At the De Clarion Empire, Tristan and Jacob were busy going thru important documents when Belle came, “Sir, Joyce is here,” she announced as she opened the door wider to let the woman in.
“Are you busy?” Joyce asked Tristan before coming over and kissing him on the lips.
Tristan was shocked. It’d been a while since Joyce last kissed him on the lips. Although he feels happy, he can’t help but think, ‘What is going on with her?’
Jacob found the woman’s gesture a bit awkward as well, so he excused himself. When he comes back to their office, Belle is talking to someone over the black phone.
“Just let them up, I’ll go to the lounge,” she told the person on the other line.
“A visitor?” Jacob asked and she nodded.
“Lawrence Williams is coming up,” she told the CEO’s assistant. Jacob nodded at her.
“Please wait for them,” he told Belle before heading back to the CEO’s office to let Tristan know.
Belle nodded at him. She went to the pantry to prepare coffee for the visitors, then she took it to the lounge.
Minutes later, the elevator dinged. When the door opened, Lawrence stepped out with his secretary, Francis.
Lawrence was on his way to the lounge when he saw Belle standing in front of the executive office. He quickly stopped on his track when she greeted him.
“Good morning, Mr. Lawrence. This way please, Mr. Brown had already informed Mr. De Clarion of your arrival,” leading them to the lounge and gesturing to the couch for them to sit.
Francis went ahead and sat down, but Lawrence was still standing on his spot, staring at Belle. “What is your name again?” he asked, pretending not to remember.
“Oh, sorry Sir. I’m Belle, Belle Roberts, Mr. De Clarion’s executive secretary.” She introduced herself properly and even extended her hand to shake the man’s hand.
“How young are you, Ms. Roberts?” Lawrence asked out of nowhere and Belle was taken aback. She didn’t expect such a question from the CEO of Williams Corporation.
‘Why is he asking for my age? He’s not some dirty old man looking for a mistress, is he?’
Belle smiles, though she finds it a bit awkward. Even Francis couldn’t sit still after hearing his boss’ question.
“I’m 25 Sir, I just turned 25 last June.”
Lawrence nodded, then he gestured towards the couch. “Can we talk for a bit?” He asked the secretary with an obvious smile on his lips.
Although she was confused, Belle nodded and followed him to the couch. “Where were you born?” he asked again.
The woman next to him creased her forehead. She didn’t understand why he was asking these questions out of nowhere.
“I’m from Dale, Sir. I just moved to Bree to apply for De Clarion three months ago,” she responded.
Lawrence asked a couple more questions, about her parents, if she had siblings, and even the course she took up in college. Belle, on the other hand, answered everything truthfully.
The curious Mr. Williams was about to ask her again, but before he could continue, Jacob showed up. “Mr. Williams, Mr. De Clarion is ready for you,” he informed them.
Lawrence and Francis immediately followed. Meanwhile, Belle heads back to their office when all three men head for Tristan’s office.
But in as short as forty minutes, she received a call on the white phone. It was Jacob and he was asking her to come to the CEO’s office.
She stood up right away, taking her tablet with her. She might need to take notes on whatever it is they are discussing.
Belled knocked three times and Jacob opened the door for her. Lawrence Williams and his secretary are no longer in the office.
“Sit down,” Tristan ordered, nodding toward the couch in front of his table.
Belle’s brows were knitted but she sat down anyway. She glanced at Jacob but he wasn’t looking in her direction.
Tristan then stood up from his table and moved to sit on the couch in front of Belle. “What was Mr. Williams talking to you about earlier?” her boss asked.
Jacob cleared his throat as he settled down on the armchair of the couch Tristan was sitting on. Belle scratched her head with the stylus pen she was holding before looking at Tristan.
“He was just asking random questions,” she answered, pouting. Tristan creased his forehead at her, obviously discontented with her answer and distracted by her expression as well.
Belle let out a short sigh, she understood that look, her boss wanted more details. “He asked about my age, siblings, parents, my college course, and things like that,” he told him, and Tristan slowly nodded.
“Why would he ask you that?” Jacob interrupted, but Belle just shrugged at him. She, too, is confused as to what is going on with Mr. Williams. “Have you met him before?”
“I saw him during your meeting and at the banquet, but this is the first time we were formally introduced.”
“His wife?” it was Tristan.
“I saw Mrs. Williams with him at the banquet, that’s the first time,” she answered again.
“Do you happen to know Vernice?” Tristan asked again and Belle frowned.
‘Why are these people interrogating me?’
Belle’s already feeling a little uncomfortable with all the questions being thrown at her. She feels like she is being investigated for something she doesn’t even know.
“I’m not familiar with the name,” she replied truthfully.
Both men sighed in unison. Tristan leaned back while Jacob clasped his hands. Glancing sideward, Jacob noticed Tristan fiddling with his fingers.
‘Is he nervous about something?’ Jacob thinks as he knows that Tristan would only display such gestures when he’s feeling anxious about something.
All of a sudden, Tristan let out a harsh sigh, as if he was frustrated about something. “Do you want to go out for dinner with me?” he asked Belle without looking at her.
Belle didn’t answer as she didn’t know if Tristan was asking her. Before she could ask, Tristan spoke again, “You too, Jacob, join us.”
Jacob wanted to laugh out loud. ‘So that was what he was so nervous about? He wanted to ask Belle out for dinner. But why would he be nervous over something as trivial as that? Wasn’t he a ladykiller?’
He sighed to stop himself from shaming his boss, then he stood up. “Sure,” he said before making a run for the door. He really can’t hold it in anymore.
At dinner that time, Tristan wasn’t talking. He was just there, eating while stealing glances at Belle. Jacob, on the other side of the table, couldn’t help but watch over the two. Belle was obviously uneasy as well.
She hadn’t lifted her head since the food was served. She was just eating quietly with her head bowed down, and eyes focused on her plate.
‘Should I just drug these two?’ Jacob thought to himself. It was an awesome idea for him, but of course, he won’t and will never put it into action.
Both these people trust him. It would be a major betrayal if he did something as absurd as that. Besides, he’s not even aware of Belle’s feelings toward their boss.
Although these two don’t argue that much anymore, Belle is still anxious at times when Tristan is around. Just like now, she looks like she’s not chewing her food at all.
Jacob was certain that this woman would suffer indigestion if she kept doing this. He could only shake his head at their situation. He feels like a chaperon on a date between mute people.
“Belle, do you have a boyfriend?” Jacob asked to break the silence. He noticed that Tristan glanced at him and even lightly kicked his foot under the table, but he chose to ignore it.
‘This isn’t the right time to be scared,’ he thought to himself. He feels like if he doesn’t help these two, they won’t progress at all.
Belle lifted her head, “Nope, I had one when I was in college, but it only lasted for 4 years,” she told him.
“Where is he now?” Jacob pried.
“He moved to Shaston three years ago to start his own business,” Belle responded, not suspecting anything. He switched glances between Jacob and Tristan, but both men just nodded after hearing her answer.
Jacob then placed his utensils down, drank from his glass, then sat up straight, “Is he your first love?” he asked, to which Belle nodded. “Was he good-looking?” again, Belle nodded in response. Jacob then placed an elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand. “Between your ex-boyfriend and Mr. De Clarion here, who looks better?” he asked straight out.
Belle choked, but she was able to recover quickly. She took her glass to drink, glanced at Tristan, then cleared her throat.
“Between the two… Hmm…” she paused, thinking. “Not because he’s here and he’s our boss, okay?” trying to explain her obvious choice, Jacob then nodded. “Tristan looks better,” she confirmed.
“In what way?” Tristan interrupted. Finally, the CEO spoke.