I had a slight degree of face blindness.

I could only recognize those who lived together with me for a long time. Otherwise, even if I knew them, if we hadn't seen each other in six months, I'd completely forget what they looked like, let alone those I didn't know.

Today was my first day back to work after quitting for two months.

As soon as I completed the entry procedures, Forrest Watkins, the project leader, informed me that we would go to San Francisco on a business trip with our boss in the afternoon.

Forrest said that this was a new project that was just negotiated less than half a month ago.

Some of the implementation details had not been finalized with the client yet.

He also said that the boss would personally lead this project from this day on.

He said I was lucky to be able to go on a business trip with the boss and get to the core of the project as soon as I joined the team.

I didn't know if I was lucky or not.

I only knew that the salary for my position was really tempting compared to the average.

So whether it was a business trip or staying up late to work overtime, I'd seize this opportunity to work for the company unless it closed down.

In the afternoon, I happily got into the high-end commercial vehicle that picked us up with my backpack shaped like a turtle shell.

Forrest stood behind me, hesitating to speak.

Soon, the boss, Matthew Presley, dressed in a suit, came out of the villa-like office building.

Forrest, who was waiting in front of the car, respectfully called out to him, "Mr. Presley."

Only then did I realize that I had just broken a major workplace taboo.

But I shouldn't be blamed.

In the previous companies I worked for, I was always no different from a transparent person.

Like my style of writing, I was accustomed to freedom.

This was the first time I had ridden in the same car as the senior leader. I didn't know that I should wait for the boss before getting in the car.

I quickly got out of the back seat to make up for my mistake.

I bowed while standing next to the car and greeted him with a professional fake smile.

This was the first time I had seen the legendary Matthew who was deadly handsome.

His graceful and handsome figure was pleasing to the eye.

But I was no longer in the mood to appreciate his good looks.

I was panicking.

I just hoped that Matthew was a generous man, and he wouldn't take my actions to heart. After all, I was just a low-level employee who knew nothing about social etiquette.

Unexpectedly, he stopped right in front of the car door, with his lips slightly open, looking at me quietly and with surprise.

Damn!

Was he startled?

I didn't make a good first impression.

I was about to lose my high-paying job!

I was so unlucky.

Forrest noticed the awkward situation between the two of us and thought that Matthew found me unfamiliar, so he quickly stepped forward to introduce me to Matthew.

"Mr. Presley, this is Diana Brooks, the new copywriter on our team today."

Matthew looked up at me while I felt my waist almost stiffen from bending over for too long.

After scanning my attire, he deadpanned, "Sit across from me."

His voice was deep, mellow, and tender.

I was stunned.

What did he mean? Was this some sort of test? Because I was a new employee?

Whatever. I was just glad that I didn't get fired right away.

I'd do whatever it took to keep my high-paid job and to pass probation!

Like a well-behaved elementary school student, I deftly carried my backpack and moved from the back seat to the opposite side of the main seat.

After the car started, I experienced something more deeply. It was excruciating for those with social anxiety disorder like me to maintain our image when facing the boss.

When Matthew looked at me, his gaze was scrutinizing like I were some sort of exotic species.

What was worse, he was handsome and charming.

I felt like a fish on a frying pan being tortured.

I didn't dare talk to him or look him in the eye for long.

I could only tightly hold my backpack, playing cowardly. Sometimes I would lower my head, and sometimes I would look out the window at the scenery.

Throughout the journey, I tried to maintain a proper smile.

My face was getting stiff.

Fortunately, it only took two and a half hours to get to the client's company.

The client's company's building was high-end and classy.

Just standing at the door, one could tell how intimidating it was.

The client even sent someone downstairs to pick us up.

We took the elevator to the 32nd floor. As soon as we got out of the elevator, we saw the group manager and several important members of the project team waiting respectfully at the door.

It seems that they attached great importance to Matthew's visit.

Thinking about it, I realized it made sense. After all, although Glory Media was not as good as large companies with independent buildings, at least it had a single house and was quite famous in the local area.

The group manager personally led us through the spacious and bright office and into the high-end and modern smart conference hall.

It was my first business trip, and I didn't know what to do. I rummaged around in my bag and found a pen and a piece of paper.

I was glad I was prepared when I left in the morning.

When I looked up, I realized that Matthew had switched places with his secretary, Felicia Ballard, and was sitting quietly next to me, watching my every move.

Did he think I was rude and embarrassed him?

It seemed like I made a mistake again.

But no one could be rude to a person with a face of smile, right?

I hesitated whether to show him an apologetic smile.

Just then, someone pushed the door open and entered.

The group manager and his subordinates stood up to greet the one.

It seemed that the person was a big shot.

I wanted to pick up my bag and leave, but I found that Matthew was motionless.

Fortunately, Forrest and Felicia were with me.

The person who came in was the brand director, Eva Newton, a very fashionable and beautiful young lady.

I looked down at my backpack in my arms and the loose T-shirt and denim shorts I was wearing. Then I glanced at Felicia's standard secretary suit and Forrest's high-quality suit.

I thought I knew why Matthew always sized me up.

In this spacious and bright conference hall, I was an outlier.

My scalp was tingling.

I wanted to vanish at once.

But I didn't know that I had to go on a business trip. It was my first day of work.

Besides, no one told me during my interview that the company had a dress code.

So, it wasn't my fault I didn't dress professionally.

I sat down with both trepidation and peace.

I listened to the meeting content and took notes seriously, trying to restore my image through focus and professionalism.

I didn't notice that Matthew had been staring at my flamboyant font out of the corner of his eye.

I was secretly proud. I had been practicing handwriting under my grandfather's supervision since I was a child, and it was definitely presentable.

Little did I know that my good handwriting almost made me suffer.

The meeting lasted for more than an hour.

After the meeting, Eva stopped us. Well, to be more precise, she stopped Matthew.

She said, "Matthew, wait a minute."

As she spoke, she took out an invitation letter from the folder with her fair hand.

She smiled gently, her eyes bright, "The group has a charity gala tomorrow night, and my dad insisted on me inviting you."

So, she was the heiress of the group.

No wonder she exuded an air of "I'm rich" from head to toe.

Matthew calmly took the invitation and politely said, "Thank Mr. Newton for me."

After saying that, he left without any intention of talking to her.

She was so passionate, yet he was so cold. Something was off.

With years of experience reading various online romance novels, I sensed something unusual between the two.

Sure enough, while we were waiting for the elevator, Eva chased after us in her high heels.

There would be a social dance at the gala, and one needed to bring a male or female partner to attend together.

She lowered her eyes and smiled shyly, reaching out to lightly flick the stray hair by her ear.

Eagerly, she said, "You don't have a female companion yet, and I haven't found a male companion either. How about I be your date tomorrow night?"

It was a typical plot in idol dramas, where a wealthy young woman played tricks to pursue a handsome CEO.

According to the normal process of the company, the invitation letter must have been sent more than a week ago.

I assumed Matthew's invitation letter was intercepted by Eva.

She wanted to give him when the gala was around the corner so as to catch him off guard.

Matthew still maintained a distant attitude. "No need, I have already found one."

He refused decisively without any hesitation at all.

Clearly, he left her with no hope at all.

But Eva not only didn't understand but also became anxious. Her face sank, and she frowned.

"You just received the invitation, and you don't have a girlfriend. How is that possible?"

She stamped her foot and said in an affected voice.

Back in the conference room, she looked like a professional, intellectual businesswoman. But now, she was like a completely different person.

Who knew? Eva was actually so good at speaking in an affected voice.

It combined with her gentle voice.

Together, they created an impressive effect.

Matthew was annoyed. He impatiently said in a cold tone, "Who told you I don't have a girlfriend?"

Oh, I guessed Eva didn't do a background check on him.

I stood aside, bowing my head and staring at the shiny floor, secretly enjoying the show.

Due to professional needs, I was always also sensitive to trending topics. I was always a professional.

It was just that I never expected that one day, a dramatic event would happen to me, an insignificant worker.

"She is my girlfriend."

I was dumbfounded.

I watched as Matthew reached out his hand toward me, and in the next second, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into his embrace.

I felt his broad, strong palm on my waist, and through the thin polyester fiber, I could feel his warm body temperature.

My waist was a sensitive spot.

I felt like I was going crazy.

He whispered in my ear, "Just five seconds."

My ears were also a sensitive spot.

Heat went all over my body quickly, and my face instantly turned red.

Thanks to my fair and rosy complexion inherited from my mother, and the warm lighting in the corridor, no one noticed that I was blushing.

I tried to calm down as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, I quickly analyzed the current situation.

One thing I knew for sure was that although Eva was Matthew's client, he wasn't afraid of offending her.

Felicia wore a wedding ring on her ring finger, and I was the only woman in the group.

So, I should be seen by Matthew as a tool to make his suitor give up.

It was fine.

It was not easy to find a job these days, let alone a high-paying job.

I was OK to be a fool. I was even willing to bring him coffee and pastry if needed.

After I thought it through, looked up and smiled at the stunned Eva, saying, "Yes, I am Matthew's girlfriend."

See? I reacted so quickly. I was so smart. As I said that, I tilted my head slightly toward Matthew and gave her a triumphant look.

Since I was used as a tool, I might as well be a good one. Making her give up for good would be good for both her and Matthew.

I believed that Matthew would appreciate smart employees like me who could think outside the box.

I needed to seize this opportunity to show my value in front of Matthew as much as possible.

Come on, Diana! You can do this!

Sure enough!