"Thank you, Russ. You're just on time." I said with relief while I'm sitting at the backseat.

He smirk in response to my words of gratitude. I know when he smirk like that. He got ideas in mind that I don't like. Not on my advantage usually.

I know he's kinda intrigued with what he saw a while ago. I can't imagine how I escaped from Harris' arms the moment I heard the honking of the car.

"Don't utter a word if you don't have anything good to say." I warned him as I divert my eyes on the street.

"Who was that?" he finally asked.

"My ex-assistant." I answered shortly without taking my eyes off the street.

"Ex? On your first day in the office? You already fired someone? That's interesting!"

"I don't wanna talk about it. He made me want to kill someone."

"Hmmm! I hope the next time I fetch you,  that won't be in prison."

"No,  that won't happen. I won't see him again." I assured Russel.

"Well,  that's great! You can focus on work. So where do you wanna have lunch?" he asked.

He's always like that. Always asking me what I want. Always trying to pamper me which he never failed to do successfully.

"Something we haven't tried yet. I need a quick lunch, Russ. I have a meeting at 2pm."

"Okay! Quick it is!" he replied and went silent for the next couple of minutes.

He brought me to a newly opened Italian restaurant at 5th street. The food and the place was awesome spiced with a good conversation with Russel. He made me laugh a few times just like before.

I admit it was good to be doing this stuff with him again but I suddenly remember Aaron.

I started to think of him again after sixteen hours of being separated. I wonder how is he right now. What is he doing and who's with him eating lunch?

I'm sure as he'll that he's with that woman he said he loved more than me.

I sighed in defeat. Why do I have to recall everything? The words he uttered that struck my heart like sharp blades. The look he gave me that's almost lifeless. And the whole act itself which killed me over and over again every time I remember it.

"I guess we have to go, Russ." I told him without looking t him in the eye as I wipe my mouth with the table napkin.

"Something's wrong?" he inquired without moving from his seat.

"Nothing to be worry about. I just have to be back in the office. I have a meeting at one." I answered trying to be as casual as I can.

"Forget him! He don't deserve you." it came like a warning from him that made me stiffened.

"I know! Let's go!" I answered as I stood up from my seat and walked towards the door.

I can feel him following behind me after a minute.

We were silent during the whole trip back to my office. I know he's not happy with my sudden change of mood but I can't help it. It's too early to forget everything I've been through last night.

"I have to go to your father's office in a while. Just ring me if you're ready to head home later." he instructed when the car came to a halt in front of the hotel building where I hold my office as the new CEO.

"I will, Russ." I answered as I was about to open the door only to find it still locked.

"One more thing, rehire your ex assistant. He's a good diversion." words that made me raise an eyebrow and look at his direction.

"What? Are you serious, Russ?" I asked as I meet his eyes. He's very calm and serious.

"I am! I know he can help you." he answered

"Help me? I can hire a new assistant who can help me with my work. Someone whom I can have a good relationship with. Harris pissed me off like hell, Russ!" I argued coz I don't understand his point.

"He can help you forget the heartache. Go now! You're late!" he shooed me away

I was speechless. How will that Harris help me? I can't think of a way how he'll possibly can.

I said good-bye to Russel before I went out of the car and enter the hotel. I went directly to my floor and take refuge in my office. I haven't seen Harris in his post when I passed by which means he's still out.

I glance at my watch which says it's quarter to one already. I have to prepare for my first meeting this afternoon.

I was busy checking some reports when my phone beep for an incoming call.

It was Russel.

"Hey, Russ!" I greeted him enthusiastically not minding all his words ringing in my head.

"Don't forget what I told you before we separated a while ago, Gracie." he said without any warning.

"So you're really serious with that? You know I hate him, Russ. I can't stand being with him everyday."

"I don't know what really happened but I know he is a good diversion for you,  Gracie."

"A good diversion? How can you say that? You don't know him. He's a pervert! He came around kissing women he didn't even know. He made a woman cry very early in the morning. You call that a good diversion?" I pointed out my point just to make Russel change his perception about Harris.

"He kissed you? That's why you're mad like hell?" he inquired which made me speechless for a while.

"I didn't said that. What I said is. . ."

"That's remarkable! I guess you like him!" his conclusion which flared up my anger.

"What? How come you say that? I hate him!" I corrected his sentence.

"Then rehire him! If you don't like him, keep him as your assistant and prove to me that you can work professionally with him. You can't go on firing people just because you don't like their guts, Gracie. You're the CEO of 4G Hotels now. A lot of employees and their families are relying on you for them to live. Remember that!" he lectured like my business professor.

Russel was right. I am holding a much greater responsibility now that I am the new CEO of this company. I should be more wise in making decision and be more sensitive and considerate.

"Have you talk to Dad?" I asked because maybe my father told Russel about Harris and made him talk to me about it to change my decision.

"No! We haven't talked yet. I'm still on the way to his office. Why are you asking?"

"Nothing! I just thought maybe Dad talked to you about Harris and made you convince me the same thing he did."

"So we have the same perception! Then why is it so hard to work with that assistant? He seemed to be a good employee if he earned your father's trust."

"I'll think about it. I have a meeting in five minutes, Russ. You take care."

"Give it a try for a week, Gracie. Just one week!"

"I said I'll think about it, Russ. I'll go now. I'm late for the meeting. Bye!" I said before I ended the call and throw my phone on the table.

I close my eyes as I lay my back on my chair.

Why do they have to keep on dodging me to Harris? Can't they understand that he is not good for me? He made me lose my temper and even made me fume in anger. How can they think he's a good man and a good diversion?

I hate his guts! He got his way of testing my patience and I don't need employees who are insensitive.

A sudden knock on the door made me open my eyes and sit up straight in my chair.

Harris' head pooped inside the door with his formal demeanor.

"The conference room is ready for you, Miss Garducci." he announced.

He's in his formal aura and speaks in a very businesslike manner. It looks like firing him a while ago didn't happen.

"I'll be there in a minute. Thank you!" I responded as I divert my eyes off him and pretended to be arranging files in my table.

I heard the door close softly.

Maybe it came into his senses already that I am serious of kicking him out of this building if he keeps on messing up with me.

I glance at my planner again and keep in mind all the series of meetings I'll have this afternoon. It just means that we will be together for the whole afternoon until the day ends.

"He's a fine man sweetheart. Just get to know him better. Give him a chance. "

"Just one week, Gracie! "

Those words from Dad and Russel kept ringing in my head.

One week is not bad at all. He got one week to prove to me his worth and I got one week to prove to Dad and Russel that Harris is a pain in the butt.

Fine! Challenge accepted!