seventh

✏Ren

''So you're going back to Manhattan?'' Cali asked. My half-sister looks a lot like Mr. Reed, blond, emerald eyes, creamy skin, hot and sexy, and smart like him, well like my biological father at least and she's grilling me about my encounter with Mr. Mávros this morning.

I was still dazed about everything and the first-class ticket on my hand was my only proof that he really came here and it wasn't just a dream.

''I guess so'' I mumbled as I laid back on the bed in the room I was given in Mr. Reed's beach house.

Cali laid beside me as she leaned on her elbows. Her pale blue eyes were still studying me like I was a science project in her biology class. ''He's not so bad. He's so gorgeous, Ren'' she said that about a hundred times now, not that I counted it but she's making my ears bleed.

Mr. Mávros is good looking alright, like he just popped out of GQ magazine and graced us with his presence but what puzzles me was that we actually talked this morning. Like normal human beings and not me being the alien who invaded his perfect world.

It was the first time I've seen him in person not wearing his suit and tie and oh my, he looks yummy like my favorite triple cheeseburger.

''I still can't believe you talked to my boss like that, Cal'' I laid on my side too as I looked into my sister's emerald eyes.

We're on good terms now, not that we weren't before. This is my first time setting foot on this beach house which apparently, my biological father named after me. We haven't really talked, me and Mr. Reed, he wired me money since Mom died and that's the only communication we had but Cali here made a lot of effort in reaching out to me.

She's an only daughter and when she learned that she has me as her sister, she was ecstatic and we clicked like a switch of the lights. She told me stories about our father but I wasn't really interested. That's why the money he was sending me just sits on my bank account. I didn't want to ask anything from him except to be my father but he didn't. He just supported me financially which I didn't need.

Cali rolled her eyes ''he's the reason you were so down lately, Ren.''

I shake my head vigorously ''he wasn't the reason Cal. You knew Max and I broke up right?''

She rolled her eyes again and groaned. ''I'll kill that dickhead when I see him. How could he chose that blondie over my beautiful sister?''

I giggled lightly ''you really are my sister. You're the only person who sees me as beautiful.''

She sat on her bum and crossed her leg over ''you are beautiful, Ren. You know what? Let's go shopping tomorrow, I'll do you a makeover.''

I mimicked her sitting position while I shake my head ''no makeover, Cal.''

''No'' she raised her hand to stop me from arguing. ''We won't go home unless you see how beautiful you are sissy.''

And we just did that. I came home to the beach house feeling an ego boost because of Cali. We bought a lot of dresses for work and night outs because she said that I have to put myself out in the market now that I'm single.

I came home Sunday night with a bigger luggage. Bigger than the backpack I had when I left last week. The first-class ticket given to me by Mr. Mávros was too much for my liking. I loved the economy class, not so much but still, being on a regular flight has its perks. That's what I always tell myself but the first-class ticket was so, as in very, good for my back. The two-hour flight just felt like bliss.

After texting Cali that I arrived safely, she told me to hang the dresses we bought carefully in my closet. Careful not to wrinkle them or else I'd need to iron them in the morning.

After reading a few chapters of Oliver Twist, sleep finally hugged me and I welcomed it with open arms.

I beat my alarm and took a shower, put light makeup on, and let my natural wavy hair cascade down just like how Cali taught me yesterday and choose the blue floral A-line dress she chose for me. Well, she picked out all of the dresses we bought yesterday and I trusted her judgment. We are the same age but she's more into fashion than I was.

Mom's dresses were calling me to throw them over my body but no. I've been wearing them since she passed away and I think I need to let them go, for a while at least.

Choosing the three inches nude heels Cali also chose for me, I was good to go as I threw everything on my messenger bag, including my big eyeglasses. If I was allowed by my sister, I would have chosen to use my Jan sport backpack but then again, I chose to follow her instructions. I knew she would call me in the middle of the day and ask me what I chose to wear, I hope I made her proud.

The contact lenses she made me wear were itching at first but as soon as I walked out of the apartment, I felt the little confidence boost my sister made me say out loud yesterday.

Walking in heels was hard but like Cali said, I just need to adjust on my attire. The bus ride to the office was still the same, fast and boring but as soon as I stepped out of the bus, Mario, the lobby guard gave me a toothy grin.

''Ms. Green'' he greeted me. ''Nice to see you again.''

I'm definitely back for the seventh time.

''You too Mario, how is your wife doing?'' I asked him as I swiped my id on the employee's timekeeping. His wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and I pray to God that she gets well soon. Magda is such a sweet lady and even in her condition, she still manages to help out in the foundation we both are volunteering.

''She's doing alright now, thank you for lending me the money again Ms. Green, I can't thank you enough-''

I held the old man's hand ''don't mention it, Mario. I just hope that she'd feel better when she gets out of the hospital.''

The old man's brows eyes glimmer with hope. ''She'll be out soon enough. Thank you again, Ms. Green.''

I gave him a reassuring smile. ''You too, Mario, have a nice day okay?''

''You too, Ms. Green'' and I left him as Sofia, the receptionist greeted me.

''Ren!'' she rounded the reception desk and wrapped her arms around me. ''Oh my God. You're back?'' I nod at her. ''I missed you'' the old lady pulled me for a hug again.

''I miss you too, Soph, but I need to get going now. I'll talk to you later okay?''

''Sure, I cooked your favorite seafood curry''

I closed my eyes and gave me a deliciously excited grin. ''God, I missed your cooking.'' She giggled and walked back into her desk to assist the early visitors as I walked into the employee's lift.

I was greeted by more employees, saying they're happy to see me back in the office and I missed working too. Even though I was just gone for a week I still missed mingling with people.

Angie pulled me for a hug too as I stepped out of the lift and she was telling me lots and lots of stories about how my replacement messed up and how Mr. Mávros' mood got worse.

I went into my usual morning routine and prepared my boss's coffee and waited for him inside his office as the clock hit eight sixteen. The big wooden door swung open and I waited for Mr. Mávros to place down his briefcase but unlike before, he looked at me as he took off his gray suit jacket.

''Good morning'' he greeted me and I stood there frozen on the floor.

''Good morning, Sir'' we never greeted each other. What happened to him in that span of a week?

He reached for his coffee tumbler and took a sip from its lid. He closed his eyes and I swear, I heard him groan. That was a very sexy groan. I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from smiling and ensuring my demise in this company.

His topaz colored eyes were studying me from head to toe, like he did on that beach and I can't help but feel intimidated by him. How I wish we were back on him talking to my image in that glass wall.

''Are you settled back in your office?'' he asked me again and I wonder where the devil Mr. Mávros went. This man in front of me is definitely not him.

''Yes, Sir'' I fiddled with my black pen and memo pad as I walked on eggshells in our set up. ''Sir, I'd like to remind you that it's Ms. Holland's birthday today.''

His blue orbs widened in surprise. I knew he didn't even remember her birthday. He looked into his phone and cursed at the wind. ''Fuck!'' Here comes the devil. I prepared myself for his outburst but to my surprise, it didn't come. ''Can you send her flowers, Ms. Green?'' his voice was calm and steady, my brows arched in confusion. This is the moment he should have fired me again and tell me how incompetent I was but it didn't come. ''I totally forgot what date it was.''

''Uhm... I ordered a Hermes bag for her, Sir, two weeks ago and it should arrive at her apartment by...'' I looked into Mom's wristwatch hugging my wrist to check the time ''now.''

As if on cue, his phone rang and his brows furrowed seeing who it was. He answered the phone without giving me another glance. ''Hey, Sharon.'' That was my signal to exit his office and that I did.

Heaving a sigh, I opened my eyes and laid eyes on Angie who was giving me a sympathetic glance. I returned her smile as I walked into my office. I didn't need Angie's sympathy today because nothing diabolical happened with Mr. Mávros. Did he really change? Can it be possible that the devil is not the devil anymore?

I spent my Monday morning clearing the mess my replacement did. Sorting all the letters that came in for Mr. Mávros and emails and calls. I wonder what she did here. Everything was unorganized and the place was very untidy.

Good things there was no important meeting that the CEO missed because of her or else, hell will be unleashed on earth on a Monday. No one needs that.

My office phone rang and Coleen's chirpy voice broke my ears, literally.

''You're back and you didn't even tell me?!''

''Tone down will you.''

''No, you owe me dinner!''

''Fine, I'll call you later okay? Give me a ride home.''

She giggled and I heard Ms. Garcia's voice ''gotta go, Ren. See you later.'' And she hung up.

I put my hair in a messy bun above my head because I need to clean everything before lunchtime. With the pile of books of a report in my hand, I tried to put them on the shelf but these heels aren't helping because I tripped and almost facepalmed the carpeted floor if not for the strong arms that held my waist.

Papers were flying everywhere, falling like a shower of big confetti as I locked my gaze with a very warm blue topaz irises. Mr. Mávros' face was too close to mine and the proximity was igniting those flutters in my stomach again. The one that I felt when I shook his hand in Savannah.

''Are you okay, Ms. Green?'' he asked me in that sexy voice of his.

''Fuck!'' I pulled away from his grip and I can feel the warmth creep from my neck to my cheeks. ''I'm sorry, Sir.''

He chuckled lightly and that caught my attention. He actually laughed. The devil has a funny bone?

I pouted my lips like a kid. ''What's funny, Sir?'' I covered my mouth as soon as my words came out. Those words were not bad but the annoyed tone I used was enough to get me in trouble. I just got my job back and I'm making a fool out of myself. I waited for his outburst but I was surprised again when the devil smiled.

''Nothing. I just want to ask you out for lunch, Ms. Green.''

''What?'' I asked in disbelief. He is not into me, right?

''To thank you for saving me. Sharon was ecstatic about the gift she received.'' He tucked his hand on his pocket and boy, those biceps of his are drool-worthy.

''No need for that, Sir, I'm just doing my job and thank you for the offer but someone already asked me for lunch today'' his brows twitched and I regretted declining his offer already.

''Just get back on time, Ms. Green, I don't tolerate tardiness'' and he was gone. His mood swing is like tropical weather. Hot and sunny one minute, rainy and cold the next.