New Friends

~ Chapter 3~

"I think that's all for today"Deren announced as everyone left the meeting room either in twos or three "finally it's over" Ariel muttered as her gaze met with deren's and he smiled at her which she noticed he has been doing everytime they made eye contact, she shrugged the thought off as she packed the documents on the table and they all made their way out of the meeting room

"Is there anything else for today"Robert asked, tiredness visible in his voice as he rubbed his temple

"Yes, you still have to meet up with the mayor by 3:00 and attend lady Larissa's engagement party by 7:00"Daren listed out his remaining schedules for the day as Robert sighed

"We still have some minutes before we go meet the mayor, you can use this little time to rest boss, you do look tired "Daren requested but Robert only nodded in response and exited to his office leaving the two to themselves

"You should take a break too,you also look tired"before she could object he added" it's an order from your senior "she reluctantly agreed and he flashed her a smile like he always does

"Do you smile at everything" she scoffed

" It's something wrong with my smile,it a sincere smile"he was looking puzzled waiting for her to continue,to which she didn't he came closer to her rubbing his chin

"You know I'm beginning to think you're mad at me for something I did, right"

" Ah" ,she sighed," firstly I'm not mad at you,besides I already forgave you" she replied

" So you were mad at me,seems I was right" she was about to argue with him when her belly made a loud grunt-like sound "this is so embarrassing" she muttered with flushed cheeks,daren gave her the 'you're hungry' look ,she looked away and he chuckled lightly before holding her hand which surprised her

"come,I think there will be something you might like in the cafeteria" he said dragging her out of her office into the elevator,when she came back to her senses she pulled her hands away from his

"I'm sorry but I can't,Mr Mendez might need me If I go to the cafeteria with you " she said thoughtfully, weighing the pron and cons of the action she was about to take

"You worry too much, don't you" ,he sighed " I bet you're really hungry and you're still thinking about your loyalty to your boss , on an empty stomach "he said, emphasizing on the word 'on an empty stomach',

"fine, just ths once" she finally agreed when her belly made noises again "if anything happens it's your fault"she stated " deal, you won't regret it" he agreed to her condition

And true to his words she didn't regret it, the meals at the cafeteria was just so delicious that she kept on praising the chef while daren kept on staring at her ,amazed by her huge appetite

"isn't females supposed to have little appetite"he asked

" I skipped dinner yesterday cause I was tired and today I skipped breakfast cause I was late for work" she explained and he nodded still starting at her

"So,can you tell me more about yourself"trying to ease the awkwardness, She was about to speak when someone called out to daren and she looked up to see a man walking towards them while waving at their table

Seriously dude you came here without telling me , no fair the man pouted

"Sorry, I forgot you existed "he joked as both men fell into laughter, Ariel just stared at them, not saying a word until the man noticed her

"Wow,is she your girlfriend,she looks pretty" he asked daren and winked at ariel

" Not funny, she's the new secretary and....." he was interrupted by the man as he stretched his hand to Ariel for a handshake introducing himself" im Maxwell, but you can call me max, and you're pretty lady

"U- uhm, I'm Ariel" she starmerred as she took his hand and he kissed her knuckles acting like a gentleman "ariel, such a beautiful name for a beautiful lady" he complimented before daren could push him away

"Have some shame max, you're flirting in broad day light "daren teased rolling his eyes at him

" Sorry for his stupid behavior', daren apologized to Ariel, "who are you calling stupid" max puffed up looking upset and made to punch daren, the two kept on bickering and no one paid attention to them knowing this was part of their daily routine

Ariel's sudden laughter made them halt

" you both are just so funny, i think you'll do well if for comedians, really then I don't mind quiting my job to follow our dream, max said dramatically holding her hand

"what do you mean by our dream" Ariel asked looking puzzled

"My lady, are you questioning our love, ah, don't worry you can take your time to..... "he wasn't able to complete his sentence when someone smacked his head from behind "oh, no only one person hits me like that"he mumbled as he immediately let go of Ariel hands as if she was on fire which surprised her, slowly he turned back to meet a angry lady beside him

"hey Jeanie...... I can explain, pls don't be mad, it was dar...... "before he could complete his words she pushed him aside and sat in the empty chair beside Ariel, "were you about to blame me"Daren quered and Max just rolled his eyes at him

"Hi, I'm Jeanie, and I guess you must be Ariel, right", she introduced herself before flashing her a bright smile

"Yea, uhm.. how did you know my name" , Ariel asked trying to figure out what was going on

"Well this big mouth told me about you yesterday "she said pointing at daren

"Oh", that was only what she could mutter"what's going on,I thought she was gonna lash at me for talking with her boyfriend,oh wait,is she just faking it and then she would pounce on me later" she thought ,her head was like a scattered jigsaw puzzle now

"It's not what you think we're just friends,I was just mad at him because he didn't come to call me to lunch while I was waiting for him "Jeanie said as if she was reading her mind

"Oh,I'm sorry I didn't mean to..." she siad biting her bottom lip,the atmosphere was already awkward

"we should leave now,we still have work to do" daren reminded ariel as she stood up

"I need to go, i hope we meet again"

"sure as long as we in this company there's no way we cant see each other" max replied flirtatiously which earned him another punch from Jeanie "ouch that hurts anie" she rolled her eyes and gave him the middle finger

"I think we should be going now" Daren whispered in her ear and she nodded as they left the two trouble makers to themselves

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