“If you have any questions, we can talk about them later. We should talk while eating,” Sebastian mumbled, and Owen bounced his head.
“That is true. But you don’t mind me sitting here, do you? I mean, we are partners now.”
Sebastian looked at Stephanie as Owen spoke, and he noticed her head was bowed again.
‘God, I am beginning to hate this guy. She was doing fine before he interfered. What the f**k does he want?’ Sebastian tried not to show his anger as he thought.
Owen looked at Stephanie with a beam of smile. “How are you?” He asked. She looked at his face and let out a faint grin.
“I’m good, thank you, Mr. Owen. And how are you?” The way she responded took Sebastian with surprise.
He expected a shy or probably broken voice, but instead, he got a bold and calm voice.
“I’m good. Thank you. You look pretty. Just as always.” Owen complimented, and Sebastian clenched his jaw.
‘What is he trying to do?’
“Thank you, Mr. Owen. You don’t look bad either.” Stephanie spoke with such confidence she never knew she had, and she was loving it.
Sebastian on the other hand, began to feel left out and wanted to be part of their conversation. So, he interfered.
“Stephanie, we will be having a dinner party at one of our partnering companies. I will tell you when and where it’s holding when we get to the office.”
Stephanie looked at him and bounced her head. “Sure, Mr. Sebastian.”
Sebastian raised one of his eyebrows after hearing her use the word ‘mister’ for him. ‘Why is she using mister for me all of a sudden? She calls me Sebastian. What are you doing, Stephanie?’
“Can you please excuse me for a minute? I’ll be back soon.” Stephanie stood up and picked up her bag. She headed out of the restaurant, and they both looked at her until she was out of sight.
Sebastian looked at Owen, and Owen also turned to look at him. Owen was smiling, but Sebastian wasn’t in for jokes.
“Mr. Owen…”
“How did you get to know her?” Owen cut Sebastian short, and he raised his eyebrows.
“Pardon?”
“Stephanie. How did you get to know her? For how long has she been working here?” He further asked, and Sebastian scoffed.
“I don’t think I would love to answer that question, because I don’t see any reason why I should. Is there something you aren’t telling me?” Sebastian asked, and Owen chuckled softly.
“There’s nothing you should know that you don’t know, Mr. Sebastian. But you are lucky to have such an agile woman as your secretary. It makes your work easier. My secretary, Gosh, she is nothing to write home about. Super lazy.”
He picked up one of his chips with his hand and threw it into his mouth.
“If she is giving you so many problems, why can’t you get a better secretary? There are a lot of better ones out there,” Stephanie advised.
Before Owen could reply, the waiter came back with a large tray in his hand. In the tray were two large plates that contained fried chicken and a small bowl that contained sauce.
He placed one of the plates in front of Sebastian, “Thank you.” Sebastian said to him. He also placed the other in front of Stephanie’s chair and walked away afterward.
Owen looked at what they had ordered and giggled. “Stephanie and fried chicken. She will never change,” Owen uttered.
“What do you mean? Have you two known each other before?” Sebastian acted clueless.
“Yes. We were pretty close before work and all had to separate us. That is why I’m glad you have such an agile secretary.”
“Well, thank you. I’m happy she is my secretary too, and she will be stuck with me until God knows when,” Sebastian responded with a huge smile.
“What do you mean she will be stuck with you?” Owen furrowed his brows.
“Who would want to let go of such a useful person? No one. The company needs people like her. So, she has to be in this company and help me keep it running.”
“But you can’t force her to stay here forever. If she wants to leave, she will leave.”
“I’m aware of that, Mr. Owen. But I don’t think she is ready to leave. She likes the company too much to leave.” Sebastian smirked after speaking.
‘I mean she likes me too much to leave.’ He said in his head, still smirking at Owen.

“Well, she did love my company like that too. But she left. Don’t be too sure and excited.” Owen picked another chip and threw it in his mouth.
Stephanie walked into the restaurant and headed back to the table. She got to the table and noticed the awkward silence in the air.
‘They must have been talking about me.’
She pulled the chair backward and sat. She looked at the plate in front of her and smiled.
“I was waiting for you to come back before I start eating. Shall we eat now? I’m starving,” Sebastian said, and she chuckled.
“Yes. Sorry I kept you waiting.” She smiled at him, and he shook his head.
“It’s fine. Let me help you with that.” He picked the container that had sauce in it and helped her open it.
“Thank you.”
Owen clenched his jaw very hard as he watched them. ‘Why did he have to help her open the container? He is her boss. Why is he acting like a lover?’
Sebastian looked at Owen and saw the weird look on his face and this made him smirk. ‘She is mine, Owen. I’m going to win her back, and she’ll never get hurt again.’
Stephanie could feel the men communicating with their eyes, but she paid no attention to them. All she wanted was to eat her fried chicken in peace.
Owen’s phone began to vibrate in his pockets, and he reached for it. He checked the caller and saw it was his wife, Rebecca, calling.
He heaved a sigh and stood up. “Please, excuse me,” He said and walked away, placing his phone on his ear.
Sebastian shifted his gaze to Stephanie and saw she was busy munching her chicken.
“Are you okay?” He asked, and she paused her chewing. She raised her head and nodded.
“You don’t have to keep asking me that. I am fine.” She lowered her head again and kept chewing.
“About the dinner party, when is it happening?” She asked, and he shook his head.
“I’ll pick a date. I called it a company's own just to make it sound official. But I want you to go on a date with me. Pretty please.” Sebastian pouted, and Stephanie scoffed.
“Sebastian, I made this clear. I’m here to work. Nothing more, okay?” She responded, and he slowly bounced his head.
Owen returned to the table, and when Sebastian saw him approaching, he kept mute.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go now.” Owen picked up his suitcase, and they both nodded. “Thank you so much for today, Mr. Owen.” Sebastian stretched his hand to him, and they shook hands.
He turned to look at Stephanie and smiled. “Will you be less busy tomorrow night?” He asked, and Stephanie gulped.
She looked at Sebastian and shook her head. “No. I have a date with Mr. Sebastian. Maybe another time,” She responded with a smile, and Sebastian smiled widely.
“Sure. Another time.” Owen shot Sebastian a deadly look before walking out of the restaurant.
“Be ready to take me out tomorrow night,” She mumbled as she kept eating.