The Human Mate

Chapter 8

I let my eyes scan over the minimalist board that hung against the door and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. I put on a polite smile and entered the room when Mr.Camelli allowed me to get inside his office, "Good Morning, Mr.Camelli" I said, shutting the door behind me quietly.

He was going through some files when I stepped in but paused to look up at me. I thought I saw his eyes light up at the sight of me, "It is a good morning, indeed" He said, gazing at me with such intensity, "Please, have a seat, Bryce" He gestured me to take a seat in from of him.

I nodded in answer and went to take that seat, "Do you usually come here this early?" He asked me as I did.

"Yes, Mr.Camelli. I am a morning person" I disclosed, "I am here for the files that you mentioned yesterday" I added, jumping straight to the point. I can leave this room once I get my hands on those files.

I can't sit still when I am in his presence. Especially alone in a room like this. It makes me feel uncomfortable. It is not like I get perverted vibes from Mr.Camelli. He doesn't seem like that kind of man but I rather keep my distance from him.

In fact, I rather keep myself away from any new friends or colleagues. I never liked socializing from the beginning. I liked to mind my own business.

Mr. Camelli nodded his head, "Yes, I have them here" He said, grabbing a few files from under the desk and giving them to me, "It is not urgent at all. I just want you to have a look at it and share with me your interpretations" He said when I took it from him.

I opened one of the files to get a glimpse of what I am supposed to work on, "I see" I hummed under my breath, scanning over the corporate words, "When do you expect me to hand these files in?" I asked, looking up at him again.

"Whenever you can" He shrugged, "No pressure" He shook his head.

I closed the file and nodded. I can work flexibly with these files then, "Okay" I agreed. I put the file on the desk and reached out for a few dollar bills in my small bag. I was supposed to give him last night but better late than never, "And this is for you. You left plenty of change last night. We can't accept this much of a tip"

I extended the money in front of him but his lips turned down into a frown as he looked at it, "I thought I told you to buy coffee for me?" He asked, shifting his gaze to me now.

Yes, I didn't forget that but there was one problem, "I didn't know how you like your coffee" I said, "And I haven't visited the cafeteria yet" I added, shaking my head.

And I am not your secretary to get you coffee, I added mentally.

"Then it is high time you pay a visit to the cafeteria. We should go now" He said, standing up at once and smoothing his blazer down, "I don't mean to brag but everything in our cafeteria is nice"

I stood up as well, "Um, I had my coffee on my way here" I lied smoothly in hopes he will just take the money from me and buy that coffee himself. I didn't really want to be seen with the CEO here. It will put me in an unnecessary spotlight.

And unnecessary rumors.

"That's fine. I am the one you're getting coffee for anyway" He said, walking around the desk, "Come on" He insisted when I stood there reluctantly.

I grabbed the files but he shook his head, "You can take them when we come back" He said.

Knowing this man had made up his mind, I slumped my shoulders in defeat and walked behind him quietly. We left his office and stepped into the private elevator, "I don't think you had a proper tour around this building. I'll assign someone to show you around" He said, pressing the second-floor button.

My eyes widened, "There is no need for that, Mr. Camelli. I rather explore on my own" I declined quickly.

The doors closed and he turned to look at me. I thought he was going to say something but he remained quiet, his eyes assessing my face. It was so intense that I suddenly felt so insecure.

Was there something on my face?

"No," He said, smiling in amusement.

My cheeks turned beet red when I realized I had said that out loud, "Sorry. It is just I get uncomfortable when people look at me like that" I admitted, looking away from him. Maybe if he knows that, he wouldn't look at me so intensely anymore.

"I think you should get used to it," He said after a few seconds, "We are in the corporate world and people will look at us to judge us. They would want to see how far you can take eye contact to see how confident are you" He explained.

I knew that very well. How do I tell him that I only feel this way when he stares at me?

I didn't know how to reply to that so I stayed quiet. I kept my eyes on the doors, waiting desperately for them to finally open while Mr.Camelli continued to stare at the side of my face. I could literally feel his eyes on me.

The doors finally opened and I didn't hold back from letting out a relieved sigh, "Ladies first" He said, gesturing me to step out first.

I stepped out quickly and let my eyes wander around the area, "This is a recreational floor" Mr.Camelli said, coming to stand behind me, "Usually, when the workers need to unwind from their work, they come down here to clear their mind or have a coffee" He continued.

I was very aware of our proximity so I stepped away from him, "I see" I said, "It is nice to have a place like this in a working environment" I said wholeheartedly.

We started walking and I could see that there are some game corners and a longue area with a humongous TV. We passed a few small booths, "What are those?" I asked him, finding the booths interesting.

"That is for people who don't feel like dealing with people" He answered, "Sometimes, unwinding needs to be done in isolation"

I guess I just found my favorite spot to be.

There were not many people around though. Probably because it was early in the morning and I was glad about that. That means, not many people will see me walking with the CEO.

We eventually reached a cozy coffee stall with a variety of coffees to choose from. The workers immediately greeted the CEO respectfully, "Your usual, Mr.Camelli?" One of the baristas asked.

Mr. Camelli glanced at me, "You said you didn't know what kind of coffee I like to have. I like to have Espresso" He told me before nodding at the barista, "Are you sure you don't want anything?" He asked me and I shook my head mutely in answer, "Did you have your breakfast?"

Was he this caring with all of his employees?

"Yes, I did," I said with a curt nod.

It didn't take the barista to make that cup of espresso. When Mr.Camelli took the cup of espresso from the barista, I took out the money again, "I am supposed to pay" I said when Mr.Camelli and the barista looked at me incredulously.

"This is my company, Bryce. Do you think I have to pay for my coffee?" Mr. Camelli asked when I looked at him in confusion.

Oh, I didn't think that way.

"Then when I will be able to pay you this?" I asked when we started walking towards the private elevator again. It felt like a burden for me to carry his money around no matter how insignificant the amount is.

He pretended to think about it, "Hmm, maybe another time?" He said, stepping into the elevator again with me hot on his heels.

I frowned, not liking where this was going at all. What silly game he is playing with me? almost felt like he was trying to find opportunities to spend time with me I was trying not to, "Can't you just take the money?" I asked, my tone laced with a hint of annoyance.

He shook his head without missing a heartbeat, "I can't" He said, sipping his coffee.

I wanted to ask him why but instead I fell quiet after that and kept my eyes ahead. I could feel his eyes on me again but this time, I was too irked to care. We made our way to his room and when I retrieved the files, he called my name again, "Have a great day ahead, Bryce" He said when I looked up at him.

I nodded, "You too," I said in a small voice before exiting the room.

He was driving me insane and I am sure at this point, he knows that.

I made my way to my department, all the while frowning bitterly at nothing in particular. Once I reached my desk, I slammed the files against my desk with unnecessary force.

"Woah, what's wrong?" Daphne is my only acquaintance in this company.

I let out a sharp breath, "Nothing. Everything is just peachy" I grumbled, sitting on my seat and turning the computer on. I didn't mean to use that tone on her but I got carried away.

I should probably apologize later.

Daphne threw worried glances every now and then but I pretended like I didn't notice that. I worked on the files that I was assigned first before continuing with the files Mr.Camelli had given me just now.

This is why one shouldn't excel more than required. Especially, in the workplace.

About two hours passed and I was almost done with all of those files. I couldn't help but get it done as I do not like to procrastinate and I had nothing else to do anyway. I didn't plan to hand it in today though. I can't afford to see him again today.

I gathered the files and put them under my desk carefully and locked it in. I know I shouldn't have to since this is a workplace and all but I just don't trust anyone. The last thing I want is for someone to steal those files. If someone did, then I will be held accountable for it.

I stood up and cracked my back, "I am sorry I snapped at you just now" I apologized for my rude behavior when my eyes fell on Daphne.

Daphne shook her head, "It's okay. It is nothing actually" She shrugged. I thought she would ask me why I was in such a sour mood but she didn't.

Feeling bad for the way I treated her, I decided to get her something from the cafeteria, "What kind of coffee do you drink?" I asked her, "I am going to get one so I thought I can get you one as well"

Daphne smiled, "I like to have mocha sometimes" She answered.

I nodded at her and left for the cafeteria. I was better at finding my locations today so I arrived at the cafeteria in a record of time. Unlike just now, the cafeteria was now swarmed with people. Some were playing games in that corner, some were watching TV. Some were even taking a nap.

It was good to see that.

I smiled to myself and went to the coffee stall Mr. Camelli took me just now. The barista seemed to recognize me when I placed my orders.

"You know, Mr.Camelli never came here with a woman before. He either comes alone or has someone to send up the coffee for him" The barista said.

Then why he didn't just do that? Why did he come all the way down with me? Was it to show me what type of coffee he liked? He could've said that to me and I would have brought it up.

"I see," I said, not knowing what else to say.

When the barista was done with my order, I took out my purse to pay him but he shook his head, "I was told not to accept money from you if you ever come down here to buy coffee" He said, making my eyes widen.

"What? Who said that?" I demanded.

"Mr.Camelli did" He replied coolly.

Ugh, why would he do that? "Maybe he thought I will come down to get coffee for him and asked you not to accept the money. These are not for him" I shook my head, "So you can take the money from me"

The barista shook his head, "I was told not to accept your money no matter how many times you bought coffee in a day. It doesn't matter if it is for you or for him"

I slumped my shoulders in defeat and took the coffee from the counter, "Thank you" I said and left that place at once.

Someone has some explaining to do. I will confront Mr.Camelli about this when I hand in the files.