Office Diaries

Veni, Vidi, Vici…

The classical Latin words reportedly written by Julius Caesar in 47 BC were Alex's favorite words. He liked them so much that he had the words framed and displayed in his posh office. They translated to "I came, I saw, I conquered," which aptly described how he took on business deals as well as relationships.

In the span of four years, the name Alex Li had risen in the corporate world – known as one of the most formidable businessmen anyone could come across within the boardroom. There was not a challenge he accepted that he didn't win. He was a born conqueror and conquer he did.

On the other hand, in the past, Alex Li was known as both a hard worker and a hard player. As brilliant as he was in business, he had the same intense reputation as a rake, a charmer famous for his one night stands and short flings.

But that was before he met his fiancée...

Having Ashley as a lover had tamed Alex's wild Casanova side. His secretary who would soon be his wife was enough for him, regardless that he used to enjoy the challenge of picking up women, competing with his friends with their conquests.

In all honesty, he wasn't proud of that life anymore. In fact, it was something he regretted as it nearly cost him Ashley. Because of that part of his past, his secretary had spurned him over and over again. The year he had been courting the love of his life was the year Alex Li had sweated blood, with his insecurities about his past haunting him whenever Ash told him 'no'.  

Definitely, Alex was glad a miracle happened. He was still able to secure Ashely's heart – was still able to make the other fall in love with him, though, still not as much as he was madly in love with her. He could see and feel that Ash still had reservations towards him. She's still reluctant on showing him her feelings and it was driving him crazy.

Even if he knew Ash didn't love him as much as he loved her, Alex hoped that she would at least show some possessiveness – even just a little. Her lack of reaction sometimes gave him insecurities in their relationship.

But it will soon change.

With this thought in mind, Alex leaned back against his swivel chair, totally pleased with himself. It was at this moment when a knock sounded at the door and the secretary in question came in, carrying a handful of documents.

"President, here are the research data you asked the advertising team to work on the other day," Ashley informed him in her usual no nonsense tone of voice.

She'd always been like that. She's always prim and proper in her impeccable grey suit and white shirt underneath. His secretary was very professional at work.

Alex's lips twitched, however, for he knew very well what's underneath those layers of clothing. It was just last night that Ash was flat on her back in this very room, panting and crying out her pŀėȧsurė with her legs spread wide open on his office table as they had sėx.

"Mr. Li?" his secretary called but Alex was still lost in thought. ."Mr. Li?" she called again, but instead of answering, Alex reached out and grabbed her buŧŧ.

Exasperated, his secretary glanced at the door and seeing as no one would enter in a while, raised her hand and smacked her boss hard on the shoulder.

"Yah!" Alex whɨnėd as he massaged his shoulder. His fiancée sure knew how to hit someone. "Honey, that hurts," he complained with a frown but his secretary ignored him, pushing the documents on his table closer to him.

"If I weren't engaged to you, I'd sue you for sėxuȧŀ harassment," Ash scolded him which made him pout. "Work," she prompted and Alex sighed in resignation.

Deep inside however, the young CEO was a little hurt. He knew teasing Ash at working hours was a bad idea. But at least, his fiancée should have shown a little more – more what? Softer side? Should have tolerated him more? Alex couldn't explain. They were, after all, going to be married in a short while.

But then he guessed he shouldn't demand too much. At least, not yet. It was him who had pushed her to give in to him anyway. He should be a little more patient.

His usual humor leaving him, Alex reached for the documents and started studying them. Even though his eyes seemed to be focused on the paper in his hand, his senses were centered towards Ash's movements – even her breathing. Feeling her turning away to leave, Alex waited for her to reach the door before he called her name.

Lifting his head, his eyes locked with his fiancée's. "I love you," he said softly which made Ashley turn red, visibly flustered. In the two years they've been together, those words had been rarely spoken out loud and never from her.

Just like the other times in the past, Ash remained silent, her mouth opening and closing several times as if she wanted to say something but couldn't. With a sad smile, Alex changed the topic.

"Secretary Zhang, kindly cancel all my morning appointments tomorrow," he instructed. "I have to go somewhere tonight. I might drink a little so I can't wake up early," he said which made her frown.

Alex knew that this was news to her. Usually, Ash knew all his activities, work-related or personal. He never planned on going out tonight, however, so he hadn't informed her until now. He was originally planning on spending his evening with her, but after earlier, he felt like sulking a little. Seeing that his instruction bothered her made him feel a little better.

"W-where are you going?" she asked in a small voice. Gone was the professional tone she used. She was now asking not as his secretary but as his fiancée.

"Just meeting with friends from college," he answered with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Give me some of the invitations too. I'll distribute them later," he continued and he watched as she nodded reluctantly.

Alex knew she didn't like him going out at night, but his lover never spoke about it. "Tell me not to go," the CEO begged in his mind. But of course Ash would never say that. With a final nod, she walked out of the room, the door closing behind her. Her sad and hurt expression as she went out, however, was not lost to him, and Alex closed his eyes, regretting his decision.

Then and there, he wanted to call out and tell her that he wouldn't go, but something within him made him stop. Lately, he was getting more and more restless, and because of that, he got angry so easily.

Alex let out another sigh as he picked it up. A smile tugged the corner of his mouth upon seeing who it was.

"Hey ma," he greeted the caller.

His mother had been bugging him a lot lately about the wedding and other things, and aside from his own tasks, he had to add pacifying the old lady to his job as well. His mother was more nervous about the preparations that he was.

"We're fine," he told her soothingly. "No, you can relax. Everything's settled with only the minor things left to deal with. You don't have to worry about it."

Alex continued to pacify his mother for several more minutes until she calmed down enough to end the call. Afterwards, he leaned back against his chair again and sighed, this time, it was due to exhaustion.

Cynthia Li, his mother would drive him crazy soon. She acted more like she was the one who was getting married next week than the bride. Speaking of which, he'd never seen Ashley getting flustered over their wedding preparations yet. She still acted like normal and did her work amazingly without mistakes.

As an employer, Alex really found her composure amazing. Without her steady support, and very organized work, he didn't think he could finish a lot of his own job. However, as a fiancé, Alex felt a little bit depressed. They're getting married, and Ashley's lack of reaction and sense of urgency made him think she didn't really care, and it hurt.