Desmond was still gloating when her phone rang with an incoming call. Using his height to his advantage, he took a peek and frowned at what he saw. Her screen was so cracked that he almost couldn't see the name clearly, but he could recognize the name [Ryan]. His lips clenched into a line.

She was just about to slide her finger over the screen when he scowled at her. "Are you seriously going to answer a call while at work?"

She raised her head in surprise. "It's past working hours, Mr. Fort."

"But you are working overtime today. You cannot answer that call." He countered coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.

She wanted to say something mean so badly, but he was the boss after all, so she could only bite her tongue and hold it in. She thought she caught a smile on his lips, but when she blinked, his expression was blank. She must be overthinking it.

"Mr. Fort, the item you asked for." The salesman returned and gave the item to Desmond so he would check it out. He glanced through the specifications, but since he had one from the same brand, there was no question about its quality.

He nodded in satisfaction and took out a card from his wallet. When the purchase was complete, the salesman gave him a certificate of warranty, detachable keyboard, and power bank that came as perks. When it was all settled, he gave them to her.

She frowned.

This was not the first time he was randomly buying something and giving it to her, so she understood what his gesture meant. Actually, she had doubts from the moment he asked for a tablet but didn't dare to jump to conclusions. But now that it was before her, she was unsure how to react. "What's the meaning of this?"

"I thought you…" He stopped himself in time before he could utter something that she would find rude. Unable to converse in the presence of outsiders, he held her wrist and dragged her to the car. When she got in, he went in after and looked at her briefly. "I'm sorry I broke your tablet."

Her eyes widened. What did she just hear?!

She thought he was going to say something stupid and had even prepared an equally rude counterattack. Yet… He apologized?!

If someone told her that Desmond had apologized to them, she would have berated them for telling an outrageous lie. But she had clearly seen his lips move. The scariest thing was that his gentle voice neither sounded arrogant nor sarcastic. He really meant it…

Because she was preparing to say something mean, she was speechless for a while. He waited for her to gather her thoughts.

She finally opened her mouth after a long while. "It was an accident. You don't need to apologize." She smiled, even though it was not an accident.

"And I have already contacted the manufacturing company to repair my tablet. I don't need a new one."

At least she didn't yell at him or reject it with a slap. He coughed lightly. "You can just keep it and use it when you need to." He chose his words so carefully this time that even he didn't believe it.

She was taken aback yet again, having expected him to say something like her tablet was too cheap and outdated for an employee of Preston and Fort Group or something along the lines. She still looked troubled. "Well, it's too expensive."

"If that makes you so uncomfortable, how about I get you one from the same brand as your old one? It should function better since it will be new." He found her amusing. Was there anyone who rejected expensive gifts?

Even though he had made such a genius suggestion, she still shook her head. "It was a gift from my dad. I cannot simply discard it."

"I understand." He nodded and didn't insist further. He knew that she wouldn't take it no matter how much he persuaded her.

She started the car. "To the lawyer's?"

"Drive me home." He instructed without turning to look at her.

She was once again rendered speechless. Was he displeased again? Simply because she had rejected the tablet?

___

Due to heavy traffic, it was already 8 pm by the time they arrived at his mansion. She was suddenly happy about not going to the lawyer's office. Otherwise, it would have been very late by the time she dropped him off.

She got off the car at the same time as he did. "A… Boss, can I take my leave now?"

"No." With one word, he made long strides into the house.

She scratched her hair awkwardly. What was she supposed to do, follow him into the house?

Damned man, would it hurt to give a clearer reply?

He turned when he realized that she was not following him, so she ran in after him but stood near the door. He changed into a pair of blue indoor slippers and slumped comfortably into a couch, turning on the television. "I'm hungry."

"Then eat." Wasn't that obvious?

He raised his head with a displeased expression.

"I'll order you take out." She quickly whipped out her phone to avert the storm.

"I don't want takeout. I want you to cook." Came the infuriating instruction.