CARLY
It was always difficult and painful for me to speak out about my failures in life. But it didn’t take a while to tell someone like my boss because maybe we were relatively strangers or because of this tension between us.
When he started talking about his past, I felt like he was opening up his life to me, and I had to do the same. And I had this feeling that my secrets were safe with him.
I somehow felt like losing a few tons of weight over my shoulder. And what was great after that heart-to-heart with him was no awkward moment. He made me tea, and we watched docuseries for a while before he called his driver to send me home.
“Call me once you get home safe,” those were his last words before he shut the door, and we drove out of his property.
I ignored Zee’s watchful eyes from the rearview mirror. I focused on the beautiful scenery around us.
Minutes later, he cleared his throat.
“Just ask away, Zee. Can I call you Zee?” I stayed in that position, still watching the blur of trees as we drove by.
“Are you okay?”
“I wish people would stop asking me that. But I’m fine.”
He cleared his throat again. “I’ve been meaning to ask this. I saw you with your friend.”
“Heera? She’s Arab, just like you.” I finally looked at him in the rearview.
“How did you two meet?”
“We used to work together in my previous job. She’s an interior designer at K&B now. Wanna know if she has a boyfriend?”
He shifted in his seat. “No, ma’am. I was just curious.”
“You bet. You’ve been meaning to ask. Since when? Two days ago?”
“It’s always good to meet my fellow Arab in the city.”
“My turn. How long have you been working with Mr. Langston?”
“Since he took over the company, ma’am.”
“Just Carly. Why is it hard for everyone to call me Carly? I mean, it’s just two syllabi.” I groaned.
“Carly.”
“Is he always scary?”
“No. Rome is actually a funny guy.”
“A funny guy?” I snorted. That was absurd. “You and I have different definitions of funny.”
“I knew him before I worked for him. Rome saved my life, and we worked on the security team before he ran the family business.”
“He’s far from being funny. He said it himself. He has a dry sense of humor.”
“He lost his dad. It had a huge impact on him. He loved and admired his father so much. I felt it at hand. It’s hard to recover from losing your hero. You know.”
“I’m sorry, Zee.”
“It was years ago. My Baba passed away when I was fifteen. I still remember when he joked about arranging a marriage to me to my third cousin.” He chuckled delightedly.
“Are you married?”
“No, ma’am. Carly.”
“So, it didn’t happen?”
“Nope. She’s happily married with three kids.”
“And you’re still single?”
“Yes.”
“Well, life is full of surprises, Zee. Who knows? Your girl might be just around the corner.”
When we arrived at my address, I pulled a piece of note and wrote Heera’s number.
After I climbed out of the car, I knocked on the window and gave him my best friend’s number. “If you ever hurt her, know this, a whole country will come looking for you and dissect each cell from your body. Do you understand?”
“Is that possible?” he asked in shock.
“You got my point, Zee. And you are aware of your culture. So don’t call her if you are not ready to enter a relationship.”
He gladly took the piece of paper from my hand. “Thanks.”
“I hope I’m not going to regret this. Night, Zee.”
When I arrived at my apartment, Heera was glaring at me. “Wow! For a woman who hates her boss, you work so hard. I hope he pays well.”
I grinned sheepishly. “I did something terrible, Heera.”
Her brown eyes widened and rushed in my direction. “Oh, my God. What did you do? Did you punch your hot boss? Did you sleep with him?”
“Really? I thought he was a douche.”
“He’s thirty percent less douche.” She shrugged off. “You are not answering me. What did you do?”
I dropped my bags on the couch. “Don’t get mad.”
“Carly, what is it?” Now she looked worried.
“I gave your number to Zee.” I chewed the inside of my cheek, waiting for her to throw curses at me.
“Who’s Zee?”
“Rome’s bodyguard.”I pressed my lips together.
“Rome?” She eyed me suspiciously. “Rome? You’re calling your boss Rome?”
“Yeah. I mean, I’m off work.”
Curiosity sparked in her eyes. “Something happened today, wasn’t it? When you arrived, I noticed something different in you.”
I rolled my eyes. “What is it then, Detective Conan?”
“There’s like fireworks. Did you and your boss make out?”
I was taken aback. I could feel my cheek burning. “No. We didn’t.”
“I can feel it. You have a different vibe.” She tapped a finger on her chin. “I know you like your boss more than you’d like to admit. Did you two go out on a dinner?”
“No. We ate dinner, but it was nothing like a date.”
“Sit down, woman.” She pointed at the couch. “I need to hear this.”
I faked my yawn. “Sorry, babe.” I stretched my arms. “But I’m exhausted. My boss is a royal pain. Maybe next time?”
Heera glared at me. “You’re so unfair.”
I picked up my bags. “You better check your phone. Zee might send you a message.” I sprinted toward the hallway. “Night, Heera.”
***
I was about to check a local newspaper online in my country when a huge hand blocked the screen.
“What the-?” I lifted my gaze. My heart skipped a beat. “Boss.” I was quicker on my feet, fixed my pants, and smiled. “Good morning.”
“Did I catch you in a bad time?” There was humor on his face.
I shook my head and hit the exit button. “No.”
He watched me for a moment before he spoke. “In my office.”
I watched him leave, and I was just standing there, stunned, with my mouth open. What had just happened?
Rome seemed in a mood today-he looked less scary and less grumpy. And that’s a first.
I picked up my organizer and took a note before seeing my boss in his office.
-Unpredictable?
“Sir.”
He didn’t move a muscle but her eyeballs, inspecting me from head to toe. I suddenly felt self-conscious and hoped I zipped my pants and no wardrobe malfunctioned or something.
-Judgy much?
“What?”
“We’re going out. Take your bag and meet me at the parking.” He rose from his seat and walked past me.
“Where?”
“Just meet me there, Storm.”
“So, free lunch then.” I followed him out.
“It depends.”
I picked up my bag and stalked him to his private elevator. “Where are we going? I think I should be aware of your errands, sir. At least I know what to say when someone calls looking for my boss.”
“Just tell them I’m not available. How’s your day?” He pressed a button to his private parking area.
“Too early to say.”
He chuckled.
“How was your day?”
He turned his head to me and shrugged. “Too early to say.”
“How’s Zee?”
His eyes suddenly darkened. “Why’d you ask?”
“I was hoping he made a move.”
“A move?”
I watched his jaw clench. “I think I just played matchmaker yesterday.”
“I don’t understand.”
The door slid open. I walked out past him. “You don’t have to.” I quickly noticed Zee waiting for us. “Hi, Zee. How have you been?”
He opened a door for my side. “Good. Thanks for asking, Miss Storm.”
“That’s great.” I beamed at him.
“What’s with the pleasantries between you two?”
“Huh?” I tried to look innocent as I looked at Rome, who was still confused.
“Storm.”
“I’ll tell you if you tell me where we are going.”
“I’ll tell you when we get there.”
“Fair enough.”
He groaned beside me. “I’ll ask him instead. Zee, what’s with the secrecy?”
“It’s personal, boss.”
“Fine. Don’t tell me,” he said to Zee before he turned to me. “I thought we had already passed that stage.”
I picked up my phone and typed a message.
CARLY: My BFF is single, and so is Zee. So I gave her number to him 🙂
I sent it. In an instant, his phone vibrated.
He fished out his phone and went silent for a while before he shook beside me.
ROME: Twenty if they will go out on Saturday.
CARLY: Deal.