Chapter 16.3

'The governor wants to meet you soon. Probably, this weekend," Simon said.
When Stephanie handed Titan the folders she had on hand, Titan accidentally touched her fingers, leaving him frozen while staring at her. Then, as he tried to keep himself composed, he quickly averted his gaze to Simon, who was busily scrolling his phone to check for Titan's appointments.
'Why would he want to see me?" Titan asked without looking at Simon. Instead, his eyes were on the pages he was flipping and reviewing content. 'I don't find it necessary to meet him when we've already finished discussing what is needed to discuss."
Simon pursed his lips and shrugged. 'Mr. Altman mentioned that in the previous meeting. Just saying." He sighed.
'Mr. Altman…" Titan hummed as he continued reviewing the papers. 'That old bastard. If he's not dad's trusted fellow, I won't give a damn about what he'll say."
'Well, if you don't want to do this, I could tell him about it. No problem. But, it would be best if you would meet the governor before anyone on the board would be more suspicious about your absences in the meetings, sir."
'Stop calling me sir, Simon, if you only plan to say so sporadically."
'Why? Is there any problem calling you like that?"
'Nothing. It's just that you haven't called that way lately. And hearing you calling me ‘sir' cringed me to the core." Titan clucked.
'Anyway, Mr. Altman suggested meeting with the governor about the project with us this weekend. So, should I tell him you're busy or what?"
Titan sighed and leaned against the chair. 'Fine. I'll meet with him this weekend. But," he paused and glanced at Stephanie. Then, he pointed his index finger at her. 'You should come with me, Stephanie."
'Eh?" Stephanie interjected.
'What, Stephanie? Is there any problem with that?" Titan replied.
'I have to do something with Christine this weekend. And I don't think it's a good idea to miss it."
'Better cancel it if your internship with this company means a lot to you," Titan answered nonchalantly.
Stephanie pressed her lips and looked down. 'I can't."
Titan raised an eyebrow. 'Why can't you? Is there anything else more important than this?"
Stephanie looked down and shook her head. 'No, I really can't do this weekend."
Titan pressed his back against the plush leather surface while he gazed at her. Then, he placed his elbows on the armrest, threaded his fingers, and pressed them to his mouth.
Stephanie flinched, startled, as she pulled her face up and saw Titan's menacing gaze. She gulped and exhaled an exasperated sigh. 'I don't want Christine to be so upset because I cannot do so since I worked here."
'Why would you care about your damn friend if this is about completing your internship program with my company?" he sputtered.
'I have to visit the rescued stray cats at our cat shelter. It's been a while since I paid a visit," Stephanie answered in a strained voice. She gulped while trying to keep her composure and not tear up in front of her bosses.
'So, you're blaming me for having no time to visit?" Titan sputtered.
Stephanie shook her head and looked at Titan with both arms raised. 'No, sir. I mean, uh…" She sighed and looked down. 'No."
Titan scoffed and rolled his eyes before he looked at Simon. 'Tell Mr. Altman I'd rather meet with the governor next week, not this weekend."
'Why? Do you have something else to do?" Simon asked.
Titan glanced at Stephanie. 'Yeah."
'What?"
'That's none of your business."
'Personal?" Simon glanced at Stephanie and back to Titan. He noticed the two of them exchanging gazes. Then, he sighed and smirked. 'Is there something I should know between the two of you?"
'Why are you asking that, Simon?" Titan asked.
'Nothing. It's just that I began to notice the two of you are getting closer and more personal than before."
'Is that so?" Titan leaned his torso forward, planting his elbows on the table and threading his fingers. 'Do you think it's inappropriate for a boss to know more about his intern?"
'No, not at all. But it's just that you're getting more caught up with Stephanie's personal affairs these days than you're used to." Simon tapped Stephanie's shoulders. 'If that's important for you to attend to, Stephanie, it's alright. You can visit your friend as much as you want."