A cold gaze sauntered over Ellis, but it quickly dispelled like a prick of winter. It took all her strength she could muster to maintain her indifferent look, here she was confronting Leon Ortiz, the male lead and golden thigh of the world. Ellis swiftly went through today’s agenda and handed Ortiz the necessary files, promptly pacing backwards and maintaining the 3m gap. He truly was an ice block; stoically doing his work and disregarding her entire presence as if she was a mere insect. But, this was exactly what Ellis wanted, a professional-distant relationship. Her first day passed by without much interaction nor occurrences, it was strangely off-putting as she was used to the constant threat to her life and contemptuous looks. She felt like a fish out of water like those soldiers who couldn’t get used to daily life due to their experiences from their expeditions. Her only solace was her younger sister, Eleanor, even Ellis couldn’t help but dote and adore this little creature. She was naive and pure like a blank slate -someone who Ellis could let her guard down towards. Thinking of Eleanor, she decided to buy some flan for the munchkin and happily imagined the image of her sister stuffing her face. The side of her mouth twitching ever so slightly.
Once she arrived home, Eleanor couldn’t help but stick to her like glue and nuzzling her head towards Ellis’ face. She could only look at the youngster with an amused grin, obviously enjoying the situation. If it was with her sister, Ellis didn’t mind this world. It was these times with her sister did Ellis really feel alive as she could genuinely show emotions and didn’t need to put up a mask. She thanked the body’s owner for being a family girl.
“Hey~ Heyyyy! Open wide!” pouted Eleanor, her hand was hovering above Ellis’ face and trembling profusely due to fatigue.
Ellis couldn’t help but chuckle as she stared at her sister whose face was scrunched up from exhaustion and determination. She quickly chomped on the plastic spoon and rubbed Eleanor’s hair.
******
The next morning, Ellis was more than ready to get into that ice skeleton’s good book. Her sister sent her away with a kiss and fueled her inner sis-con. She was determined to somehow save the world and not die in the process.
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“Good morning Sir. Today you have a meeting with the heiress of the Foster family. Your parents have ‘suggested’ you to pick her up from the airport. Would you like me to send someone instead?” reported Ellis.
Leon stared at Ellis as if he was trying to make a hole with his gaze. One could see his eyebrows arching slightly as he scrutinised this new secretary of his. Her attitude was clearly much different from yesterday, from an alert soldier to a curious panther. Both dangerous.
“No need.” Leon calmly dismissed.
Ellis was slightly disgruntled. Couldn’t he just say it quickly? Did he have to stare at her to the point she felt exposed and uncomfortable! This socially inept snow cone!
“Certainly. I will be outside if you need any assistance just tell me,” replied Ellis as she unknowingly strutted out with some visible force.
Not panther… maybe an elephant Leon thought.
******
Ellis continued her interaction with Leon and found that they synced up quite well for work. They were both efficient and easily attuned to each others working habits. This increased the productivity of the workplace as they served as role models for the rest of the workers. This natural cooperation and ease helped Ellis gain the trust of Leon to the point where he brought her to his meetings - the ones about AIs. Currently, they were in a meeting with the heads of other technological corporations and the President himself.
“The super AIs are multiplying at an exponential rate, something needs to be done now!” shouted a middle-aged man as he slammed his palms against the table.
“Calm down. That is why we are here. Look even young Leon is not agitated and you are.” replied the President.
“Hm. My company has a solution. We have a specific coding that will eliminate the AIs, however, it needs specific requirements to load it.” said Leon.
In her mind, Ellis shook her head. This ice cube just revealed he could save the world so casually! Look at the old fools, they just ascended to heaven with his words! Around the discussion table, men of all ages stood there blankly as they bore holes into Leon’s body searching for hints of deception. Once sure, there faces looked like they fainted on the spot.
Damn, fainting old men isn’t a pretty sight thought Ellis.
[Beep! 7% ㄱ(ㅇㅅㅇ” )ㄴ]