Chapter 3: 3. Handsome Boss
Royal Hotel Lobby.
'Mr. Claude!' , a beautiful well figured woman in an expensive branded blue dress greeted.
Claudia certainly had prepared herself well. Her chestnut brown hair was hung beautifully, accessorized with a pin near her ear which made of pacific blue opal stone. Her make up was exquisite and her voice was alluring. It was expected for a well known socialite. So many men around there couldn't take their eyes off of her.
Desmond walked to the table where Claudia sat in with a bouquet in his hands. He was wearing a well ironed tailor made black business suits and a dark green tie that made him look more masculine. His handsome face always had a cold expression and domineering aura, but unexceptionally charming at the same time. Everyone who looked at both of them felt like seeing a perfect couple.
'Such a thoughtful gift, thank you, Mr. Claude!', Claudia received the bouquet happily.
Pheonix who looked at the woman from a far somehow pity her. Claudia didn't know that the bouquet was just a show for courtesy. Mr. Claude didn't even bother to check the flowers. He had chosen yellow tulips since pheonix arranged and chose them from the start whenever he met a lady. Coincidentally, he liked her choice.
A faint smile appeared in Desmond's sexy lips as he sat down gracefully.
After the waiter taking the order, the two of them start chatting. While Pheonix stood up near the bodyguards not too far from where Desmond sat, waiting for any calls she might have.
As she was idle, Pheonix thoughts started to wonder. She couldn't help to analyze the man sitting in front of Miss Gardner. Her boss was indeed very handsome and charming. His figure was well built and tall. He may looked cold and ruthless at doing his job but she believed he was kind at heart, relating to what happened yesterday. This side of him was very rare to be seen. Not to mention he was rich and powerful. To have so many women compete to be his girlfriend was no surprising at all, indeed. However, remembering correctly, those women also often pulled some tricks and some of them even willing to act shamelessly just to get him along with his wealth and power in one package.
Sigh. Why would someone degrade her dignity to that point just to win a man heart? Now, it's not like ancient times, isn't it? Phoenix felt confused thinking about it. 'That's not my business and why would I think about it?', she reminded herself in her mind.
She glanced at Desmond and Claudia to check if everything went well since she couldn't hear their conversation. As usual, she saw Desmond straight face and Claudia who tried to her best to get noticed. Pheonix mind went on again. 'Is he really a normal guy?? He got a beauty in front of him but he still not interested. Maybe, he was just pretending... or the gossip was actually true, that must be it!'
'Mr. Claude, I'm sure if you and I were partner, it would make a great impact, don't you think?' Claudia have been persuaded through business talk to be able to get close to Desmond.
'I think I have explained that Claude Corporation is not interested in it... if there isn't anything else, I should get going, Ms. Gardner.' Desmond Claude stood up and swiftly left Ms. Gardner.
'Wait, Mr. Claude!' A hopeless voice was heard but the man still left.
Pheonix then followed Desmond to the car. She dared not to asked what happened, yet she could roughly predicted.
'CEO Claude, you haven't had your dinner earlier. What would you like for dinner?' Pheonix asked carefully.
'I'll have my dinner at home." He answered. He was the type who prefered to eat at home.
After arriving at Desmond's Villa, The Jade Lake, Phoenix and Desmond entered the house. Desmond was alone in his huge house. He enjoyed his privacy. Therefore, he let the maids to go home in the evening. The villa was designed in modern style in neutral colours. The glass windows made the living room looked very luxurious and the outdoor view added the beauty of the house.
Pheonix had known her boss habits. Taking care of her boss in his home was part of her job. She hurriedly put the things away and got permission to use the kitchen for making simple dinner for her boss. Her cooking skill was just average but Desmond was never complained although he hired a professional chef during the day. While Phoenix was cooking, Desmond went upstairs to take a bath.
Just as everything was ready, Desmond went down in bath robe, still drying his wet hair with a towel. He then took his smartphone and dialed a number.
'Luke, no need to come here. After you finished, you can just go home. Report to me tomorrow.'
Pheonix was slightly in a daze looking at Desmond. It wasn't her first time seeing her boss in bathrobe, but it never made her use to it. No matter what, she was a girl disguised as a man. Her cheeks were a little hot so she hurriedly turned her gaze to the food on the table.
'The food is ready.'
Desmond was heading to the dining table and sat himself to eat. Pheonix walked to take a glass of warm water and put it near her boss. Desmond was aware, Pheonix hadn't had her dinner either. He called her to sit herself and eat. It was usual for him to eat with his personal assistant or secretary when at home while discussing about work. He was a workaholic. He seldom went for drinks with his friends due to his works. On the other hand, it was still awkward for either Luke nor Pheonix every time they have to eat with their mighty CEO.
'CEO Claude, um... Miss Gardner was beautiful... um, maybe we can hire her as spokesperson for one of our projects...?' Pheonix broke the silence.
'You like her?' Desmond replied her with another question.
The food almost bursted out from Pheonix's mouth. It was unexpected comment from Desmond. It was good that her boss never realized that she was a girl but sometimes it put her in a funny situation. She hurriedly wiped herself and drank some water.
'Pardon me, CEO Claude. It's just... you know, I don't have that kind of feelings towards Miss Gardner.'
The boss finished his meal without saying anything. He went straight near the glass window. He seemed thinking about something.
'Pheonix Lou, have a match with me.'
What?!!! Pheonix was very surprised. She didn't have any choice to reject his request. It was true that he never tested her martial skill ability. She was sure that she explained to him she was not an expert. It was still beneficial to have it as his secretary, though. She just didn't expected that she will be tested today.
After washing the dishes, she went into a dojo like room. Desmond has changed into a t-shirt and trousers. Pheonix put down her blazer and rolled her sleeves.
'I... Well, why suddenly we have a match, if i may know?'
'Today's workload is not much and a work out is good. I need to test your ability too. Fight like a man! What? Are you afraid?'
'N-no... okay, we'll start!'
Desmond was trained in martial art since young. He wasn't the type that cause a ruckus, he treated martial art as a sports and skill. Although he had bodyguards around him, having this skill was essential sometimes. Never knew what he got to meet as a successful businessman.
Pheonix started to attack him. She knew she wasn't that strong but she was pretty fast. Her attempts however, got avoided easily. Now, Desmond turns to fly his fist from her left side, she carefully avoided it several times.
'Not bad! Not strong at all, but pretty fast.' Desmond thoughts. 'It's too easy to deal with him, though...'
Not long after that, desmond grabbed her shirt, ready to take her down but hesitated suddenly.
Why Pheonix's body feel soft? It's like a woman's!Am I imagining things? Desmond thoughts racing uncontrollably.
As he was in a daze, it's a chance! Pheonix did a counterattack. As she had known Desmond was very skillful and strong, she got carried away to fight her best. If she held back, it bounds to be found out he was not a man. She wasn't an army or a well trained martial artist after all!
Desmond was too strong for her! The counterattack was only resulted in Desmond to lose his grip on her and back off a few steps. Pheonix was panting hard. Her boss just stood in a daze, still. What?
'CEO Claude?'
Desmond was snapped from his racing minds. He kept his cool and no one could read his mind. He turned his back straight.
'You are quick! Yet, your strength needs more practice. Well, considering you are a secretary, I don't expect much.'
Is he disappointed or something? Pheonix didn't know how to reply. She just couldn't understand what he was thinking no matter how well she knew his habits. She just bowed. She got her things and left the villa.
Desmond was in his study. He still had a doubt in his heart. He could tell something was off, yet he didn't know where. Pheonix Lou has been his secretary for a year and he just noticed that there was something he didn't know about. He sure he was not mistaken that earlier Pheonix body was different than men. He also noticed her features when she was asleep in the car yesterday. It's a little too delicate for a man! Nonetheless, an unclear matter about his subject made him grew suspicious.
Desmond then dialed a number. "Luke, keep an eye on Pheonix Lou. I feel there's something about him that we don't know."
Desmond ended his call. He then recalled the girl with pheonix pendant in his memory. Where was she? She was very bright and those eyes, they were hard to forget. When Desmond closed his eyes, Pheonix's face appeared in his mind. They shared a familiarity, it was true, especially those pheonix eyes. But, his secretary was a man! That was what he believe for the moment. Was it possible that he overlapped the image of the girl he fell in love at the first sight with his male secretary? He thought Pheonix was like a woman because he think about the girl too much? He wasn't turning into a gay, was he?
Desmond chuckled lightly 'Ha! Have I lost my mind? The girl whose name i don't know, why I haven't found you?'
He dialed another number. 'Detective Morgan, any news?'
'This afternoon, I have checked and finally, found out a thing about that girl. She moved to City N in 2 or 3 years after you met her. I still need to investigate in City N. It seems she changed her identity. Previously her surname was Wright. Somehow not many people knew her given name. It's strange, indeed.'
'I see. Just continue. Tell me if there is an update.' Desmond ended the call.
Wright? It such a common surname in this country. At least, now, Desmond had a name to trace. He decided for Luke and Pheonix can look through that name. Finally, there was something he could do from his side.
Pheonix's Apartment.
Before heading to the bed, Pheonix sat in front of her dressing table. She opened the drawer and took a small glass box. In the glass box, there was a gold necklace with pheonix pendant on it. Sigh.
Pheonix lost in her thoughts. She was a girl but for all these years she couldn't live as one. This necklace used to always hang around her neck. Now, it was just a thing to be keep in her drawer. Just like herself who had been kept in her disguise. She was alone now. No family. No friends. No one knows the real her.
She looked herself with her silky long hair in the mirror for a long time. Then, She put the glass box back into the drawer. She opened her wardrobe and took out a dress. She hung the dress in front of her wardrobe.
'Mom, I will visit you on Saturday...' she mumbled.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone