Hearts System: 1000 Ways to Tell CEO I Love You-Chapter 14: Compensations

The jollier brother gazed at her and smiled. "Ms Piper! Good morning! Care to join us for breakfast? Andy’s already taking it, though. Do you want oats?"

"Uhm, thanks..." Luellen looked at the CEO at the table, however.

The maiden caught him looking at her through her peripheral vision. She walked closer to him. "Mr Leander, may I leave now? Mr Beckett is already home. I should arrive at the office earlier than you, too. Thanks for putting me up for the night."

"I don’t remember you wearing a blue blouse yesterday..." Leander looked up from his phone, doing a double-take on her. "Regardless, Houston will be here to pick you up. Just wait for him to arrive."

He pushed a plate of blueberry pancakes toward her. "What happened earlier must have terrified you. I apologize. Take breakfast for now. Houston will be here in thirty."

Luellen didn’t know if she should stay longer. Then again, acting coldly and getting interviewed by Madam Henny—worse Galaxy—might not benefit Luellen. She only took a seat and gazed at Beckett, who was plating a bowl of oatmeal. She smiled at Leander, even if he wasn’t looking. "Thanks, Mr Leander, Mr Beckett."

[You have gained more of (Leander Wentworth)’s interest! EXP +20!]

[Congratulations on reaching Level 5! You have earned 1,000 Yellow Heart/s, 10 Proficiency point/s, and 2 Red Heart/s!]

...

It should have felt weird, but Luellen was happy rather than awkward. Compared to her one-meal breakfast, she ended up eating a full plate. It couldn’t be helped. Beckett kept offering food he cooked for the three of them. It was her payment for watching over Sydney, he said. She didn’t have to attend to her the whole day, he added.

Luellen’s stomach felt heavy and full. However, she could still move around if she wanted. She didn’t have to commute, though. Houston soon came to pick her up from the villa.

"How could they stay in shape?" Luellen murmured as she used her bag to obscure her tummy from Houston’s view. "They eat so much and get ferried around by car..."

"I don’t know how much of Leander’s house you have explored, but they have a home gym." Houston glanced at her. "He can use that on days we leave the office early."

Luellen’s face grew longer. She could only hide it by lowering her head. A sigh then escaped her lips. "I guess. A gym membership sounds nice. I should probably try it once a week. If only it’s not expensive..."

Houston glanced at her again. "Ms Piper, you haven’t received your first paycheck from our office. Have you even reviewed your contract? What do you mean, expensive?"

"To think about it... I don’t think I have ever seen that." Luellen looked up before turning to Houston. "Am I officially transferred? I should have signed something, right? Gosh, what if they kick me out because of that? Mr Houston, can I see that contract without Shirley or Ms Gala finding out?"

"We can make that happen. You’re going to clean the inner office today, right?" Houston sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Don’t scream at my face later."

Luellen didn’t know why thinking about the contract frustrated Houston. However, as soon as it landed in her hands, she understood. Luellen stared at the figures breaking down her annual salary and bonuses. She then looked up at Houston, whose eyes were stuck to the company tablet. Her lips wriggled, but no words came out of her.

A sigh came from Houston instead. He looked up at her. "I don’t know how you knew him, but... he said something about open-heart surgery. He told me to adjust the price to its amount this year. That’s your annual."

"Ah... is he billing me for it?" Luellen gasped and looked at the number again. "But this isn’t my net. I can’t pay the surgery back in a year!"

"Only the standard bonuses are included. Performance and promotions are not yet noted." Houston cleared his throat. He crossed his arms on his chest. "Did you owe him that much money before? No wonder he wants you to work here to pay it back. Nonetheless, that’s just one year. If you can survive that, your salary will be yours alone."

Luellen paused. She then smiled at him. "Uhm, he mentioned you bought a big house after five years of working under him. Is that true?"

Houston’s shoulder shook. He cleared his throat again. "Yes. I have been working under him for eight years now. I would have shown you pictures of my house... but we’re not on that level yet. I’m sorry."

The maiden waved her hand. "It’s okay! I still have to see if I can even survive a month! I mean... two days is barely considered being here."

"That’s right. Why don’t you sign that contract now? Leander had just arrived in the building." Houston waved a hand, and Luellen nodded vigorously.

She signed the contract and looked over it once again. With a nod to herself, she handed it back to Houston. He then put it with the other files Leander had to see first thing in the morning. With that, she was officially part of the inner office.

Her smile tamed down. Luellen watched Houston’s back. When he noticed her gaze, she asked, "Do you know how much the office offered Shirley?"

Houston turned back to the pile of documents. "I shouldn’t discuss other employees’ compensation with you. Why does it matter?"

"Just so I know."

"That’s not a good excuse." Houston patted the pile and gestured for Luellen to leave with him. "You can simply ask her if you like. It’s her prerogative whether she will discuss her pay with you. If it’s just me alone..."

Luellen balled her fists. "Mr Houston, I just want to know. If she starts attacking me just to take over my position, I want to know how much money she is fighting for."

Houston paused, but his expression didn’t change. He turned to face Luellen. "I’m still not discussing it with you. But if you want some kind of assurance... she won’t take over your position any time soon. Remember that her output is trash compared to your report. Worry about your value to Leander once she gets way better.

"And she has one long way to go."

"I see..." Luellen nodded.

She left the inner office with Houston. However, when she raised her head, she saw Galaxy arrive with Leander. The beautiful lady even walked side by side with the CEO. As if Galaxy could read Luellen’s thoughts, she smiled viciously at the new intern. With those high heels and shapely legs, she strode past Luellen to get inside the inner office.

Taunting. Luellen figured the other woman was taunting her. Then again, the maiden was not hoping for a fight. To be honest, this was what Luellen really meant.

If Shirley couldn’t kick her out, Galaxy would surely step in.