By lunchtime I was ready to make my escape. Even if it's for an hour or 2, I needed some fresh air or I won't make it for the rest of the day.

"Where are you going?"

I was almost to the door when Eli Frye voice stopped me. Confused, I turned and wondered if he was talking to me. 

"To lunch" I felt like a little girl asking for permission to leave.

"Lunch is on its way" He said with his unreadable expression.

"Ok" I made a face. "You guys can enjoy your lunch here, I'll be back after I have mine"

"Time is limited" His tone did not change as he continues. "We will continue to review as we eat"

He has got to be joking with me. Before I get to say anything else, the receptionist walked in with Alexander Locke behind him. Seeing the pretty man in his 3 piece suit holding a thick file in one hand and a brown bag in the other, I knew my escape was futile. Shoulders slumped; I went back to my chair, set my Chanel purse on the table, and buried my face down into my folded arms.

"What are you doing here?"

I was surprised to hear the irritation in Eli Frye voice as he spoke to Alex. Looking up, I wondered what I missed. Alex didn't seem to be bothered by Eli's cold attitude. Instead, he ignored Eli and set the binder on top of my head.

"You need to review these"

Groaning, I buried my head back in my arms.

"I brought you lunch"

I peeked out of my arm to see the brown bag.

"It's sushi"

Smiling, I sat up and looked inside the bag to see my favorite sushi rolls and pieces. While I was getting out the sushi box, Alex sat down beside me.

"We are in a middle of a meeting" Eli Frye voice was like the calm before the storm.

"Last I check, Calla has free time for lunch" Alex ignored him as he opened the file in his hand.

If it was any normal person, they would have been afraid of Eli Frye's fierce violet eyes but Alexander Locke wasn't - by any means - a normal person.

"Alex" I sense Eli's growing anger with Alex's provocation.

"This shouldn't take long"

I felt stuck and gave the Aion guys a pleading look.

"Eli, we need a break. Let's take 30 minutes"

I was relieved when the guys all pulled their grumpy leader out of the conference room.

"Pay attention" Alex smirked at me.

I had no choice but to look at what he's showing me. Usually, I would meet with Alex every other week to go over investments progress – but I've been busy at Aion that Alex had to come to me. Flipping through the file, I gave Alex my yays or nays while he separate the documents accordingly.

"Umm" I was savoring a tuna sushi while studying the current document.

"Their stocks are rapidly declining these last few days" Alex noticed my eyes locked on a certain investment. "What do you want to do?"

He was asking because it had been one of my pet investments that he had been against since the beginning. It had cost Allac a fortune and for months now it hasn't shown any sign of profit.

"Continue to buy their stocks" I reached for another tuna piece.

Alex sighed heavily. I understood why Alex was concern but was glad that he was respecting my decision when he could have cut it off himself.

"At least give me a good reason" He looked at me seriously.

"Woman intuition" I teased.

"Calla" He warned.

I laughed softly. It's fun to tease the uptight man.

"I know their products are a bit unorthodox but it'll be different in Asia. Once they hit the market there, it'll completely change how people here see it" 

"You think it's going to do well in Asia?" Alex was a bit surprised.

"Yup. Reika likes it"

"You're basing it on Reika?" Alex made a face.

"Hideo likes it too"

"Ok, 2 people likes it" Alex was not amused.

"2 Asian people" I clarified.

Alex looked at me as if he wanted to kill me.

"Your pretty face is going to get stuck like that"

He scowled made me laugh. In the middle of my laughter, the Aion team came back into the room. My laughter was cut short when I saw Eli cold eyes boring down at me. What in the heck did I do to get such a pressured look?

"Your 30 minutes is up" Eli icy voice matched his icy expression.

"Do you give your employee 30 minutes lunch break? Quite the slave driver Mr. Frye"

"Will you stop?" I nudged at Alex's arm.

Alex gave me his stubborn glare.

"I'm begging you" I whispered to him.

I knew Alex won't leave until lunch break is over. He was purposely challenging Eli in his own company. I wanted to find somewhere to hide because it felt like a war was about to break loose. Why do I feel like I'm somehow involved in the warfare?

"I'll go to the company this weekend" I had to negotiate.

"Whole weekend" Alex gave a sly smile as if that's what he's been waiting to hear. "9 to 5"

I held back the painful groan and pinched the bridge of my nose. I could feel the headache forming.

"Don't forget your responsibility to Allac" 

I doubt Alexander Locke will ever let me forget my responsibility.

"You're so mean to me" I buried my face down in my folded arm. "Stupid Alex, I hate you"

"Are you going to go or not?" He ignored my childish whine.

I stomped my feet under the table like a five year old. I couldn't help it. I knew this weekend would be torturous. Alex will pile so much work on me – not caring I have school the following Monday. He won't care that I have to work at Aion the following week either.

"Calla" He said firmly.

"I'll go..." I gave up.

When he gently patted my head, I let him even though I was annoyed. I lifted my head when I felt him rising from his seat. Seeing his pretty smiles, I stuck out my tongue at him. He chuckled at me before he left the room – not bothering to say bye to the Aion guys. Clearly, my president did not like Eli Frye or his friends. I wondered why. 

"Do you make it a habit to flirt with your employee?" 

It took me a minute to process what Eli Frye had said. Glancing at his friends and partners, I could see the embarrassed and apologetic expressions on their faces. So I heard it correctly.

"First of all, Alex is not my employee" I glared at Eli Frye for the first time ever. "Secondly, I advise you to be careful with your choice of words Mr. Frye, especially toward your client representative"

I was so angry that I knew had to leave or my emotion will get the best of me.

"Ms. Lind_" One of his friends stepped forward but I stopped him with my glare.

"Your President have already pissed me off. It's best if I leave for today"

No one dared to stop me. As I walked outside toward my car, I tried to understand why the man was so moody. Was he really that angry that Alex came during my free time? It was for work. Seriously, I don't remember Eli Frye being this overbearing or rude. I'm beginning to wish the man would simply go back to ignoring my existence – it's easier to handle.

Just as I was about to reach my car, my arm was grabbed hard from behind. Startled, I was forced to turn around and faced a pair of dark violet eyes staring down into mine. I wasn't a short girl, standing 5'-7", 5'-10" in my Christian Louboutin. But I always feel small around the men in my life because they all were at least 6'-0" tall. Eli Frye was 6'-1" which forced me to look up at him. At that very moment, I wonder how Rose must feel to be standing next to her fiance. She was shorter than me by 4 inches.

"Let go" I could not believe Eli Frye is grabbing me so roughly. "Mr. Frye_"

I gasped as he yanked me forward. I literally had to put my palm to his chest or I would collide into him. I was never this close to him – never thought I would ever be this close to him. I was embarrassed feeling the hard chest against my palm.

"I apologize"

I blinked several times. What?

"I'm sorry"

His eyes were looking straight into mine. I felt my knees shaking and realized the only reason I'm standing was because of his tight hold on my arm. Why did he bother to apologize to me? Before the feeling get out of control, I pushed harder at his chest and stepped away.

"Apology accepted..."

The one thing I learn in this life is that it's difficult to hold grudges and hatred.

"Then you will come back inside?"

Hearing his soft words, I had to laugh. He was apologizing because he needed the client representative – that's me, back in the meeting room. I told myself not to be disappointment with the truth. Bending down to pick up my Chanel, I saw the scratches on the lambskin and grimace slightly. While I was thinking what a waste of a good purse, I didn't notice that Eli Frye was still studying my expression.

"I guess we should go back inside..."

Even though I did not want to go back after the scene I've caused, the man already apologized. I shouldn't be petty. Depressed, I walked back inside while trying to console myself that I'm free to go home after a few more hours.