LOVING YOU BENEATH THE SURFACE

DISTRACTIONS

*CHRIS’ POV*

I have been with Kate officially for a year but I knew what she was like during our first encounter. She’s an ambitious woman who would do anything to protect her dreams and there’s no other thing in her world than fashion. She loved her job a little too much that she rarely paid attention to other things around her.

She didn’t even mind about getting herself used by Cynthia when she was under emotional bullying from her for years. All that she was concerned with was her collections getting known and she getting her name out there as one of the renowned designers.

One thing about her too is that she hesitates a lot before making a decision, be it good or bad. The yardstick at which she measures her capacities were too small. She would always feel intimidated by a task and wonder if she could do it, even though she herself was aware that she was more than capable. She just needed that one push for her to step in the right direction and make a decision.

“If you keep doubting yourself, you will never be satisfied or achieve your dreams that you hold dear. It’s okay to make mistakes, you can just try again. Who cares if you didn’t get it right at the first trial? There’s a room for adjustment, so there’s no need to be hard on yourself” I had to tell her when she told me about how she was afraid to take on Jean’s offer.

Even though I wanted the best for her, it was her own path to take. All I could was to support her and give her the necessary help she might need. I didn’t want to make the decision on her behalf, so I gave her the freedom of choice.

“But at the end of the day, the choice is yours. If you feel that it’s not meant for you, then I am ready to also support you in whatever you choose to do. That is a certain thing” I concluded, leaving the ball in her court.

She woke up the next morning and busted the news that she had taken Jean’s offer as I was getting ready for work. With a smile dancing on my lips, I pulled her into a hug and muttered a soft “Congratulations” before telling her that I would always be rooting for her anytime.

“If it also gets too hard, you can take a break or an exit” I added, and she kept nodding, saying that she would take care of herself before we parted ways.

She was going to meet Jean for a meeting while I was resuming work at the hotel. My leave was over and I had to resume exactly that day before I got subjected to an intense lecture from the HR witch, Mercy.

As soon as I stepped into the lobby, a loud chuckle and clap called my attention to the left side and I turned to see the Chairman of the hotel clapping continuously as he walked towards me. Swiftly, I changed my direction and headed towards him in order to honor him and he welcomed me with a pat on his back.

“You have always been awesome and you don’t fail to stay consistent” he praised, and I wondered what the sudden eulogy session was about even though I was playing along with the smiling game.

“You have succeeded in putting our hotel on the best hotels’ list once again and we remain the first. All my years, I worked hard to put the hotel on the best list and when I finally got there, I shifted my goal to reaching the top, which I couldn’t achieve sadly before I had to retire. I had lost hope completely in that dream because of my useless son, but thanks to you, I live to see that dream come true”, he explained, while tapping my shoulder at every given chance.

I was forced to stay there and listen to his unending emotional stories of how he built the hotel from scratch and even joined builders to construct the hotel’s building.

“You were able to achieve the dream because you worked hard to do everything best for the hotel. The win is yours honorably”, I responded calmly and he went silent, which made me wonder if I had done something wrong.

All of a sudden, a loud clap sounded near my ears and that made me shudder. The Chairman was so pleased with what I said that he had to pause and digest it.

He turned to his secretary and shouted “Oh my! Oh my! Look at this young guy. He is also humble and meek. Tell me why I shouldn’t do anything to keep him? He’s good at his job, diligent and also polite. Change his car to the latest model before the end of the week”, he instructed, and my eyes popped out.

“Thank you for your consideration but my car is functioning well and I don’t have a reason for another…” I was still protesting when he cut me off and faced the Secretary, strictly “Get him or lose your job” he warned seriously and I was forced to back down.

“I knew you would turn it down before I said it, so it’s now left for you to either accept it or make him lose his job. The ball is in your court”, he shrugged and gave a final smile before he started walking away.

I ran to catch up with him once more and complained that I didn’t do it alone and getting a new car alone would be too burdensome for me, but he only laughed.

“Who said I was only treating you? I have already prepared treats for your team members”, he told me calmly this time around and left.

***

I got to the office and saw them dancing about how they had been rewarded with a ticket to the hotel’s vacation home. They kept giggling and jumping in happiness, which was beautiful to see. Things like that didn’t faze me given my background, but given their positions, it was a huge privilege and I’d be an asshole to ruin the moment with insensitive remarks.

“Okay! We will be going on a three-day trip to the vacation house, so pack moderately and prepare to have some fun. My rule is that there should never be a work discussion on a vacation, so what does that mean? You have to finish up all your work before we travel” I said to them and their answers chorused in the air.

I couldn’t wait to share the happiness of the proud moment with Kate, so I texted her what happened happily but she didn’t check her message, which was understandable because she went to a meeting with Jean.

I continued with work and finally clocked out for the day. Since I had resumed work, I wouldn’t be going back to her place for a while, so our alternatives were calls or chats. I was about to take the last step on the staircase when someone suddenly barged in front of me.

“Oh my goodness” I blurted out, almost losing my feet.

“I see that you are back from your leave. You could have at least dropped by at the HR” Mercy said, playing with her tangled hair as she blinked repeatedly in the span of seconds.

“I had no obligations to do that” I responded bluntly and took a safe landing down the stairs.

“It’s nice to have you back though,” she continued, following me tenaciously.

“I see” I replied, increasing my pace.

“Why are you walking so fast when someone is talking? You should at least pretend to be nice”. She slammed me but I wasn’t moved.

I was not in the mood for her lengthy and useless talk, so I had to walk out of her clutches as soon as possible.

“Chris!” Kate’s voice called at the door and my face lightened with joy.

She was my savior for the night and I couldn’t be more grateful that she came at the right time.

“Babe!” I shouted back and waved to her, loud enough for Mercy to hear and I could hear the clacking of her shoes pause.

I quickly met Kate at the door and gave her the space to hold my shoulder while I turned to Mercy. “See you tomorrow”, I said before walking Kate out.

We discussed how our day went and she apologized for not seeing my texts sooner but I waved it off. We went for dinner and had a stroll before she went back home with the promise to text me as soon as she got home.

Finally, it was the day to travel and everyone met at the meeting point with their packed bags. The hotel had given us one of the buses for transportation and everybody was already inside except Charlotte. We had no choice but to wait for her and by the time she appeared, she was dressed in a complete appearance that was different from that of her office's.

“Wow! She’s so gorgeous”, one of the men on the team whistled as she rushed to the bus.

“I am sorry I kept you all waiting” she apologized, but I told her it was okay and signaled for her to enter the bus.

She rushed in and just at that moment, she lost her balance and fell backwards, right into my open arms.