The Miracle of You

One week later, it was the beginning of a new season. Everyone in Callahan Group was busy with the upcoming major project, including Camille. Being a diligent worker, Camille liked to stay organized and make sure that things were going in order so far.

Since her boss, Christian, was also meticulous, they worked well together.

But that was the only harmony that they had. They had good teamwork at the company whenever it was about their career. Otherwise, Christian liked to play around while Camille just wanted to live a peaceful life.

Today was one of those days where Camille needed to work overtime. Christian’s schedule was packed for the entire month, so she needed to double-check everything on her list. Things had to be perfectly carried out, otherwise the company’s reputation would be at risk. It was Camille’s job to ensure that her boss’ tasks ran smoothly.

As she typed away on her keyboard, her eyes glued to the monitor screen, she failed to hear the sound of Christian’s office door opening and closing.

A few minutes later, Christian stood there in front of her desk, the ceiling lights shining on his tall figure and casting a shadow over Camille, causing her to lift her head in confusion.

“Oh. It’s you,” she said simply. “Do you have something you need, Mr. Callahan? Any last-minute changes or revisions to the schedule?”

Christian shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “Nothing, my dear Camille. Please carry on with your task and don’t mind me.”

That made her snap her head upwards to stare at him. She did not believe him one bit.

“What do you really want?” she demanded. “Stop going around in circles with me and just say it outright. It’s not like I can do anything to defy you.”

He nodded, seemingly more amused than anything. “As you wish, princess. Have you tried on the dress that I ordered for you yet?”

Camille ignored the ‘princess’ remark and narrowed her eyes at him. “You mean the one that you want me to wear at the masquerade event?”

“Of course. I even have your mask ready. We’ll be wearing matching ones.”

“That’s gross,” she deadpanned.

“It doesn’t matter whether you think it’s gross or not,” he said without missing a beat. “You’ll still wear it.”

“All right, fine. I haven’t tried it yet, but I will soon.”

“Make sure you do that.”

“Okay. Is that all?”

“There’s one more.”

Suddenly, Christian leaned over, their faces growing so close that they were only inches apart. The light from the ceiling lamps cast a shine on his brown eyes, making them sparkle for a moment.

“I want you to go shopping with me tomorrow.”

That made Camille stare at him incredulously as though he had just sprouted two heads.

“Excuse me?” she said, disbelief coloring her voice. “Mr. Callahan, in case you’ve forgotten, you have an important meeting with the investors tomorrow at 8 AM sharp-”

“We will be going out in the afternoon.”

“Absolutely not! You still have several meetings with multiple business partners after lunch. You also need to pay a visit to Mr. Richards for the-”

“My dear secretary,” Christian interrupted smoothly. “Don’t fret, or else you’ll get wrinkles.”

“Excuse me?” she squawked.

“Don’t worry about all that. Just accompany me tomorrow for at least an hour, and you can adjust the schedule later. You’re capable enough to do that, right? Besides, we won’t take long.”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“What? No! Mr. Callahan, this is very irrational-”

“Come now. No more complaints.” Christian smiled. “Isn’t it nearing noon right now? Let’s have lunch together. My treat.”

Before Camille could protest any further, Christian suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to stand up. Camille staggered in place and barely had time to turn off her monitor.

“Wait, wait,” she said hastily. “Let me just get my coat.”

Christian still didn’t let go. “Go on.”

Camille glared at him. “I get it, okay? I’m not going anywhere. Just let me get my things.”

“Fine,” Christian said, shaking his head as he finally loosened his hold around her wrist. “I will be going to the elevator now. If you’re not there by the time the doors open, there will be consequences.”

With that, he walked off, and Camille glowered at his retreating figure. Always so bossy and arrogant! Was it even possible to dislike a person this much?!

Sure, he was also her boss, and in a way, she was indebted to him and his family for giving her a few admittedly good opportunities. However, that was no excuse to keep treating her like this.

But she also knew that if she kept on being aggressive and ‘disobedient’ towards Christian, he would surely make her pay for it soon. If he never forgot a favor, he also never forgot a grudge. His memory was sharp enough to remember every little action and every little word that people did and said.

It was one of the reasons why he was quite terrifying.

Camille grabbed her coat and her purse before chasing after Christian. Thankfully, he was only a few feet away from the elevator, so she had managed to catch up to him. Since he had long legs, his strides were larger compared to hers.

“I’m here,” she said in as professional a tone as she could muster despite being slightly out of breath. She stood next to him with a straight posture, gripping her purse while taking a deep breath.

“Good,” Christian said simply.

The elevator doors opened, revealing nobody inside. The two of them entered the small space and watched as the doors slowly closed.

“So,” Christian began, “what would you like to eat for lunch?”

“I am fine with whatever you prefer, Mr. Callahan,” Camille said politely. Lunch outing or not, they had done this a few times before. It wasn’t unusual for Christian to eat out with his employees, and it was even more normal for him to have lunch with his secretary at a nearby fine restaurant.

It didn’t matter whatever his intentions were at the moment. She was going to treat it as a professional venture nevertheless.

Come to think of it, she could use this lunch time to discuss the product marketing strategy with him in detail…

“Okay,” Christian said. For some reason, he sounded cheerful today. It was as though he were looking forward to something.

Camille was instantly suspicious.

“Then,” he suddenly added, his lips slowly curving into a mischievous smile, “you wouldn’t mind if we go have lunch at L’Art Culinaire, correct?”

Camille immediately froze in place.

The elevator doors had already opened, but she didn’t move. Christian didn’t, either. He just gave her that infuriating, playful sideways glance.

‘I knew it,’ she thought. ‘I knew that something was up.’

L’Art Culinaire…

It was the popular fine dining restaurant right next to the VG Hotel.

Which was her family’s hotel that was located here in the city of Penburg.