Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Gazing at the doors' panes of frosted glass, she debated whether to knock or use the discreet-looking metal buzzer next to the door entry monitor. Or maybe she should call Reception—-
One of the doors suddenly opened, and she hastily put her professional smile on, thinking it would either be Mr. Simonides' housekeeper or butler.
But instead, she got...Acheron Simonides himself.
"Mr. Simonides!" His name flew out of her mouth in an unplanned and embarrassingly shrill fashion, with Pippi being caught off guard by the CEO's unexpected appearance.
It was her first time to see him up close, and Pippi struggled not to stare at him in dumbstruck silence. Wow. And because no better word came to mind, she found herself thinking again. Wow. Just...wow.
It was rare for Pippi to be so easily bowled over by a man's looks, but even she knew Acheron Simonides wasn't anyone's average kind of handsome. Silky black hair, chiseled features that seemed to have been carved from the same mold as Greek gods, and a ruggedly muscular body that no man who pencil-pushed almost 18 hours a day had any right to possess.
His looks were the type that smoldered, literally, considering how invisible flames now seemed to be tonguing every inch of her skin.
Wow, she thought again, but this time with a helpless, sickening feeling in her stomach. She had the craziest urge to run, more so when she saw his impatient gaze raking over her as he snapped, "Are you just going to stand there like an idiot?"
"I...I..." His voice was deep and strong, so darn mesmerizing it made his insult sound like a compliment. It was a foolish sentiment, but it was also the truth, and Pippi's unease turned into full-blown anxiety. That she was horribly ill equipped to handle a man like him in close quarters had never been more obvious, and she could already feel her heart giving out as shyness tied her tongue in knots.
Don't puke.
The thought - half-warning, half-plea - flashed out of nowhere, and she clung to it for life. She always worked better with a goal, anyway, and with the thought giving her something to focus on, Pippi succeeded bit by bit in regaining her composure.
Clearing her throat, she said in a fairly steady voice, "I'm sorry for the unseemly reaction, Mr. Simonides." Smile. Don't puke. “I was told you wouldn't be home." She saw his lip curl in response, as if finding her words a complete waste of his time, and her temper - so rarely seen it might as well have been nonexistent - started to rise.
"Who the hell are you, anyway?"
Anger had her shyness receding, and she forgot all about being intimidated. All she wanted to do at that moment was throw the folder at his face. Teeth gnashing, she gave him her name and position in his company, adding somewhat icily afterwards, "Mr. Collins believes this should be given to you as soon as possible, sir." She handed him the folder with both hands, but nothing happened.
Okay.
Maybe...
He wanted her to deliver it straight to his study or something?
Her gaze reluctantly went back up - and that was when she finally noticed it. This time, the sickly pallor underneath his bronze tan was impossible to miss, and was it just her - or did he seem to be swaying on his feet?
"M-Mr. Simonides?"
His face, already white, turned even whiter at the sound of her voice. "I'm fine."
Oh, if only she could believe that. She really wished she could, but since she was a great believer of doing what Jesus would do in such circumstances—-
"You don't, umm, look like it, sir."
"I said I'm fine!"
The fury in his voice stunned Pippi, making her take a wary step back. What on earth was his problem? Their gazes clashed, Pippi's blue eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and indignation at his rudeness while his dark gaze was...
Feverish?
Nurturing reflexes - honed for decades in a household filled with love and laughter - kicked in, and she unthinkingly reached up, having to tiptoe a little just to touch his forehead. He yanked away with a curse, but it was too late.
"You're burning up," Pippi gasped.
Even more, it didn't look like his fever was of the ordinary type, with Acheron Simonides suddenly bending down and throwing up what seemed like his last meal (salmon, seemed like it)...at her feet.
She nearly gagged, her face contorting with distaste and revulsion at the sight and smell of his vomit. Don't puke! Pippi had to repeat the warning to herself, but this time for a different reason.
She saw him start to stagger, and Pippi knew she had to pull herself together. Where Acheron Simonides was concerned, letting him fall face flat on his own puke was definitely grounds for termination.
"G-Gotcha!" She caught him just in time, her knees nearly buckling under his weight. The scent of his cologne was nice, but it was easily overpowered by the stench of puke. It caused Pippi to alternately gag and grit her teeth as she half-dragged, half-carried the CEO to the nearest couch. She tried to be gentle as she laid him down, but when she lost her footing on the edge of the rug, all Pippi could do was let out a little shriek -