New Life : A Second Chance

"Are you free?" Lianne asked, looking up at her mother.

Kyle turned to Beatrice, saying, "Cancel all my appointments today and reschedule them. I'm going out."

Kyle knew that the rest of the meetings could wait and he figured that they're more than happy to have it postponed. 

He turned back to face Lianne and said, "I am now."

Lianne smiled at him and to everyone's utter amazement, he smiled back - transforming that ice-cold block into the most amazing vision ever. 

Beatrice's eye twitched.

Ever since Kyle came back, his cold persona became worse. All those smiles she had named all those years ago became obsolete. 

He had new ones. Well, okay. Only two, but it was still something. Only two types of smiles that Beatrice had seen Kyle give since he became the CEO.

The Mona Lisa Smile - a small smile, seemingly harmless but hinted at something. As if he had secrets, or that he knew something. Which, he did for right after that, he would explode and heads rolled.

The Lucifer Smile - it was hard to describe, for it was an ordinary smile. It was the whole aura and demeanor that surrounded him as he smiled that was the danger or trigger. If it was on anyone but Kyle, it would look like a sweet smile. On him? 

One knew, one was in trouble. Deep, deep trouble. Beyond any hope or redemption. You would feel your entire body frozen, waiting for him to say something - anything - to release the fear that gripped your entire being.

This one that he was showing Lianne?

It wasn't a Million-Dollar Watt smile that was so bright that it blinded everyone. It was so soft, gentle and full of dotingness that one would forget he could incinerate you with one glance.

Beatrice looked around and saw the stars - and hearts - in the eyes of those girls around. It looks like she would need to remind them that the smile he is giving right now is exclusive to Lianne.

Anyone else who thinks they may have a shot at it would not survive for long.

Soon, whisperings were heard.

"Who is that girl?"

"Yeah, who would have thought?"

"I didn't think our CEO was into little girls."

"You don't think …"

Beatrice's eye twitched. It looks like a reminder isn't needed.

The air got cold and people around got a sense of impending danger. Kyle turned slowly and his gaze fell on those women with those loose lips. Then, he smiled.

The Lucifer Smile.

Beatrice lowered her head, offering those poor souls a prayer.

The gossipy women started crying silently in their hearts, wondering why they had totally forgotten how sharp their CEO's ears were. With just that one smile of his earlier, they had been so overwhelmed that their mouths began moving before their brains did.

There was no medicine for regrets.

"Beatrice," Kyle said slowly, almost like it was an afterthought, "I seem to remember that Jack and Daniel need some extra help with the report I had given. Tell them that Charlene, Rina, and Helena are at their disposal. Get the temp to take their place in the meantime."

Beatrice nodded, jotting it down.

The three girls wailed.

Jack and Daniel were well known for their meticulous behaviour, and penchant for overtime. If Kyle had given them a report to amend, there were tales of how those demons would work.

Those under them became zombies.

Now, they were next.

"If Jack and Daniel are satisfied with them, they'll be positioned there permanently," Kyle continued, giving the girls some hope to escape.

"If they aren't, I'm sure the maintenance crew still has some openings," Kyle finished, completely dispelling that thought.

"Of course, you could resign," Kyle said to the three girls, "But remember you're still under contract for another six months. Penalty fees need to be paid."

Kyle then turned to Lianne and said, "Remember, Lianne, never let anyone talk trash about you."

Lianne nodded then asked innocently, "But what if I don't have the power to fight back yet?"

"Use whatever you have at your disposal to be the gun then," Kyle replied, "I will always have your back, but you must still grow stronger by yourself."

"Okay!" Lianne replied.

Kyle started walking out, and Lianne followed. The pressure that they had all been under slowly lessened and then, they heard that cute little voice ask, "Can I keep Zero?"

The cold CEO then laughed (he actually laughed!), saying, "You make him sound like a pet."

"He is! He's so cute," was the last thing they heard as their voices got cut off after they entered the VIP lift.

Everyone was frozen for a while, having listened to that very weird conversation.

First, their CEO was actually acting human.

Second, how could that cute little girl say Zero was cute? 

Sure, he was really eye-catching and handsome but he was so quiet. Stoic. Like a statue.

Perhaps, that was why she could get along with the CEO?

Whatever the reason, they weren't going to voice out anything. The fear from earlier had yet to dissipate.

Everyone looked at the three girls in pity. 

They were now slumped over their desk, wailing and lamenting over their stupid mouths. They looked up when Beatrice came over, handing them their death sentence.

With a sigh, the three doomed girls walked off dejectedly.  

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In the popular cafe that served the best ice-cream, an unlikely pair was sitting there. One cute, adorable girl and one cold, domineering guy.

"How is everything?" Kyle asked, watching his daughter eating ice-cream happily. 

She was having the special: banana fritters with ice-cream. Two slices of banana fritters with two scoops of vanilla ice-cream, covered with pieces of nuts, desiccated coconut, and honey drizzled all over it.

"All is okay," she replied, "I should be asking you that."

Kyle raised an eyebrow, "Me?"

"Yes, you," Lianne answered, "Mr. Grumpy-Pants CEO."