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CHAPTER EIGHT

OLIVER

Few minutes after my mum left, the door clicked opened and Tabitha poked her head in.

"May I interrupt?" she asked.

'you already are in.' I thought to myself.

I gave her a simple nod. It's either my assistant had forgotten about simple etiquette to knock before invading someone's privacy, or everyone has lost their mind today.

"Sure." I said.

"Your lunch is ready, sir. Should I bring it in?" she asked.

"Yes."

She pushed a cart in. My lunch hadn't changed since I was eighteen. Brussel sprouts and chicken breast. Some people say I have extremely bland taste but I didn't care. First because I wasn't interested in variety of food. Why would I change my taste when the only function of the food is just to keep my body system working?. Secondly, sweet food do more harm to the body than good. I'd rather go bankrupt from buying healthy and fat free food than be hospitalized for having diabetes.

Tabitha transferred the dishes from the cart to the table. She didn't leave after she was done. Instead she stood clutching her ipad to her chest. A little too tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her body physically stiffened.

"Is there something else?" I asked. I was already getting irritated with her prolonged presence. I don't exactly know what gave her the idea that she was welcomed to stay. Also, my lunch was getting cold. I like it at a specific temperature.

"Yes sir..." she paused. I waited impatiently for her to continue. She didn't obviously think I would fill the silence. She knew better than that.

"Forgive me for overstepping, but I overhead you and your mother's conversation about looking for a life partner-, and I was hoping if you consider..." she paused again, took an audible gulp.

I was right about my assistant not knowing anything about simple etiquette anymore. She was eavesdropping on my conversation. I tried to keep a neutral face and wait for her to finish her words eveen though I had a hunch where she was heading.

"I was hoping if you would consider me as a... potential candidate." she said. She forced herself to maintain eye contact with me. Second woman after 'little monkey' to do that. My default expression was set to hostile.

I went silent. On the list of how I had hoped my week would go, my assistant thinking she could get on the list of the future 'Mrs Kang' wasn't one of them. I didn't have a problem with her as a person. As far as the history of my assitants go, Tabitha Tate is a bit above average. She is pretty, not gorgeous. She is smart, not genius as I would prefer. She got her degrees from an Ivy league university but even those produced idiot these days. She is chatty but I guess I'm yet to find someone who can keep their words within two syllables. She doesn't ask too many questions or talk when not necessary. She is always properly dressed. She is also very punctual which is one of the things I value a lot. The only reason she was disqualified by my mother was that she was too thin.

She starts to talk when I didn't give her a response.

"I think we've gotten along well the past few months we've worked together and we'd make a great couple. I'm going to continue to respect your privacy. I won't ask too many questions. I also won't ask too much of you, I know how much you love work. And I'll make sure to-- satisfy you--in the bedroom as well."

I physically cringed when she said the last words. Thank you very much, Tabitha, but I do not need that picture in my head. I cleared my throat as I thought of the best way to reject her without hurting her. I didn't give shit about her emotions, but the last thing I need is another crying woman in my office. I've had enough of them to last for the rest of the week. I have a bad luck of pushing women to tears without been involved with them in a carnal way.

"I appreciate your interest in marrying me, Tabitha. But as you already know, choosing a bride is not my decision to make."

And even if it were, you are already disqualified with your horrible presentation. I didn't say that out.

"I know that, sir. But I don't think it's fair to you. You should follow your heart. I understand what you're going through. We're kindred spirits, I know it." she said.

Well, right now my heart is telling me to fire you. Kindred spirits?. Really?. Has everyone gone insane today?. Any other day, I would have fired her immidiately. But she was brought to me by Suzy after I fired my last assistant. I couldn't stand listening to Suzy's tantrums.

"You shouldn't let your anyone decide who your life partner will be. It's your life." she added, trying so hard and failing to sound comforting. She was bad at it.

By 'anyone' she meant my mother.

I should. considering I took away her life partner. It's only fair to let her choose mine.

"Because she is my mother and I want her to."

Tabitha didn't seem to get the memo. She chew on her lower lips for a while before opening her mouth again.

"But it's not fair to you, she should be considerate of your fee--" I interrupted her before she could finish her sentence.

"Miss Tate, I suggest you don't finish that sentence if you want to continue working you,"

I would deal with Suzy's tantrums later. I really wanted to fire her at that moment. She went silent and hung her head low.

"Is there anything else? I would like to eat my lunch. In silence." I punctuated the last words.

"No sir, that will be all." She said.

"Great, will you please see yourself out?" I said and set to eat my meal. I heard her grumble before she walked out.

I finished eating after a few minutes later and called Tabitha to clear the plates. She avoided my gaze the entire time but I couldn't care less. I decided to check on Dallas through the CCTV cameras. I had expected she would cause some sort of mayhem to express her displeasure of working for me. I was surprised that she hadn't set the kitchen on fire yet. Yeah, it sounds very Dallas-like.

I couldn't find her anywhere on the cameras so I thought to go look for her. I was surprised when I got downstairs and met the living room sparkling clean. I hadn't thought she would clean it again like I asked. I walked out of the house in search of her. I found her in the garden trimming the flowers, singing a song. A smile crept on my lips as I watched her work. I suddenly caught myself. It was the first time I smiled in the past two decades. And surprisingly, my unruly maid is the reason behind it. It dawned on me then. Dallas Valencia might not only be the antidote to my ailment, she was the cure to my entire being.

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