Chapter 6 Excellent Massage Skills

At five in the afternoon, Darnell finished assisting the sales department with Laurel's order and had built a strong rapport with Laurel.

She looked forward to Darnell's call and visiting to the Spades Tribe.

She even threatened that if Spectrum Pharmaceuticals dared to pick on Darnell, she would end the partnership.

Darnell was helpless and exchanged contact information with her, while Roberto glared coldly at Darnell, and a grudge was formed between them.

After seeing Laurel and her entourage off with a smile at the elevator, Lillian informed him to go to the general manager's office.

Darnell whistled cheerfully as he pushed open the door, finding Areli leaning back in her chair, rubbing her head, with two cups of coffee in front of her.

He caught a whiff of the aroma and smiled brightly. "Miss Fanshaw, does your head hurt? Let me massage it for you. I'm known for my excellent massage skills by many respectable housewives."

Areli frowned. "No need. I'm fine. Sit down. I have something to discuss with you."

“About what? Do you want to have dinner together? I'm flattered." Darnell feigned surprise. "Speaking of which, I should treat you to a meal! Mr. Izzard said I'd get a three percent commission on the deal."

"$1.2 million in total! The money piles up higher than me. Let me take you to a themed hotel to celebrate."

Areli, who had just relaxed a bit, tensed up again upon hearing Darnell's frivolous words and felt an urge to kill him.

Suppressing her anger, she pointed to the chair in front of her and coughed lightly. "Mr. Halford, please sit down. I made you a coffee."

Darnell cheerfully pulled out the chair and sat down. After sniffing the coffee aroma again, he shook his head. "This coffee at $1,000 per pound has rich flavor, but I don't like it. Drinking it will turn me on. It's like an aphrodisiac."

He smirked mischievously.

Areli's face darkened as she held her cup awkwardly and angrily. This guy never said anything decent.

She was slightly surprised that he knew about the coffee, since it wasn't something one could easily buy, even with money.

Unfazed by her anger, Darnell leaned back in his chair and advised casually,

"Miss Fanshaw, it's normal to drink coffee to stay awake under work pressure, but try not to drink this coffee too often. It might mess up your endocrine system. Without a boyfriend now, endocrine issues can be troublesome for you."

"Moreover, this coffee has a side effect. It accumulates fatigue which could suddenly overwhelm you when your body reaches its limit."

"I suggest eating more carrots regularly."

"They are sweet, good for your health, and calm the mind."

He produced a carrot from his right hand and offered it to Areli with a smile. "Want one?"

"Darnell!"

Areli couldn't hold back any longer and slammed her cup on the table with a loud bang, her eyebrows furrowed angrily. "Be serious! If you keep this attitude up, I'll kick you out of the company."

Darnell muttered under his breath, "I was right? You want to discard me after using me. Luckily, we signed an agreement. You can't fire me in three years."

“Damn it!” Areli cursed inwardly, about to lose her head.

Unfortunately, she couldn't suppress Darnell. Taking a deep breath and remembering why she called him over, she forced a smile.

"Mr. Halford, you're very capable, fluent in many languages, and quite passionate."

"I think being an assistant is going to waste your talents. Also, a monthly salary of $10,000 is too low for an elite like you."

Areli tried to keep her smile friendly. "To be honest, I think highly of you. There's currently an opening for a team leader position in the sales department. I'd like you to take it on. You'll have four people under you. As a team leader, you'll get an eight percent commission if your team's quarterly sales meet targets."

"And what's the commission rate?"

"You can get one-thousandth of the total team performance."

For the first time ever, Areli put on a smiling face while describing a bright future for Darnell. "Think about it. If you're the team leader and your team performs as well as today's deal every time, your commission could be around nine percent. At least a few million dollars! You could buy a big house with that."

She added, "You wouldn't earn that much as an assistant even after decades."

"If you agree to join the sales department today, I'll calculate today's order commission at eight percent for you too. What do you think?"

Though it meant spending several million more dollars, Areli felt it was worth it if Darnell wouldn't be around as her assistant anymore.

Moreover, since Darnell secured the business deal himself, she believed he would happily join the sales department upon hearing her offer.

However, instead of being delighted, Darnell frowned.

"A team leader?"

He snapped off a piece of carrot with his teeth. "No way!"

Areli's face changed. "Why?"

Darnell sat up straight and responded with a smirk, "I work to enjoy life! Not just for money. Being in sales might bring high commissions, but it's too exhausting. Women are treated like men, and men are treated like beasts. I don't want to wear myself out and go bald before thirty."

"Mr. Izzard from the sales department is a good example. He looks like he's been drained by constant socializing. I feel like he could die at any moment on either a dining table or bed."

"Besides, I applied for an assistant position. How can I change my original intention for money?"

Then he slapped his thigh and looked at Areli with a grin. "Miss Fanshaw, are you testing me?"

Areli cursed inwardly, “No, I merely don't want to see your face anymore.”

Failing with enticement tactics didn't deter her. She quickly put on a stern face. "Really not going? Don't regret missing this opportunity."

"No! I just want to be an assistant," Darnell refused outright. “I only want to work under you, Miss Fanshaw. I desire nothing more than that.”

Areli stood up abruptly. “Don't rush to make the decision. Think about it overnight and give me an answer tomorrow morning.”

Then she pointed towards the door. “Now, leave.”

The woman regained her usual cold arrogance.

Darnell gazed at Areli intently: “Miss Fanshaw, aren't we going to have dinner together? If you don't have the money, I'll treat...”

Areli shouted, “Get out!”

Darnell had no choice but to get up while muttering, “This coffee really has strong side effects. Miss Fanshaw was fine earlier, but now she's exasperated...”

Just as Areli was about to throw her coffee cup at him, the phone on her desk suddenly rang. She glanced at the Caller ID when disdain flashed through her eyes.

She wanted to hang up but decided against it. She answered coldly, “David, I told you not to harass me anymore.”

“Why keep pestering me like a scoundrel?”

“Areli, about what happened that night was just a misunderstanding. Give me a chance to explain!” A male voice came from the other end. “There's nothing between Ashley and I. You have to trust me! Let's not talk about it over the phone. How about we have dinner tonight? I'll explain properly!”

Areli responded icily, “There's nothing left to say and I don't have time for your explanation. We're done.”

“Areli, it's just dinner. Whether you forgive me or not, I promise I won't bother you again, okay?”

David Kemp assured desperately, “Please meet me for dinner, or else I won't give up and keep pestering you.”

“I'll send flowers daily, or show up at your office, confessing my love. You know how determined I am.”

“You're so shameless!” Areli hesitated briefly before responding in a cold tone, “Fine, I'll meet you one last time, but remember what you said. Don't bother me after. That.”

Without waiting for further response, she hung up abruptly.

Sensing Areli's anger, Darnell instinctively turned towards her. “Miss Fanshaw, is someone troubling you?”

Before receiving any reply, he noticed Areli trembled slightly and then collapsed onto the desk.

Seeing this startled him, but he quickly moved closer, supporting Areli while checking on her.

Just as he touched Areli's hand, she groaned softly. She opened her eyes and saw herself held by Darnell.

At the same moment, they locked gazes. Realizing how close they were making both freeze momentarily.

Areli looked into those deep eyes. The masculine aura exuding from him caused her to momentarily daze,

His long-sealed emotions seemed uncontrollably stirred,

Seeing those red trembling lips tempted Darnell to kiss her.

Noticing his expression change snapped Areli out of it. She bit her lips, her eyes regaining clarity, and said faintly,

“Let go.”

“Ah!”

Looking down, he realized his hand was on her chest due to the emergency a few moments ago.

No wonder it felt so good earlier. He hastily withdrew his hand, chuckling,

“Miss Fanshaw, you're overworked and stressed out. The stress, combined with the side effects from the coffee, caused you to pass out. You need a proper rest. Let me massage you. It'll definitely relieve fatigue.”

Before Areli could refuse, he began massaging her shoulders skillfully.

“One press relieves fatigue. Another helps you forget about worries. The third press clears the grudge between us…”

Damn!

Listening to him as if he was spouting drunken ramblings made her distraught. However, her anger dissipated as inexplicable comfort spread through her body,

It seemed there was something about his fingers, sending electric waves throughout her body and dissipating the exhaustion,

“S-Stop…” Though she wanted to stop him, her limbs were weak, and her face flushed,

Unable to resist the temptation, she decided to enjoy the moment, closing her eyes and savoring the blissful sensation, literally on cloud nine,

Seeing her seductive appearance, Darnell gulped, trying to calm himself down.

Areli not only had stunning facial features but also a perfect figure, combined with mature charm, a charm that men found irresistible,

Regaining his composure, Darnell abruptly changed the technique, using knuckles to massage her back,

“Ah, it feels so good…” She let out a moan involuntarily, and her body shivered slightly, her face blushing,

Unaware of how long it passed, she felt a heavy press on her back when a moan filled with pleasure came from her throat,

She was so engrossed,

“Oh my!”

Suddenly, he exclaimed loudly, realizing he had mistaken the massage technique. He intended to calm Areli's mind and help her relax, yet he stirred up her desire accidentally.

“Miss Fanshaw, your face is flushing. Are you okay?”

“And your clothes and hair are soaked…”

Regaining her clarity, she said angrily,

“Darnell.” She reached for a paper cutter nearby.

Sensing danger, he scrambled towards the door. At that moment, Areli felt rejuvenated and energetic beyond measure,

All her fatigue vanished, making her feel extremely good.

“Darnell, let's have dinner tonight.”

She planned to use him to solve a major problem ahead.