16 Chapter Sixteen: 'Love' endearment

Madi's POV:

"Why are you late?" 

The first thing my boss asked me, the moment I entered his office. He's face masked with the old 'Gabriel's demeanour.

I put the coffee on his desk and tried to act normal as I smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, Sir. My mom called me late last night so, I also sleep late. It won't happen again."

He stared at me in few seconds before his lips curled upward for a devilish smile.

"It's okay 'love'. Since it's your first time being late, I'll just let it passed."

Huh! To hell with the professionalism---- I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Don't call me that, Mr. Wilsons! We're at the office, and we already talked about this!" 

"Oh, yes love. We talked about the deal already. But.. calling you love was not included to that 'talk'. We agreed that we keep our relationship in this whole building and that's your idea. I also have mine. We're going to call each other the 'love' endearment whenever we are alone."

"Huh! Why didn't you tell me that last Saturday night?" I bite my lip to control my voice from rising.

"Don't raise your voice at me, we're still in the office. I'll just let you know.. you can talk to me the way you want outside this company, but I am your boss while we still inside." his voice turned back into cold and serious.

Honestly, I was taken aback by his sudden change of tone. From being playful than to become serious again? Is he suffering from Identity disorder?

"Yes, Sir." I straightened my body but never on planning to say sorry. Why would I? He started this one.

"Did you bring my schedule, love?"

-'Again? Is he playing with me?'-

"Mr. Wilsons, I thought------"

"Madi, listen. This is a part of the deal. I have to call you that endearment so I can avoid calling you with your last name in front of her and of my family. Just play along with the role, Madi. I can see nothing wrong with that. We're just going to do that when we're alone and not in front of the employees here."

I sighed as I nodded. "Okay. But please Sir, avoid calling me that in public especially in this building with so many people eyeing our moves."

"Okay. But start calling me that now, Madi. You should also practice yourself."

My eyebrows knitted in one line. "And why do I need to practice on calling you 'love'? I'm not a forgetful person."

"Madi, let me remind you again. Whether you signed or not a contract with this deal, you already agreed on this. And what if I tell you that I'm going to kiss you right now, and to your office and to the cafeteria while you're eating... if you won't start calling me 'love' right now?"

"Huh!" my heartbeat was racing inside as if she came from a marathon.

"Ohh.. see? Now I know how to make you agree every time we have an argument like this." 

Guess what? He's now grinning. What a bipolar, right.

"You can't do that! You're not my boyfriend!" I whispered-yelled at him. But he just laughed again.

How I wish this carefree side of him is for real and not just but this contract or for whatever.

"You really made me laugh, love." he said still laughing while shaking his head.

"And what did I say to made you laugh?"

I asked acting annoyed, but honestly.. I am happy to know that at least I can be one of the reason why he is now laughing.

"Love, when you agreed with the deal, that means.. that very moment, I became your boyfriend and you were my girlfriend as well."

"Oh, God!" I slapped my forehead. "But it's not for real!"

"No, love. It's for real. I told you we're going to get married for real."

"Wait! After we got married------"

"You're going to move in with me."

"What?" my voiced raised into a higher octave.

"Yes. We're married. Where do you want to live after that.. in your apartment? No way, I won't allow you."

"But.. what about the ... y-you know.. the.."

"What? Say it, love." he smiled teasing me. He stood up and walked slowly towards me. He seated on the edge of his desk two steps away from me and crossed his arms over his chest.

My eyes watched his every move.

"You already know that, do I have to say it out loud?" I said feeling irritated as my face slowly turned into a shade of pink.

"About the sex? Is that what you mean to say?" 

"Yes. About that. If I am going to move in with you, I should have my own room. No kissing, and no that..... that...argh! No sex!"

"What about our marriage? Aren't we going to consummate our marr--------"

"Mr. Wilsons!" I shouted in my horrified state.

He suddenly became serious at stared at me.

"One more time you called me 'Mr. Wilsons', love.. and I'll promise you're not going to get out from this office without me kissing that sweet mouth of yours." he warned me in his authoritative voice.

And I swear, if we're not just talking about this freaking kiss, I won't back down with his voice.

"Argh! You can't do that!" I glared at him.

But he just chuckled and stand up again.

"What are you doing?" I asked feeling the nervousness for the very first time.

"You said I can't kiss you, so I'll prove it to you." 

I wish I could smack the devilish grin on his face.

He started to step forward as I started to step backwards.

"Oh my God, stop right there!" I shouted as I brought my hands forward in a stopping position.

"Why? I'm not doing anything."

He acted innocently as he put his hands on both of his pants pocket.

"Gabriel we're in your office!" he was surprised by me calling his name. But just smirked again after a while.

My back now hit the cold wall behind me, and my eyes widened in nervousness.

"So... end of your stepping backwards, love?"

"Gabriel, please?" I plead as I swallowed the lump on my throat.

"Please what? Say it, love."

I didn't know how many times I intake a deep breath in that very moment before I decided to shout what he wants.

"Ok fine!" I put my hands in a surrender position. "Stop this, 'love'!" I glared at him as his smile turned into a wide one. His body was just an inch away from mine. I can almost smell the minty breath of him and the smell of his aftershave together with his cologne.

"Good. See? It isn't difficult right, love?"

I rolled my eyes. 

We're both oblivious of the person standing exactly at the door.

"Yes, love. It's not difficult." I continue to glare at him, but the sudden sound of the things fell on the floor caught both our attention. It's a white folder.

"Sandy?" 

"Ms. Aguilar!"

We both mentioned in unison but in a different tone. Mine was in a question form but for him... an accusing tone.

But Sandy, of course being Sandy, lowered her head in nervousness. And I can't help shaking my head. Why is she so nervous? 

"You don't know how to knock, Ms. Aguilar?" Gabriel turned back into his arrogant self. So far away from his playful side earlier.

"I'm sorry, Sir. But, believe me. I knocked on more than five to six times, but I got no answers so-----"

"So you let yourself entered without my permission?"

"No Sir, I'm sorry." she lowered her head again. 

I don't know but I grabbed Gabriel's hands and shake my head on him. Silently telling him that he doesn't need to worry about Sandy because she's on me.

"I have to go, Sir... I mean 'love'." I purposely raised my voice to tease him and to let Sandy know. "I'll leave your schedules on the table, love."

And I slightly nudged his stomach, causing him to winced in a bit of pain.

"Ohh.. I'm sorry love. Did I hurt you that much?" I asked grinning. I am now back to myself again.

He glared at me but didn't say anything.

"Okay, bye love... call me if you need me." and I winked at him before I pulled Sandy outside of his office.