MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 9: WHIRLWIND OF CONFLICTING EMOTION

As soon as he step forward to meet her, he then stop.

She was here, working in his family’s company, and yet she had been hiding from him? Why so?

He couldn’t dwell on those questions for long, though. A plan was already forming in his mind.

Without wasting another moment, Shau stepped back, retreating to a more private spot where he pulled out his phone. He dialed the number of the department head, who answered promptly.

“Mr. Zhang?” came the department head’s voice, a mix of surprise and professionalism.

Shau kept his tone measured, hiding any trace of the emotions swirling within him. “I need a favor,” he began. “The employee named Jenny Gonzales—please assign her additional tasks today. Make sure she has enough to keep her occupied for the rest of the day and into the evening. It’s important that she stays to complete the work, even if it means working overtime.”

The department head hesitated only for a moment. “Of... Of course, Mr. Zhang. I’ll make sure it’s done. But, may I ask if there's any problem?”

“I need the report tomorrow morning. Thank you,” Shau replied before ending the call. He put his phone away, his eyes drifting back to where Jenny was seated, still unaware of his presence.

As he walked away, a sense of satisfaction settled over him. He had seen her, confirmed her presence, and now, he had a plan to keep her close—at least for a little while longer. He wasn’t ready to confront her just yet, but he wasn’t going to let her slip away again either.

Jenny was wrapping up her day, ready to head home, when her phone buzzed on her desk. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was Mr. Duavis, the department head, calling. A small frown tugged at her lips as she answered.

“Hello, Mr. Duavis?”

“Jenny, I need you to stay for overtime tonight,” Mr. Duavis said, his tone firm. “There’s a report that needs to be finished by tomorrow morning, and I’m counting on you to handle it.”

Jenny felt her stomach drop. The last thing she wanted was to stay late, especially after the draining day she had already endured. “Overtime? Mr. Duavis, I—”

“It’s urgent, Jenny,” Mr. Duavis interrupted, cutting off her protest. “This report is crucial, and I need someone reliable to get it done. You’re the best person for the job.”

Jenny sighed, leaning back in her chair. “But it’s already late, and I’m exhausted. Can’t someone else help out? Maybe we can split the work?”

“No, Jenny,” Mr. Duavis replied, his voice unyielding. “This is something that needs to be done by one person, and that person is you. I need you to handle it alone. Please, Jenny, it’s important.”

Jenny bit her lip, frustration bubbling up inside her. She couldn’t understand why this was being dumped on her so suddenly, and why it had to be her, alone. But the way Mr. Duavis insisted left her little choice. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Alright,” she finally conceded, feeling a mix of resignation and irritation.

“Thank you, Jenny. I knew I could count on you,” Mr. Duavis said, sounding relieved. “I’ll make sure everything you need is ready.”

As Jenny ended the call, she slumped back in her chair, a sigh escaping her lips. She glanced around the office, now mostly empty, and couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this situation was off. But with no one around to share her concerns, she had no choice but to get started on the mountain of work that had just been dumped on her.

Little did she know, her long night was only beginning.

Late Night in the Office

The office was quiet, with only the hum of the air conditioning and the soft tapping of Jenny’s keyboard breaking the silence. She sighed, pushing herself away from her desk. She was alone, the rest of her department having gone home hours ago. Overtime wasn’t what she had planned for the night, but she couldn’t exactly refuse the request from her department head.

She decided for a cup of coffee and went to the break room. The coffee machine was her only solace at the moment.

As she poured herself a cup, the warm aroma filled her senses, giving her a momentary comfort. She took a sip, hoping the caffeine would give her the energy to push through the rest of the night.

Just as Jenny was about to leave the break room, she reached for the doorknob but froze as it twisted from the other side. Who is still here when she thought that she's all alone?

As the door slowly open and revealing the person standing in the doorway, it almost took her breath away when she finally saw him. Her heart went on to a high speed of crambling that it almost drop her coffee.

She knew that she can't avoid him here for too long, but not now. She's not ready for this. But here he is, standing just a few feet away, staring at her with that familiar, playful look in his eyes.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jenny felt her breath hitch as Shau’s gaze traveled over her, his lips curling into a smirk as if he had been expecting this moment all along.

“Well, well,” Shau finally said, stepping closer, his tone teasing, “fancy meeting you here, Jenny.”Jenny’s mind raced, trying to find a way out of this situation, but she was trapped—both by the room and by his presence.

“What are you doing here?” Jenny managed to ask, her voice steady, though her heart was racing.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Shau replied, his eyes never leaving hers. “But I already know the answer. Working late, are we?” His playful tone only made her more uncomfortable. She tried to step around him, but Shau gently blocked her path, his expression growing more serious. “Why didn’t you tell me you worked here?” he asked, his voice softening, but there was an underlying intensity that Jenny couldn’t ignore.

Jenny felt like she lost her words.

Her pulse quickened as Shau leaned closer, his presence overwhelming in the small break room. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, his scent familiar yet unsettling after all this time.

“Why didn’t you want me to know?” Shau’s voice was gentle, but there was a firmness in his question that made it clear he wouldn’t accept a deflection.

“I just… wanted to keep things professional,” Jenny said, her voice wavering slightly. “It’s better that way, Mr. Zhang.”

"Mr. Zhang?" He chuckle. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me, for being professional?” He took another step closer, his gaze locked on hers.

His presence brought back memories she had been trying to suppress. Her mind flashed back to the times they spent together, the easy laughter, the stolen glances, and the way his touch used to make her heart race. But those memories were tainted by the way things had ended—by the way he had disappeared without a word, leaving her to piece herself back together.

“You look scared, baby?” His tone soft but probing.

Jenny stiffened, her defenses rising. “I’m not scared.”

“Then why won’t you look me in the eye?” He gently cupped her chin, his thumb grazing the soft skin of her lower lip as he tilted her face toward him. His eyes locked onto hers with a mischievous glint, then drifted down to her lips. A playful smile curved at the corners of his mouth as he paused, savoring the moment, making her heart race in anticipation, the warmth of his touch and the intensity of his gaze.

Jenny’s gaze flickered up to meet his, and she regretted it instantly. His eyes, dark and intense.

“I... I still have work to finish, Mr. Zhang. If you'll excuse me." Shau chuckle when she step out of the break room leaving him alone.

Just as she was about to start on the final report, the sound of footsteps echoed from the break room.

His eyes scanned the documents scattered across her desk.

He approached her desk, glancing over her shoulder at the report she was working on.

Jenny couldn’t help but feel a little unnerved by his presence. She kept her eyes on the report in front of her, determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.

Shau leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to an intimate tone. “You’re doing a great job. It’s late. You shouldn’t be here all by yourself. It’s just you and me here now, huh?”

Jenny felt a shiver run down her spine at his words. She could sense the subtle flirtation in his tone, but she refused to engage. "I’ll be done soon. You don’t have to worry about me.”

But Shau wasn’t done. He reached out, lightly touching a file on her desk, his fingers brushing against hers as he did.

Jenny’s breath hitched, and she quickly pulled her hand away, finally meeting his gaze.

Shau leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. “I asked Mr. Duavis to let you work overtime." His voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone. "Because I wanted to see you, baby. I’ve missed you.”

Jenny’s heart thudded in her chest, but she refused to let her emotions get the best of her. She turned away, focusing on her computer screen, trying to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks. “Please, I can't focus. I need to finish this.” Jenny could feel the walls she’d built around herself starting to crack under the weight of his words. But she couldn’t let him in, not after everything that had happened.

He took a step back, giving her space, but the tension between them remained thick in the air. “I’ll let you finish up here. I'll just stay quiet around, baby." He glanced at her and smile before he turned back and find a chair.

This time, the silence was heavy with the unresolved emotions lingering between them, and Jenny couldn’t shake the feeling that this was far from over.

Late Night Departure

Jenny finally wrapped up her work. She let out a tired sigh and stood, ready to leave. Shau had been silently watching her from the other side of the room, his presence a constant reminder of the unresolved tension between them.

"All done?" Shau asked.

Jenny nodded curtly, not bothering to look up. "Yes. I’m going home now."

Shau stepped forward, his gaze fixed on her. "How about dinner? You must be hungry after working so late."

Jenny finally met his eyes, her expression cold. "No, thank you. I’m not hungry. I just want to go home."

He smirk with her cold expression. "Then let me drop you off at your apartment. It’s late, and I’d feel better knowing you got home safely."

"I can manage," Jenny replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder and heading for the door. She moved to pass him, but Shau gently caught her arm, stopping her in her tracks.

“No.” Shau said, his tone taking on a more authoritative edge. “I’ll take you home.”

She knew there was no arguing with him, not when he used that tone. He did not asked her consent anymore. He tried to hold her going to the elevator but she quickly pull her hand. "We are in the office, Mr. Zhang."

He looked at her and hesitatedly nod.

As they were inside the elevator, a flash of intense moment came in Jenny's memory with Shau. But now they were so quiet.

The car ride was quiet, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Jenny stared out the window, her thoughts racing, while Shau occasionally glanced at her, trying to gauge her mood. He wanted to say something, anything, to break the silence, but every word that came to mind felt inadequate.

As they pulled up to her apartment building, Shau turned off the engine and looked over at Jenny, who was already unbuckling her seatbelt.

“Baby,” he started, his voice softer now.

Jenny paused, her hand on the door handle. She didn’t turn to face him. She get shivers everytime he called her baby, like before.

"Good night." He reached out, placing a hand on her arm, to kiss her like before but she quickly pulled away.

"I need to go."

As he watched her get out of the car, he doesn't understand why he felt his heart sinking as she walked away without a backward glance. In the past, they would have shared a sweet goodbye kiss. But now, there was nothing but a frosty dismissal, a clear indication that the bridge between them had burned. Shau remained in the car, staring at the spot where she had just been.

The Next Morning

The morning sun filtered through the blinds of the office, casting a warm glow over the bustling workspace. Jenny was just settling into her desk when Mr. Duavis walked briskly into the department. His usual calm demeanor was replaced with a hint of urgency.

“Jenny,” Mr. Duavis called out, his tone making Jenny’s heart skip a beat. “What have you done with your report? Mr. Zhang wants to see you in his office. Now.”

Jenny’s colleagues exchanged curious glances and whispers. “Wow, what did you do to get called by him?” Jessa asked, her voice tinged with envy.

Jenny didn't say anything. She felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach.

As Jenny made her way to Shau’s office, her colleagues watched with a mixture of envy and speculation. The fact that she was being summoned by Shau, the chairman’s son, sparked a lot of interest among them. Whispers about possible promotions or failed report or special projects circulated quickly through the office.

Jenny took a deep breath before knocking on Shau’s office door. She could hear Shau’s voice from inside, instructing her to enter.

Jenny stepped into the office, feeling his gaze on her immediately. Shau was leaning back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched her approach.

"Good morning, Mr. Zhang." She could feel the air in the room change, becoming thick with tension. Shau gestured for her to sit, his eyes never leaving her as she did.

“I wanted to discuss your work,” Shau began, his tone deceptively casual, but the glint in his eyes told a different story. “I got your report. You’ve been doing very well.”

Jenny nodded, trying to maintain her composure. “Thank you, Mr. Zhang.”

Shau leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his intense gaze locking onto hers. “Mr. Zhang? We’re really still doing that?” he asked, his voice a soft, teasing whisper. “I think we’re past formalities, baby.”

She felt her pulse quicken but kept her expression neutral. “I’m here to discuss work, Mr. Zhang. And please, stop calling me that way.”

Shau chuckled, the sound low and dangerously attractive. “Work, yes. But I can’t help but notice how hard you’re trying to keep things strictly professional. It’s almost as if you’re trying to keep me at arm’s length.” He rose from his chair and walked around the desk. Her pulse quickened, her breath hitching in her throat as she watched him approach. She tried to keep her composure, but the way he moved with such confidence, such authority, sent her mind spiraling into forbidden thoughts. As he stood in front of her, towering over her with an unreadable expression, her gaze inadvertently flicked downward. Her cheeks flushed instantly as her imagination took a wicked turn.

Panicking, Jenny quickly averted her eyes, staring hard at the wall behind him, her mind racing. She felt the heat rise in her face, cursing herself for where her thoughts had gone. Mr. Zhang’s deep, almost teasing voice broke the silence, “Is something on your mind, Miss Gonzales?”

Jenny tried to keep her breathing steady as he leaned against the desk, towering over her, his presence overwhelming. “I just want to do my job,” she replied, her voice firmer than she felt.

“Do you?” Shau asked, a mischievous smile curling his lips. He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering just a moment too long. “Or are you afraid of what might happen if you let your guard down?”

Jenny’s breath hitched, but she refused to back down. “I’m not afraid of anything.”

Shau’s smile widened, and he leaned in closer, so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “Not even of me?” he whispered, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "I know you feel it too... Why fight it? We can do it again,” he said with his voice a soft purr that gave shivers to her spine.

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