~~~~~~~~~~~~Samantha~~~~~~~~~~~~

I immediately excused myself and came out of Oliver's cabin. I was still trying to process everything when Christine approached me.

"What the fuck Sam! Where the hell were you? And what just happened in there? Are you going to open that stupid mouth of your or you are just waiting for me to die guessing? I was so fucking..."

"Hey hey hey! Just calm down. I can only speak if you let me. Everything is fine. I just overslept".

"Overslept! Like really? Overslept till 1 in the afternoon. What were you drinking last night or you just thought to hybernate?"

"Very funny! I... I just couldn't sleep last night. I had a headache", I lied because if I had told her the truth she would have literally killed me with her questions.

"What did Oliver say to you? Did he scold you?" She just can't stop asking questions.

"No, I just told him I was not well", I lied again. I'm sure if she'll keep interrogating me like this, I will fell short of excuses.

"Why did you say that he has asked for my expel letter?", I backfired a question on her.

"Umm yeah he had asked, but then later changed his mind I guess", she replied shrugging her shoulder.

"Oh! OK." And here I was thinking he was worried about me leaving. He is strange. Probably a case of split personality.

"By the way, do you have any idea who is this Julianne? He sent me some details yesterday and asked to book a suite for her in Park Hyatt."

Her question made me a little uncomfortable. I didn't want her or anyone in the office to know about Oliver's engagement.

" I don't know, may be a client", I said hesitatingly.

"Really? I thought she was his girlfriend or something. I mean he personally asked me to make the arrangements, that too at such short notice", she said rolling her eyes.

"Christine, I have some work. I'll speak with you later", I said and turned towards Oliver's cabin once again. I didn't want to have anymore Julianne talk with anyone.

As I was about to enter his cabin, I heard him talking with someone on the phone. I thought to return back but stopped at the door itself to avoid Christine's questions.

"Yes Mom, I was there with her at the Seminar and I dropped her back at the hotel."

"No, It just didn't occur to me Mom."

"Yes, I'll take her for the dinner tonight."

"Yes I'll get the roses too."

"No Mom, I won't be able to come tomorrow. I have..."

"But.."

"Fine Mom, We'll come to visit you tomorrow."

"Love you too. Bye take care!"

A few drop of tear trickled down from my eyes as I overheard the conversation.

Imagining Oliver with someone else was one thing, but to see that happening in front of my eyes was heartbreaking. I couldn't breathe. I just stood there broken.

"Samantha, what happened? Are you all right? Why are you crying? Did someone say something? Come inside." Oliver pulled me in and made me sit on the chair. Then he stood up to fetch a glass of water and handed it over to me.

I drank the water from the glass silently and put the glass back on the desk without uttering a word.

"Samantha, what happened? Why were you crying? Tell me please", he said sitting in front of me, talking my hand in his.

"Why did you ask me to stay?", I asked finally looking towards him.

"I just couldn't let you leave!"

"But why?", I almost pleaded.

"I.... I can't. You are.... I....", He was struggling hard for words and this was making me impatient.

"What Oliver?"

"You are my friend and I just don't want to lose you", he said.

"Hmmm.. Ok"

"Ok what?"

"Ok, fine I'm your friend and you don't want to lose your friend. I get it."

"So, you won't leave, right?"

"Yes, Of course."

I was hurt but I didn't want to make anymore fool of myself trying to pour all my emotions in front of him. I had just started thinking that maybe he has feelings for me too. The way he was treating me since yesterday, he calling me his fiance in front of strangers, eating my favourite food at a place of my choice, he getting jealous of Ben and the way he asked me to not leave him, everything just made me hopeful.

But alas! I was so wrong. He just considers me his friend. More than just his employee but nothing more than just his friend. How stupid I could be. He is taking Julianne for a date tonight and if I understood correctly they are going to meet his mother tomorrow. And here I was daydreaming all this time.

***********************************

This is the shortest of all the chapters, but it just felt right to end it here. Next chapter will be Oliver's POV.

So, what do you guys think about Oliver's next move?

What are your thoughts about Julianne?

Do you people want Julianne's POV too? I am not quite sure of it.

Don't forget to vote and comment. There are few silent readers too. Kindly vote or comment so that I may know you more.

Thanks a tonne for reading. Love you all 😚