card, her mind travels to the brief conversation she had with Aunt Tina that day. Immediately, her face twitches, knowing that she had not reached out to the elderly lady all this while but on second thoughts, she was never interested in the first place, neither does she intend to use it. She knows she could be a lot of things, but not disloyalty to Mr Xander. Hesitatingly, she collects the pen. She sighs and shakes her head, then closes the drawer.

...

"Why not join me so I drop you home?" A voice sounds from a distance. Immediately, Susan raises her head to see whose voice it is. To her surprise, Xander was already standing at her door. "H... Hi Mr Xander." She stammers, surprised to see him at the door. "For how long have you been standing there, sir?" Susan asks, raising her eyebrows resignedly. "Urrmm let's say 5 minutes?" Xander replies, tapping his chin.

Staring at her for a while, he noticed how hardworking and diligent she worked, but it was already past working hours. "I was actually about to leave the office, and I thought I'd offer you a ride home."

Being hesitant to accept the offer. She didn't want to inconvenience her boss or make him feel obligated to drive her home. Despite her reservation, she knows it will be rude to decline his offer. She puts out a small smile. "Thank you, sir," she says gratefully. "I appreciate the offer. But you know I could get a taxi home."

"It's okay. I insist... Just a kind gesture." Xander cuts in. "Meet me downstairs." He walks out. Immediately, she quickly finishes up her work and tidies up her desk before grabbing her bag and making her way to the door. Just at the slightly opened door, she hears a voice from a distance, "Can I join you sir?!" The voice draws closer to the stairs. As Susan looks forward, she sees Mr Xander and Ava by the walk way "No, you can't and besides, we aren't going the same way."

Ava giggles and sighs with a stern look. "Why is it always a no for me? But with Susan, it's different."

"What's that supposed to mean?... Young lady?" Xander sluggishly turns in Ava's direction.

Looking at Xander as he speaks with anger in his voice, Susan immediately leaned backward, squinting behind the door. "Ava?" she thinks out loud, whilst she eavesdrops as they continue their conversation.

"You treat her like she's already your favourite. Of course, that's what the other junior staffs says." She tosses a braid over her shoulder." And you know that's not fair. I mean, isn't it obvious? Someone you barely know." Ava chuckles with beams of disdain.

As they keep talking, Susan steps forward. "Mmm-hmm." She clears her throat to catch their attention. Xander turns his gaze towards her, while Ava gives a puzzled look on her face.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt," Susan says, trying to keep her voice steady. She takes a deep breath and mutters. "Actually, I wanted to let you know I won't be taking the same route as you. I'll be going to John's place before heading home."

"John?" Xander looks at her, surprised that she just changed her mind suddenly. And, he feels jealous that she is going to spend time with John when he had actually planned to spend time with her. "Susan, I just wanted to offer you a ride. It's no big deal. Okay, why not I drive you to his place at once?"

"Thank you, Mr Xander." Susan smiles gratefully at Xander. "I appreciate your kindness." With a nod of gratitude, Susan walks down stairs.

Xander nods with a fake smile. "No problem, Susan. Have a good evening with John then." But deep down, he was unhappy about it.

"See, that's what I mean. You always treat her differently. You never offer me a ride, even if I wish to go your way." She utters coquettishly, leaning towards Xander. Ava mutters under her breath, "Lucky Susan, always getting special treatment."

Xander gives Ava a stern look. "That's enough, Ava." Xander gives Ava a warning look before turning to go his own way.

Ava scoffs. "Of course, Susan gets all the special treatment. Whatever."