Chapter 6 Smile

• Lionel had probably just ended a meeting with Miller Corporation’s directors as he came down from the twenty-eighth floor with dozens of people trailing behind him. His tall figure and aloof personality made him seem somewhat intimidating as he made his way toward her department.
• Yasmin felt her heart beating faster as she kept her head low in hopes of staying unnoticed, letting out a sigh of relief when he walked right past her.
• However, her relief was short-lived because Lionel stopped in his tracks moments later as he glanced back at her. He then whispered something to the person beside him before walking toward her.
• Despite having been in the company for quite a long while, they never really received the opportunity of seeing anyone of such a high position as the higher-ups were mostly stationed on the twenty-eighth floor, having their own private elevators.
• That, coupled with the fact that Lionel was such a handsome and talented young man made it all the more nerve-racking for them, especially the female employees.
• “You there, look at me!” His voice boomed from above her head, but Yasmin kept her head down as she hastily tried to ignore him.
• “Hey, what are you doing?” Serena whispered while jabbing at Yasmin with her elbow.
• Having no other option, Yasmin looked up and met his ice-cold gaze with hers. He narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at her for a few seconds before he reached out and removed her glasses. “These glasses don’t suit you!” he teased with a devilish grin.
• At that moment, the entire floor fell silent as everyone’s eyes were fixated on Yasmin.
• “T-Thank you for your advice, Mr. Holloway!” Yasmin was practically clenching her teeth as she forced the words out of her mouth.
• With a grin like that, there’s no way that I’m mistaking it for a piece of sincere advice!
• Lionel walked away after saying that, leaving Yasmin swarmed by all of her jealous female colleagues who were curious as to how she had known him.
• “I don’t know him at all!” Yasmin didn’t dare to tell them that she had called him a scumbag since she was already feeling threatened.
• “Come on. Back to work, people!” Simon sent everyone back to their desks.
• “Fess up, Yasmin! Are you in a relationship with Mr. Holloway?” Serena nudged her, sending her a wink after the crowd had dispersed.
• Yasmin glared at her. “No! I told you, I don’t know him!”
• Naturally, Serena didn’t believe her. “Uh-huh, and how would you explain him recognizing you out of everyone on this floor?”
• “How would I know? Wait, where are my glasses?” Yasmin felt as if something was missing as she soon realized that her glasses were gone.
• “I think Mr. Holloway took them!” Serena’s expression changed the more she thought about it. She then eyed Yasmin from head to toe and jabbed a finger at her as she questioned, “Why would he take your glasses away like that if you didn’t know him? Tsk tsk tsk... I’ve got to admit it, he was right though. I told you that the glasses didn’t suit you, and here you are, looking so much prettier without them! Well, you were the campus belle, after all... Say, why do you have scratch marks on your face?”
• Yasmin wasn’t in the mood to answer her questions though. Although her myopia wasn’t bad enough to affect her performance without her glasses, they were her personal belongings. Why would he take them away in front of everyone? What is he playing at? Something doesn’t feel right about this...
• It was soon lunchtime, but Yasmin didn’t feel like eating in the cafeteria, so she had Serena bring her some takeout as she chose to eat at her desk instead.
• She was pinching her brows with her head downcast when a warm glass of water was placed in front of her. When she looked up, she saw Simon smiling brightly at her. “Are you feeling unwell, Yasmin? You look kind of pale. Do you need some rest?”
• Yasmin felt a shiver making its way down her spine when she caught sight of the glass of water and the fake smile on his face.
• I’ve been working here for three years, and he has never once smiled at me... He’s always either criticizing my work quality or demanding that I work overtime. What’s with this sudden expression of concern?
• “What a bootlicker!” Serena sneered. “I swear, they will shamelessly suck up to anyone who can bring them benefit!”
• She had deliberately raised her voice when she uttered that sentence, much to Simon’s displeasure. However, there wasn’t much that he could say in retaliation as she didn’t mention any names. “Ahem... Ms. Jones, I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you before. I didn’t know that you were with Mr. Holloway. If it is possible, could you please say a few good words about me in front of him? You know, like...” He leaned in and whispered into her ear.
• “Mr. Lloyd, I think you might have gotten the wrong idea here,” Yasmin cut him off. What on earth is he implying? He’s making it sound like I have an inappropriate relationship with Mr. Holloway!
• “No, not at all!” Simon quickly shushed her, giving her no room to explain herself. “I agree with what Mr. Holloway said, by the way. Your eyes are really beautiful, and you look a lot prettier without your glasses!”
• “Ack!” Serena made a retching noise when she heard his words.
• Lunch break was soon over, but the attention that Yasmin received from her colleagues wasn’t. She saw people staring and pointing fingers at her wherever she went, much to her dismay.
• With an hour left before getting off work, Yasmin had completed her tasks for the day and was replying to some emails when a WhatsApp message suddenly popped up on her screen. It was from Serena who had been out of the office the entire afternoon. The woman had yet to return.
• Serene Serena: Yo, Yasmin! Are you aware that you are super popular in the company right now?
• Yasgurl Yasmin: Huh?
• Serene Serena: Everyone in Miller Corporation knows that you’re dating Mr. Holloway!
• Yasgurl Yasmin: . . . . . .
• Serene Serena: They said that Mr. Holloway only agreed to help this lost cause of a company because you’re working here!
• Serene Serena: Man, you should have seen how mad the b*tches from the Public Relations Department were! It was so hilarious! Hahahaha!
• Serene Serena: Yasmin? Are you there? Hello?
• Serena was wondering why Yasmin had gone silent as she made her way back from the Public Relations Department. When she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Yasmin entering the one that was next to hers.
• Wait... Is she taking the president’s private elevator up to his office?