The next morning, Adam woke up and followed his usual routine. Around 5 p.m, he picked up his phone and searched through his contact lists for someone's number. He stopped scrolling when his eyes fell on the name he was looking for. He hesitated for a bit before hitting the call button on the screen.
The screen flashed showing the outgoing call. After three rings, the call was picked up.
"Hello." From the other end came an angelic voice, his favorite one these days.
"Hey." Adam replied.
"Who's this speaking?" Stella asked in confusion, not recognizing the voice.
"Who picks up calls without seeing who exactly is calling them?" Adam scoffed in response. 'How could she not recognize my voice?' He was a bit annoyed.
"What does it have to do with you Mister? Who is this speaking?" She retorted.
"Well, I want to speak to a little elf who snores while sleeping." Adam was enjoying their conversation. 'Why is even a few exchanges of words with her so intriguing?' He smiled, holding the phone to his ear.
There was no response from the other end.
"Little elf? You still on the line?" Adam couldn't help but ask her.
"Who are you calling a little elf?" Stella roared at him through the phone. Adam had to retract his phone a bit away from his poor ear.
"And I don't snore." She continued, not letting Adam speak.
"Did you confirm it last night just like I told you to do?" Adam asked her.
"ADAM!!!!" She shouted at him. "Do you want me to block your phone number?"
"No, no, no. Don't you dare to do that." Adam replied immediately.
"What did you say?" She asked in return.
"I-I mean, don't do that, please." Adam changed his tone and words in an instant.
"I will think about that. By the way why did you call me?" She replied to his plea.
"I was just calling to remind you about today's event." Adam replied to her, getting right to the point.
"Oh yeah! I do remember about it. When will the event start? I will be there on time." Stella replied.
"Just be ready within two hours, I will pick you up." Adam said. "And no buts Stella." He continued before she could even reply.
"Ummokay." She agreed but Adam could hear the reluctance in her voice. He couldn't help but let out a sigh. 'She is still not comfortable around me.'
'Of course she isn't, you dumbo, it's hardly been a day since she said yes to becoming your friend.' He scolded himself internally, emphasizing on the word 'friend'.
"So, I will pick you up in two hours. And don't forget to dress up a bit formally." He reminded her again.
"Okay, don't worry I will be ready on time." She replied.
"See you then." Adam said, cutting off the call.
He headed to the bathroom to freshen up. He stepped out after twenty minutes with a white towel wrapped around his waist hanging low. He blow dried his hair a bit, setting them in a hairstyle. He entered his walk-in closet, chose a suit and dressed up.
He headed outside going to the garage and drove his car to Stella's apartment.
Adam arrived twenty minutes earlier than the said time, so he stepped out and decided to wait for her.
"I am downstairs. Do not hurry up. Take your time." He left her a message and waited patiently for her.
After ten minutes, Stella came downstairs and her eyes fell on a handsome man, leaning lazily against the side of a black car, clad in dark smokey gray checkered dress pants and coat with an off-white button-down shirt. His hairs were pulled back but not too tightly, giving them a sleek look and unlike their usual rough look.
Stella was mesmerized by the sight before her. She had known that her new Boss was unusually handsome, but this much, she didn't know that.
Adam felt a pair of eyes on him, making him raise his head to look at the owner. He forgot to breathe looking at the girl before him, dressed in a dark navy blue blazer with a white button-down shirt inside and paired with a charcoal black skinny jeans. Her hair tied up in a messy bun, a few locks were let out framing her small face perfectly. Adam lowered his gaze as not to get caught by her. His eyes fell on her ankle length black leather boots.
He was somewhat amused by her sense of dressing. When he had said formal, he meant those formal dresses that girls usually wear to such events. She looked more like the CEO of a company rather than his assistant dressed like that. But he was happy with her choice of dressing.
Moreover, she reminded him of 'Puss In Boots'. All she needed was a cowboy hat and one of those fencing swords. He couldn't help but laugh lightly at his own thoughts.
"Why are you laughing?" Stella couldn't help but ask, looking at his amused expressions. "Is there something wrong with me?" She asked, looking at herself.
"No. Get in." He said opening the car door for her. Once she was settled in, he went to the driver's side, getting in, he drove towards the banquet.