It had been several months now since the CEO came back and everyone wished that he would go away again. The acting-CEO was so much easier to deal with. Though he was really good eye candy, he was just too scary. 

Usually, Sam, his PA, would be the buffer between the CEO and the normal people like them but, unfortunately for them, the reliable PA was on leave.

He was on his honeymoon.

For a month.

All of the employees at Smith Industries HQ were on the verge of crying and were even thinking of taking leave for one month as well. The pressure could be too great at times.

Like, right now.

The CEO was sitting at the head of the table, listening intently to the report by the respective managerial heads of various departments in the company. It was their annual report. 

And the CEO didn't look happy.

He was sitting there, twirling the pen in his hands, staring at each presenter as they spoke. All were nervous as they gave their reports, fearing that he would start shouting at them for anything lacking in the reports.

If they knew what was really going on in their CEO's mind, they would be cursing him non-stop. 

Kyle wasn't really listening. He had already read the reports and it was generally fine. There were some mistakes, but nothing major. He had them still present because the others needed to hear it as well. He wanted to see what sort of discussions that would ensue.

So far, it was so-so.

His mind was more on the fact that he was feeling bored.

Ok, so he shouldn't be, considering that he had a lot of work. Everyday was a full day. But darn it, he was bored. 

Sam was having the time of his life with his new wife - and he deserved it, truly. Though he didn't end up going to Country Tz since Kyle had his capable team and Sayuri, Sam had been busy as heck here. 

Ali was all excited, having found out that Sofia was pregnant with their first child. He was doing all sorts of things to prepare for the baby and taking care of his wife. 

Xing Han was also being all so lovey-dovey with his beloved Nitocris. They were now living together in their own house, like some old married couple.

Kay, who was as single as him, was constantly going out. Either on those blind dates their mum set her on, or with her best friend, Lance. Well, he couldn't be stingy about that either now could he, since she covered up for him and did most of his work while he was away.

Even Beatrice was constantly going out on dates, either with Yuri, or Zack, or both. 

So every single Elite Five member was having fun of some sort. While he was stuck at the office, doing work.

Perhaps it was because he hadn't been getting it since he got back.

Mr. Right Hand wasn't as nice.

Maybe he should go and visit Sayuri and see what she's up to. Just thinking of what she had done to him on the plane made him all hot and bothered. He clenched his jaw.

Which reminded him.

He hadn't got back at her for that stunt now, has he?

"Mr. Smith?" came a nervous voice.

Kyle looked up, his thoughts interrupted, his eyes flashing with some slight annoyance. It was only then that he realised that everyone was looking at him. He turned to glance at Beatrice, who rolled her eyes at him without anyone else seeing.

He deduced that they must have stopped their presentation some time ago and was waiting for his feedback. 

"That's fine," he said as he indicated to Beatrice then swung his hands towards everyone in the meeting room.

She got up and distributed copies of the files with the annotations on it.

"There are a few things I noted there. Implement those changes," Kyle said, "And I want a report on the progress within a month."

He got up, and headed out, his face in a frown.

The moment he walked through the door, everyone gave a collective sigh of relief. They thought, at first, that he was going to unleash some sort of tirade on them when he looked so angry earlier.

Luckily, he didn't. 

They opened the file and cursed.

What few things?!

Outside, people were trying their best to keep out of their way. Everyone could tell that their boss was in an unusually sour mood these past few days. No one dared to approach him for anything.

Suddenly a small voice was heard, "Kyle?"

People's head whipped over to that source of voice, to see a little girl standing there, looking around in confusion. Their heart went towards her.

They looked nervously at the cold CEO whose face looked like it was ready to tear into someone. 

To their utter amazement, the moment he turned, his face broke into a smile and he practically ran over to the girl, "Lianne!"

"What are you doing here? How did you get here? Are you alone? Where's Joseph?" 

At the last question, he frowned.

Lianne patted his arm and she said, "I'm fine, don't worry. Zero sent me here. Joseph has classes."

She answered the main thing she knew her mother would be worried about. The truth of the matter was, she came because Beatrice texted her. Apparently, her mother seemed to be in a bad mood and was scaring everyone.

Beatrice who was nearby was relieved. 

Luckily, Lianne was free and had come immediately.

She didn't know why Lianne was so important to Kyle, but she was.

From her observations, she saw how Lianne seemed to be the only one that could make Kyle turn around. No matter how bad Kyle's mood was, once Lianne was around, he was appeased.

Beatrice didn't know the reason and she didn't really care.

All she cared about, was the result.