The Alchemists

Ruth's face instantly changed to a worship-like expression, as she nodded excitedly, "He has been our boss for ten years... and all the women in this building adore him... If you meet him, you will understand for yourself."

"Is that so?" Finland became interested. She knew that Caspar was a very private person, but apparently the people at his headquarters had the privilege of meeting him often.

No wonder many women in this building adore him. An outsider who had never seen his face would think that the owner of the Schneider Group was an old goat, as some of Finland's former office colleagues in Singapore once thought.

"When can I meet him?" Finland asked curiously. She wanted to know how often Caspar appeared before his employees.

"Hmm... for employees at your level, it's very difficult to say..." Ruth said, shaking her head, "Only the top bosses meet with him regularly. Ordinary staff can only see him if they're lucky, usually when he comes or goes to work. Or at the company's annual event... hmm... actually, next week is the company's Christmas Party and we are inviting a famous singer. Maybe he will attend... you can see him there."

Finland almost laughed at the adoring look on Ruth's face. This woman certainly idolized her husband.

"I can't wait..." Finland said.

"This year's Christmas party is going to be incredible. For the first time ever, our company invited Billie Yves to perform. I don't know how they got her, for as far as I know, Billie can't be invited to a private or corporate party..." Ruth said again. "Everyone in the company is very excited and looking forward to the party..."

Finland could not help covering her lips in surprise.

Gosh... Caspar intentionally invited her favorite singer to the company's Christmas party.

He still remembered that Billie Yves was Finland's favorite singer.

This made Finland very moved.

"Sorry, I have to call someone..." she said quickly, she apologized with her hand then went to a corner and called Caspar.

Ruth nodded. She saw Finland's face change and the corners of her eyes were wet in with tears. This call must be very important, she thought.

Finland called Caspar, who had just entered the building lobby and was walking towards the elevator. The employees who saw him walking nodded respectfully.

Some were amazed, because Caspar seemed to smile broadly while talking on the phone. Usually their boss was always in a rush and not very expressive when talking on the phone, but this morning they saw him smiling sweetly and his steps were relaxed.

"Hello, my dear... what's wrong? Have you missed me?" he asked in a teasing voice.

"Caspar... thank you for inviting Billie Yves for the upcoming Christmas party..." Finland stammered because she was deeply moved, "I really like Billie..."

"I know," Caspar answered. He was already in the elevator and pressed the button to the 35th floor. The people around him seemed interested in hearing the man speak very softly on the phone. They had never seen him like this before. Some were even trying to eavesdrop.

"I've also heard of the new daycare facility in the company... for mothers with young children... thank you. This will really help women like me, who have to work while raising young children. You're very understanding..." Finland said again.

"Hmmm..." Caspar smiled and nodded to himself. He did not think that Finland would immediately find out all the things he had done for the girl on her first day of work, but he was happy. This meant that Finland understood that Caspar loved her very much and was willing to do anything for her. "I'm glad you like it. If there's any input on what else to improve, I'll be happy to comply..."

"Oh, there isn't any at the moment. Everything's great."

"All right. What was your first impression of working at the company?"

"I like it. I hope to learn a lot."

"Good. I'll see you later for lunch, okay. Take care of yourself, I love you."

"I love you too." Finland hung up the phone with a warm heart. She felt even more loved day after day, and her chest almost burst out with joy.

Caspar hung up the phone, smiling to himself. He just realized the presence of the people around him when he heard the sound of them holding their breaths. He looked left and right, and saw the curious faces of his employees, who had heard him say "I love you" to someone in a very soft voice.

They had known him for 10 years and had never seen him with a lover. Caspar was a womanizer in the past, but he never mixed personal and work matters, so none of his employees had seen him with any women before.

Now, suddenly, their big boss was all lovey dovey and was talking intimately with a woman on the phone. Of course, everyone was very curious.

That afternoon rumors began to spread in the NY headquarter that their big boss might eventually bring a date to the corporate Christmas party next week.