Zacharias let out a soft sigh. “Alright, then. I’ll just get to know him, nothing more.”
Shirley was still angry inside. She didn’t like her private life being snooped on, even if it was by the vice president himself.
“I think I’m not cut out to stay here. Why don’t you assign me to guard duty outside? Get someone else to take care of you,” Shirley told him, not wanting to be too close right now. Zacharias raised an eyebrow. “You dislike me that much, huh?”
“Am I not allowed to dislike you?” Shirley shot back. After all, he wasn’t exactly worth much. Zacharias let out another sigh. “Alright, alright. You won’t have to see me for the next three days.”
“Where are you going?” Shirley asked. “Heading out for a site inspection. You don’t have to come with me,” Zacharias said, then headed upstairs.
Shirley bit her lip. What she wanted was to be transferred away from him to do guard duty, not to avoid him for three days.
Back in her room, Shirley took off her coat and changed into her regular professional uniform. Since she was interning here for Imogen, she would put in her best effort to work diligently.
She went to the third floor and saw that the study door was closed. She let out a small sigh and stationed herself outside, waiting for him.
Inside the study, Zacharias sat on the couch, his face calm, but there was a hidden sense of weariness in his eyes. His fist clenched and unclenched, and then, finally, he rubbed his temples. He felt a headache coming on.
The demanding work every day hadn’t tired him like this. It was that woman who was causing his mind to be in turmoil, and he didn’t know how to handle it. Just then, his phone rang and he answered it. “Hello!”
“Sir, everything’s ready on our end. Have you packed your bags? Can we leave in half an hour?”
Zacharias replied, “Bring the car in ten minutes.”
After he hung up, he stood up and opened the study door. He was taken aback to find the girl still stationed outside the door. His just-settled emotions stirred again. Pretending not to notice him, Shirley lifted her chin, standing like an expressionless robot.
Zacharias saw her indifferent expression, and his gaze dimmed. However, he didn’t say anything. He just walked toward his master bedroom. Shirley frowned. Is he leaving?
Hearing sounds of packing from the master bedroom, she eventually stepped forward and stood at the doorway, watching the man folding and stacking clothes into a suitcase.
“Need any help?” Shirley asked, her tone a little stiff.
“No, thanks,” the man answered. Shirley could tell Zacharias was also being distant, so she retreated.
Not long after, the man emerged with a suitcase in hand. Shirley stepped forward again. “Let me help you carry it downstairs.”
Zacharias declined her offer yet again. “It’s not necessary.”
With that, he carried the suitcase downstairs. Shirley followed him, and the man neatly draped his windbreaker over his arm. At the doorstep was a black SUV. A man in his thirties -Zacharias’ assistant Freddie-stepped out. He wore a neat suit and had a sharp, capable look in his eyes.
“Sir, allow me. Please get in the car,” he said, coming over to take the suitcase from Zacharias.
As Zacharias was about to board, he felt a kind of struggle inside his heart. He had actually arranged for Shirley to accompany him on this business trip because he needed her by his side.
But the unpleasant incident just now had disrupted all his plans. He turned back to look at Shirley standing at the doorway. In the end, he said, “Wait for me at home.”
“Safe travels, sir,” Shirley said to him. Freddie couldn’t help but glance at Shirley, his eyes lighting up. When did he arrange such a charming lady by his side?
Zacharias got into the car. Through the window, he could still see the girl at the doorstep. But as soon as Shirley saw him get in the car, she turned and walked back into the foyer.
