Chapter 5

Here I am in the bathroom facing the mirror. I closed my eyes in extreme fear and nervousness. That was my first kiss and my boss stole it from me. If he hadn’t been irritating me in the first place, that kiss would never have happened.

My tears began to flow down on my cheeks because of disappoinment.  I had made a promise to myself that I should give my first kiss to my first boyfriend and it’s broken! I sighed and shook my head so that I could relax. I went out of the bathroom and didn't go straight to the office because it was almost break time so I went straight to Aira's office. I opened the door of her office and saw that she was busy typing on her laptop. She immediately noticed me and turned her head on me.

 "Oh! Scarlet why are you here? You’re too early, it's not break time yet," she asked with a  shock on her face. .

"Did something happen?" she asked me again. 

I blushed because I remembered what happened earlier.

 "Nothing, I don't have anything to do in my office, that's why I am here," I replied. 

"Are you sure? Nothing happened?" she asked me curiously. I wondered if I would tell her what had happened earlier or not. I sighed and decided to just tell her.

 "Actually, there is." I averted my eyes from her and bit my lips.

 "What is it?” Gosh! Scarlet, It’s your second day and you’re in trouble again?" I winced at what she said and closed my eyes firmly. 

"Our boss stole my first kiss and I don't know what to do!” I exclaimed. 

 There was a few minutes of silence when she reacted.

 "Wait what? Are you serious? How did it happen?" she asked me in shock.

 "Accident? I don't know, he was teasing me earlier then ... Then .. I suddenly lay down on the sofa. I immediately grabbed his suit so that I could balance myself after that .."

 "Wait? Boss was teasing you? Why? Are you too close already?"

I nodded softly. "Maybe?" 

She slapped her desk and I was startled. 

"Your charisma is really good, Scarlet! Maybe our Boss likes you. Do you think so?" she asked and seemedl thrilled.

 "No! Of course, he’s not! He's a friendly guy, that's why." 

"If I know, he has a HD for you! That's what happened in Korean dramas!" 

My jaw hangs open with what she said. What did she say? 

"What is HD ??" I asked her.

 "A Hidden desire,really? Scarlet? you're so innocent!" she immediately stood up and took my arm. 

"This is exciting! I'm looking forward to your love story with our boss but what about Mr. Stripper? I'll bet he's still into you." 

She sighed and after a while she smiled widely. 

"Maybe you have to choose our boss because he's your first kiss. Awe!~" she said teasingly. 

 "Stop it, Aira!" 

"If I know, you even liked it!" I slapped her on the arm and she was very upset because of that.

 "No, I will never like that kiss! I'm so disappointed because it should have been my first boyfriend but someone else got my first kiss!" I told her angrily.

 "You know what, maybe our boss will be your FIRST boyfriend!" 

I just rolled my eyes and dragged her to the canteen to buy snacks. I just bought a donut and coffee. Aira, on the other hand, bought burgers, fries and soft drinks. 

"You're not on a diet?" I raised an eyebrow when I saw what she bought on her tray. We  put our food on the table and sat down. 

"Diet is not in my vocabulary. I'm still sexy, even though I'm always eating." That's what makes me jealous about her, no matter what she eats, it doesn't seem to make her fat. She’s still sexy. 

"Yeah, maybe there's a big worm in your stomach and that worm eats your food so you're not gaining weight, rightt?" I tease her. She stared at me disgustingly and started eating.

 "Gross! Can’t you see I'm eating!” 

I laughed at what she said and ate my food as well. 

"I guess you're on your diet right now, donut and coffee again?  Are you saving money?" she asked me. I nodded and frowned.

 "I need to save money, Aira. I want to buy the land we live on. The landlord kept on nagging my Mom." I gasped as I remembered the conversation Mom and I had the other day.

 "You already have a big salary as a secretary, it’s easy for you to buy that land. I just want you to sometimes eat what you really want. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Scarlet. Health is wealth. What if you get sick of saving? Do you want that? " she asked me with a serious tone. I shook my head at her. 

 "See? So if you're hungry or you’re craving, don't be so hard on yourself. Buy anything you like or want because you deserve it."

 "Yes, Mom. I'm not going to be so hard on myself." I teasingly said to her. 

 "Whatever! Let's just eat." I laughed when I saw her roll her eyes because I call her Mom. 

 When we finished eating, we went back to our office. I was at the entrance of the elevator when I remembered what happened this morning so I stopped. I don't know if I will go there or just take a leave right now. I would be very happy if I’ll take a leave but I can't. I am saving money for our land.  I didn’t have a choice so I entered the elevator and pressed where our office was.

 I just hope our boss will not call me because it's really awkward. I really can't face him anymore. When I entered my office I was relieved to see that he was not in his office. It's good that he's gone, I sighed in relief. I might die  out of shame. 

I started working and got really serious because I don't want our boss to scold me. Everything must be polished so I don't get fired in no time. I have to do my best for the sake of my family's well being. I will do everything just so we can get out of poverty. I have many dreams for them.

 I smiled as my eyes caught a sight of our family picture. This is the only picture of us, my graduation photo. Our smiles were so wide, my brother used to say that our expression was like we had won the lottery because we were so happy. Mom also prepared spaghetti and noodles. That was the first time we celebrated as a family. 

 I immediately wiped my tears on my cheek upon looking back at the past. I really missed them so much.

 When I finished my work, I went down  to say hello to my old colleagues in the department.

 "Hello!" I greeted them, some greeted me and others did not. Anne approached me and even held my arm as if it were really close. She squeezed my arms and I looked at her. 

Is she mad at me? 

"Hi Scarlet!" 

I smiled at her innocently.  "H-Hello," 

 "How’s your job? It seems like you're not doing anything, right now? Mr. Berkshire might scold you when he sees you wandering around here in the company." She raised an eyebrow at me.

 "Hm. I'm done with my work, so I came here to help you." I honestly said to her.

 "Ah! Really? IooThat’s good to know, I still have a ton of work to do. Can you help me?" She lost her grip on me and she smiled.

"Y-Sure! What am I going to do?" I asked her. I also want to help her, somehow. I missed this. 

"How about me, Scarlet? I also have a ton of work to do. I'm sorry if I ask for your help but I was so sick yesterday and I can’t work right now," Kate said, one of Anne’s friends. 

 "Is that so? Okay all right." They applauded and gave me their task. It’s a pile of papers I had to photocopy.

This is somehow easy for me because I'm used to this work. 

"Excuse me, Scarlet. Can you photocopy my papers as well? Thank you." Nadine immediately put the papers on the table.

 "Me too, Scarlet. Thank you so much!" They left immediately. I gasped when I saw tons of papers in front of me. What the F?

 I realized that it’s really wrong to come here. They’re too much. 

 "Hello, Scarlet! Please throw away my trash after you finish here! Thank you!"

Anne put her trash can next to me. That's why the trash spilled on my shoes.

 "Ooops! Sorry!" she laughed and left.

I winced at Anne's attitude. I could hear the laughter in their cubicle, I just ignored it and sighed.. But suddenly,  the surroundings became quiet, so I turned my attention to them. My eyes widened when I saw Mr. Berkshire inside the office. Oh shoot I’m dead!

 "Goodmorning, Mr. Berkshire!" They greeted. 

 I hid on the side of the machine so he could not see me.

 "Why are you laughing out loud? Don't you have jobs !? If I wasn't mistaken it’s not break time! already." he coldly told them. 

 "I'm sorry, sir." Anne apologized to him. 

"And also, why is my secretary doing your job !?" I grip the papers tightly when I saw him look at me.

 "Scarlet! Come here." His voice was cold and scary.  I was surprised when he called me. How did he know I was here? I slowly approached him and I could feel the gaze of the people in the office. 

I felt ashamed. 

When I got closer, I stood beside him and just bowed. My knee was shaking because I was afraid of what might happen to me. Is he going to fire me? 

"From now on don't you ever order my secretary. Do you understand? Whoever doesn't follow my orders will be automatically fired!" Mr. Berkshire shouted. I was shocked when I heard what he said. 

I’m  dead!

 This is all my fault if I hadn't come here this wouldn't have happened.  He pulled me away from the office and let him take me somewhere. 

"S-Sir, I'm sorry! That will never happen again" I apologize but he ignored me.