Rachel was an early bird. That's another reason Matt adored her. Or atleast, she hoped. She liked getting to the office early in the morning. It allowed her time to prepare for Matts exceptional coffee without freaking out about his suit and also print out his agenda for the day.

Even after attending the charity gala the night before she was just as energetic. Nothing major happened maybe that's why. The minute they got there, they were photographed with almost a thousand cameras shoving in their faces. After what seemed like endless photos, they managed to slip inside. Everyone knew Matt, so he was immediately pulled away in a small group while she tried to make sense of the event.

Her boss apologised for leaving her, but it didn't matter because they were almost done with the auction. She did not get a chance to dance with him. Rachel was miffed about it the entire way back home but managed to bid him goodbye with a small forced smile.

This morning was not special. She managed to

go through a small stack of manilla folders sitting next to her. It contained all the notes Matt asked her to take from every meeting they had with Mr Smith. He was going to meet Matt for lunch. Matt did not ask her to do that or anything, but she wanted to be prepared just in case. Besides anything to keep her mind away from that gala fiasco.

To say she was disappointed would be an understatement. She was sure that something would happen between them. Maybe she should stop reading those romance novels. They rotted her brain.

She would have been angry on Matt, but the man is one of the most professional and kind people Rachel has met in her professional life. Not that she had much of a career before interviewing for his company but whatever. In the beginning, she was clueless about most of the things and fucked them up many times but never did he raise his voice at her. He was very understanding and always explained why certain things need to be learned and done calmly.

He's, just, intimidating. With his expensive suits, squeaky clean shoes and that pointed stare can evoke fear in any living being. It also doesn't help that he's one of the successful businessmen at his age, and he's probably one of the most powerful CEOs in the state.

"Good morning, Rach."

Rachel jumped at the greeting behind her, knocking the files on her table. She stood up, hastily trying to grip at the remaining edges of the files. Matt quirked his brow at that; his lips pulled in an amused smile.

Her breath hitched in her throat when she noticed that he was wearing his glasses. Matt doesn't wear them often. If he had, she would have breakdowns every day. The black-rimmed glasses frame make him drop-dead gorgeous. There's just something about him in glasses that she can't help but shiver.

The secretary fixed the files before nervously turning towards her boss and smiling. "Good morning, sir," she returned brightly.

"You've got a nine-thirty meeting with Mr Smith-"

"Rach don't worry about it. I know about my morning meetings," He interrupted, walking towards his chair. She quickly followed him, trying not to slam into his back.

"I went over my schedule that you sent me yesterday."

She bit her tongue, her cheeks flushed. "Of course. Sorry, I forgot about that, sir."

He shook his head and stretched his hands. She tried not to stare at his crisp white shirt rolled till his elbows, exposing his arms. He had a checkered blazer coat hanging by his arm like he forgot to wear it on his way. His ring was proudly on display as he went through his files. As if he felt her eyes on him, Matt looked up.

She blushed, "Sir...the accounting staff is waiting for you in the conference room. They want to meet you."

He took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes tiredly, looking away from his files. Rachel narrowed her eyes at him, noticing the dark circles. Did he sleep in the night at all?

"I just got in! Is it really important?"

"Yes, sir."

Matt sighed, "Fine, I'll go. Just keep my coffee ready on the table by then."

***

As she was setting a steaming cup of coffee on his table, the phone went off. Rachel hurriedly answered the phone, noting down all the crucial details. Her body slumped against the nearest chair, legs folded together. After a few minutes, she hung up the phone and closed her eyes.

"Rachel?" A deep voice penetrated the silence then, and Rachel jerked, almost hitting her head against the wall in the process. She winced at the pain. Matt immediately crouched down, checking on her injury when she awkwardly pulled back.

"I'm okay..."

"You should be more careful, Rach."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise for that."

She nodded her head.

"I heard you talking on the phone. Who was it?"

"Um, that client you wanted to meet, Dr Stinson. He's staying in Los Angeles at the moment and wants to set up a meeting in a week. I told him that I would call back." She nervously answered, trying to summarise the entire phone call.

Rachel wanted to confirm with Matt first before setting up the meeting. Her boss was a busy man with plenty of people wanting to talk with him. She didn't want to mess up his already hectic schedule.

"Oh. Please set up a meeting with him. He's our priority" Matt licked his lips.

Rachel immediately noted down the reminder to book a flight ticket for Matt. First-class. Matt peered at her notes, his brows furrowing.

"You're coming, right?" He stared at her.

She nodded her head, her lips twisting. "If you need me, sir..."

"Of course. I always need you, Rach" He mused, getting back to his work and if Rachel teared up a bit at that no one needed to know.

***

Matt was out for lunch with his client. Janet was on leave for a two days because of her cousin's wedding. That's why Rachel was sitting all alone in the lounge room with her laptop. She decided to call her mom.

"Mom!" Rachel waved, smiling as her mother adjusted the screen. Her mother was still getting used to the technology.

"Hey, honey. How are you?" Her mother brightly smiled, looking pinker than usual. It delighted Rachel to see her mother happy.

"I'm alright. Sorry I didn't call for the last two days."

"Don't worry about it. I know that you are busy these days."

They got to talking after that. Just then, Rachel noticed her mother narrow her eyes.

"Is that Matt behind you? Let me say, hello!" She swallowed, looking behind her only to see Matt walking towards her table.

He crouched down next to Rachel, using her chair to keep his balance. Her nose flared at his strong perfume, clouded her senses. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach, trying not to focus on his fingers brushing against her wrist.

"Oh, hello Mrs Adams, nice to meet you... well, sort of," Matt said with a low chuckle.

"Hello Matt, how many times have I told you to call me May? You make me sound old."

Matt raised his hand in defeat, "Is that even possible? You're glowing!"

Rachel tried not to roll her eyes at how polite and smooth he was with her mother.

"Oh, please!"

"It's a fact, May" Matt shrugged.

"Well then thank you" Rachel's mother cooed.

"Anyways, how are you?"

Matt met Rachel's mother twice. It almost made Rachel flush in embarrassment because her mother couldn't stop sharing Rachel's childhood memories. Both the times Matt was visiting Rachel's flat for a work-related thing, so the meetings were short and quick, but Matt was charming. He found about May's poor health and also recommended her his family doctor.

"I'm feeling better these days. The treatments are working magic. Thank you for the recommendation, Matt."

"Ah, it's nothing. I'm glad to hear you are doing okay." He smiled.

"Yeah, the doctor is great."

Matt bobbed his head, "Nice to meet you, May. I'll let you say bye to Rach." Matt politely smiled, standing up and straightening his blazer coat. He threw a soft smile in Rachel's direction before walking out, closing the door behind him. She almost melted at that.

"So...He's still very gorgeous and kind, isn't he?" Her mom questioned a teasing smirk in her voice. "I still believe he's the perfect man for you. You should tell him about your feelings, honey."

"There's no point, mom. I'm pretty sure that he doesn't feel that way; he just sees me as his assistant. Anyway, I'll call you later. Love you lots."

Rachel ended the call and stood up, shrugging on her blazer and trying not to think about her mother's word. As if Matt would ever go for a girl like her.

***