Stephanie got out of the restroom and headed back to Sebastian’s office. She made sure her eyes were all dried up before she headed back.
In the restroom, she stood in front of the mirror and cried. She never thought she would have to work with the two men that crushed her heart.
She was still yet to figure out what she was going to do. “Now that Owen knows I’m working with Sebastian, he will start bothering me. He would want me to get back with him. What should I do?”
She kept thinking and thinking until she got to Sebastian’s office. She knocked on the door and waited for him to tell her to come in.”
“Stephanie, you don’t have to knock, okay? It’s your office too,” Sebastian uttered, staring at his door. Stephanie sighed and opened the door.
She walked in and wore a faint smile. She headed to the couch and sat on it. All this while, Sebastian kept his eyes on her. “How are you?” He asked, and she bounced her head.
“I’m good.” She looked at him and saw he didn’t look happy. “What’s wrong with you?” She asked, and he exhaled softly. He stood up and approached her.
He sat on the couch, and Stephanie moved, giving him a little gap. “Are you sure you want to work with him? I mean Owen. You weren’t yourself when you saw him,” He said, and she lowered her head slowly.
“I’ll be fine. You signed the contract already. Why are you asking me this?” She let out a soft laugh and looked at him. “I just want to know, Stephanie. I could do something about it. I am yet to sign the papers,” He said, and Stephanie knitted her brows.
“You’re yet to? I thought you did that already?” She uttered, and he shook his head. “I signed another document. I needed him to think I did, but I didn’t. I can show you.”
He stood up and hurried to his desk. He opened the file they had taken to the conference room and pulled out the contract Owen signed. He stretched the file to Stephanie, and she took the file.
She checked where the CEO was supposed to sign but she saw it was blank. “I told you. I didn’t sign it,” He said and sat next to her again.
“But why? You need more clients, don’t you? Remember the company is in a critical state.”
“I’m aware of the state of the company, Stephanie, but I can’t rush into such a decision when I know you aren’t cool with it. You are my assistant, and I care about you very much. If anything is going to bother you, I’d let it go, even if it costs a lot.”
Stephanie heaved a sigh and stretched the contract to him. She reached into her bag and pulled out a pen. “Here, take this and sign it. I never said I’m not cool with it. I was just kind of shocked to see him, okay?“
“Stephanie…”
“Do it, Sebastian. Your company needs this contract, you and I know that well. So stop treating me like a kid that can’t take care of her own emotions and sign the goddamn papers.”
Sebastian blinked severally as he watched her speak. He bounced his head and reached for the pen. He took it and looked at her face. “Are you sure? He will have to come here often.” He said again.
“And I said I am cool with it. He is coming here for business, I am here for business, so it is fine. I have gotten over him.”
Sebastian looked at the contract and went on to sign it. He looked at Stephanie and divulged a faint smile. “Thank you,” he said, and she shook her head.
“Don’t thank me. Anyone would do it,” She responded, and he shook his head. “No. Not everyone would do that.”
Sebastian stood up from the couch and walked to his desk again. He placed the contract in between the file and looked at Stephanie. “Let’s eat. It’s almost lunch time.” He looked at his wristwatch.
“I am not hungry, Sebastian. I’ll be fine. You should go,” She said, and he shook his head.
“No. We have business to talk about, and I would love to talk about them over lunch. Please come with me, it’s my treat, okay? Please.” He pouted, and Stephanie sighed.
“Can you stop acting like a baby? That won’t get to me.” She rolled her eyes, and he giggled. “So… are you going with me?” He asked, and she nodded.
“Do I have a choice? We have to talk business, and I can’t say no to my boss.” She stood up and lifted her bag. Sebastian hurried to the door before she could get it and opened it for her.
He stepped aside and pointed out of the door. “There you go,” He said, and Stephanie shot him a deadly look.
“I can get the door myself, boss. You don’t have to do it. I don’t want you to do it,” She said, and he gulped. “Sorry,” He mumbled, and she nodded.
She walked out of the office, and Sebastian followed behind her and shut the door.
***
They got to the restaurant in the canteen and as they walked to an empty table, Sebastian's eyes wandered around the restaurant and fell on Owen, who was sitting on a table, not so far from the empty table.
He had his meal in front of him, and he was busy munching.
“What is he doing here?“ He thought aloud and this made Stephanie raise her head. She looked around and saw Owen too. Owen looked up and saw both of them next to the empty table.
Owen and Stephanie changed looks for a few seconds, and Stephanie looked away. She pulled the chair backward and sat down. Sebastian also looked away and sat on the chair opposite hers.
The waiter saw Sebastian was already seated, and he quickly rushed up to them.
“Mr. Sebastian, what would you like to have?” He asked, and Sebastian looked at Stephanie. “What would you like to have?” He asked.
“Chicken and sauce. That should do. Thank you,” She said to the waiter with a beaming smile. “What of you, boss?” He turned to Sebastian. “I’ll have the same thing,” He said.
The waiter walked away, and Sebastian looked at Stephanie. He saw that she was lost staring in space. He slowly moved his hand to her hand which was on the table and touched it.
“Do you want to go somewhere else?” He asked, and she jolted out of her thoughts and looked at his face. “No. I’m fine,” She responded, and he let out a smile.
Owen stared at Sebastian’s hand as he touched Stephanie, and he clenched his jaw in jealousy. ‘What does he think he is doing with her? Is he trying to take advantage of her?’ He thought as he kept staring at them.
After staring at them for so long, he came up with an idea. He picked up his tray of noodles and walked up to their table. “Mr. Sebastian, can I sit with you?” Owen asked.
Stephanie and Sebastian exchanged looks and before Sebastian could respond, Owen placed his tray on the table and pulled a free chair to himself.
“I have so many questions to ask about the company. I believe this is the best time to ask.” He smiled widely as he sat and stared at Stephanie.