Episode 18

In the large conference room of the company, a meeting was taking place among all the managers and directors. The big square glass table gleamed in the light, surrounded by the powerful individuals of the Connor group.

These were Connor’s trusted people who helped him manage the company.

Dennis, seated at the center of the table, scanned his surroundings with his dark eyes, listening attentively to what his employees were saying.

But the CEO's most desired attention was undoubtedly focused on his esteemed secretary, who sat precisely on his left side.

Mel was deeply concentrated, meticulously taking notes on her laptop about the meeting’s most relevant topics.

The billionaire CEO, with his body slightly hunched over in his chair, exuded the beauty and power that flowed in his blood. A highly qualified man, endowed with various business specialties, Dennis was well-known as a prodigy in the business world.

From time to time, he would glance quickly at his beloved secretary.

He touched her foot under the table, making Mel nervous as she bit her lips unintentionally.

"Miss Mayer, please display the earnings graph for the last two months for everyone to see."

Dennis spoke kindly while his shoes brushed against Mel's feet.

"T-t-the graph, Denn... I mean... Mr. Connor? I’ll put it up right now..."

"Two months ago, our earnings were nearly equal to the previous months, but this month the graph indicates a substantial increase..."

Dennis continued speaking as he slid his hand down Mel's thigh beneath the table.

She suddenly let out a loud laugh... despite wearing pants, the sensation tickled her.

All eyes turned to her.

At that moment, the color drained from Mel’s face. She felt embarrassed.

Dennis placed a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter.

"Sorry. You may continue, Mr. Connor."

Dennis passed the opportunity to the public relations manager.

While the eloquent man spoke, Dennis sent a message to Mel.

📩 Sorry, my love. I overstepped and made you embarrassed... Forgive me? Say yes... because I can't stand being without hugging you...

Dennis typed the message and reread it before sending it.

Mel felt her phone vibrate in the pocket of her jeans.

She knew it was a message from Dennis, as she had seen him typing. But she didn’t know the content of the message.

After a moment's hesitation, Mel took her phone out of her pocket and read the message.

He glanced at her quickly, and she responded by staring at him seriously. Dennis felt very concerned as the fiery look in her eyes seemed accusatory.

She began to write back.

📩 I won’t forgive you so easily. I will punish you first...

Mel reread the message before responding to Dennis.

He quickly read her reply.

He looked at her with a melancholic expression.

After a little more than half an hour, the meeting was adjourned.

Everyone immediately stood up; Mel rose from her chair and quickly left her spot.

Dennis, with a heavy heart, followed her to her desk.

"Love, forgive me. I didn’t mean to embarrass you."

He gently kissed Mel's cheek.

"Dennis, we’ll talk later... Right now it's lunchtime."

She said as she organized her things to leave.

"Are you having lunch at home?"

"No! With a friend."

She replied, leaving Dennis biting his lips in frustration.

"A friend, Mel? Who is this friend? What’s his name? Is he good-looking? Does he have an athletic build?"

Dennis interrogated her closely.

She smiled at the situation.

"Calm down, my dear. I'm having lunch with your father."

"What?" Dennis replied, surprised.

"He messaged me earlier inviting me to lunch. He even sent me another message saying he’s waiting for me in the parking lot... see you after lunch."

She gave him a quick peck and left.

Dennis watched Mel depart.

"What’s gotten into my dad now? What does he want to talk about with her?"

He bit his lips as his phone rang. It was a call from Arthur.

After the call ended, Dennis took the elevator to have lunch with Arthur. The doctor wanted to talk to him.

During lunch, Arthur asks what is happening with Dennis.

The executive director tells Arthur the whole story.

"" I can’t believe it! You and Mel are together?

Arthur says, masking his discomfort. He had feelings for Mel. But since Dennis, his best friend, had met her first, Arthur decided to hide his feelings.

"" Arthur, about yesterday... Did you really fall for my girl? Brother, I’m sorry, but I’m not losing her to anyone...

Arthur was hurt inside, but hiding the pain was up to him.

With a forced smile, joking, he says:

"" Are you really that sorry?

Dennis raises his eyebrows involuntarily.

"" No! I’m not sorry... You’ll have to stay away from my girl.

"" Don’t worry, buddy. I was joking when I said I fell in love at first sight with Mel...

"" Oh! Okay... Thank God. Because I was going to feel really bad for you... But I’m glad you were just joking.

Dennis smiles subtly, unaware of how Arthur felt inside.

"" So, what’s going to happen now? he asks curiously.

"" Well, I don’t know yet... I want her to break up with that jerk of a boyfriend... I believe that guy doesn’t like Mel.

"" So, after she breaks up with him, will you two date? And where does Amanda fit into this story? I read today on a site about you and her, and the news that spread was that you two are getting married in a month... Is that true?

"" I told Amanda I wanted to marry her in a month, but that was because I was angry with Mel... I’m going to end everything with her and be with my beautiful secretary.

Arthur looks at Dennis and notices how happy he is when talking about Mel.

A spark of jealousy begins to burn in his heart.

He wanted Mel... But his friend got there first, leaving him behind.

They finish lunch, and Dennis returns to the office. He finds it odd that Mel hasn’t arrived yet and picks up his phone to dial her number.

At that moment, Mel arrives at his office, knocking on the door.

"" Come in! he says quickly... "" I was worried, Dennis comments as he approaches her.

Mel enters, closing the door.

"" Don’t worry, I’m fine. I just came to see you... Now I’m going to work...

She kisses him and turns to leave, but Dennis wraps his arms around her.

"" I missed you, he says, kissing the nape of Mel's neck.

"" I missed you too, that’s why I came straight to your office.

"" Tonight, I want you to come to my apartment, or I can come to yours. Do you live alone?

Mel turns, giving him a peck and replies with a smile:

"" I live with a friend... But I’d prefer to go to your apartment. Is your fiancee going to show up there?

"" I’ll call her in a bit... I think I’m going to have a serious talk with her.

"" Over the phone? Mel asks, intrigued.

"" I’ll schedule to meet her at my apartment.

Dennis held Mel’s slender waist tightly.

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