"We're just chatting casually, think I'm your friend. So, don't be too stiff,

" said Richard again, flashing his trademark smile in front of Ellena.

A leader who seems very relaxed and not too arrogant. Very different from Lucas.

"But-

"

"Come on, Ellena,

" said Richard.

Ellena sighed, at a loss for how to respond to Richard, when the purpose of her coming to the place was to work. How could she possibly be so relaxed.

"Hm ... I mean that I came here because I was in need of work, maybe you can help me. Honestly, I was very happy when yesterday you said that you could help me if I needed anything. Right now I just need a job,

" quietly Elena hesitated a little.

"Yes, of course. I'll help you,

" Richard replied with a reassuring expression.

"Thank you and that means I can't be relaxed with my own boss. What will people say later.

" Ellena replied looking awkward.

Ah, how could Richard be so casual with someone he'd only just met.

Richard did not immediately respond to Ellena's statement. He seemed to be gently massaging his forehead which didn't feel dizzy at all, as if he was confused about how to respond to Ellena's words.

"Okay, let's put it this way. In the office you act like any other employee, but outside the office you act as usual and think of me as a friend.

" Richard said after a moment of thought.

"Wait! Even I'm not necessarily accepted to work in this office, but you seem sure that I will work here,

" replied Ellena squinting slightly, staring at Richard's face in surprise.

I don't know what made Richard feel so sure that Ellena could be used as a friend for him, even though they had just known each other. Even their previous meeting was too brief to suddenly become friends.

"Okay. Give me your CV. Let me read it first so I can put you in the right place for your background.

" Richard stretched his arms forward, holding them up in front of Ellena.

With a smile as bright as Ellena responded and immediately handed Richard a large brown envelope.

"Here.

" She whispered curtly as she placed the envelope in Richard's hand.

"But I don't have any work experience.

" He added.

Yes, Ellena deliberately did not write down her work experience in the CV that was used to apply for her in another company. She did this because she realized that there must be lots of companies that knew about Lucas' company and she didn't want others to know that she had worked at hernhusband's company. Meanwhile, she only had experience working in that place.

"Okay. I'll put you in charge of accounting. It just so happens that the person who works in that department just resigned a few hours ago.

" Richard said after he skimmed the CV that Ellena had given him.

"What? You seriously want to put me in that part?

" Ellena widened in disbelief.

"Yes, according to your educational background, Ellena.

" Richard replied without a trace of doubt showing on his face.

"But I'm new here, why are you so sure that I can do well in that part?

" Ellena asked as if she still couldn't believe Richard's statement.

"I don't know. I'm confused too, Ellena. Why am I so sure of you. But usually my heart is never wrong,

" replied Richard.

"What if your company's finances go haywire because of me?

" asked Ellena just to be sure.

"No! I'm sure you wouldn't do that.

" Richard chuckled slightly in response to Ellena's question.

Their first meeting seemed to leave a very positive impression on Richard, so he behaved like that towards Ellena. Without the slightest hesitation or awkwardness. Ah, I don't know what prompted the man to cherish Ellena so much as a new person in his life.

"But-

"

"Ah, come on, Elle. I'm sure you can do anything. I think you pretty much know what you're supposed to be doing. You really need this job, don't you?

" concluded Richard did not want to give Ellena the opportunity to reject his decision again.

Ellena took a deep breath. It seemed like Richard was just like Lucas who didn't like rejection, so it was pointless if she refused.

"Okay, if you insist. I can't say anything more.

" She gave up.

"Good!

" cried Richard in response. Feeling happy that Ellena accepted her decision. Ellena just smiled in response.

Silence immediately dominated the atmosphere. For a moment Richard studied the beautiful face in front of him. Her smile suddenly widened, a sign that there was something about Ellena that caught her attention. I don't know what it is. Maybe beauty is the main factor.

Realizing this, Ellena became embarrassed. The man's intense gaze, really made her unable to move.

"So, when can I start working?

" asked Ellena trying to break the silence.

Richard, who had not yet had time to end his daydreaming, suddenly gasped and immediately changed his sitting position by leaning forward.

"Oh come on, Ellena . . . could you take it easy, if we're talking alone. Don't be so stiff like that.

" Richard protested again when he noticed Ellena who still looked stiff.

"But it's still in the office.

" Ellena tried to remind.

"But there's no one but the two of us here.

" Richard retorted.

Ellena chuckled. It turned out that Richard still didn't want to give up on making him melt.

"All right, as you wish, Richard..

" Ellena replied with a smile.

"Is that what you want?

" She asked then.

"Yes! If it's like this, we can be more comfortable talking,

" replied Richard.

"Hm ... anyway, I'm kind of familiar with your face.

" He chirps later as he looks back at Ellena's face.

Hearing this, Ellena was immediately nervous and scared. Ah, was it possible that Richard had seen her on television with Lucas? In fact, she had only been covered once by the reporters, precisely when the cake shop was inaugurated. Ah, she was worried that Richard had seen the show.

"What do you mean?

" asked Ellena pretending not to understand Richard's words.

"I feel like I've seen you before, but I forget where.

" Richard replied, thinking and remembering it.

"Ah, maybe you saw it wrong. I've only lived in this city for a few days,

" said Ellena deliberately distracting Richard.

"Oh yeah, I forgot that you're from Bandung. Maybe I've seen you there, maybe what you said is true, that I saw the wrong person.

" Richard said again, widening his smile, remembering Ellena's CV which he read briefly, a few minutes ago.

"So when can I start work?

" asked Ellena again, still very curious.

"How about tomorrow? Are you ready?

" Richard looked intently at Ellena.

"Who am I today,

" said Ellena enthusiastically and confidently.

"Not today!

" said Richard who suddenly surprised Ellena.

Wouldn't it be better if he worked today. Especially when the previous employee has resigned. However, what could he do, if the boss asked like that.

"Why?

"

Even so, Ellena was still curious and wanted to know why Richard forbade her to go straight to work today.

"Hm ... I happen to have a lot of free time today, so I want to take you out, Ellena.

" Richard replied, which made Ellena even more disbelieving.

What does it mean? Why did Richard suddenly want to ask her out? Where do you mean go? Ellena thought again wondering.

"What do you mean? Where do you want me to go?

" Ellena looked up inquisitively.

Ah, She became worried about her own fate. Is Richard really a good person? Or maybe quite the opposite? What if he turns out to have trusted the wrong person?

"Ha ha!

" Laughter suddenly broke when Richard noticed Ellen's expression had turned frightened.

"You don't have to be afraid, Elle. I'm just taking you out for lunch. Are you ready?

" Richard informed.

"L-lunch?

" Ellena was a little flabbergasted when she received an invitation to lunch from a man she had just met and would soon become her boss.

"Are you sure you want to take me out to lunch?

" asked Elena to confirm.

"Yes, of course. Why? Is there something wrong with my request?

" Richard seemed to be frowning, as if surprised.

"No. That's not what I meant. Sorry, I can't,

" said Ellena.

"Why?

" Richard stared blankly at Ellena's face. Of course he was disappointed with the refusal of the woman he hoped to have lunch with today.

"Aren't you ashamed to take me out for lunch? Maybe later employees in this office will see and question our relationship, while I will be an employee in this office. I don't want to immediately give a bad impression on other employees, just because they saw me walking with you,

" explained Ellena with concern.

"It's possible that they judged me with accusations that I liked to tease their boss.

" She added later which managed to bring out Richard's smile.

"Never mind, there's no need to listen, even care what they say. I invited you for no reason, other than thanks for your help yesterday,

" replied Richard still relaxed and didn't want to care too much about what Ellena was worried about.

"Don't be too much, with you already willing to accept me as an employee in this office, it's more than enough for me. Even I have to thank you, because you have saved my life,

" complained Ellena while pensively lamenting her fate.

"Nothing is too much. What's wrong if I want to do something nice for someone who has helped me. You think of my request as a thank you, as well as the beginning of our friendship.

" Richard seemed to have his arms crossed on the table, staring intently at Ellena's face.

"Okay, it's up to you.

" Again Ellena gave up and couldn't hold on to her opinion.

"Emm ... may I ask your help one more time?

" She asked a little doubtfully.

Richard reflexively raised an eyebrow, as if he was surprised by Ellena's request this time. What more help did she need from him?

"What else can I do for you, Ellena?

"