Chapter 7 Mr dunner is in love

Raleigh pov

Fear gripped my soul as I made entry into my office. No one was present. I had to check my time only to discover it was past twelve. There was no Victoria, no Jason nor the piece of trash in human form. Hmph, you know him, of course Mikel.

" Hello?" I said, hoping to get a response from obviously no one.

My heart raced now, where could they have gone? I proceeded into looking for Jason first. I ran into the secretary's palatable office, he wasn't there. Normally, that was where he hung out cause he secretly disclosed to me he had a crush on her, which was enough reason for him to be there, but nope, he wasn't.

Wait, I just remembered the receptionist wasn't at her post either, what could be going on, I asked myself. Or could it be a prank? Because I had watched stuff like that on Tik Tok and they turned out to be pranks.

Oh my, this wasn't getting funny anymore. I rushed to other offices and found no one. Mr. Dunner's door which was usually open was not. Something must really be going on.

As I ascended the stairs to other offices, my heel got broken. And this was the most expensive of all. It really hurt me but my colleagues' safety was more important to me than my expensive heels.

I finally picked up my broken heel and got up the stairs to the top building.

" Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you, Raleigh, happy birthday to you!" They sang. It was my boss, Victoria, Jason, the receptionist and Mikel who just stood at a corner, staring coldly.Wait what was going on? I asked myself.

Then, Victoria walked up to me and handed me a bouquet and beamed at me.

" This is for you, birthday girl." She said and tugged at my shoulder. I just stood there in awe. It then dawned on me that today was my birthday and it never occurred to me! Now I get the meaning of that text. It was indeed a job well-done. But why from Mikel? Come on, we're rivals...I stared at the bouquet, it was made out of red cardboard paper and a couple of dollars was tossed in it. Hey, and a note hanged in there that read,

"happy birthday"I was about to pick the note when Jason appeared before me with a gift box, grinning.

" You fool..." I joked and we both chuckled.

" Just know you're the best. Remember that, and you deserve every good thing that comes your way." he said.

"Awwn, that's so sweet. Thank you Jason."

" Don't mention." He said and embraced me.

" Mikel..." Mr. Dunner called out. Mikel grumbled and coldly dragged his feet with a frowning face.

" Happy birthday." He wished, feigning a smile. He walked closer to me and said in a whisper,

"Don't get too excited. None of this is real." which left me uncertain about the situation. What was he talking about?T

hen a round of applause came from the audience. " Read the note, Raleigh!

" A voice said. I guessed it was Victoria.I picked out the note. It read, "a poem to you" with a sketched heart.I read it out loud with a bright smile on my face. In as much every line wasn't filled with irony and metaphors, she did a great job at it.

"I love you all. I never expected this, thank you."

"Say no more. You're worth more than these. This is just a token from us." Victoria said. Then a loud hip-hop music blared from an MP. It was Victoria and Jason! "Party time!" They jubilated. Mikel coldly picked up some files and gave me a look that predicted danger and left. He isn't capable of doing anything, I assured myself.

Mr. Dunner finally walked up to me with a smile on his face which I reciprocated.

"Hi." I greeted, already blushing."Happy birthday once again. I'm sure you would have gotten enough of it." He said, which led me to laughter.

" No, not at all."

" Come with me." He said and lended a hand to me which I held. What is going on now? His warm gentle hand held mine and it was as if I was in another world. Something changed. He led me into a room (I never knew about).

It was decorated with heart shaped balloons and rose petals on the floor. Love quotes were inscribed on the walls and a frame of mine was hung on the wall. My jaw dropped in awe.He then picked up a rose bouquet and handed it to me. I received it half mindedly.

"What is going on?" I asked, startled.

"I must confess something, Raleigh." He said."

Ok?" I said and just hoped and prayed it wasn't what I was thinking.

"I love you. Since the very day you stepped your feet into this company, my heart beat for you..."

"Hey, Mr. Dunner, hey..." I said trying to get things straight.

"I know...it sounds awkward right? But it's what I feel." That was no way to profess his love but thank goodness he didn't do it in the presence of my coworkers.

"Wait, let me get this straight, you're in love with me."

" Yes, absolutely." He said, which sounded like a joke to me. Love? Love?

"Oh Mr. Dunner, I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for what? " He asked.

" I'm sorry I don't feel the same way for you."

"You don't?"

"No." I said, feeling a little mixup somewhere.

"But he said you were..." He said

"Who?" I asked, hoping it wasn't who my mind suggested.

"Mikel." He said.

What was Mikel up to for telling such a grievous lie? I don't remember having feelings for my boss. And there he was,,with so much affection in his eyes, staring deep into mine, maybe in search of love too...

Oh no Mr. Dunner, I thought you were more than this.