Chapter 2 The day after Independence Day , work at the company had slowed down considerably , with many people taking time off . But there were still those who remained in the office . Latrina was among them . She'd asked Kelvin not to drop her off right at the company's entrance . After all , it was Gerhart's car . If anyone saw her getting out of it , she'd be unable to explain herself . She got out a short distance from the company , then even snuck into a pharmacy to buy contraceptives . She had no idea if Gerhart had put on a condom , but better safe than sorry . Just as she left the pharmacy , her phone rang . The caller ID showed it was Latrina's current boyfriend , Eduardo Gillespie . " Hmph . " At the sight of that loathsome name , Latrina couldn't help curling her lips in a sarcastic sneer . She and Eduardo had been dating for five years , ever since college . As a straight - A student who'd skipped several grades , she'd met him he was three years her senior . Two years prior , Latrina had moved abroad with her mother , and the pair had settled into a long - distance relationship . But Eduardo , unable to bear the loneliness , had cheated on her with her best friend , Sonya Howell , back home . Latrina hadn't ended things right away . It was not because she wanted to cling to the relationship . She'd been biding her time , planning to deliver a single , devastating blow to both of them . She ignored the call , hanging up without a second thought . Just as she was about to lock her screen , a new WhatsApp friend request popped up . It was Gerhart . Latrina froze , staring at the name for several seconds , half - convinced she was seeing things . Why would he add her on WhatsApp ? As her boss ? Or as a one - night stand ? Gritting her teeth , she hit " decline . " Laurina was a fashion designer who'd worked for Crowley Apparel for just a year . She rarely interacted with anyone above her director . Crowley Apparel was Denver's largest clothing company , with sales reaching far beyond national borders . Normally , someone like her would never even get a chance to meet the CEO , Gerhart . Last night's encounter had been entirely unexpected . The Independence Day fashion show had shattered all previous selling records , which was why Gerhart had made an appearance . 1 Just then , a message from the Design Department popped up on her phone : " Meeting in the conference room in ten minutes . " Latrina hurriedly ran to the company . Inside the Crowley Building . In the elevator , she ran into her friend , Monique Tyler . " Trina , I thought you hated business suits more than anything . Why the suit today ? " Monique , also a designer , sized her up . Latrina did dislike suits . With her curvy figure , slipping into one made her feel like one of those overly styled hookers .... She forced a calm expression , tugging at the fabric . " I have to dress the part to match how ' outstanding ' my work's gonna be . Gotta put my best part forward . " Chuckling , Monique glanced at her figure , then gave her butt a playful slap . " Any guy who marries you will be the luckiest man ! " 13/10 WebNovel PROBLEM 09 % Open > < Chapter 2 Ouch . " That hurt ! Girl ! " Latrina bit back a wince , only murmuring in her heart . Just as the elevator doors began to close , a hand slid into the gap , stopping them . Kelvin stepped aside , and Gerhart , in a jet - black suit , walked in . Latrina and Monique quickly moved to the side . Latrina swallowed her saliva . Gerhart was standing right beside her , with Monique in front of them . She didn't dare meet his gaze . Whether it was the cramped space or his overwhelming presence , she felt breathless . A blush crept from her ears to her cheeks . They stood close , and she was too awkward to shift apart . She caught a faint whiff of the light sandalwood scent on him . Just like last night , it was surprisingly pleasant ... Biting her lip , she forced herself to calm down , to stop replaying the previous night's events . Finally , the elevator stopped at the 28th floor , home to the Design Department . They hurried out . " It almost scared the shit out of me ! " Monique whispered , pressing a hand to her chest . A 25 " After the dinner last night , I saw a woman in Mr. Crowley's ' s car. Guess what ? She was clinging to his neck , kissing him the whole time ! He didn't even push her away ! Do you think our ' abstinent ' boss finally caved ? " Latrina's face flushed deeper . She'd always loved gossip , the juicier the better , but now that she was the subject , she fell silent . " Really ? " Monique cliped on her work badge and straightened her notebook " I texted Kelvin later , but he clammed up tight . He didn't say a thing . " Ten minutes later , everyone gathered in the conference room . The crowd was small , with many still on vacation . The focus of this meeting was to summarize the recent event . First up was the director Laurence Manning , the acknowledged heartthrob of the Design Department . He exuded confidence and pride over the event's success , with everyone murmuring that he was sure to get the biggest bonus this Latrina , however , couldn't shake the feeling that his enthusiasm wasn't really about the What he called a " summary " felt more like an excuse to fish for flattery . Finally , his gaze landed on Latrina . achievements . year . Menu " The person we owe the most thanks to is Ms. Glover , " he said . " This season , we applied her designs more than anyone else's , and the top - selling pieces were all hers ... " Latrina offered a tight - lipped smile . She'd heard so much praise last night , and she had no desire to listen to more . Laurence's competence was undeniable . He had a lively , slightly unruly personality , handled matters with ease , and many enjoyed working with him . But Latrina wasn't fond of him . Whether intentionally or not , he made no secret of his interest in her , always trying to win her over with his " charm . " The meeting ended quickly , and just then , Kelvin knocked on the conference room door . " Ms. Glover , Mr. Crowley would like to see you in his office , " he said . The room fell completely silent . Latrina , who'd been half - dozing in her chair , could feel a dozen pairs of eyes boring into her . The CEO's office was on the top floor , the 30th floor . That was a place few had ever set foot in . Meetings were usually held on the 29th floor , making the 30th floor a mysterious realm . 1318 WebNovel Brad the comic version of the latest scHfi sedes - THREE BODY PROBLEM 0.0 % Open O < Chapter 2 Or the so - called hell . Rumors had it that the last director to come out of that office had a dislocated arm . His previous assistant had been carried out with a broken left leg ... That was why the young Kelvin had landed his position . " Mr. Farley , any idea what this is about ? " Laurence asked , sounding surprisingly protective . All eyes shifted to Kelvin . Even though everyone knew Kelvin would likely stay tight - lipped , they still scanned his face for hints . " I don't know , " Kelvin replied neatly . No one could ever get a word out of him . " Got it . " Latrina's blush , which had lingered all morning , showed no sign of fading . Her mind kept drifting back to last night , and she kept thinking about how wild Gerhart had been . Menu " Ms. Glover , you don't look well . You've been flushed all morning . Do you want to take the day off to rest ? " Laurence asked . He was known for caring with his subordinates , so no one found the concern odd . " No need . I'll be right back . If I don't return , the drafts in my office are yours to inherit . Latrina sighed , gathered her meeting notebook , and headed out .. She followed Kelvin into the elevator . It required either facial recognition or a key card to reach the 30th floor , making it nearly inaccessible to most people . Kelvin scanned his face , and the elevator began its slow ascent . " There's no one else around . Can you at least tell me what he wants with me ? " Latrina asked , perplexed . " He didn't say much , but he seemed to be in a good mood , " Kelvin replied . What ? Latrina thought , " Of course he was in a good mood . " She still couldn't shake the memory of just how " pleased " he'd been last night , again and again . < Chapter 3