Third day in Hall HQ. Hopefully today is going to be my first normal day. I'm not even a week in LA, but it feels like forever already.

I'm ready with my other power dress. Pink long sleeves blouse with a pretty design on the collar and white skirt just above my knee. I'm wearing my pink stilettos. It's Dior. Meredith bought it for my birthday this year. I let my hair sleek down today.

I go out from the apartment just-in-time Christian Hall comes out from his. "Madeline! Hey, you live here?" he asks with his megawatt smile. He is super handsome, but he doesn't affect me like his cousin does to me. My heart doesn't thump wildly with him.

"Hi Christian. Well, this is not my apartment, if that's what you mean. I stay here temporarily. My apartment is ready next week so I crush at my friend's place." I press the down button for the elevator. "I know you live there, Alfred told me," but I don't tell him that Alfred said that he wishes Christian and Meredith could be together and create a happy family.

"Oh, I see.." he standing next to me. "Hey! Remember when I told you I have a feeling that I will see you more! Look now!" He laughs, showing off his dimples. He is a really cute guy. I understand why women fell on his feet. But I'm more into a man with a hint of dark around him, more like... Ethan Hall. Well, Thomas looks like goody two shoes, though. Ugh... my brain messed up with me.

"So how's my cousin treating you?" He asks again while the elevator door opens. And he holds the door for me.

"Well, he is a good boss," I say while pressing the B button for the basement. "You're going to the parking lot or lobby?"

"Parking lot. And no. I don't mean as a boss. I mean as... um... what should I call him now... a man who honestly said he wants to pursue you?"

My face blushes. "Oh my God! Ethan told you? Seriously?"

"Surprisingly, yes. Actually, the exact word is Christian, do you think love at the first sight exists?" He says, faking Ethan's expression and voice. And I have to laugh at that. "Oh, and he also said I like her a lot. I never felt like this before. What should I do?" And I laugh again. "I thought Ethan is one of the smartest guys I've ever known. Looks like I need to cross his name from that list, eh? What kind of question is that?" He chuckles and shakes his head.

I shake my head, too. This guy is so funny. He uses his acting talent to entertain people.

"By the way," suddenly he's expression is serious. "I think you are a wonderful woman, Madeline. At least better than those women Ethan ever with. But I also know your condition. Not that detail, but I know Hudson is your ex boyfriend." He takes a deep breathe like trying to find the right words.

"You can say it, Christian. It's okay." I smile reassuringly at him.

"It's just Ethan is not as strong as he looks. I don't want you to take him for granted. Not that I think you will. But I just feel the need to tell you. I don't want you to hurt him. So if you are not sure about your heart, please don't accept him as your boyfriend just because he is your boss, or because he showers you with everything. Maybe you can explore it first. Take it slow. But if you are sure with him, then I'll be more than happy to see you two together," he says.

I nod. "He is a lonely man, right?" I say, still smile at him. I know he meant well. He's fair enough when he delivers it. He didn't accuse me, and he gave me advice.

"Yeah. You realize too, eh?" Christian looks relieved. And I nod "I will not deliberately hurt him Christian. I will be honest with myself and him. But for now, I'm happy to have him as my friend. I think he knows that. I never give him mixed signal."

Christian smiles and . "I think you will be good for my cousin, Madeline."

***

"Want to grab lunch with me and Toby?" Sarah comes to my desk 5 minutes before lunch.

"You okay with me crushing your lunch date?" I ask her, smiling.

"If I'm not okay, I wouldn't ask you." Sarah laughs. "Get ready! We're going after I come back from the toilet. This pumpkin thinks mommy's bladder is a soccer ball. Oh, and could you please ask the big boss for his lunch? Normally, he asks for whatever I eat for lunch. He's not a picky eater."

"Hey Sarah." I stopped her before she run to the toilet. "Yesterday... you already knew what Ethan was going to tell me?"

She looks at me and nods "yes Mads. Not all the stories. I asked Ethan why he wants to have a meeting with you. At first, he didn't want to tell me at all. He said it's privacy. But I said I don't like it if he makes you uncomfortable in this job. Thus, he told me that the meeting was about the scandal. And he doesn't think you could focus on your work after you hear what he's going to tell you. That was why he asked to change his 4pm's schedule." Sarah bites her lip. "Um... I asked him how bad the news will affect you and he said bad enough that he's afraid that will crush your spirit." She looks at me deeply. "It's never my intention to interfere with your relationship, Mads. I was afraid that because Ethan likes you, he'd do something stupid like force you to have a 'meeting' with him every day. So..."

I squeeze her hand. "Thank you for taking care of me, Sarah."

She smiles and squeezes my hand back.

"And Ethan, he can't be that bad, can he?"

"Well, do you know what makes Ethan on top of his business except his brain and connection?"

"His face?"

She laughs. "Yeah that's too. But no. He is one of the most persistent people in the world. He can do anything to get what he wants. And he is very smart and slick at that," she winks at me. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to go to the toilet or you'll need to clean up my pee." And she runs to the toilet.

I laugh and close my computer. I check my phone. There is a message from Helen asks about me. And she says she made a batch of Madeleine cake for me. Yaayy!

Ethan is still in his office. Having an online meeting with our subdivision in Dubai. So I knock softly and peek in.

Ethan looks at me from his computer and smiles. He turns back to his computer. "Give me a minute." He clicks something in his computer, and he stands up, comes to me. "Hi Sweetness."

"Hey.." I clear my throat. "I'm going for lunch with Sarah. Do you want us to bring anything for your lunch?"

"Sure. As long as it contains no pickle in it."

I chuckle. Ethan Hall doesn't like pickle. So childish. I study him. His eyes look tired, but his smile is so sweet. I glance at his coffee maker and back at him. "Um.. Do you want more coffee or tea? Your eyes look tired Ethan."

He stares at me and then he smirks. "You worry about me? Be careful baby, I might think you already fell in love with me." He chuckles and I feel my face hot. "I'm kidding. But it's good to have you worry about me. Don't worry, I'm good. But a cup of coffee from you, I wouldn't say no."

I chuckle and shake my head. I go to his coffee machine while he goes back to his seat and returns with his meeting. I put down the coffee on his table.

"Enjoy your lunch, Sweetness," he says and winks at me. My eyes widen and I point at the computer. The computer is facing Ethan, so whoever is on the computer can't see me. But I didn't see him press any button before, so most likely whoever in the meeting with him heard when he said Sweetness.

Ethan chuckles and shakes his head. "You may continue, Selma!" And he focuses back on his computer.

***

Toby and Sarah are made from heaven. They can finish each other's sentences. Like they know what each other's minds. So cute. And Toby is a funny guy. I expected our marketing director would be a more serious person.

Sarah goes to the toilet again, not before she complains it is her husband's fault the baby has his gene, loves to play soccer.

"So, how's your new job, Mads?"

"Well, so far, so good. Your wife is an excellent mentor."

"Damn right! She is the best! The first time I met her, she was the assistant to the marketing director. I was the marketing staff at that moment. I like her feistiness, so I keep flirting with her. She didn't want to have interoffice dating. It took me 2 years to make her realize I'm worthy."

"2 years? Wow... and when you date her, you're still in the marketing staff?"

"I am already in senior marketing. Because some of my idea went viral, so my boss, the marketing director at that time, was so happy with me. And when he retired, he gave my resume to Ethan. Ethan appreciates in people's skill, not age. So here I am at my young age as the marketing director," he laughs.

Sarah comes back and pokes him. "Conceited!"

Toby helps Sarah to sit down.

"So, Sarah worked with you back then?"

"No. By the time Bill retired, he gave Ethan 2 resumes. Toby's and mine."

"And I swear to God that is the only time I want to punch him in the face!" Toby says with humor. "I was fantasizing to have you on my desk, babe!" He says.

And I laugh at that. Suddenly, I realized one thing. After Sarah resigned. I will be Ethan's assistant... and just like that my face pinker that the blouse I'm wearing now. I was fantasizing to have you on my desk.