A Touch of Sweetness
Chapter 63

Read online Never Late, Never Away free Chapter 63

"You're back?” Vivian noticed Finnick Norton and scurried out of the kitchen. “Hurry up and cleanyour hands! I think I made too much. Just finish whatever you can. If you can't finish them, I'll packthem up into a bento for you to take to the office.”

“It's fine,” Finnick replied as he settled in his seat. “I can finish it.”

Vivian did not trust Finnick's words. The amount of food on the table could feed more than fourpeople. There were only the two of them in the house.

It was soon proven that Vivian had underestimated Finnick’s capacity. For some reason, he seemedto have a voracious appetite that day. Finnick wolfed down everything Vivian prepared.

Vivian was stupefied. She had had many meals with Finnick before but this was the first time shesaw him eating so much as if he was a champion at an eating competition.

The next day was Sunday. Vivian spent the whole day researching recipes and preparing food forFinnick.

Soon, it was Monday, and Vivian had to go to work.

Vivian used to enjoy going to work, but ever since Fabian became the Chief Editor, going to workwas like jumping into the fierce waters of the Nile river, except that she was drowning in workinstead of water.

As soon as she sat down, Lesley Jenson, the senior editor at Glamour Magazine strode to her in arush. “Vivian, I have to interview someone this afternoon. Sort these documents out for me ASAPand send it to the Chief Editor's office.”

Vivian received the documents and furrowed her brows. “Hey Lesley, I have to prepare fortomorrow's interview later in the afternoon. Is it okay if you pass this to someone else to work on?”Before Lesley could even reply, Shannon's voice came out of nowhere in an abrupt manner. “Vivian,is it me or have you been acting funny lately? Pfft, don't act as if we don’t know your relationshipwith Mr. Norton. For whom are you putting on that act?”

Vivian was taken aback by Shannon's sudden rebuke. She knitted her brows at the girl who was onthe same rank as her in the company. “Shannon, what are you talking about?”

"Huh, what am I talking about? Looks like someone here doesn't want to admit it.” Shannon sneeredand slanted her eyes at Vivian. “You think all of us are blind?”

Vivian wanted to defend herself, but she noticed her colleagues were peeking at her as sheunwittingly swept her eyes across the room. Those eyes were filled with suspicion and derision.Vivian could feel herself stung by a million needles.

She was very familiar with the glares that she received. They reminded her of the unfriendly staresher lecturers and classmates on campus gave her for an incident that happened two years ago.Vivian bit her lips. She didn't know what to say. Thus, she sat down and swiftly finished organizingthe files she was tasked with. Then, with everyone's attention on her, she strode to Fabian’s officeand knocked on the door.

“Come in."

Fabian’s languid voice came behind the door. Vivian pushed the door ajar and walked through it.Fabian zoned out for a few seconds when he saw Vivian. The latter hurriedly placed the organizeddocuments on his table. “Mr. Norton, here are the documents you asked for. If there's nothing else,I'll take my leave.”

As soon as Vivian was done speaking, she turned around and headed for the exit. But before shecould reach the door, Fabian’s metallic voice rang out from behind.

"Vivian, stand where you are.”

Vivian halted in her steps unwillingly. Without turning her head around to face Fabian, she askedmonotonously, “Mr. Norton, is there anything else I can help you with before I leave?”

"What's with that attitude?” Fabian’s tone grew even colder. He sauntered to Vivian and questionedher, “Are you avoiding me?”

“Yes,” Vivian answered straight to the point.

For some reason, Vivian's frankness stirred up rage in Fabian.

Yet, when Fabian saw the lack of vigor on Vivian's face, his tone softened as he figured she musthave been taking care of her mother. “Vivian, how's your mother?”

Fabian was not fond of Vivian's mother who was somebody else's mistress. Nonetheless, he stillrespected her as Vivian's mother, since he had met her a few times when he was dating Vivian. Heonly asked about her well-being out of courtesy.

Fabian’s question caught Vivian off guard. The light in her eyes wavered a bit, but she soon got backto herself. “She's doing fine. Thank you.”

Fabian noticed the tension in Vivian's expression and hesitated before he spoke, “I heard that youare in need of money for your mother’s medical bills. Have you seen the text I sent you...”

“Mr. Norton,” Vivian didn't wait for Fabian to finish his words before she interjected. “If there'snothing else, I'll get back to work.”