Mia and Ralph walked into the house, in a conversation.
Mia seemed interested in what Ralph was saying and Ralph had a smile on his face.

Anton watched them through the camera with furrowed brows.
This wasn't the first time he was seeing this same scene, it had been happening for some time now and now it was disturbing.
Every time they talked about one thing or the other, laugh about it; actually Ralph was the only one who laughed, the highest he had seen Mia do was smirk.

He watched them cook and discuss something about dogs, which he found annoying.

So she could engage in a discussion about dogs but couldn't engage in a reasonable conversation with him.

He was more jealous than disturbed at the moment.

This little boy was going out today, he couldn't risk it, what if she fell for him?
That was the disturbing thing on his mind, he was never going to let that happen.

His breakfast was served as usual, but instead of Mia waiting behind, he told Ralph to wait behind.

Not wasting time, he began

"Mr Ralph Pelir, I've seen potential in you, and I'll like employ you at Hugh's empire"

"What! Wow!"

"So what do you say about it?"

"That would be great sir"

"Great we would leave now"

"Now?"

"Yes"

"But I'm not dressed properly, i mean this is sudden"
He was in a tee shirt and Jeans.

"You have ten minutes to do so, and also try to pack your important things within this time because you're not coming back here, anything that remains will be sent to you at your new accommodation. We'll leave very soon"

"okay sir" he bowed and left.

When Ralph told Mia, she was surprised.

Well there goes someone she has started getting along with.

Ralph felt bad he was departing from her, he knew he was going to miss her but he couldn't express it.

He had always wanted to work at Hugh's empire, this was just a dream come true, despite his love for cooking he still couldn't compromise.

When he was done packing, he went to meet Anton, by then Robert had already arrived and told Anton that he had created a vacancy for Ralph.

"You're always reliable" he said and tapped his shoulder in praise.
Anton had called him and told him to create a vacancy urgently and he did.

Ralph went with Robert, while Anton was driven alone.

***     ***     ***
The next day was a Saturday, Anton was home relaxing through a pile of documents.
Today he had made a resolution to break the ice sculpture; Mia.

He was going to make her talk to him, her continuous behaviour of constant silence was killing him.

She was always so stiff around him, always giving him straight answers and a straight face as if they were enemies, but today he was determined to break her.

His ego was also hurt, he was CEO Hugh, the number one business man and also the richest man in the country, every lady would be flattered to be in her place, just to even look at his face once but Mia didn't seem to care, the look in her eyes anytime she was with him made him feel uncomfortable, she made him feel less of himself.

But she conversed with Ralph, what did Ralph have that he didn't, huh?

He now realized that he was whining like a wife complaining about the other lady.

Also, lest he forget, she was brazen and mannerless. He remembered their conversation of three days ago during dinner.

"Sit down Natasha"

"I don't want to sit down sir" he felt disrespected

"I said sit down Natasha" he put more authority in his voice

"And I said i don't want to sir" her voice was scary. Mia was in a bad mood already, so she didn't care to be respectful.
Her mood was just off that day.

Not knowing what to say, he just left it and ate his food quietly, besides he didn't want to be beaten.

He had requested lunch today, which was macaroni.

Mia entered into the kitchen to cook, but halted immediately in surprise.

'Mr Hugh was cooking'

Wait, can he cook?

Anton smiled when he saw her surprised reaction.

Mia was confused, she didn't know what to do now.
Like was she supposed to take over the cooking or...?

However, she walked to him and bowed

"Good afternoon sir. This is my duty, you are not to do this, so I will take over from where you stopped and make you a delicious meal"

'Tch, how formal and manner-ful, who was she trying to decieve with her innocent look and face?'

"Don't worry, I'll make the meal today, you just have to help me with the little things involved"

"No way" she said in her head, oh wait, she had blurted that out.

She quickly changed it

"No way I'm letting you cook Mr Hugh, it is my duty to prepare meals for you, so please let me"

She brazenly went to collect the knife from him and slice the onions which he just washed, she was tired of the back and front bicker and was incredibly uncomfortable.

She stretched her hand to collect the knife and mistakenly held his hand.
Just like an electric shock, she immediately let go and stepped backwards.

Anton who at first was smiling became alert

"What happened" he asked worriedly, standing directly in front of her.

"Nothing"
She hated being touched and also touching others.
She hated herself for touching him.

Now all she wanted to do was to leave this place.
She walked past Anton and began chopping the onions,

Anton on the other hand put the macroni in the pot to boil.
He picked up a carrot and began dicing it.

They were standing close to each other, each working with a knife, Anton darted his eyes to look at her but Mia didn't lift her head once; her eyes were concentrated on the onions and soon they started to sting.

She was trying to be strong but soon she couldn't hold it anymore, she turned around and blinked her eyes rapidly, tears rolled down her cheek.

She wanted to clean it with her palm but realized that it wasn't the best option.

"Are you okay?" Anton suddenly stood in front of her.
She immediately turned around so he couldn't see her face

"Yes I am"

It then struck her that she had an arm. Quickly, she dabbed her eyes with her arm and turned to face him.

"Really?"
He saw her teary eye and held himself from chuckling.

"Yes"

"Okay"

She finished chopping the onions and picked up some red bell pepper, washed it in the running water and went ahead to blend it instead of slicing it.

Anton decided to start a conversation with her

"Natasha"

"Yes Mr Hugh"

"Is it okay if i call you Nat?"

"I would rather prefer you don't"

She turned off the blender, and as she was pouring its content into a bowl, it splashed and went straight into her eye.

She didn't know when a small groan escaped her lips.

Today was not really her day.

Where was Ralph?

O darling Ralph!

She understand his worth now.

Anton had wanted to reply her but heard her groan

"Hey are you okay?"

She had heard that question a lot of times today.

*sigh*

'Does it seem like she was okay? Her eyes stung badly.

She tried opening them but wow, she hissed in pain.

"Let me help you" he held her hand to lead her out to the guest bathroom but as expected she yanked her hand away.

Because her eyes stung didn't mean she was helpless, now if she could only find her way to the sink.

"I'm just trying to help"

She ignored him and tried making her way to sink but she didn't know where she was heading to.
She almost hit the cupboard but Anton was quick to save her

"You're headed for the cupboard"

She halted immediately. She felt angry that she was helpless and didn't want Anton's help.
She tried opening her eyes again and this time the pain was worse that she hissed angrily.

Anton watched her, wondering what of person she was, she was in pain and had someone to help her but she was refusing help. He wanted to see how far she would go, but when he saw her hiss in pain, he felt pained too, whether she liked it or not, he was going to help her.

He moved to her and held her hand tightly, and began walking to the sink since that was faster.
Mia could have yanked her hand away despite his supposed grip but she didn't, she just pretended to struggle a bit; she finally accepted his help because her eyes had began to burn badly.

He stopped in front of the sink and turned on the tap.

"Bend down"
As she did, her high ponytail fell forward into the water, but Anton was quick to hold it up with his left hand.
With his right hand he collected some water and put it on her eyelids

"Open your eyes"
She did and blinked rapidly in pain.

This was repeated four times, then Mia felt a bit better.
Anton turned off the tap and held her eyelids open and blew air into it before she could even protest.

"Is that better?"

She blinked slowly and realized that all the pepper was out.
She nodded slowly in response to his question.
They stared at each other not knowing what to say until something past by their nostrils, their eyes stood wide open.

The macaroni had gotten burnt!

Anton quickly turned of the gas.

So much for wanting her to taste his meal; he was a good cook and wanted her to know that, maybe she might respect him.

Mia knew that it was because of her that the macaroni got burnt.

"I'm sorry sir"

"No no, it's okay. How about we make some noodles instead since time is far spent"

She only nodded.

"You just sit down, I'll prepare it"

She didn't bother arguing with him again and just sat down.

When he was done, he served the meal in two dishes and put it on the kitchen table. He also put some juice and water.

"Lets eat"

"I'm not sure i want to eat sir"

"Because I cooked it?"

"No, I'm not hungry"

"You must try my meal at least once and i promise you wont regret it"

Mia didn't want to stay here much longer so she agreed and tasted the meal.

He could really cook, this was really delicious.

"How is it?" He asked grinning inwardly.

"It's okay"

"Huh? Just okay"

"Yes sir" Anton was certain that she was bent on annoyking him, how could she rate his meal as okay.

He decided to just let it be.

"So Nat, how..."

"I said not to call me that...sir"

Still mannerless as always.
He decided to let her be and just eat in silence.

Enough trouble is sufficient for a day!

When they had finished eating, Mia quickly started going out, she needed to breath, cause she wasn't breathing right now, she was just taking in air.

"Don't bother about dinner tonight Nat"

Mia held her emotions and said an 'okay', because if she didn't, he might be sweeping the floor right now with his pretty face.
As she walked out of the door, she could breath finally breath well and felt like she was out of a prison.

Inside the house, Anton stood smiling, this was a start.
He went to his room and laid on his bed smiling, if Robert could see this big smile on his face now he would be shocked, because Anton rarely gave such a big smile.

His phone rang and he picked it up from the side table; it was Mr Jones calling.

The call was wrapped up in five minutes after which Anton smirked.

Well this was going to be fun!