Allison

Coming back to the office just felt great. It was far better than rummaging through my apartment for things that were not needed. I was a hands-on person I needed to do something to keep myself busy or else I would be bored which didn't sit well with me.

As demanded I now I had my own office but to my disappointment, it was just all about near Noel's. Dolores hasn't basically given me much but just asked me to continue with the same duties and give her an analysis of the company's image. She added that she was looking for the perfect thing for me. The only highlight of my morning has been seeing Karen. She had literally breathed a sigh of relief looking at me. We had divided our duties in the way that I had to see less of Noel and got more work to do behind the desk.

It wasn't like I carried the same views about Noel I did earlier. I could practically understand where that man was coming from. He was once burnt and his trust has been shattered. Did it give him the free card about what he did to me? No way. I could forgive but not forget. Christine has practically barged early in the morning in my apartment when I had opened my door with a smile hugging me. She was happy that water was under the bridge between her two favorite people.

I didn't have the heart to dampen her mood telling that not every drop of water was under the bridge.

"How are you doing, dear?" Dolores walked into my office making my heart jump for a second. Oh, and my office didn't have a door that I had no idea about.

"I'm good," I smiled at her setting aside some of the files about the past details of the company's name in the news.

"What you got for me?" she settled down across me picking at a few papers. "What are your opinions?" She asked holding one of the latest articles about the firm which wasn't pretty good.

"I think we are always in the news, thanks to the boss for that, mostly it is not in a good light. The media has no problem digging out his personal life just to keep the company in the news. It leaves us with a bad taste but our competitors with better ones. We really need to work on his image," I added as I pulled out a diary where I had written out a few points that could build a new image for him.

"I have come with some points. It's not a lot but it's where we can begin with." I handed her to them. She read them her face giving away nothing.

"You're suggesting for him to go on date?" she raised a brow while looking at him.

"Yes. The media has a field day with the notion that he is still stuck on his ex-wife. We really need to break that because at least it would be able to kill the good image that is being supplied to our competitors on our cost sadly." I twiddled my thumbs hoping she would actually understand the idea.

"Why not use another face of a celebrity for the image?" she asked.

"Well, it won't do us any good actually. Noel is always going to be the one whose life and choices will impact the image of the company. You might use a new face but you would be having two people's lives to take care of. I think it's better to concentrate on one who is far more important." I explained.

"Who do you expect him to go out with?"

"Someone like a professional. I'm aiming for someone working or good in her field. Like a lawyer, curator, businesswoman anything that has an image of being independent and hard working. Just not some princess please." She smiled when I said the princess.

"You got something against princess?" Keeping down the diary she stood up.

"No, it's just we need someone who won't get clingy and would understand how important this is." She looked at me with a smile.

"I really like how your mind works," her words made me proud.

"I think we really need to put Noel in the limelight that he is moving on and he is past her. I would look for a perfect date and then inform him about it." I would have done a happy dance if Dolores wasn't here. My idea was being considered.

"Do you think he would agree to it?" I was quite sure he would just shot the idea down.

"I'm going to make sure he does. Good work, Allyson. I like your other ideas too. Work on them," Dolores left and I pumped my fist in the air as if this was a victory.

"You look happy," Karen stood on the door.

"Dolores liked my idea," I informed as I saw a bunch of files in her hands and her tiring face.

"You good?" I asked as I moved towards her from my seat.

"I need a break for an hour or two. My house was buzzing with family last night. Couldn't get a brink of sleep but the boss needs files and then the report. Pretty tired I'm," she explained.

"Why don't you take a rest here while I do what is left," I suggested.

"Are you sure?" she confirmed. "You know how cranky our boss is?"

"Well no one knows that better than me," I muttered under my breath.

"What?" she queried.

"Nothing, I surely would be able to handle your work for a bit. Give me the files and give yourself a rest for a bit," I took the files from her hand.

"Thank you so much. I promise that I won't take a minute more than twenty and if I do please wake me up. Just twenty minutes and wake me up," she pleads.

"Okay, now go and rest." I sent her to my office to sleep. Taking the files in my hand I walked to the devil. I studied the files before going to the devil's lair because I really didn't want him to breathe fire over me. I was pretty sure that if yelled at me that I won't mind giving a piece fo my mind. He might have apologized but he was still an arrogant prick.

Knocking over his door, I waited for his command. Yes command. He still was the boss.

"Come in." He looked up at me and it wouldn't be a lie if I said that he was suprised.

"Allison," he actually stooped working and looked at me. "Where is Kelly?"

"She was in a need of a break, so I took over her duties for a bit." I explained placing the files over his desk.

"Oh," I just wanted to hot him on the head as he said oh.

"These are the documents that need to signed and these are the files for the upcoming deals." He looked at me as if like clearly insuniating that I was a spy.

"Kelly had her notes pretty clear. It helped me in segreating them. I had no previous knowledge of these files and I'm just helping her out I have no further desire into what these files are." I said wryly. I gave him a deadpan look. I had named him the devil and it was precisely correct.

"I wasn't doubting you," he looked at the files.

"I was just making sure that there is a never need of a repeat of what had happened." My snarky comment made him look at me with narrowed eyes.

"Thanks for the help, Ms. Allyson." I could hear the sarcasm in his tone. "I would tell you if I need anything else. Let's hope I don't." Giving him a scarcastic smile I walked out of there as fast as I can hearign those words. Ever since the incident he brought out the worst in me.

Those twenty minutes were the best I should say because the devil didn't disturb me at all as I played a game relaxing.

May life be always this easy.

_______________________________________

Who do you think is going to be Noel's date?

And how do you think Noel would react to this idea of Allison?

Is the Devil going to be easy or harsh as before?

Let's find out in the next chapter.