The Secret Heiress

Chapter Four

There was nothing more enticing to Catherina Hewitt than a game. She loved to play games and more than anything, she loved to win because every win had prizes. Right now, she was playing to win Dylan's heart and he was the prize.

She hadn't seen Dylan in the past few weeks and he had been ignoring her calls. Was he with another woman? She could not imagine it. She didn't even want to imagine it.

Right now, as she stood in front of his door with his assistant blocking the way, she hoped with everything in her to see him.

“You can’t go in, Ms. Hewitt.” Matthew, his assistant said. “You’re not allowed to. Mr Antonio is busy and he gave instructions to be left alone. ”

She faced Matthew with a menacing glare, “How dare you tell me to stop, Matthew?

You are just his assistant. I am the HR and my father is a major shareholder in this company. Don't you dare talk to me like that.”

Matthew's hands were folded at his back, “Mr. Antonio requested that no one disturbed him when he returned.”

“He just returned, shouldn’t he be addressing his employees especially since he's been absent for weeks? ”

“It would be in your best interest to be careful of what you say, Ms. Hewitt.” Matthew said. “Mr. Antonio is very aware of his responsibilities and will act accordingly. ”

Catharina’s teeth gritted, “How dare you talk to me like that you lowly mutt. Don't forget I am your superior.”

“I have not neglected my position.” He responded, “I never have.”

She opened her mouth to speak when from her peripheral gaze, she caught the stare of Dylan who stared directly at her with an expression that made her words deplete into nothing. She didn't want to say or do anything stupid in the presence of Dylan because she didn't want to ruin her chances with him. She had always loved him ever since they were children but he had never looked her way but she hoped that one day, he would love her as much as she loved him and she had to make that happen as soon as possible.

Blinking, she looked away, clearing her throat, “I’ll return when he’s less busy. Clear his schedule and let him attend to us at the moment.”

Matthew did not respond and Dylan's gaze pierced her. She gathered the remaining parts of her dignity and walked back into her office, her stilettos making clicking echoing sounds on the floor.

Hours passed slowly passed by as she merely sat at her desk, doing nothing. She tapped her feet furiously on the floor. There was barely anything she could think of except him and the stare he’d given her. A haunting feeling accompanied her. Did he hear her?

“Ms. Hewitt,” She looked up.

Matthew stood in front of her. She grimaced, “What do you want?”

“Mr. Antonio has requested for you.”

Excitement thrummed through her entire veins. Her eyes gleamed and she stood, “Of course. Thank you, Matthew.”

With her head held high, she walked briskly to his office, a smile plastered across her face. Why had she been so bothered in the first place?

When she got to his office door, he was seated, Laptop open and a heap of files on his desk. She tried not to gawk at him but he was so handsome that she couldn't take her eyes off him. A sad feeling crept into her heart. If only he loved her as she loved him, then they would have made the best couple.

She approached him with a wide smile on her painted lips, but he didn't look at her. She undid some buttons of her shirt to reveal her cleavage and placed her freshly painted nails on the desk. “You asked for me, Mr. Antonio.” Dylan didn’t acknowledge her but she continued speaking. “I left calls and some messages but you…”

“Why are there so many complaints from your department, Ms. Hewitt?” Dylan asked, interrupting her.

He stood up from his seat and placed his hands into his pocket. “Why?” He asked again.

She froze and stepped back in surprise, she didn't expect him to scold her. “What?”

“Your department has had the worst efficiency overall this year and worst of all, your team at HR were hired to direct the overall performance of the company, am I correct?”

“Y-Yes,” she stuttered. She hated being helpless as she was now and worse, she hated being scolded by the man of her dreams.

Dylan flung the papers on the table. Catharina's breath caught. Dylan had always had anger issues, everyone could see he was frustrated with his life and he chose to vent his anger on anyone who didn't do their job well.

“Then what is this?” he scolded, referring to the figures on the files.

Her lips parted to speak but her words died in her throat.

“Answer me, Catherina,” he nearly yelled.

He was upset, really upset. She could hear it so clearly in the tone of his voice. She had to think of an excuse immediately. “Y-You weren’t here so…”

“So you couldn’t do the job I pay you for?” he arched his brow.

“You disappeared suddenly, we couldn’t handle…”

“Excuses, excuses, excuses!” he scolded, interrupting her. “And You dared call Matthew a lowly mutt when you couldn’t do your own job?”

Her eyes widened. He heard everything. “Dyl-Mr. Antonio, with you gone away, the work was too much for… ” Her words hitched when she met his deafening stare.

His knuckles were turning white and the vein on his neck had popped up. He released a breath and sat down on the seat.

Catharina knew he was trying to control his anger.

“I was gone for three weeks, Ms. Hewitt and the office was closed for two. You and your team had one simple week and I ensured we were done dealing with clients before my absence. You have no excuse.”

“I-I’m sorry, I…”

“Prepare a general meeting with the staff in an hour. You may leave now,” he whispered.

He focused on the files again, didn't spare her another glance and continued working. She wondered if he had noticed her cleavage or was attracted to her but he didn't care. He never cared about women. It was just about work and himself. Sometimes, it made her wonder if he was gay.

“As you wish.” She turned, head bowed and made to leave.

“And one more thing, Ms Hewitt,” he muttered.

She turned back, expecting he wanted to apologize for scolding her.

“Fix the buttons of your shirt. We're not in a club.”

Her face flamed in embarrassment. “Okay, sir.”

“Fine,” he stated, going back to work. “You can leave.”

Catharina walked out feeling more embarrassed than she had been in her entire life. Something was wrong, he was… different. She could feel it. Those eyes, they seemed to be searching for something, someone.

Her eyes widened. Was there someone?