The Human Mate

Chapter 10

"Mr.Camelli is calling for you"

I stopped typing at once to look up at Derrick who was staring down at me in distaste now. It seemed like something was bothering him but I knew better than to ask. Whatever it was, it wasn't my business and even if it was, I won't ask him.

"Alright" I nodded my head, "I'll go up to his room in a few minutes," I said, resuming my work. I was about to finish it anyway.

I could see Derrick still standing there from the corners of my eyes but I pretended like I didn't see him. Derrick on the other hand, doesn't seem like a person who can take a hint, "Seems like you're going to his room too often" He sneered, "Were you playing hard to get so you can get the big boss instead?"

I stopped typing again and balled my fists in anger. I squeezed my eyes shut and take a few deep breaths so I won't do anything that I will regret later. Once my blood stopped simmering under my skin, I looked up to see him there in the same position.

He was smirking at me.

I quickly put on a sickly sweet smile. I need to handle this very smoothly but at the same time, my kind answer should be a slap to his face."I wasn't raised that way, Derrick. Maybe someone like you will want to do that, thus you're inclined to think in that direction" I shrugged.

My heart soared in satisfaction when the smirk faded from his face completely and his eyes went tight in anger, "You need to watch the way you speak" He hissed through his teeth.

I chuckled dryly without any humor, "If you talk garbage to me then you should be prepared to receive a smelly answer from me as well" I raised my shoulders to shrug as if it was an obvious thing, "I am not here to let you talk so lowly of me" I added, my tone went from sarcastic to hostile in a matter of seconds.

He should know that there will be consequences if he messes with me.

Derrick went red in fury and his nostrils flared making him look more unattractive than he already was, "Then please enlighten me why you are visiting Mr.Camelli's room every day. You're just a data analyst. What business do you have with him?" He asked me, challengingly.

I gave him another sarcastic smile before bending down to retrieve the files I kept in the locker yesterday, "I have to hand over these files to him. If you are curious if I am telling the truth or not, please feel free to come with me to Mr.Camelli's room" I invited him, putting down the files on my table.

His eyes widened, "Whatever" He said indifferently and turned around to leave.

Aha, not so fast.

"Oh, and Derrick, if I hear spreading rumors about me and Mr.Camelli, don't think I will take it lightly. I will sue you for defamation" I warned him. He stilled in his steps, his posture turning rigid but without saying anything in return, he briskly walked away from there.

I exhaled a breath and gathered the files in my hands and unwillingly stood up from my seat. Derrick was already talking bad about me for visiting Mr. Camelli's for the past few days. If only he get to know that we had dinner together last night, I can't even imagine what kind of rumors will entertain the entire company after that.

To be honest, this is why I wanted to keep my distance from Mr.Camelli. To avoid unnecessary rumors but he doesn't seem to take that hint. Or maybe, he simply ignores it.

"Good Morning, Mr. Camelli" I stepped into his room when he granted me his permission to get in.

His face lit up at the sight of me, "Ah, Bryce" He greeted me, his eyes sizing me up and noting the files I had in my hands as I closed the distance between us, "Please, have a seat. Seems like you're done with the files" He said, gesturing at the files with his eyes.

I sat down in front of him, "Yes" I handed the files to him, "I hope you will be satisfied with them" I said when he accepted them from me.

He smiled at me, "Thank you" He said, putting the file away and clasping his hands together in front of him, "Actually, I didn't ask you to come here for this" He revealed, peering at me unreadable expression his face.

What? Does he have more files for me then? "Oh," I said, "Then why did you call for me?" I sat there trying not to look displeased as I waited for my next task.

Mr. Camelli smiled, "My secretary isn't here today and I really need and I need you to take a dictation for me," He said, grabbing a pen and a book from the side, "Will you do it?" He asked, pushing the book and the pen toward me.

Do I have a choice? "A dictation?" I asked him, unsurely. I haven't taken a dictation before so I was naturally uncomfortable with this situation now.

"Yes" He nodded, the corners of his lips curving into a small smile.

I hesitantly took the notepad and the pen, "Okay" I said, flipping open the notepad, ready to write everything that was going to come out of his lips. He suddenly stood up, stuffing both of his hands into either side of his pockets, "Where are you going?" I asked, wide-eyed.

"I like to pace when I think. It somehow helps me to think better" He explained to me, walking around the desk to come and stand next to me, "Are you ready?" He asked, smiling down at me.

I hate it when someone paces. It was extremely distracting.

I nodded, "Yes, I am," I said, positioning the pen properly.

He began the dictation and I quickly bent down to write what he was saying on the small notepad. It was hard for me to keep up with him as he was talking at such a fast pace. It didn't help that I have never taken a dictation before.

Not to forget, he was pacing around the room while he talked. I was aware that he was looking at me now and then as he walked past me and it made me self-conscious again.

Ahhh, why he was doing this to me?

I almost let out a breath of relief when he stopped his dictation, "Did you get it all?" He asked me when I looked up at him and I nodded my head, "Good, thank you" He smiled.

I gave him the notepad and the pen, "Is that all, Mr.Camelli?" I asked, secretly wanting him to say yes so I can leave this room.

Mr. Camelli was reading the dictation, "Actually, there is more. I am going to attend a meeting today at the neighboring town and since my secretary isn't here, I want you to take her place" He said, looking up from the notepad, "I need someone to take minutes and dictation if needed"

Can't he ask someone else to accompany him? Preferably someone senior to me? Someone who hasn't joined the company at the beginning of this week?

"Okay," I said. He was my boss and I have no other option but to agree with him, "What time is the meeting again?"

"It will start sharp at 1" He answered me, "We will leave now and have lunch on the way"

I pressed my lips into a thin line at that. Here I was, worried that someone saw us last night, and here he was, planning to dine out again.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked, making me jump. I was so lost in thoughts that I didn't notice he was standing in front of me with a briefcase in his hand.

I jumped to my feet, "I have to get back to my desk to retrieve a few things" I said. I had to get my bag and phone.

He appeared to be unwilling to let me leave but he nodded anyway, "Okay, I will wait for you at the lobby then," He said, his heated gaze roaming on my face making my cheeks flush again, "Please be quick. I do not like to wait" He added authoritatively.

"Yes, Mr. Camelli" I agreed and left his room after that.

I rushed to my desk again and grabbed all the necessary items from my desk hurriedly, "Going somewhere?" I heard Daphne ask me as she watched me.

"Yes. I am to accompany Mr.Camelli to the meeting because his secretary isn't here today" I told her, intentionally leaving out the lunch part.

"That's odd," Daphne said when I was about to leave. I froze, looking down at her as she watched me with a strange expression, "He usually attends the meetings alone if she is not here" She went on with a shake of her head.

I frowned at that. Then why he asked me to go with him? Did he think I had nothing to do here? "He said he needs someone to take minutes," I told him what exactly he said to me. I didn't want Daphne to think I was a gold digger as well. She might not be a close friend but she was a good colleague.

Daphne frowned but didn't say anything else after that. I smiled at her, glancing down at my wristwatch, "I have to go now. I'll see you later" I said to her and without waiting for her answer, I ran down the hallway to the elevator. I went down the floors, all the while glancing at my watch worriedly.

He said he didn't like to wait.

Once the doors opened, I dashed out, barely avoiding crashing into some people, and made it to the lobby. My eyes darted around wildly as I tried to spot him but I jumped, a squeal left my mouth when I heard his deep masculine voice from behind me.

"Why are you panting heavily?"

I turned to look at him, my heart racing against my chest and I didn't if it is from all the running I had done or because of him, "I ran to get here" I admitted, taking a few deep breaths.

His eyebrows pulled together, "Why?" He asked.

Was he serious? I ran like a mad woman because of him! "You said you didn't like to wait" I pointed out and he stared blankly at me in return, "Alright, I am ready now. Can we go?" I asked when my breathing got even.

He didn't say anything. Instead, he walked past me, gesturing me to follow him. I glanced around the area once again to find a few people standing there, watching me with interest. I held in a groan and quietly walked behind him.

People are going to talk!

He guided me outside of the building and to the waiting car at the front. He held the door open for me and nodded his head, signaling me to get in. Did he do this with his secretary too?

I silently got in and he shut the door softly after me. I watched him as he walked around the car to get to the other side, "We can go now, Chris" He said to the chauffeur.

The car started to move upon hearing that.

I didn't realize how cold it was inside the car until I shivered. I hugged myself together and rubbed my arm absentmindedly as I watched out from the window.

"Cold?" He asked.

"It's nothing that I can't handle, Mr. Camelli," I said politely, thinking he might like to be in a well-air-conditioned car. From the corners of my eyes, I saw him change the level of coolness, and immediately, I didn't feel so cold anymore.

"Will it take long to reach the destination, Mr. Camelli?" I asked, my eyelids getting droopy as I watched the trees whiz by us. Last night, I wasn't able to sleep well as my mind kept wandering back and it was raining so heavily.

"An hour or so" He answered me.

Then it will be okay for me to get a good, quick nap. I hummed in answer and let my eyes close shut. When the last vestiges of consciousness were about to leave me, I thought I felt his warm breath against the side of my face and a second later, I felt my seat being lowered.

When I got in a comfortable position, I was gone to slumberland within seconds.