Just Like Work

Chapter 6. The Finest

Chapter 6. The Finest

The Aurelius :-

After consulting among themselves, Parth and Maria got back into the cabin and found Anthony staring holes in their faces as he sat with his legs crossed.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Anthony,” Parth addressed with a courtesy smile plastered on his heart-shaped face. “Would you like some coffee or tea before we start?”

Anthony’s gaze briefly met with Maria’s before he walked out of Manager’s cabin like he owned the place. Parth nodded at Maria, he could see what she was talking about - the man sure was a nuisance. Both followed behind Anthony, who took long strides through the lounge and straight to the men’s section before stopping in front of the watch aisle and taking a seat.

Taking a sharp inhale to embrace himself for what was about to come Parth asked, “What type of watches would you like to see, sir?”

“What do you suggest?” Anthony answered Maria who was standing behind Parth, completely overlooking him.

Maria’s anxiety was starting to bubble, her heart raced but she had her 'professionalism' mask on. She took a relaxed breath before answering, “Apologies sir, but I am unqualified in that regard.”

“Unqualified…” Anthony’s lips curled into a subtle knowing smile.

‘He probably thinks I am lying,’ Maria stood unfazed but her inner self was experiencing quite the opposite.

Parth jumped in, “She is a junior sales assistant.” emphasizing the word ‘junior’, “That’s why, sir, I am here and Ms. Maria will be assisting me.”

Anthony relaxed on the couch, his legs one over the other, “The finest.” His eyes remained on Maria like he was challenging her.

Resisting the urge to look away, Maria nodded, “Sure, sir.” She left to pick out some of the finest watches from their glass displays and assembled them on a tray to be presented to Anthony.

“These are some of our most exclusive pieces, sir” Parth stated and pointed out the specifications of each of the items one by one. He gestured to the display tray, an array of glittering timepieces.

Anthony’s eyes roamed briefly over the offerings, but Maria noted that his attention seemed to linger on her instead. She cleared her throat; her professionalism expertly masked her unease.

Anthony got up, walked past Parth who had just finished stating the specifications of the last watch from the display tray, and stationed himself before Maria. “Which one?”

He was standing only at a feet’s distance from her, his perfume filling up her nostrils, and her pulse quickened at the unexpected intimacy. Poised, she took a step back from him. It was obvious to her that he hadn’t come for the watch but her. “Pardon!”

“Pick one for me.” Anthony rephrased.

‘Pick one for you… You bet I will.’ Maria stretched her lips in a smile and answered, “The one I would pick isn’t here, Sir.”

His brows raised in amusement.

“May I suggest something more exquisite to better suit the grandiose? A limited-edition watch?” She hopped behind the display counter into a closet and pulled out a black box, the most expensive one from the entire collection. “This one-of-a-kind piece with rare studded diamonds is timeless.” She handed it over to Anthony and added, “Its intricate design and flawless craftsmanship makes it a ‘true’ collector’s item.”

Parth stood back and observed the exchange giving Maria a heads-up for handling it well.

Anthony studied the watch, his fingers deftly tracing the delicate pattern. “Impressive,” he murmured engrossed in the luxurious details.

“If I might add, this watch will pair perfectly with one of the cufflinks in our limited edition. Would you like to take a look, sir?” Her tone was laced with a touch of insolence as she waited for his answer.

A sardonic smile took over Anthony’s expression, like accepting her challenge. He took off the watch he was wearing to replace it with the one she had just presented to him.

Maria got his queue and brought the cufflinks she was referring to in a minute. “You will be the first one to wear it. These arrived this weekend and are yet to be launched.”

“They are meticulously handcrafted, a perfect complement to the watch,” Parth added gesturing at the ornate pair.

A flash of something akin to admiration danced in Anthony’s eyes but it wasn’t for the cufflinks, his smirk deepened. “You have an eye for detail, Maria.”

“It is our job to cater to our customers with the items suitable to their taste to the best of our ability.” She met his gaze with an unyielding defiance. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate her in her own workplace.

Anthony’s lips curved into a half smile, his eyes locking onto hers, “A drink with you would be more suitable to my taste…”

Maria’s jaw tightened, her irritation simmering beneath her carefully controlled exterior.

“Would that be all, Mr. Anthony?” Parth said, sliding between Maria and Anthony.

“Pack them,” Anthony’s voice was a soft rumble as he gave the command, handing out a black card from his wallet.

“Ms. Maria,” Parth took the card and handed it over to Maria, giving her an excuse to leave.

Parth guided Anthony to the billing counter where Maria was waiting with his purchases. “Thanks for choosing The Aurelius sir, Have a splendid day,” Maria handed over the small shopping bag as well as the card.

With a curt nod, Anthony pocketed the card and took his purchases, the limited edition still around his wrist, a glint of admiration flickering in his eyes as he turned to leave.

She watched him leave, her heart pounding with a mixture of exhilaration and apprehension. As the grand doors of The Aurelius closed behind him, Maria let out a breath of relief. The encounter had been a high-stakes game of wit and will, a battle of dominance that left her feeling both invigorated and wary.

“What does he want from me?” she asked herself once more, a question that won’t leave her alone just like Anthony.

---------------------

Maria knocked on the manager’s door before opening the door. “You called me, sir.”

“Ms. Maria, Come in.” Parth’s crescent-eyed smile appeared upon seeing her. “How was your day other than that one time?”

“Good.” She walked in and stood in front of his desk. The room smelled like his perfume, it was refreshing just like his company.

“Here,” He pushed a white envelope towards her. “As promised.”

She opened the envelope to find a cheque inside it. It was her commission from Anthony’s purchases. “Thank you.”

“May I ask you something?” his small almond eyes were shining, like always.

She nodded, biting her inner cheek. His mannerisms were what had made her crush on him over and over again in her college days, the only guy to ever give her butterflies.

“Don’t you recognize me? Or are you pretending not to?” he was curious. He had recognized her the instant he had seen her.

“Does it matter if I do or don’t?” she said in her most formal voice but her heart skipped a beat.

“To me, Yes...” His words were sincere. “It feels good to meet old acquaintances…”

“But we weren’t acquainted at all.” She recalled. “We just happened to graduate from the same college. You were a day scholar and I was an evening scholar.”

“That’s why I said acquaintance not friends,” he said teasingly as he shook his head, making his soft dark hair bob.

She smiled discreetly, “Still cute as ever.” She folded the envelope and put it inside her suit pocket. “Sir, your standard of making friends seems pretty low.”

He laughed. “Wow! Roasting with respect, interesting…” He came forward from behind his desk to stand close to her. “I would like it if we could be friends. I am new here.. Don’t know anyone…”

“Manager and a temporary employee… friends. Sounds strange to me” She placed her hands inside her trouser pockets. Even though she was grinning on the inside, she couldn’t allow herself to feed that old flame.

“This is a workplace, we come here to earn not to make friends...” It was her force of habit to keep giving herself and others a reality check.

“Okay. But we can be acquaintances, right?” he mimicked her, placing his hands in his pockets as well.

'Stop being this Cute...' she was flustered. “We are now, Sir. People from the same workplace can be referred to with that word. Yes.” she walked backward, closer to the door.

He smiled, showing his teeth. “I like that.” His expression was soft as he watched her walk out of his cabin.

“We are now. Siiir”, he repeated her words to himself in a song-like tone with a wide smile and sat back on his chair.

----------------------------------

A black SUV waited outside the building with a big sign ‘The Aurelius’ shining under the evening sky. Inside that SUV, Anthony patiently waited for Maria to get off work. His fingers caressing the brand new watch on his wrist, his piercing eyes had a faraway look in them while his lips curled slightly.

His peripheral caught someone exiting the building, it was her. On his cue, the driver revved the engine and stopped beside Maria, after she was a few meters away from the building.

Maria was typing on her phone as she kept her pace fast, walking past the SUV that had been waiting beside her.

Amused, Anthony waited for her to notice him as the SUV drove slowly, side by side with Maria when she finally discovered it. The color from her face drained in a matter of seconds.

Now, that was the look he was waiting for. The door opened for her to get inside but she kept staring at the open door and Anthony like she had seen a ghost.

BUZZ! BUZZ!

Maria’s phone lit up, demanding her attention. Hurriedly, she received the call turning away from the SUV, her voice hushed and shoulders alert.

“Is it bad? What happened this time?”

Anthony could hear the faint voice, he wouldn’t have been able to if the roads were bustling like daytime.

“ICU…” Maria sucked in the air, her one hand on the waist. “She didn’t choke. Did she?”

“I will be there shortly… Just got off work.”

“NO. I will stay the night and you are leaving right now.” Her tone was firm like scolding someone.

“Doctors were saying…”

“What?”

“Somu… I am not arguing over this. You need t…”

Scoffing, Maria stared at the phone as the call ended abruptly while she was still talking. “She dares hang up on me!” she sneered. As she turned around she bumped into something.

“Are you blind?” She blurted out in annoyance without noticing that it was Anthony whom she had bumped into.

He expected her to get defensive, alert, or anxious but what he got was quite the opposite.

“What do you want now? More watches… too bad, the store’s closed.” She pointed her thumb at the building behind her.

He sensed nervousness in her eyes but her frustration was trumping over every other emotion.

“Which hospital?” His magnetic voice demanded. He had some things planned for her while he was waiting but he saved it for some other time.

Before Maria could answer or show resistance he took her by hand and guided her inside the car, his hold light but firm as he sat her inside and closed the door.

“K.M. Memorial,”

His eyes glimmered from the silent chuckle when he heard her answer after he had taken his seat beside her. There was no arrogance or annoyance in her voice, surprisingly, he didn’t sense any hostility either.

He didn’t utter a word after that, just observed her. She sat like a wooden doll, stiff and unmoving, her bag propped up in her lap with her fingers tightly clasped around it. She was yelling at him a minute ago and now she was so silent that she could almost pass for a statue if it weren’t for the slow rise and fall of her chest as she took small breaths.

BUZZ! BUZZ!

Startled, Maria checked her phone.

“Faster,” Anthony ordered the driver, catching her frowning at the new text. His echoing voice startled her again.

She was quick to regain her composure but her breathing had intensified.

Her shallow breaths weren’t lost on Anthony, he wondered what she had read as he opened the window to let some fresh air in.

The sudden rush of cool breeze graced Maria’s stoic features. Making her close her eyes, allowing the fresh air to caress her and tease a few strands away from her hairclips to dance around her face.

With a subtle pressure settling in his chest, Anthony’s fingers curled one by one to make a fist, his dark orbs absorbing the scene before him as Maria’s sweet and rosy perfume took over his senses making his gaze grow on her, a sensation he couldn’t quite explain but knew wasn’t going to go away anytime soon.

---------------***----------------