Office Diaries - Chapter 84

Ding dong…

The doorbell rang incessantly at Marian’s place as the man on the doorstep grew impatient. But alas, the door remained closed and there was neither sound nor light coming from within the apartment.

“Where could you be?” Liam asked in frustration as he raked his hair with his fingers, a habit he’s been doing over and over again these past few days.

In his hand was the crumpled resignation letter his PA had coldly left earlier that day on his table. The young president had driven here directly from his office, and it had been several minutes since. He had tried calling his PA’s and secretary’s phones but both were out of reach. Wearily, he slumped against the closed door and slowly slid on the floor, sitting there to wait, and wait he did until he fell asleep only to be woken up a couple of hours later.

“President Kang? Sir?”

Liam woke up from the hand softly shaking him. When he opened his eyes, it was Marian’s worried face he saw. Startled, he quickly stood up and brushed dirt from his clothes, his eyes never leaving her face as he did.

His PA watched him with a wary expression, and when she saw what he was holding, he heard her soft gasp just before she covered her mouth with a hand.

“What are you doing here, sir?” she asked cautiously afterwards, and Liam was reminded of a cornered doe with her pair of big eyes looking everywhere but him.

“I came because of this,” Liam answered as he held out a hand to show the other the resignation letter making her cagier, the slender frame tensing as if she was readying to bolt.

“Why?” he asked softly and he watched as she bit her lower lip.

Her face showed an array of emotions and the young president couldn’t understand why she looked as pained as he was.

“Let’s talk inside sir,” she said as she took her keys out and opened the door.

Liam followed her inside and sat on the couch where she indicated for him to sit. She then sat on the opposite couch still avoiding his gaze.

His instinct told him that she didn’t want to leave— really didn’t want to go. So why?

Knowing full well that he couldn’t ask her very personal questions considering that he hadn’t confessed his feelings yet, Liam decided to make her relax by asking questions first regarding the reason for her sudden resignation.

“Did you not like the job anymore? Was it too much? I can pass on some of your tasks to others if you want,” he offered lightly but she shook her head.

“No, the work is just fine,” the PA told him and he tried once more.

“Is it your salary? We can talk about that you know. I can give you a raise,” he offered once more, and once again, she shook her head.

“Is it because of me?” he then asked suddenly which had visibly shaken the other.

Marian lifted her eyes from her ŀȧp to look at him with startled eyes. Liam was now sure that the reason was him.

“Is there something I did that you didn’t like?” he prompted again and it took some time before she averted her eyes.

“You didn’t do anything sir. I resigned due to health reasons,” she answered with a nervous quality indicating that she was lying.

Liam knew he definitely did something which prompted the other’s resignation. Could this be because they made love? Did this mean Marian could now remember the night they spent together?

“Really?” the president asked with a sad smile. “If it’s not your workload, not your salary and not me, why are you leaving then?” he asked again, and when it seemed he wouldn’t be getting an answer with that kind of direct question, Liam changed his tactic. “Having no problem, then there’s no point in resigning right?” he pushed again, startling the other more, making her want to protest but he was not going to give her room to do so.

Leaning forward, he placed the envelope in front of Marian. “Stay,” he ordered softly and he watched as she bit her lip. She really looked distraught. “I need you,” he pleaded, and if ever, the other’s expression only became more troubled.

“I-I can’t,” she answered miserably. “I’m sorry sir, but for personal reasons, I need to leave,” she said hurriedly but Liam wouldn’t let her go just like that.

“Stay,” the young president implored once more.

“I can’t!” she answered in panic and Liam shook his head.

“Stay. Don’t leave me,” he insisted and he could feel his heart drumming against his ċhėst. He knew he was procrastinating again, but as of this moment, he was truly terrified.

“Marian…” he started; the words of love at the tip of his tongue, but as he opened his mouth to speak, his fear won again and words failed him. “May I have some water?” he suddenly asked and an awkward silence fell between them again, the moment ruined.

“I…” Marian blinked several times before she smiled nervously at him and stood up. “O-of course…water. How stupid of me,” she murmured as she excused herself to fetch him a glass, and Liam hit his forehead twice for his blunder.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid…” he berated himself as soon as he was left alone.

He was really a hopeless case, he knew, needing more time to build up his courage to profess his feelings. But who could blame him? This was his first time falling in love, the first time he��d confess. Damn right, he wanted to piss in his pants in his nervousness but he was aware that he couldn’t afford to procrastinate some more.

He could lose Marian. He couldn’t let that happen.

Swallowing his fear, Liam stood up as soon as she stepped back into the living room, watched as she placed the glass on the table in front of him.

“Marian,” he called and he breathed in when she raised her head so she could look at him. A flicker of something akin to dėsɨrė flashed in her eyes which gave him the courage he needed.

Marian wanted him too!

“Marian James, don’t resign,” he said. “You said you have personal reasons why you had to leave,” he reminded her. “I understand that. But you also have to understand that I have personal reasons why I want you to stay. I will let you take a leave of absence if you really need a break but don’t resign. I need you. I need you close to me. I…” his almond-shaped eyes searched her huge doe eyes, and then his glance lowered to where those pair of rosy lips parted.

This was it – the perfect moment he’d been waiting for. He would say ‘I love you’, those three magical words to him now. “I l-lo – ”

RIIIIIIING, RIIIIIIING

The pealing of the telephone echoed, shattering another would have been a perfect moment and Liam felt like crying as he closed his eyes.

RIIIIIIING, RIIIIIIING

Feeling, her hand pulling away from his, Liam opened his eyes to look at Jae.

“I-I need to answer the phone,” she told him shyly and the young president sighed.

Seeing as the caller had no plans on giving up, and the call might be important, the businessman knew he had no choice but to let her go. For now.

Before he did, however, Liam swallowed hard as he suddenly pulled her against his body with all his might and kissed her squarely on the lips. The businessman desperately conveyed his feelings which he couldn’t say out loud, hoping that she would somehow understand and he felt her surrender against him, letting him take over.

“I’ll be back,” he promised her as he smiled regretfully and turned away, leaving her with her phone call.