Chapter 15 The Hidden Shortcomings of Lionel

• Matthew made an announcement in the “Brotherhood” group chat yesterday telling everyone that Lionel had finally found a woman whom he fancied. Later that night, he went on to post a photo showing Lionel having a woman in his embrace. The woman’s face could not be seen clearly because the photo was taken in dim lighting. After sending everything to the group chat, he deliberately put his phone on airplane mode to parry the tons of inquiries that he would possibly get. On the following night, he finally turned off the airplane mode after work when he was satisfied with the suspense he had been building up.
• His phone was continuously buzzing and ringing following the influx of calls and messages that contained curses and insults aimed at him. However, Matthew was left unfazed. With ease, he set his phone down on the table beside his laptop as he decided to take a shower.
• By the time he made it back from the bathroom, his phone had finally stopped ringing. Wrapped in a towel with one hand holding a glass of red wine, he picked up his phone and started checking the over one thousand unread messages in the group chat. The first two hundred messages mostly contained curses and insults at him, whereas the rest were sent by people who were excited to learn about the news. They couldn’t wait to find out more about the girl who was capable of charming Lionel, who had always spent little time with women.
• With a sly smile, Matthew narrowed his eyes dangerously as he posted the freshest and juiciest gossip that had gone widespread in Miller Corporation that day on the group chat. Stop asking about Jonesy because she just made a public announcement saying that she was not interested in Lionel!
• After the message, Matthew sent a meme in which a man was kneeling on the ground crying.
• His message immediately caused an uproar in the group chat, and it was soon awash with new messages.
• How is that possible? I can’t believe that there’s a woman in the world who doesn’t find Lionel attractive!
• Lionel is a loaded guy with a hot bod. What else can that girl want? Is her name Jonesy? Is she blind to not have been interested in Lionel? Also, I must say that she’s quite gutsy to make her stance clear in public!
• Oh, no! It isn’t easy for Lionel to meet a girl whom he finds attractive! What is he going to do now? I bet that he must be devastated at the moment! No way, I have to go and show him my support!
• Hahaha! Stay away from Lionel because he’s mine!
• ...
• A heated discussion on Lionel soon ensued in the group chat. At first, they wondered what was so special about the girl, seeing that Lionel had fallen in love with her. Next, they thought that there must have been something wrong with the girl’s mind to not have found Lionel attractive. At long last, they started speculating what sort of shortcomings Lionel had that could be the ultimate turn-off for the girl.
• Matthew, does Lionel actually prefer guys? Please say yes so that I’ll know that I still stand a chance of dating Lionel! A guy from the group chat sent the message together with a flushed face emoji.
• I’m sad to say that you’re overthinking this. Even if Lionel’s preference is men, you won’t get to date him either. It’s because he will choose me, his assistant, over anybody else! Matthew took a sip from the glass of red wine before sending a grinning squinting face emoji. By the time that happens, my long-time crush on him will finally be reciprocated!
• Oh? Are you sure about that? Some of the members in the group chat were quick to doubt Matthew.
• Matthew took another sip of wine and relished its robust flavor with his eyes closed. Without hesitation, he replied: Of course!
• All of a sudden, Matthew sensed that something was fishy. Why has the group chat become so silent?
• When he glanced down at his phone, the triumphant expression on his face vanished as it was immediately replaced by a horrified look. He couldn’t even type his message as smoothly as he could just now: L-Lionel, what are you doing here?
• Lionel: If I was not here, I would’ve missed the chance to find out about your secret crush on me.
• Feeling Lionel’s murderous air from the tone of his message, Matthew had a bad premonition.
• Indeed, Lionel’s next message proved that his premonition was true: Matthew Collins, I’ll give you ten minutes to haul your ass over to my place!
• Shortly later, Lionel mentioned to everyone in the group chat: Would anyone like to volunteer in helping me with uncovering my bad habits and shortcomings?
• The group chat, which was extremely lively and upbeat one minute ago, fell silent at once. All the members of the group chat were trying hard to pretend that they were non-existent.
• Lionel went offline upon sending that message.
• Yasmin visited the office on the following day earlier than usual. She walked into the lobby of the building finding herself all alone. While waiting for the elevator, someone stretched out a hand toward her. “Jonesy, this is for you!”
• Yasmin spun around to find Matthew offering a breakfast box to her. Flashing him a grateful smile, she took the food from him without hesitation. “Thanks!” she uttered together with a wink.
• It did not take her long to notice the presence of another man standing next to Matthew. Judging from the person’s tall and lanky figure as well as his intimidating aura, she knew that he was Lionel without having to see his face. The smile on her face froze instantly as she quickly put on a stern expression. “Mr. Holloway!” she greeted Lionel respectfully with her head held low.
• Matthew smiled, amused by the stark contrast between how Yasmin treated him and Lionel. At the same time, he cast a furtive glance at Lionel from the corner of his eyes - his aloof expression turned icier at that moment.
• “Mr. Collins, did you not sleep well last night? You have dark circles under your eyes.” While waiting for the elevator, Yasmin asked Matthew this question out of concern, taking note of how tired he looked.
• “Alas, Mr. Holloway put me through a torturous time last night. I didn’t get to sleep a wink...” Matthew yawned as he rubbed his eyes, looking aggrieved.
• Upon listening to Matthew, Yasmin couldn’t help but picture the events that could have taken place between the two guys last night. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Lionel at the same time.
• That was exactly what Matthew wanted to achieve - Yasmin getting the wrong idea of the two. With a foxy smile, he spoke to Yasmin, “You should really stop calling me Mr. Collins since I’ve been calling you Jonesy. From now on, just call me Big Bro Matt. How does that sound?”
• “It’s a no for me! It’s not like we are in the same frat!” Yasmin scrunched her face in disgust. She did not overthink Matthew’s suggestion, knowing well that he was only teasing her. Matthew was not wearing his spectacles and his hair was not slicked back, as usual, that day. Because of that, he looked more approachable to Yasmin than his usual elitist look.
• “Fine, I won’t force you to use that mushy nickname then. Look, just call me by my first name whenever we’re alone, alright?” Matthew sounded very firm and he was not about to give Yasmin any space to negotiate.
• “Are you taking the elevator?” Lionel’s frigid voice interrupted their conversation all of a sudden.
• It was only then that Yasmin noticed that the elevator had arrived. Lionel, who was already inside, stared at her, his eyes brimming with impatience. Without further ado, Yasmin scuttled off as she entered the elevator. However, she soon discovered something odd about the situation. What is Lionel doing in a staff elevator?
• “Jonesy, I’m still waiting for your answer.” Matthew thought of joining them in the elevator, but he was immediately deterred from doing so by a dangerous glare that he received from Lionel. He managed to retrieve his outstretched leg from the elevator at the last minute.
• “Aren’t you coming with us?” As the doors of the elevator were closing, Yasmin quickly pressed the button to keep it open. Matthew glimpsed at Lionel only to see that he was being greeted by the same flinty stare. Thinking of how miserable it felt to be forced to work overtime last night, Matthew knew better than to offend his boss. Sensibly, he came up with an excuse. “You guys go ahead, I need to use the restroom urgently!”
• With that, he spun around and dashed away.
• When Yasmin was having difficulty processing Matthew’s bizarre action, the doors of the elevator already closed up. As reluctant as she was to be stuck in the same space as Lionel, it would have been inappropriate of her to have left the elevator.
• Forget it, it’s only a matter of seconds before the elevator reaches the Human Resource Department. It seems like I’ll have to try harder to avoid Lionel from now on.