Chapter 4

“One iced coffee, please,” I said to the barista as I handed her my credit card.

She immediately swiped it and gave it back to me.

 “On it, ma’am!” she said as she pointed to an empty table, gesturing for me to sit while waiting for my order.

She pointed to a seat near the glass wall. The view there was nice. We could clearly see both the inside and the outside of the coffee shop.

I let out a deep breath before sitting down at one of the tables. Hornbrown Investments has been so busy lately that I haven’t even had time to buy my iced coffee here. I love my job and hate it at the same time. It stresses me out, yet I love how I’m able to help people become financially literate because of it.

Another thing is the salary—it’s high. 

Let’s be practical. Working feels better when you’re paid well. Aside from iced coffee, my salary is the only thing keeping my exhausted spirit alive, especially when the workload gets overwhelming.

Just like now.

After my argument with Kleinder, I barely saw him anymore, partly because he’d also been busy with work. Among all of us in the New York Branch, he’s the busiest since he’s the one handling everyone in the company.

However, I really do admire him when it comes to work. He’s competent and intelligent, which is a major turn-on for girls. If only he weren’t such a womanizer, he might’ve met my standards somehow. He looks cool during meetings and at the workplace, but he acts like a jerk.

Just like he did weeks ago.

“Ma’am Sandara!” the barista called out, looking around as she searched for me.

I’m a regular here. I come almost every day to order iced coffee, so it wouldn’t be surprising if everyone here already knew me. The only times I don’t come are when I’m extremely busy at work or when I don’t have money to spend.

A smile immediately appeared on my lips as I stood up and walked toward the counter to get my iced coffee. The smell of coffee was so addicting. Even before taking a sip, it already made me feel wide awake.

This is what I love about iced coffee. 

No matter how bad my day is, coffee makes life better, especially this coffee shop. It may be far from Hornbrown, but it’s worth the trip. The quality of the coffee and the ambiance are great. Another thing I really like about this place is that it’s not always crowded.

I hate crowded places as much as I hate Kleinder.

“Thank you!” I said with a smile to the barista before taking my coffee and sipping it as I walked back to my seat.

Right, Sandara. I should stop thinking about my pervert boss for now. I should just focus on the iced coffee I’m drinking, because my stomach has been craving this for a while now. Honestly, I’m really no longer happy with the instant coffee at Hornbrown. 

Instead of making me feel refreshed, it just makes me feel sick.

I just hope I don’t see Kleinder today so my good mood can continue, especially now that my workload is slowly decreasing as I finish my tasks one by one.

But maybe I really don’t have luck on my side, huh?

I had just wished I wouldn’t see him, and yet that annoying man was suddenly right in front of me.

“Damn it,” I said in frustration when I saw someone occupying my favorite seat. “What are you doing here?”

And that someone was Kleinder, who was staring at me while holding my black shoulder bag.

“Who are you?” he said with a grin, playing with my bag. The strap was looped around his finger as he spun it lazily.

If something inside my bag gets damaged, or if my makeup spills, I’ll make him pay for it. Not double, but triple! And is he messing with me? Pretending he doesn’t know me just because we’re not in the office?

“I already took that seat, Mr. Velasco.” I sighed in frustration as I massaged my temple, ignoring his earlier question.

I didn’t have time to argue with him today. My day had been peaceful until he showed up and clearly planned to ruin it again.

“By whom? I mean, by what? By the bag?” He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think a bag has the capacity to save a seat for someone.”

“Well, flash news. It does have the capacity to save my seat, Kleinder,” I said, emphasizing his name as I sat across from him. “So get lost.”

I was here first, so I wasn’t leaving! Even if he dragged me out, I wouldn’t budge. There were so many seats inside, yet he deliberately chose my favorite one.

Besides, in all the time I’ve been coming here to drink iced coffee, this was the first time I’d ever seen him here. None of the Hornbrown employees usually come here since there’s a coffee shop much closer to the office.

I was curious. How did he even know about this place? It’s far from the main road. I only discovered it once while walking around.

“I’m your boss,” he said sharply, frowning at me.

“It’s lunchtime, sir,” I replied with a grin as I tapped my wristwatch. “You can’t use that against me. If you fire me just because I don’t want to leave my seat, I’ll report you to the labor union.”

He didn’t say anything after that, but the surprise in his eyes was obvious.

Gotcha.

But why was I even talking to my boss right now? And the way he was acting, it was as if he’d forgotten about the kiss he gave me before.

Or maybe that kiss didn’t mean anything at all.

“Fine.” He stood up and adjusted his blue necktie. He was wearing a white collared shirt, blue tie, and blue slacks. With his black shades on, he looked more like a feminine-looking mafia boss than a branch manager.

“I hope you choke on that drink,” he cursed before throwing my bag at me in frustration.

“So rude and so immature,” I muttered irritably as I slung my bag over my shoulder. “I hope you trip and can’t walk.”

He thought he was the only one who knew how to curse? Please.

He didn’t reply. He just shook his head slightly and walked away. But before he got too far, I heard him talking on the phone.

“Someone’s here,” he said in a low voice, but still loud enough for me to hear. He glanced around before speaking again. “Maybe we should date somewhere else.”

“Wow, a date.” My eyes widened before I continued drinking my iced coffee. “Date your face.”

Good thing I didn’t choke. If I had, I would’ve blamed him. Every bad thing in my life, I’d blame on Kleinder because he seriously annoys me.

It really seemed like the kiss he gave me before meant nothing to him, and maybe Shainara was right. Maybe this is just how things are now. You can do things with anyone that were once meant only for spouses.

What an evolution, world.

*****

“Where did you come from, sis?” Shainara immediately asked when I entered the Finance Department.

Before reaching my office, I had to pass through this department where the other employees worked. Shainara was the same. The employees who saw us greeted us, so I greeted them back before answering her.

“Coffee,” I replied briefly as I walked toward my office.

Once inside, I placed my bag on the swivel chair and took off my coat. I was now just wearing my pink floral short-sleeved shirt. It was extremely hot outside, and I got back late because I couldn’t immediately find a ride.

“Did something happen, girl?” Shainara asked cautiously. I hadn’t noticed she followed me inside. “And coffee was your lunch? Are you crazy?”

Maybe I was too preoccupied. Why was I overthinking everything? So what if he had a new date today? Wasn’t I used to that already?

“Jerk,” I muttered unconsciously, making Shainara’s eyes widen.

“What?” she asked, blinking twice.

I quickly shook my head and waved my hands. “It’s not you, I’m sorry.” I picked up the document I’d been reviewing before lunch, excused myself from Shainara, and stepped out of the office.

I approached an employee and asked, “By the way, where’s Janice? I need to discuss something with her—”

I didn’t finish my sentence as my gaze drifted to the corner of the finance department. Kleinder was standing there, talking to an employee who looked like they were from the marketing department, though I wasn’t sure.

Why were they in my department, and why did they choose this place to gossip?

“It feels strange, boss. You and Ma’am Sandara aren’t arguing anymore,” I heard the employee say to Kleinder, immediately drawing my attention to them.

I wished I hadn’t paid attention and had just focused on my work instead.

“It wasn’t worth it to deal with her.”

I closed my eyes and clenched my fists. He really had the nerve to say that?

“Ma’am Sandara, those are important documents!” Janice shouted as she finally appeared, the very person I was looking for, staring at the papers in my hand, which I hadn’t noticed were already crumpled tightly from the anger slowly building inside me toward my boss.