Chapter Seven
It's nearly 9am now. Both sit and waited in the conference room in silence. That was probably the best for them since Ann was still piss off about last night. Never once in her life have she been handle in such rough ways. She bit her lips and pull out her note pad to scribble. Sue words replayed in her mind: always your best smile, sharp eye contact, full alertness and remember to jot everything down. Suddenly, the door opens and both stand up to greet the man and lady.
Wow. Ann eyes glue to the client face. Extremely handsome. Tall, flawless skin and beautiful smile. Perhaps in his early to mid 30's??
"We meet again Mr. Aum Atichart." Henry extend his hand out.
A...Aum Atichart??!!?? Immediately she breaks her stare from Henry to Aum. Did I hear it right?? Can't be! Damn Sue! Why didn't she tell me his name when I asked repeatedly for it!! She kept referring to him as boss and instruct me to do the same. This is not good. Hands need to stop shaking!!
Aum shakes Henry hand laughing, "Mr.?? That's how you address me now? Come on Henry...."
Henry chuckle and look over to Ann. "This isn't Sue." he said with a surprise face.
Aum glanced over. "Sue's been assigned to other tasks. This is Ann, she will replace Sue for the time being."
Henry extend his hand and Ann shake his. "Cold hands you have there."
Ann force a smile, "it must be the strong AC in here. I get cold easily." She could feel his eyes on her.
"This is May, my wonderful assistant." Henry introduced the lady next to him as she greet both Aum and Ann. "Let's get down to business shall we?"
After nearly three hours of discussing their joint partnership to build another hotel at one of the busy beach in Thailand, the group went out to lunch except May who stayed behind.
Henry direct his driver to drive them to a nice Japanese sushi restaurant. All three sat in the square table as Henry place the orders.
"So how's Hong Kong so far?" he ask, sipping his warm tea looking between Ann and Aum.
"Our flight arrived late last night so we didn't get a chance to check out all the fun places yet. Particularly the nightlife." Aum smile thinking about all the cute chinese girls he would meet.
"You should. The nightlife won't be a disappointment. Matter of fact, my friend just opened a new renovated night club. Why don't we go tonight?"
"Love to." Aum replied happily.
"I'm afraid I can't..." she quickly said."I didn't pack any nightlife clothes." Actually she didn't have any since she went into hiding.
"That won't be a problem. We'll go shopping after this." said Aum.
Ann tries not to frown. Henry nods his head. "Problem solved. I promised we will have a great time tonight."
After lunch, Henry had his driver drop them off on a block full of stores. Aum entered BCGG store.
"It's.. I really don't want to go; you should just go with Mr. Henry."
He ignored her and walk straight to the sales lady. "Could you find some nice mini skirts and nice tops for her?"
"Sure." Sales-lady disappeared.
"What? No, I am not wearing mini skirts to the clubs." Is he out of his mind!?
"Why not?" Aum turn to look at her. "Don't you love wearing them when you were out to the clubs?"
Her eyes stare at his inexpressive face. "Yes, but that was before....." her words trails off.
"Before what? Before you became poor?" he raised his left brow.
She didn't get a chance to respond, the sales-lady return. "Miss, I have a fitting room ready for you along with the few items he has requested."
Aum flashed his alluring smile. "Thanks. Now Ann, be a good girl and go try it on for me. After all, I am paying for it."
"You don't have to." She murmurs.
"Did Sue tell you what your duties are when you go on business trips with me?" Don't even try to get stubborn with me.
'When you're on these foreign business trips, you will attend to boss every requests and demand.' ERRR! Ann face turn grumpy and follow the lady to the fitting room. After trying so many skirts and tops, she was getting tired and irritable. It's been so long since she wore anything like this. Yes, she loved mini skirts because for one, she have a pair of great looking legs "Shake out of it! You still got it!!" She told herself in an encouragement voice stare at herself in the mirror. After selecting the black miniskirt and black top to go with, she walk out to the fitting room and see how him and the sales lady drooling at each other. This wasn't the Aum she had remembered back in high school. You've changed so much. So much that I don't even recognize you the first time we met. She walk towards them feeling a tint of sadness.
"Ok, I'm done."
"Not yet." he says then directs his eyes back to the sales-lady. "She will need a nice pair of knee high heel boots."
"I don't' think so!" Ann jump in before the sales-lady walk away. "I can wear my heels."
He gaze down at her heels. "I don't think so... totally not going to work with the outfit I'm about to shell out for."
Errrrr!!! "Fine then, since you're paying for it anyways.' Ann replied and walked over to the shoe section. Believe me; I will pick the most expensive pair.
After shopping, they caught a cab back to the hotel. Princess still got her expensive taste. $500 bucks!! We'll see tonight if you still behave in your princess whore manners. The cab pull up to their hotel and both step out and into their hotel. Once inside the elevator, Ann needed to know if it's really him.
"Why are you doing this Aum?" It felt strange to say his name again.
"What did you just called me?" he turn his head with his pierce ice eyes looking at her. "Its boss, didn't Sue informed you that how's EVERYONE address me including YOU." He watched the numbers increase wishing it would go up faster. The air started to feel thick.
"OK boss… Aum. Why do you insist I go to this club when clearly you can just go by yourself? Wouldn't you have more fun with all the girls there without me tagging along?"
God, she's so annoying!! He can't remember if she ever talked this much?! "My assistant goes where I go. Now can you shut up?" he growl.
Ouch, Ann thought. The elevator doors open to their floor and Aum walk out speedily. Ann wasn't too far behind. Once inside, she grip his arm so he could face her. "Then why did you hire me as your assistant? Huh?"
Because I'm going to make you suffer and have you beg me for mercy. He grip her arm and pull her close with their faces only inches away from each other. "Little girl, you are so on my last nerve . I advise you to leave me the hell alone right now or else…" He shoves her away and toss the shopping bag to the floor as he walk in the bedroom and stay there.
Her face grim. She could feel his anger all the way to the very core of her body, thus, didn't dare to go after him.
--
Aum finished button up his black shirt and grin in the mirror. Tonight he will be drinking and having fun. No work and no worries. He glance at the digital clock on the desk and note Henry will be here in 10 min. "You better be out here in 5 min!" Aum yells toward the closed bathroom door. Geez, she's been in there for at least an hour now. Women!
"I'm all fancy up." she reply, walking out of the bathroom with her hair down, outfit in place and boots ready to kick some butt! Err... dance. She look him square in the eyes with confident. Damn, she never felt sexier. "Are YOU ready boss?"
"Been ready." He said as his eyes gaze up and down her body. Damn those boots will make his blood shoot up tonight. "Let's go."