Playing With Ice

Chapter 6

I looked at my team members and flashed them a cheerful smile, "We have to sort this project out as soon as possible" I said tearing my eyes away from them and,l pointing at the projector screen."I did some background check on this client and he sure does not like it when things take time" I added, turning around to face them again.

I heard a few groans of displeasure, "Ugh, I hate to work under pressure" One of them said, scrunching his face in disapproval, "Guess we have to endure another week of overtime" The other one butted in with a blank expression as if he had accepted his fate.

I sighed and crossed my arms against my chest. What I will say next must motivate them enough for them to start working on this right away, "We will celebrate it once we are done, okay?" I said, "We will have a small party of success. It is on me, alright?" I suggested and waited for them to say something.

It was hard not to smile when I saw their distressed faces slowly light up at my plan, "Now that motivates me to get this done with" Jenny said, showing me a thumbs-up.

"That's the spirit" I chuckled softly, showing her a thumbs-up as well.

I glanced at the projector screen again, ready to show my team members the next slide when I heard something that I wished I didn't, "Easy for you to say, isn't it?" I slowly averted my gaze, trying to spot the person who said that.

It wasn't that hard when everyone else in the small room was staring at the young man with their mouths hanging wide open. I raised my eyebrows at him, "Sorry?" I asked, waiting expectantly for him to say something even though I had this feeling that I am about to explode in anger in a few minutes.

What was he implying?

The young man, Gavin, "You're dating the CEO of this office and I am pretty sure he will let it slide if you make any mistakes" He grinned as if he was proud of whatever crap that he said.

I balled my fists as I felt a surge of rage within me. My skin suddenly felt hot, my blood was boiling underneath it. How dare he make false assumptions like that?

Jenny cleared her throat and shook her head at Gavin disapprovingly, "Gavin, I would watch what you're saying if I was you" She said, throwing worried glances my way.

"I was just stating the facts" Gavin shrugged.

I knew I had to handle this well in order to show them that I am not someone who lets disrespect slide like that at the same time, I should not deny the fact that I am romantically involved with their boss.

I sighed and dragged a chair to the front and sat on it, "It is funny that you're the one to judge me when you are only an intern here" My eyes were only trained on him as I spoke. The atmosphere in the small confined room suddenly be claustrophobic, "I assure you, I work for my earnings. I give my everything. My best to be exact to earn my salary"

I made sure to keep my tone light even though all I want to right now was to scream right on his face.

"You-"

I raised my hand to stop him from talking. I wasn't done yet, "I do not mix my work life with my private one if that's what you're wondering. Did you ever seen me clinging onto the CEO as long as you were here?" I asked him, tilting my head to the side and waiting for him to say something.

It was clear as a day that his confidence vanished into nothing as I talked and he didn't have an answer for my question. In shame, he hung his head, "That's what I thought" I said.

"But still, you have the privilege here" He muttered under his breath, keeping his gaze down.

I shoved the urge to scream at this man and took a deep breath to calm myself, "I assure you that I don't" I smirked at him sarcastically,"Yes, me and him, we are in a relationship but neither of us behaves unprofessionally when we are here" I continued while the rest of my team members darted their attention from me to that Gavin.

Jenny glared at Gavin before fixating her gaze on me again, "Rayna, you're not obligated to give an explanation" She shook her head, "That's your personal life and nobody has the right to ask anything about it" She went on, throwing sideways glance at Gavin.

I exhaled sharply, unclenching my fists. "You're right" I smiled at Jenny before looking at Gavin again, "If you're done poking your nose into my life, can you show me what have you done with this project?" I asked, extending my hand out and waiting for him to hand out his file so I can go through it.

Gavin's eyes widened and he slowly stood up from his chair, "I don't have all day, Gavin. I need to go as soon as I can to meet the CEO" I smirked, putting as much venom I can behind my words.

I watched in satisfaction as he flinched at my tone and scrambled towards me hurriedly. He handed me the file and hung his head, waiting quietly next to me.

I scowled at him before opening the file, "This better be good for someone who dares to mess with the CEO's girlfriend" I muttered loud enough for him to hear and scanned through the papers quickly,

"I'd advice you to talk less and work more" I shook my head in disappointment and gave him his file again, "Next," I said, eyeing Ronald now.

From the corners of my eyes, I saw Gavin standing there, humiliated but I spare a glance his way after that.

The meeting went on smoothly after that and it took me some time to explain to my team members about the client's expectations. Once we are done with it, I called out Gavin before everyone left, "Gavin, I am sorry if my words were harsh in any way. It wasn't my intention to humiliate you but I cannot stay silent when someone throws false accusations at me" I said, "I hope we can work seeing past this"

Gavin didn't say anything. He just gave me a curt nod and left quietly.

I gathered my things and switched off the lights and air-conditioning before leaving the room as well and I almost jumped at whom I saw there waiting for me by the door.

Dimitri grinned at me, "You handled that well. I am so proud of you, Rayna" He said, his hands were stuffed into his pockets as he watched me with prideful eyes.

"Oh, you startled me," I said, my hand flying to my chest, "Wait, you heard everything?" My eyes nearly bulged out from its sockets. I hoped he wouldn't do anything to that nosy boy.

"I came here when I saw the commotion through the CCTV footage" He explained to me.

That explains it. "Um, it was nothing actually. He is too young to know how to behave in the working environment. I am sure he will do better after this" I didn't want someone to lose their job because of me. Yes, what he did to me was unacceptable but being the reason for someone's unemployment was way worse than that.

"Don't worry" Dimitri chuckled, shaking his head. He didn't seem surprised when I defended the one boy who ruined my day, "I know you wouldn't let me fire him. But I will see his performance closely after this. He can only stay here if he proves to be worthy of this job"

I nodded my head at him. It doesn't sound bad at all. We can't keep inefficient people here.

"We should get going then" He smiled, "We have some shopping to do anyway" He added when I remained silent.

"Shopping?" I repeated.

Dimitri nodded, "Of course. We need a dress for the upcoming dinner" He reminded me.

I made a face at that, "Can't I just wear whatever I already have with me?" I tried to negotiate fully knowing that Dimitri wouldn't agree to it.

"Of course, not" He cried out, looking at me incredulously as if I had suggested something horrific, "Come on, it might be just a dinner for you but it means a lot for me with you there and I want to show my beautiful girlfriend to them"

"You had already done that ages ago, Dimitri" I reminded him.

He sighed and crossed the distance between us and opened his mouth to say something but I beat him to it, "It is special to me as well. I don't have a family and this is the closest I can get to experience how it feels to have one"

"Then let's feel it while looking like a queen" He grinned.

I stared at him for a few seconds before chuckling softly, "You wouldn't let this go, right?" I looked back at the wall clock and realized that our work time is already over, "Then I hope we get this done as quickly as we can" I sighed, slumping my shoulders in surrender.

"Thank you, beautiful," He said, looking pleased with my decision and took my hand in his, "You should probably text Mindy to let her know about your plans so she wouldn't wait for you"

"My plans?" I glared.

"Our plans" He corrected Immediately with a sheepish smile. I shook my head at him with a smile on my lips and quickly texted Mindy like he said, "Come on" He took my hand once I put my phone away and started to drag me towards the exit of the office.

As we walked out, we passed Gavin and I cringed when I saw how Dimitri was glaring murderously at that young man as we walked past him, "You're lucky that she didn't want to have you fired" Dimitri stated in a flat tone, tightening his hold around my hand.

We heard him mumble and apologise just before we stepped out of the building, "Was that necessary?" I chided, glowering up at him.

"Work time is over sweetheart. Now I am not the CEO anymore. Now, I am your boyfriend and I wouldn't show any mercy to anyone who dares to mess with the woman I love" Was his sweet answer.

And who could be angry after hearing such words from the man they love?

I smiled to myself, relishing in the warmth his words brought to my heart. It has been a long time since I felt happy over the words he said. It made me wonder if I was over with the darkest time of my life. Does depression just go away just like that?

"Why are you silent?" He asked me, opening the car door.

"I was just-" I started, not knowing how to express what I was feeling, "These few days have been less hurting for some reason. I was hoping it would stay like that after this" I said, flashing him a smile before getting in the car.

"This will pass real soon, Rayna. I promise you, I would make you the happiest you have ever been" He promised me before shutting the door quietly behind me.

And then I felt it, a feeling of being weightless after a very long time. As if the weights were suddenly ripped away from my shoulders, making me lean against the seat comfortably, "I might be too much to handle right now but I will try my best to make you happy as well, Dimitri" I promised him when he got in the car and started the engine.

Dimitri revved the engine for a bit and shifted his eyes to me, "You were never too much to handle, Rayna" He said making my cheeks heat up all over again.