Captivated

Five

Parker

I saw Arya gave a naughty smirk at me. That baby! She really is a Coleman, even though she’s a girl.

I noticed Ellie gets nervous easily. When I saw her rushing back to me after she answered the phone, it showed how she genuinely cares for the kid.

When she ran towards me to pick up Arya from my arms, I couldn’t help but smell her scent. It was sweet, yet very attracting. With that, I felt hot inside.

I shouldn’t be acting like this. Having these thoughts would be the last thing that you should think of, Parker.

I should be annoyed. Not aroused.

I need to stop this.

But I can’t think of any way how to get rid of her.

The only way that I could think of is when she herself will leave the job, in which I think she would never do because it was Grandma who gave her the job. And she owes Grandma a lot for her to leave this company.

Ellie will only be here until my old secretary, Mary, comes back for work.

Ellie is just temporary, Parker.

I felt my stomach turn by the thought.

She’s just temporary. When Mary returns, everything goes back to what it should be.

Although Ellie can be very loud and talkative sometimes, she knows when to shut up. She does not complain as well, especially when she needs to work way past her office hours, aside if there’s really a family emergency that she needs to attend to.

I understand how it feels like to have an obligation, especially when it comes to family. I’m the eldest of my Grandma’s grandchildren, and I am my father’s first born. Which makes me responsible for everything, especially when it comes to running and continuing the family business and legacy. My family is a very close family. We do get togethers every once in a while, and it’s done on a regular basis. However, I’m not that close to everyone. I have always been close to my Grandma since I was a kid, and I know everything about the company, that’s why she entrusted the CEO position to me after my father died.

I love both of my brothers, but I’m not the affectionate type. I work with my brothers, but I’m only close to Clarke. Clarke understands me more than Liam does, and when I was at my lowest point in my past, Clarke was the one who got my back.

“Hey, Parker,” Cindy said, entering my office. She held Arya in her arms. “I just came by to say thank you for looking after Arya. And also, Clarke and I have already discussed about the company’s anniversary party and the details. We have it all planned out and organized,” she said.

“That’s good,” I said. I saw her put Arya in her carrier.

“I won’t be staying for too long; I have to fetch Anton from school,” she said. Anton is their first-born child.

“Alright, no problem. Let me walk you out,” I said. I accompanied her to the elevator. “See you later,” I said to her and gave her a hug.

The office was silent the moment Stacy and Arya left. I sighed. Finally, peace.

I saw Ellie staring at me again. I ignored her stare and walked straight back to my office.

Ellie

The next few days were okay. Same routine: wake up, go to work, answer calls and schedule Parker’s appointments, then go home.

I just got back in the office from lunch, and I immediately heard the phone ring. I rushed to my desk to answer it. I was expecting a business-related call, but it was only Kendra.

“OMG!” she screamed in excitement. “I love Coleman Inc.! I love East University! I love Mrs. Coleman! I love Parker Coleman!”  she said

I was shocked. “Can you please talk slowly? And, what the hell are you talking about?” I said in confusion.

“I just heard from our school admin that I’ll be given a bonus allowance. Since I’m graduating and I’ll be working for the university’s clinic after I graduate, that will only mean…” she explained.

“Wait, hold up,” I sat down my chair. “Are you saying, the Colemans are giving you money again?” I asked.

“Yes! And I need to thank them for it. Mrs. Coleman is not answering her phone, I’ve been calling her but she’s not answering. So, I was thinking maybe I can call sir Parker to say ‘thank you’. Is he there?” she asked.

“Wait, I don’t get it,” I said, still confused. “So, you’re saying, even if you’re not studying anymore, you’ll still receive money from them?” I asked.

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing? Even I can’t believe it,” she said in excitement.

Money has really been a big issue in our family, especially after Mom died. Kendra even got sideline jobs while studying, even if she’s a scholar in East University. We have lots of debt because of Mom’s medication way back, and we still owe our lenders money. We also need to pay our bills, and of course, our expenses. We sold most of our stuff as well, including our old car. We were left with our old stuff, those that we could not sell anymore. That’s why I understand how thrilled Kendra is now.

I have always wondered since then why the Colemans were very helpful and kind towards us. They showed us sympathy through bad times and has helped us in lots of ways. Ever since my dad left and Mom was diagnosed with cancer, the Colemans were behind us supporting us.

Maybe they were just generous human beings. And I’m thankful that they are.

“You deserve it. You studied so hard to graduate. Maybe the Colemans saw how hard-working you are,” I said.

“Thanks E. Of course, I couldn’t have done this without you too,” she said.

I felt happy hearing those words. “Don’t thank me. Thank sir Parker. And the Colemans,” I said.

I’ve always thought Parker was just some mere cold-hearted guy that doesn’t give a damn to anyone. But knowing this, the help he gave Kendra, it made me think again.

Maybe Parker isn’t that bad at all.

Although its Linda that we always see and talk to, we still need to thank Parker. Parker also has a say when it comes to deciding who to offer a scholarship.

“So, is sir Parker there?” she asked.

“No, he’s in a conference call at the moment. But I’ll let him know that you called and I’ll extend your thanks to him,” I said.

“Okay. Alright, thanks E. I’ll hang up now, I bet you’re busy,” she said. “Love you, E. See you later. Give sir Parker a kiss for me!” she said.

“Kendra!” I said.

She laughed loudly before she ended the call. It made me think of me actually giving Parker a kiss.

No Ellie! Stop thinking about it!

After the incident I had with Arya and Parker last week, I could imagine how Parker would feel and taste like if…

Cut it out, Ellie!

I sighed.

Parker really has a nice body. His muscles are so toned, you can sketch his body easily.

He made the guys I dated way back like boys.

It’s not that I’ve dated that much guys, but Parker is very different to the guys you just see around. I haven’t really dated that much number of guys since I was busy taking care of my mom and Kendra.

I don’t flirt either; I don’t know how to flirt. I’m very inexperienced when it comes to dating and guys.

Seeing Parker made me wonder what I’ve been missing all this time.

Parker

The conference call just ended when I heard a knock on my office door. I saw it opened and Ellie peeked through it.

“Hey, good you’re free,” she said.

Instead of sitting in the chair in front of my desk, she walked towards me. She was so close, it made me step backward.

She then came closer and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

What the…

I was in shock.

But I kept my composure.

Yet instead of pushing her, I looked her in her eyes.

What the hell was that kiss for?

She looked at me, blushing. “That’s from Kendra,” she said.

Kendra is her sister. I know her because Grandma would always tell me about her. She’s one of our company’s scholar in our university.

Ellie’s hair brushed on her cheek as she made a step backward. I fought the urge to pull her back again.

“You and Mrs. Coleman have helped my family a lot, especially Kendra with her education. She’s very happy with the bonus scholarship that you granted,” she said.

I sat down. “You didn’t have to do that. It wasn’t my idea, it was Grandma’s,” I said.

“But Linda told me its you who gives the final decision,” she said.

I shrugged my shoulders. “East University needs young professionals. Your sister has potential. She deserves it,” I said.

“I know, and you won’t regret giving her that. Kendra will still go back to the university to work, even without the bonus. But… thank you,” she said.

I waited for her to say more but she turned her back and started walking to the door. When she was out of the office, I couldn’t help not to think about that kiss.

Suddenly, I felt warm.