Chapter 667

"I see other girls dig having their cheeks pinched like this. Why's it feel different with you?" Ronnie was totally pushing his luck.

Juniper shot back, "Just 'cause those chicks are into it doesn't mean I am. I can't stand people touching me all casual-like."

"What? I've never done this to other girls. I picked it up online." Ronnie felt a bit embarrassed. For a seasoned playboy, a high-level player in the dating scene, it was humiliating to resort to online tips on how to woo a girl.

"Stop watching those dumb TV dramas; they're rotting your brain," Juniper threw a wet blanket on him.

"Can't help it." Ronnie couldn't resist pinching her cheek again. Her soft and chubby cheeks were just too addictive.

"I told you not to touch me, but you still..." Juniper rolled her eyes impatiently. "Move. I need to get to work."

Ronnie said, "I said no. You need to chill."

"I don't need to. I feel so pumped I could fight a tiger." Juniper raised her fist. "If you don't move, I'll deck you."

"Even if you punch me, I won't budge. Go ahead. Hit me in the face." Ronnie leaned in with a cheeky grin. Juniper was at a loss with him and could only feel frustrated.

Ronnie suggested, "How about this, we compromise. Rest in the morning and see how you feel. If you're good, I'll take you to work in the afternoon. You know how fevers are; if it's not completely gone, it can come back. You don't wanna end up back in the hospital, do you?"

"I..." Juniper pouted but didn't argue.

In the morning, at the office.

"Morning, Mr. Eilish."

"Morning, Mr. Eilish." The employees greeted Anthony respectfully.

Anthony walked past them without looking sideways.

His gaze instinctively glanced at a certain desk.

It was empty.

His heart seemed to feel empty too, which shouldn't be the case.

In the office.

Terry was reporting work, but Anthony's furrowed brows showed he was clearly distracted.

Suddenly, Anthony interrupted, "Did she take a leave today?"

Terry replied, "Who? Juniper? Yeah, she called me this morning to say she'd take the morning off and come in the afternoon."

'Is she that sick? Or does she just wanna stick with Ronnie? It's said that people in love wanna be together 24/7.' A trace of displeasure crossed Anthony's mind, and he frowned. 'What's wrong with me? Why do I feel like there's a thorn in my throat? This feeling is similar to when I'm upset about Layla liking someone else, feeling stifled and uncomfortable. But I've liked Layla for over ten years, and Juniper's only been around for less than a month. I'm a slow-to-warm-up person, so I won't fall for her so easily.'

Terry asked, "Mr. Eilish, do you need something from her?"

"No, go on."

Terry reminded, "But the work report is only halfway through..."

Anthony never stopped midway. It seemed Juniper had a significant impact on him.

Anthony said, "We'll continue in the afternoon."

"Okay." Terry left.

Anthony turned to gaze out at the towering skyscrapers. The vast view did nothing to ease his mood.

Juniper was glad her body was fine. After a shower, she felt refreshed and fully revived.

At 1:30 PM, Ronnie drove her back to the office, stopping 300 feet from the back entrance.

"Feels like we're sneaking around. Am I that shameful?" Ronnie said, both annoyed and amused.

Juniper said, "The company finally thinks you dumped me. We can't let them see us together again."

Ronnie asked, "I dumped you? They must think I'm some kind of legend. I'm always bending over backward for you, okay? Wouldn't you feel embarrassed if you got dumped?"

Juniper replied, "So what? Pride doesn't pay the bills. I can't stop them from gossiping behind my back. Besides, I only care about the opinions of people I care about. Let others say what they want; it doesn't matter."

"No wonder I dig you; you're so chill. So, when can I become someone you care about?"

"Maybe in the next life," Juniper replied without hesitation.

Ronnie asked, "Why wait for the next life? Isn't this one good enough?"

"Stop joking around. I'm getting out." Juniper opened the door.

Ronnie reminded, "I'll wait for you here at six."

"Don't wait. I'm working late today."

Ronnie said, "Then I'll wait as long as you work."

Though his behavior could be called clingy, it was also kind of sweet.

But Juniper wouldn't appreciate it.

Even if it were someone she liked, she wouldn't enjoy such clinginess, let alone someone she didn't like.

Juniper refused, "Don't wait for me. It puts pressure on me."

Ronnie thought for a moment and said, "Go to work."

"Okay."

Juniper got out and walked into the company.

Since she was in the company and had become a secretary, she should do her job well. As for Anthony, she had liked him before, but from now on, she couldn't like him anymore. He already had a girlfriend, so she couldn't covet him.

As long as she remembered this, she believed she could soon let go of her feelings and turn it into a simple superior-subordinate relationship.

She just needed to remember one thing: work hard and be true to herself.

Coincidentally, as soon as she got out of the elevator, she ran into Anthony and Terry.

That tall and elegant figure seemed a bit cold at the moment.

Juniper's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a bit flustered.

No matter how much mental preparation she had, it would all collapse when she saw Anthony.

Fortunately, she wasn't too bad. Even if her heart was in turmoil, her face remained calm.

"Mr. Eilish, Terry." Juniper greeted them.

"Juniper, you're back. Why didn't you rest a bit more? A fever is no small matter; recovery is important," Terry said with concern.

Juniper replied, "I'm fine, already recovered."

Terry asked, "Is the workload too much, making you sick?"

"No, I got caught in the rain a couple of nights ago." Juniper was startled. She said this to show that work wasn't tiring, but would Anthony think she was blaming him for getting her caught in the rain? That wasn't her intention at all.

She secretly observed his expression, but there was none.

Maybe she was just being overly sensitive. He probably didn't care at all.

He was a dedicated man. Once he had a girlfriend, other women might as well be invisible to him. It was just her own struggle.

Girls could be quite ridiculous when they were sensitive.

"Take care of yourself. If you're too tired, let me know."

"Thank you, Terry." Juniper appreciated his concern.

"But it's good you're back. The company is having a dinner tonight."

Juniper didn't want to attend any dinner. She had just recovered and wanted to rest. But having been at the company for only a week, she couldn't be rude and refuse company activities.

She smiled and nodded. "Great, I'm lucky."

"Yeah." Terry followed Anthony.

Juniper breathed a slight sigh of relief and thought, 'Did I act well just now? Did I give myself away? There's still a long time ahead, and just thinking about it makes me tired. But maybe I'll stop liking him soon. Can I get over Anthony?'