Chapter 43
Alia adjusted the stack of docunts in her hand and started placing them carefully on the glossy boardroom table. Her lips were pressed together as her brows quirked together in quiet concentration, humming a soft tune under her breath as she placed each file where it belonged.
She had received a notification early today that there would be a eting with so investors and she’d be assigned to arrange the boardroom.
She was setting up for the upcoming board eting, ensuring everything looked perfect—as always. The room was silent except for the sound of paper shuffling and her shoes tapping lightly against the floor.
"No slip today, Ms. Og of Ogs?" Mathew called out jokingly as he walked into the room with his laptop balanced on one arm. His mouth already curled into a teasing grin.
Alia straightened up and turned around slowly, her eyes narrowing in mock annoyance. "Not yet," she muttered, rolling her eyes playfully. "Just because I slipped twice doesn’t an I’ll always slip," she shot back.
Mathew chuckled softly as he walked toward the table. "Mm-hmm," he humd, raising a brow in wonder. At that mont, Alia wobbled for half a second while positioning a chair.
She stilled, her eyes widened in shock. "I’m not always like this," she injected quickly, "I swear," she mumbled as her cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassnt.
"Sure," Mathew replied, nodding slowly but knowing that she just proved his point. She nearly slipped there if not because of the table she quickly held on.
"God," Alia face-pald herself for her rotten luck when it ca to her boss seeing her in her unstable mont.
"I said nothing," Mathew playfully raised his hands.
"You just said sothing," she cried out playfully. "You are mocking ."
"I ain’t, my lady," he grinned, his smile simple and revealing.
"I don’t know if you believe but I’m not—"
Mathew cut her off with a knowing smile, "always like this," he completed her statent, and Alia stomped her foot and groaned—giving up.
Their banter continued with ease, light and natural, sothing that had been happening more frequently lately. They were the only two in the room, and it didn’t feel awkward—it felt... comfortable.
"So," Alia started, turning to face him with a tilt of her head. "Did you actually watch anything after seeing my keychain the other day?"
Mathew nodded in response, setting his laptop gently on the table and faced her. "Yes. The recent episode of Wind Breaker actually."
Alia’s face lit up instantly, her mouth lifted in a delighted smile. "And?" she prompted, eyebrows raised with excitent.
Mathew rubbed the back of his neck, a bit confused at her eagerness and what she was asking.
"How was it?" she asked.
"It was okay?"
"Okay? Just okay?" Alia said ridiculously like he’d just insulted her entire existence. She leaned in as her eyes widened and her mouth slightly opened. "You saw Tsubaki fight, right? God, that man in heels!" she exclaid, clapping her hands before she pulled out her phone and tapped rapidly on the screen until she found the short clip from TT. "Look at this stunning human," she gushed out excitedly, shoving the screen in his direction.
Mathew stared at the video. He already saw it yesterday, but before he could say anything, Alia’s gaze turned sharply toward him, her expression changing.
"Or are you one of those that don’t like him because of how he dresses?"
Mathew quickly waved his hand. "No, no way. It’s his choice. I don’t mind. There are so people out there comfortable with how they are. Tsubaki is representing so people who can co out of their shell," he explained hurriedly.
Alia’s smile returned, brighter and wider. "100 points for you, Boss," she said, giving him a big thumbs up.
Mathew sighed in relief. Honestly, her earlier expression was terrifying. One wrong word, he was sure he would be thrown out of the room, no doubt.
"I can’t wait for the next episode," Alia said, twirling around a little and humming. "Let’s dance!" she said quietly, mimicking how Tsubaki flipped his hair.
Mathew grinned at her action, "That’s good."
"Try watching Super Cube," she said, sliding another docunt into place. "The animation is dupe."
"I’ve not heard of that," Mathew said, his brow furrowed.
"It’s a donghua—Chinese animation. Season one is completed now."
"Okay, I’ll give it a try."
Alia nodded with approval. "If you liked Solo Leveling, you’ll definitely like it," she added with a slight duh tone. She busied herself placing the last of the photocopied files on the front seats around the table, fingers working quickly because the room would soon fill up with people now.
"Thanks for the recomndation," Mathew stated.
"You know—" as she wanted to say sothing, the door was yanked open.
Katherine walked in with her tablet in hand but paused in her step as her eyes swept from Mathew to Alia and she smiled mischievously.
"Continue," she said, raising her hands for them to continue as she turned around like she was about to walk right back out.
Alia’s eyes widened. "I’m done already, Ms. Prescott. I’ve arranged the papers and table. I’ll excuse myself," she said quickly, gathering the remaining sheets in her arms.
Just before walking out, she turned to Mathew. "Make sure to watch it. You’ll love it." Then she darted off, the door closing behind her.
Katherine chuckled, taking her seat at the eting table, her eyes twinkling with amusent as she looked at Mathew. "And there’s nothing going on?" She sang playfully.
Mathew shook his head, pulling out his chair. "We were just talking about ani," he explained quickly, trying not to sound too defensive while Katherine’s brow arched as she wiggled her brows at him teasingly. He knew she wasn’t buying it.
Mathew sighed and rubbed his hand across his face, sinking into the chair at the head of the table. "Don’t think too much of it," he muttered.
"Ayé, sir," Katherine said with a playful salute, flipping open the folder in front of her as other staff began to fill the room.
Not Katherine shooting Mathew teasing glances throughout the eting.
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