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CHAPTER 28
The day rolled on quicker than she had expected and by the time she was through with the work piled up for her, exhaustion was the least explanation for how she felt.
She rolled her eyes at the finished work on her desk, before slamming her palm on the files. "Phew!" she released a deep breath, watching as her chest fell before shaking her head.
"Gosh. First days are always…"
"Hello." Her face fell. Each time she heard her name that day, it was either to tease her or to give her more work.
It was already closing hour and then she was to leave. If anyone of them had given her work again, only heaven knew how her temper would take it.
Turning around on her chair, Andromeda slowly lifted her eyes, hoping that by the time she turned, her pest would have disappeared.
Sadly, he didn't but, it wasn't one of those bullies anyway.
"Hi there. My name is Cao Yan. Sorry I could not greet you earlier. You were busy."
He tilted his head at the pile of work on her desk before giving her a warm smile.
That silent reminder felt like a pang of iron fell on her head. She let out an exasperated sigh. Her chest rose and fell to the sweet melody of her heartbeat.
"Yes, I was," Andromeda let out slowly without care. All she wanted was to disappear and appear at home.
Just for her plan, she failed to take her car with her. Now, she had to consider getting a cab or riding the bus.
Either one, she wasn't looking forward to. Sensing her stress and lack of will to communicate, be had no choice but to let her be.
"Uh, I would have offered for us to leave together but I can see, you are too tired and distracted to be bothered.
She gazed up at him again. This time she did more than just stare but took in his appearance.
He looked like a guy in his mid-twenties, about her age. He had a pair of glasses on with a newly ruffled up hair that further added to his charm.
His outfit was nothing to die for but he was dressed properly, like a college-working student or simply put, a corporate casual.
" Huh? I did not catch your name miss. Can you tell me?"
"Chao Su Jin."
"Ah, nice meeting you then. I would..."
The door to their office opened, revealing Xu Fang in his bold and domineering stand.
"I thought I would find you here," his shimmering eyes sparkled as he took a glance in her direction before scanning the surrounding.
Her lips parted, as the words that threatened to spill remained in her mouth. All she could do was stare and wonder why the Vice CEO came for her.
Following her line of sight, the young man too gazed upon the Vice CEO, causing his jaw to drop.
"Huh... I..." He tried many times to process the words to say at that moment but the stuffy aura in the air made it difficult for him to even comprehend them.
Ignoring him, Xu Fang took a step into the room and flashed her another smile before speaking. "Aren't you coming? Or do you plan to work all night?"
"I... just give me a minute. I would be done." She returned her gaze to Cao Yan and smiled. "I guess I would be off now. Take care and thanks for reaching out."
"Uh-huh..." she shook her head briefly. He was still tongue-tied.
"Good night." Standing up, she picked up her bag, pushed the files in front of her a bit inside, and arranged her clothes. Without uttering one more word to the stupefied man, she walked towards Xu Fang.
"Was that... it was him... VC Xu Fang!"
The moment they stepped outside the door, Andromeda waited for him to close it before breaking the silence. "I never expected to see you here, Mr. Xu."
"Me neither." A soft laugh escaped her lips. "What? You do not believe me?" He raised both brows at her questioningly.
"I did not say anything. However, I think you are the one not believing your words."
"Fine, you got me."
She lapsed her hands in front of her in an excited manner. "Exactly. I knew you would be trouble."
"Hoho... How am I trouble? I came here to greet you and maybe give you a ride home if you do not have one while getting to enjoy how your first day at work went."
His ever-smiling face shone brighter at her. "Did I pass?"
"Nope," she responded, shaking her hair. "You failed."
"Hmm, hard to get huh?"
"I never knew we were playing that game, Mr. Xu."
"Call me Xu Fang. Let's discard the formalities, Andromeda," he pushed quickly, taking his chance.
Her lips pressed into a thin line, giving him a tight-lipped smile but from the wrinkles that formed at the side of her eyes, he knew they were genuine.
"I did not grant you the permission for that, Mr. Xu."
"Come on! I thought we were rolling well already!" She did not bother to give him a reply and walked on instead.
"Hey, Andromeda."
"It's Ms. Kai to you."
"Why are you been so hard on me? I saved you from a boring chat and walk home!"
Hearing him say that she paused in her tracks and turned around to look at him. Thinking he had got her, he walked briskly to where she was. "I did right?"
"No, you didn't. I never said he was boring."
"But your expression clearly said that," Xu Fang argued. "I just helped you out."
"No. in my opinion, hmm, you scared the shit out of him. He was speechless."
"Hmm, I never knew even guys fell for my charms. I am impressed." Andromeda rolled her eyes at him and they resumed their walk.
"You knew I was keeping a low profile to watch out but you ruined it."
"Did not," he fired back.
"Did too. Thank goodness those bitches weren't there anymore. Else tomorrow I would have been the next slut to speak off."
"Oh, interesting. Tell me who was the first?"
She paused briefly, turned her head to face him, and the second he looked at her, her smile dropped. "Me."