Chapter 5

With a gentle smile, he replied, "I wanted to apologize for my driver almost hitting you on the road. I believe that was the first day I saw you." We had just entered a nearby restaurant, and I could sense a calmness in his voice as he spoke.

Laughing softly, I said, "You're quite funny, you know. It's surprising that you're still thinking about something that happened weeks ago." We took our seats at a table, and I continued, "Besides, it wasn't your fault at all. It was mine."

As we settled in, William signaled for the waiter, who promptly greeted politely, "Welcome, sir. Welcome, ma. What can I get for you today?" He stood at a respectful distance, ready to take our orders.

Suddenly, I realized that I hadn't eaten anything since morning and was very hungry. But because it was our first long and chill talk, I didn't want to seem too pushy, so I held off on making a big order.

William, sensing my hesitation, took the lead. "Why don't we start with some appetizers? How about the bruschetta and sliced avocado?" He glanced at me for confirmation, and I nodded in agreement.

"Excellent choices, sir," the waiter said as he wrote down the order. "Would you like to order your main course now, or would you prefer to wait?"

William looked at me, his eyes searching for answers. I decided to speak up. "I think we'll wait for now. But could I have a glass of orange juice, please?"

The waiter noted my request and turned to William, who ordered a glass of tomato juice. "Very well, I'll be right back with your drinks and appetizers," the waiter said, before leaving us to our conversation.

William leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "So, tell me about yourself, Oliva. I want to know more about you?"

I breathed deeply, nervously playing with the tablecloth edge. "Well, I moved into my uncle's house after my father passed away. He has been the one assisting me with the little he had, until I finally got a job. I'm working as a marketing specialist for a big company in town. I was even….,” realizing I was giving a lot of details about myself, I paused.

“So William, what about you? Tell me about yourself,” I spoke out, returning his question back to him.

Adjusting his wristwatch, he said, “As you know, my name is William, a second son to my late father. My mum is very much alive, same with my elder brother. Though, my brother and I are both handling our late father's companies all over the United States.”

With his description, I realized he must be very rich. “He is rich and humble; whereas my own boss, Lucas, is rich and very arrogant,” I thought, as I stared at Williams.

As we continued to chat, our drinks and appetizers arrived. The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, causing my stomach to grumble in anticipation. As we savored the delicious flavors, our conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving through topics ranging from our likes and dislikes.

Throughout the evening, I couldn't help but feel a growing connection with William. His genuine interest in my thoughts and experiences was both refreshing and heartwarming. As our meal came to an end, I realized that I was no longer the same person who had entered the restaurant earlier that evening.

William made a phone call to his driver, who had been waiting at my place. He provided our current location and instructed the driver to come and pick us up.

Within minutes, the car arrived, and we both got in. As the driver steered the vehicle toward my home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment, thankful for the enjoyable evening.

Upon arriving at my place, I found Isabella and her mother waiting outside, apparently anticipating my return. I bid farewell to William, expressing my gratitude for the time we spent together. "Goodbye, William. It was truly a delightful experience getting to know you," I said, stepping out of the car.

Before I could fully process the events of the evening, Isabella's voice cut through the silence. "Are you just going to let him leave like that?" she inquired, her tone filled with disbelief.

William, who had observed the interaction, emerged from his car and approached Isabella. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few cash, which he then handed to her.

"Thank you very much," Isabella and her mother said simultaneously, their eyes locked on the money in Isabella's hand.

I watched the entire scene unfold, a mixture of emotions washing over me. William then returned to his car and drove off. I was left to think about how the evening went and the new friendship we made.

As William's car disappeared into the distance, I turned to face Isabella and her mother. They were both smiling widely, clearly pleased with the money they had received. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease seeing how eagerly they accepted money from someone they hardly knew.

"What was that all about?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light. "Oh, nothing," Isabella replied with a wave of her hand. "We were just admiring your new friend's generosity."

I rolled my eyes, knowing full well that they were more interested in the financial aspect of his generosity than anything else.

Upon entering inside, the reality of my challenging day ahead came flooding back. Recalling my suspension from work bothered me a lot, and I knew that I needed to prepare myself for the difficult task of facing my boss the following day.

I decided it would be best to retire for the night early so that I could be well rested and focused on addressing the situation at work. With any luck, I might be able to plead, if possible, convince my boss to reconsider the suspension.

In the privacy of their room, Isabella and her mother engaged in a quiet yet intense conversation about me and my new friend, William.

"Mother, Olivia seems to think quite highly of herself these days," Isabella remarked, her voice tinged with disregard. "Just because she managed to secure a position at a reputable company, she believes she's better than everyone else."

Her mother leaned in closer, a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes. "My dear Isabella, I must say, William is an incredibly handsome man. You must do everything in your power to win his affections and make him yours."

Isabella's eyes widened, a determined expression appearing on her face. "I completely agree, Mother. I intend to have him for myself, no matter what it takes."

Her mother squeezed Isabella's hands in a gesture of support and affirmation. "That's the spirit, my child. Pursuing relationships with successful, affluent men like William is precisely what you should be focusing on. Use your charms and cunning to ensure he becomes in love with you."

As the two women continued to plot and scheme, their laughter echoed through the room, mingling with the dimming light of the evening.

As I got comfortable in bed, my thoughts raced, consumed by the events of the past few weeks. The difference between the joy and excitement of my new friendship with William and the anxiety surrounding my professional life was noticeable.

I spent the night moving restlessly, my dreams filled with a mix of hope and apprehension. Morning couldn't come soon enough, as I was eager to confront the challenges that awaited me and attempt to set things right in the office.

When the sun finally entered through my window, I rose with a newfound sense of determination. I carefully selected my outfit for the day, opting for a professional yet approachable look that might help soften my boss's anger.

After a quick but satisfying breakfast, I made my way to work, mentally rehearsing the words I would use to explain my actions and plead for a second chance. As I approached the office, my heart pounded in my chest.

Upon entering the workplace, Jennifer greeted me with a warm smile. "Olivia, you're here," she said, acknowledging my presence.

"Is our boss in the office yet?" I asked anxiously, eager to address the situation as soon as possible.

"He isn't here yet, but I believe he's on his way," Jennifer replied, her tone sympathetic.

I returned to my desk, my heart racing as I awaited Lucas's arrival. The minutes seemed to stretch on endlessly, each tick of the clock increasing my nerves.

Suddenly, the familiar sound of my boss's arrival filled the office, prompting a chorus of "Good morning, sir" from my colleagues.

As Lucas stepped into the building, his gaze immediately locked onto mine.

"Hey, Miss Olivia," he called out, his voice firm and commanding. "Meet me in my office immediately."

I breathed deeply, preparing myself for the upcoming confrontation. Summoning my courage, I headed towards Lucas's office, each step reflecting my uncertainty.