Penelope
Xiang Penelope have never fallen for any guy as hard as I’ve fallen for my boss, Mr Daniel Winfrey.
Throughout my High school and College days, guys have always being afraid to ask me out because of how strict and mean my family was.
And those that finally grew the courage to ask me out, my brothers; Xiang Lei, Xiang Dao ming, Xiang Xiao- would scare them into abstinence.
Since my fiancé, Zhin Feng was a notorious son of a very notorious and powerful family in Shanghai too, I was very much an outcast to the opposite sex.
The Zhin family very much controls most of the import and export docks and ports in Shanghai- so my father’s company Ager Automated, owes them a huge favor in business and I was the payment.
I was always reminded to be on Zhin Feng’s good side at all times, but since I started working in S. Group, his insecurities have increased so much he even asked me to resign.
Of course I refused, because I needed these. I’m well aware what my life was going to be like once I’m married into the Zhin household, so this one year is like my one chance at freedom and I have decided to spend it however I feel like.
Mr. Winfrey returned from Minnesota 4days ago, and all the while he was there have been agonizing for me.
A week felt like a year and I finally understood why I had really refused to resign, even though it was Zhin Feng who personally requested my resignation.
I didn’t plan for this to happen- it wasn’t even in my to-do list, but I have fallen head-over-heels for my very handsome, overly serious and super ambitious boss.
It took him leaving to go settle with his beloved ‘Livy’ for me to realize how much he affected me so.
I have a crush on my boss and it feels like heaven whenever he’s around.
Of course I had no intention of showing him or getting his attention in any way. I’m just going to hide it for the next few months until my one year is up, and not complicate things for him.
But today, I’m sitting in my boss’s office who is currently having a meeting with my fiancé, Zhin Feng.
How this happened, I have no idea. But, I do know that this must be one of Feng’s twisted ideas to get me to resign from S. Group.
The room feels so hot with tension, or is it just me? I tried to keep my knees from shaking so much under the table out of anxiety and worry, but I couldn’t. I held my hands tightly together till my fingers started boring holes in them.
What does Feng want from me? Just one year- all I needed was just one year, but his ego and insecurities won’t let me have this little time to myself.
I prayed to every deity I could remember at the moment to please, let this meeting go smoothly without Feng referring to me as his wife- like he enjoys doing most times.
I might not want anything to do with Mr Winfrey, but it would be even weirder if he starts seeing me as just ‘someone’s soon-to-be wife’.
“With all due respect, your proposal is seamless but I’ll have to decline your offer. The old port and docks this company have been using for the past 4decades remains the only transport channel we require,” Mr. Winfrey replied in Mandarin with a straight face.
I was so proud and happy at his decision, truly.
This is just another plot of Zhin Transport and Technology to get S. Group into their A-list of favor-debtors.
“I beg your pardon? Let me remind you that this offer have never been extended to any industrial company in this region before. This is a one time offer from our company to yours and you want to refuse it?” Feng’s entourage and trusted right-hand man boastfully claimed in English.
“Forgive me if these seems disrespectful, but I humbly decline your offer” Mr Winfrey replied apologetically in English.
Feng didn’t look pleased at all as he turned his neck to the side to glare at me.
He is a scary man, and even though he is barely 32 years and the only son and heir of the Zhin Transport and Technology, he looked quite ancient for his age.
Before he became the Chairman of Zhin T&T, he was notorious for his relationship with the baddest gangsters in Shanghai.
So, either Mr. Winfrey knows just how dangerous the Zhin’s were or he’s completely oblivious of that fact.
“Declining such a generous offer from Zhin is like…” Feng’s secretary started, but was ordered to keep quiet by Feng with just a lift of his hand.
“Enough, Caesar. If Mr. Winfrey doesn’t want to have a collaboration with Zhin, we can’t force him. He is a man after all, and have the right to choose what he wants and what he doesn’t- there’s nothing wrong with that.” he commented to his Secretary.
Then he stood up and looked to Mr Winfrey, “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr Winfrey. But, you should really do your homework on how things work around here. Your sister had the same attitude, but she was clever enough not to outrightly decline our offer. Do have a wonderful day.” Feng stated in Mandarin as he stretched his hand for a hand shake.
Mr Winfrey politely shook Feng’s hand with an smile.
“I’m truly sorry. I hope a better proposal comes up in the near future that would give us a chance to work together.” Mr Winfrey encouraged in mandarin, but Feng gave a wicked smile.
That was not his ‘I’m pleased or happy smile’, it was his ‘you’ve just made an enemy smile’ – and that usually doesn’t end well.
I offered to walked them out and Mr Winfrey agreed. We left his office and headed down the hall to the elevator.
“He’s quite younger than I expected. Kids… running businesses they have zero experience in running.” He commented in Mandarin to me, referring to my boss.
“I’m sure you were still bullying, vandalizing and wrecking homes of poor masses when you were his age.” I replied back in Mandarin.
He smirked and said, “well, that is were one learns at first hand how to be loyal and also a great leader, as well as a businessman. These white-men walk into my den and think they run around like they are the top dogs here, but someone needs to put them back in there place.” He stated spitefully.
“Is this about my resignation? Is it that hard for you to just live for few months without trying to control my life?” I questioned untuned.
This right here was my reality.
I was going to get married to a complete pathetic control freak in a year’s time, and I honestly wasn’t looking forward to it.
“How long have you been working here? And you’re already talking and thinking like one of them. Don’t forget that I own you and your family, and my request will not be made more than once.” He cited proudly.
“You hear yourself talk, right? If I’m going to be owned by you, you’ll just have to be patient for the whole of this year because, I’ll not be resigning on your command.” I promised bravely.
“So, you’ll make your family pay for your insolence just like your boss is going to pay for his tonight?… Well, there needs to be order and respect, and I’ll make sure I restore them both.” He claimed angrily as he got into the elevator.
“You dare not hurt either of them, your grievance is with me…”
“And I see the way you look at him! I’ll not let you bring disgrace to my family’s name” he interrupted angrily as the elevator’s door closed gradually.