Beautiful Trauma

6

Caitlin’s POV

"How's your weekend, Caitlin? You look like you had a blast. You've got a lot of rest this weekend?" I smile at Yuri's words, my cheeks blushing a little after remembering my dream.

Everything was a blur and I feel like my weekend ended so fast. All I remember is how I was able to sleep peacefully after God knows how long.

And Seth, I dreamt about him staying with me, lying on my bed and hugging me tight like he never wanted to let me go.

The next day was even weirder. Surprisingly, Oki, Justin, and Joon weren't camping in the house like they usually do and I decided to visit my Mom. By the time I went home last night, the three weren't at home still and all I saw was Yoona who just smiled at me before heading back to her room after making herself a cup of coffee.

I heard she has an exam the following week so she's studying.

And like the other night, I was able to sleep peacefully and I have never gotten enough sleep in my life ever, until these past two days.

"It was good," I answered but my good mood was short-lived when Ciara the devil came into the room, her face furrowed like she just ate some s**t or something.

"Prepare your monthly reports. We'll have a meeting with the CEO and the Finance manager in thirty minutes. You can't f**k up or you're all dead to me," she stated before heading to the available table that she normally use whenever she stays with us. She does have an office of her own but she also camps in here to monitor us if she's not feeling lazy, which is rare if I may add.

I was surprised to see here reviewing the reports I had been doing since forever. She normally reviews it briefly but the fucker trusted my ability too much, nowadays she doesn't even bother.

Everyone resumed work. It wasn't even an hour of the start of the shift but everyone had been so tense.

Well, it's the CEO, of course, everyone was nervous. If the CEO was demanding to check the monthly review, it's either he is very dedicated to monitoring his company or there is something wrong.

Unlike the others, I did my usual morning task. I know the contents of every monthly review form the back of my head. I had to since I use it as a reference in creating every month's evaluation.

I was startled when Yuri went to my table. I didn't notice that thirty minutes had already passed and everyone was already rumbling, getting everything that they need so we can all head to the conference room.

In a minute, every one of us was already seated in the conference room. To my surprise, Justin was the one who opened the door earlier, even giving me a wink causing a groan to escape my lips.

However, the way Yuri's cheeks blushed when Justin looked at him didn't go past my eyes.

The room was quiet. When the door burst open, everyone stood up and my cheeks blushed when my eyes caught Seth's. He was looking at me intently, I had to bow down immediately when I noticed Ciara glaring at my direction.

She cleared her throat before greeting him.

"Seth, good morning," she greeted and I raised an eyebrow at her words.

First name basis huh?

"Good Morning too, Ciara, but it's Mr Richards. I'm your boss, please remember that" he stated, his voice cold and I saw how Ciara's cheeks flushed. I know I should feel bad but I can't help but smile a little.

My eyes glued to his every movement and I swear my breath hitch at how classy he looked. He was wearing the same silky business attire but he looked a thousand time sexier.

I wonder how he looked totally different when he's at the office and when I see him outside.

"You can all sit down," his authoritative voice boomed inside the room and I found myself immediately following. Seth, he has this charisma and appeals that you can't help but listen to what he had to say.

My eyebrow raised a little when I saw Joon and Oki entering the room, occupying the chairs beside Seth.

Wait, why does it seem like this meeting is full of heads and all?

My eyes tried to catch Oki's but he didn't even spare me a glance.

"Don't look so scared everyone. They're just here to seat in, so in case I'm not here, one of them can attend the meeting for me. This isn't some kind of a deliberation so stop worrying. I simply wanted to see the operations of your department. especially that you guys handle that, sales and a little of marketing.

At that, everybody relaxes a little but not me, his words sinking on my mind.

When I'm not here...

So he's not staying.

I shook my head as I stare at my lap.

Of course, why would he stay here? He has a life in the US, a company to manage.

My inside felt heavy. I almost forgot that he may not be staying here for good.

He doesn't have a reason too.

"So," he started as he scans the report before him. "Numbers... numbers, of course," he mumbled.

My eyes focused on him, the way his brows furrowed and his lower lip tucked in between his teeth takes my breath away.

His every movement exerts authority but I can't help but be captivated by it.

I shook my head in an attempt to focus on the discussion.

I didn't even realize I was gawking at him.

"Who made this?"

I was startled when he suddenly put down the report on the table. My eyes landed on Ciara and saw how her face paled in instant.

"Is there something wrong on the report," she asked before glaring at my direction. My jaw tightened. There is nothing wrong with my work.

"There isn't but I wanna know who made it, because I have questions,' he stated his eyes focusing on Ciara who looked even paler.

"I did," she stated, her voice cracked a little and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes at her, appalled that she can lie and take credit for my work even though I am sitting inside the room.

"Is that so? Hmm, can you tell me the percentage of the difference between our quarterly sales from this year to last year?" he stated, looking at her and Ciara's eyes widened.

"I-ahm, I thought we'll only discuss last month's review?" she stated her voice stammering.

Seth then turned to the others.

"Who handles the monitoring of our distributor's list?" he asked, looking at my other team members. Yuri raises her hand in an instant, And Seth proceeded with the questioning. "Can you tell me the number of distributors who pulled out within the last month?"

He asked. It wasn't part of the report and I'm surprised he wanted to know.

"Three out of one hundred twenty-four distributors had pulled out within the last month, mostly because the company can no longer handle the competition with the other market and chooses to drop the product to avoid losses.”

He nodded and continued asking questions until he was satisfied. It's funny how I was only asked twice because I was technically only in charged with computing the production cost and evaluating the losses of the company.

As much as I hate to admit it, Ciara can easily study the report I made. She knows how to interpret it really well even though she didn't make it. She wouldn't be my boss if she can't.

"Ciara, good job on this report. It was flawless, too flawless I am thinking about making you handle the next quarterly presentation on the next meeting with all the department heads. I want you to use the same format for this one since it's concise and easy to understand. That's fine with you, right?" he asked and my mouth hangs wide open.

Ciara smiled awkwardly. "How can I-"

"I will ask every department head to send their reports to you two days ahead so you can compile them," he stated, his voice was firm and it's not really something Ciara can decline.

"Yes,"

"And Caitlin," he turned to me while checking the report. "Why does it state here that our company's sales went higher by 2.4 percent when I don't see any difference on the numbers," he stated and I turned my attention back at the report, my brows furrowed.

"It's correct. It went up by 2.4 percent in comparison to last months 1.8. It's not showing there because the report is drafted to its simplest form, so it might reflect that there isn't any different on the numbers," I rambled as I stare at the report.

I double-checked the report as I wait for him to ask another question only to be greeted by silence.

Once I lifted my glance, I saw the smirk showing on his face, Oki's smile can't be hidden from the corner of his lips as well as Joon.

Ciara was gawking at me along with the others.

"Really? I'm surprised you're aware since you aren't the one who made it. Unless you reviewed every monthly and quarterly reports when you don't have to," he stated and my cheeks flushed at his words.

Shit.

"This meeting is adjourned and Ciara, I want to see you in my office in ten," At that, he stood up from his chair and headed out. Oki smiled at my direction awhile Joon gave me a thumbs up.

The moment the two were out, Ciara was already glaring at me and before I knew it, I spoke something I didn't intend to. "It slipped,"

My eyes widened and so did the rest of the team.

I just unintentionally confirmed that I made the reports.

Shit. Did I put myself in trouble?