Eternally Seduced by Clarise Tan, Marian Tee, The Passionate Proofreader Page B

don’t think the American mainstream audience is ready for it yet.”
              I gave George a thumbs-up, who was doing his best not to look disappointed.
              “And Yanna, you did a great job. I can see how much passion went into your project, but next time, I do hope you have a better video to share with us.”
              Arian, you selfish girl, you!
              Charli beamed again. “Since this went so very well, I’m delighted to tell you that you will be presenting the same recommendations to the executive managers next.”
              Her announcement, made out of the blue, had me gulping and I could see that even Arian was feeling queasy at the thought.
              But Charli didn’t seem to notice our silent panic. She thanked our audience, making a special note of Constantijin’s presence. Apparently, he didn’t have to be here at all.
              Afterwards, the two other executives talked to us one by one. There was Martha, the finance department head and Lawrence, who led the production department.
              At the end of the line was Constantijin. He took his time talking to George and Arian, never once glancing my way. It hurt and angered me, but I knew I couldn’t flounce off like I wanted to.
              When he turned his back on Arian, forcing the other woman to close her mouth and retreat, I gave him my best polite, I’m-not-bothered smile. “Sir.”
              He didn’t smile in return.
              “I have a few questions about your recommendation.” The curtness of his tone made me straighten. Oh God, was that why he seemed to be in a bad mood? Did he hate my presentation?
              Constantijin was already leaving and I had to half-run so I could walk next to him. I made sure I was lagging a few inches behind at the same time as a way of showing respect for his position.
              “What questions do you have?” I asked nervously.
              “Later,” he answered in a still-brusque tone, which only made me tense even more.
              He pulled me into his office, which actually had its own reception area. My eyes widened when I saw a familiar gray-haired woman sitting behind the table next to the door of Constantijin’s private office.
              She smiled when she saw me, utterly unruffled. “Hello, Ms. Everleigh.”
              “H-hi,” I stammered, wondering if I could die right this very moment. Oh God! How the hell had I managed to forget what happened between Constantijin and me and…and her ?
              “Yanna,” Constantijin barked from his inner office.
              Giving the older woman another embarrassed smile, I hurriedly went inside. God, what the hell was eating him anyway? Surely my presentation wasn’t that bad?
              “Close the door,” he barked.
              This time my temper was near to bursting. “You don’t have to shout at me, you know,” I muttered as I closed the door. When I turned around to face him, I didn’t have any time to react.
              Constantijin was on me in an instant, his lips taking mine in an open-mouthed kiss that sent my senses reeling. As he sucked on my tongue, I was barely aware of him twisting us around so that I had to walk back as he moved forward and forward. When I hit something from behind, Constantijin lifted me up and brought me down on his desk.
              Releasing my lips, Constantijin pushed me down, leaving my legs to dangle from the table.
              “What---” I tried to protest but his brooding look shut me up. There was something in it, something more than anger or frustration.
              Then I felt him rolling my underwear down my legs and I yelped again, “What are you doing?”
              “ I saw you .” He threw my panties away.
              I