Akinetopsia

21 : Stay professional.

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The next day, Athena woke up early despite arriving on their house at 1:00 am in the midnight. she woke up at 5 just to talk to Ethan since it's the usual time he's going to the office.

"Chairman...." she knocked on the latter's door, memorizing the apology she has on her mind.

"Chairman....?" she knocked again. No one answered. She twisted the doorknob but it was locked.

'He never lock his door...'

Athena started to worry that something might happen. But then, The door suddenly opened revealing a fully dressed Ethan on her sight.

He didn't even bothered to glance on her direction and just walked towards the stairs. Athena followed his tracks.

"Chairman, let's talk..."

"We don't have anything to talk about Ms.Saavedra."

there he goes again with his cold remarks. Athena gulped her saliva and ran to his front, blocking his way to the door.

"Please spare me a minute." She insisted, Ethan coldly looked at her and glanced at his watch.

"55 seconds." he counted. Athena flinched and started her speech.

"I'm very very sorry about what happened yesterday, It's my fault, i know you can blame me for that. I promised you and i failed to fulfill it. You can be mad at me and I'll accept it but please don't take everything personally. I didn't intend to hurt your feelings in the first place so if you can, please forgive me. I'll never do it again." he blankly stared at her the whole time. Athena scoffed.

"10 seconds."

"please.... forgive me chairman?"

"Times up." he said and asked her to move.

it felt like he didn't even listened to everything that she said.

"Chairman please say something!!" 

she yelled and grabbed his wrist, pulling him to her direction. Ethan snapped, glancing at her with annoyance.

"What do you want me to say? If you're thinking I am mad, you made a mistake. I'm just taking this situation professionally just like what you are talking about. Can you just stay professional too, Ms Saavedra? you're so irritating."

harsh words came out from his mouth like how they were coming out in the past. Athena looked down feeling ashamed of herself.

"But chairman it's too obvious that you are mad. I'm really really sorry, okay?! I'm sorry that i forget about you. I'm sorry if i spend time with Mr. Clarkson when i promised you already to-"

"You're jumping on your own conclusion Assistant Saavedra."

he walked closer to her, glaring at her eyes as he gritted his teeth with annoyance.

"I don't care with what you'll do nor what you'll say. I don't give a damn if you are with Gavin when you are supposed to spend the time with me. I do not care at all," he moved his head towards her ear, "You are just my assistant. know your place."

he hissed and violently swung his arm. Athena stood still as Ethan walked towards his car. Secretary Lim worriedly looked at her position and mouthed 'talk to you later' before they left.

'right.... it was the old him afterall. the cold Chairman Ethan Lance Mircovich everybody knows.'

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It's been a week since that incident. Ethan refused to talk to her whenever it's not about their job. He's too professional if you must say.

and because of that, Athena was hurt.

She hated it. Now that they are still always together, He's always so near but still so far away.

She thought they are in good terms already. 

But with a single mistake she made, He instantly burned her bridges. In the span of a week, Athena and Gavin got closer instead. She always ask Gavin how to reconcile with Sunghoon. She's gathering information about him from Gavin. Gavin was happy to help, even tho he himself is getting snubbed by Ethan. He bet that Ethan is mad at him too. He just don't show it.

"This is the schedule for today's meetings, chairman."

she formally said, giving him the tablet after she arranged his schedules. 

Ethan took it and put it on his desk before speaking.

"If you don't have anything to say now, leave."

see? he didn't even bothered to look at her. He's being brutally professional unlike the old times.

"Chairman... I am just wondering..."

ethan stopped from writing something on the papers on his table but he's still not looking.

"I just wonder if you are free tonight? The schedules are packed in the morning but there's no upcoming schedule at night... So i guess i can ask you out?" she smiled nervously. Ethan looked at her direction.

"Why?"

he asked as he rested both of his elbows on the tables and leaned his chin on his hands.

"uhmmm.. nothing. should there be a reason to invite you out for a simple dinner?"

Ethan stared at her eyes for a moment, trying to read what she's implying.

"6:45 pm sharp. "he said. Athena's eyes went wide.

"Wait-Really-WHY??!!" Ethan looked at her, His eyes slowly went softer.

"Should there be a reason to accept an invitation for a simple dinner?"Athena giggled, hearing the exact excuse she used earlier from him.. Ethan's lips curved upward a little.

"Alright chairman! That's a promise okay?"

"But this is my treat. I'll text you the location later. You can have the rest of the day now."

"really? I can go now?"

"The schedules aren't that hectic. I won't need you here anymore. You can leave now,"

he explained while nodding his head. Athena's eyes sparkled.

"Booo~ Okay okay. At least you agreed! I'm excited!"

she jumped with happiness and skipped her steps to her desk again.

"you look so happy Assistant Saavedra." 

Secretary Lim met her on the entrance of his office. Athena smiled at him.

"he accepted my invitation!!"

she hopped childishly. Secretary Lim chuckled.

"You better prepare for tonight. Don't dump him again okay?"

Athena happily nodded. She looked at the glass wall, seeing Ethan looking at their direction. He immediately shifted his gaze towards his papers again. Athena laughed and walked towards her desk. Secretary Lim walked inside his office.As Athena sat on her chair, Her phone rang.

'Gavin...?'

she thought to herself and answered the phone quickly.

"is this Ms. Athena Saavedra?"

A rather anxious voice of a woman answered her. Her forehead creased.

"Yes... and who is this?"

she asked with worry.

"Thank god you answered! Can you drop off here at Youngmaster Clarkson's residence? It's an emergency!"

the woman told her hurriedly. She stood up on her chair and immediately took her bag.

"What happened to Gavin?"

She heard countless grunts on the other side of the phone, then a sound that feels like the phone was thrown to the ground.

"Athena...?"

Gavin's familiar voice answered from the other side of the line. It seems to be rather lower than before.

"What happened?"

"I need you here right now but i don't want to disturb you- ackk! "

the phone was cut by him, groaning in pain. Athena worried even more.

"What happened? Gavin!!"

She ran towards the elevator door and went inside.

"Please come here so that we can explain. I emailed you the address." Gavin's assistant commanded. Athena nodded her head.

"Okay. I'll be there."

Athena hung up the call and checked her email to see Gavin's address.

'I can make it later right....?'

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