Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

"Miggy, oh hi, what are you doing here?"  

Of all the freaking places in the world.  Why would I even see my ex-boyfriend here? Don't get me wrong. I don't have bitterness towards him. It was just too awkward case to feel like how to handle yourself when you see your ex-boyfriend in public?  Ugh, freakish, Iris.  Calm yourself. 

Miggy glanced at me before answering, his lips quirked as if stopping himself from smirking. "I've a secret job here."  

He is so weird.  Trust me, really, he is.  

"Oh wow, a secret job." My voice raised a little. But before I say something stupid, I immediately stopped myself. "Err, by the way, Migs, I have an orientation to attend. See you around!"  

I was about to walked away when he talked again. I stopped.

"Esqueza Company?"  He pointed to the building behind me.  I just nodded and smiled. 

"Whatelse?" I almost rolled my eye. "I mean yes, bye!"  "Marie wait---" 

I didn't look back at him and ran towards the huge building. I was running almost out of breath. I was about to enter the entrance and rush to the elevator when the security guard stopped me.   

"I have an orientation."  I told him before questioning me.   

"Give me your ID."  

"ID?"  

My mind was a bit confused. It took me three seconds to realized what he was telling me! He showed me the one hanging on his neck. I slapped my forehead. Damn this hangover! What on earth is happening to me that I even forgot what ID means!  

"Yes, I need an I.D," he said again making me look like an idiot.  I hurriedly looked for my ID in my shoulder bag. Luckily. I can't find it! Ugh! I usually put it here!  

"G-goodmorning, S-sir," said the security guard infront of me.  

"There! Here! Here, Kuya! I found it!" I said happily and pulled the ID out of my bag. "Happy now, Manong Guard?"  

His face was pale when I looked at him.  "What happened to you?" I asked, confused. 

He didn't bother to answer me.

"Write your name here, time then signature."  

I did what he tells me. Okay, he was kinda annoyed and scared so I kept quiet. I won't push my badluck today. When I finished doing what he told me to do I immediately ran and chased the closing elevator. 

"Stop! Stop! Stop!"  I shouted and the man inside immediately pressed the open button.   

I went in and smiled to say thank you so from the white hand of the man in front of me my eyes widened to his face.  

"Thank--"  I was paralized into place. More on this moment. I didn't know what's wrong with me.

Suddenly, my heart beating faster when I saw his face. What the hell? I couldn't even blink my eyes. Not a single words came out of my mouth to finish my thank you.  

Does he have some kind of a supernatural controlling power? His face was serious.  Really serious. His forehead was furrowed then raised an eyebrow when I didn't move an inch. 

"Which floor?"  he asked in a flat tone.   

I broke my eye contact. I bet my cheeks were all red now. Shit.  

"14th floor," I said, looking down.  

Shit, Iris! Are you okay?! Fix yourself! I saw that the 14th button was already pressed. 

Oh, we're going on the same floor? Is he gonna be my workmate too? Is he new here? The man was wearing a very nice suit so I'm sure, like a hundred percent sure he will be joining the orientation like me.

"Did they call you for orientation?"  

My nervousness has somewhat disappeared because I found out that we are going to the same room and we will both work here. 

There were questions in his eyes before he answered me.  "Sort of." 

I smiled, trying to be friendly. "Wow, I'm sure they'll love you here!" 

"Pardon?"  

"With that face? I'm sure you've passed the interview effortlessly! While me? Did you know that this is the one and freaking only company who called me on all the fifty resumes I submitted."  

He chuckled. But I was avoiding his eyes. "You're very lucky then," he commented.  

I looked in the mirror beside him instead.  

"It's not just luck. I believe it's being wise. Because sometimes you also have to lie in your interview." 

"What? You lied?"  I crossed my arms and giggled. 

"It's not a big deal!" I laughed, remembering the lie I told the interviewer.

"Don't worry, I didn't say I was the CEO's mistress or ex-girlfriend!" 

His adam's apple moved. "What?"  

I don't know in his voice is irritated or amused. I couldn't read this man. Yet I'm still laughing. 

"I just asked someone to changed my TOR a little bit." I covered my mouth because I couldn't stop my laughter.

"Please don't judge! I told you! It's not that big!"  I heard no answer from the man. 

"Oh, come on, maybe you're one of those people with a high level of I.Q, right? You don't find it funny!" My eyes widened. "You've never done that before?"   

He shook his head. "I believe there is no shortcut to success. People who are honest are the one who truly deserves to be in this company. I believe this company values integrity alot."  

He slapped me with the truth. But I stood my ground, not backing down. "I mean, come on. I don't have any experience in any job but I also worked hard to get in here. Plus I'm a changed person now. It's just I was a happy go lucky back in college. And boy, I regretted it big time." 

"As you should."  I gave him a fake smile.

"Thank you for that compliment, Mister," I told him sarcastically and I knelt down to adjust my stockings that were curling up on my feet.  

"You're already late," he pointed out.  "And so are you." I stood up and faced him. He was a bit shocked by my answer.  

"I've every right to be late." 

"So am I," I said.

"I woke up late." 

"Either you're drunk last night or been busy with someone." 

I looked at him. "I was drunk last night. How did you know?" 

He smirked a little. "Instinct." 

Okay, that was weird. But I shrugged it off. I just combed my hair while facing the mirror.  I noticed that he was watching me.

I smiled sweetly.  "Do I look okay?" 

"Okay is not the right term. You look exquisite." 

Wow. Just wow. I stopped fixing my hair and let it fall on my shoulder. My hands were shaking a little. Oh damn. Here we go again. I thought I broke the ice already.   

"You are?" For the first time in forever, his tone was friendly.   

"I'm Iris." 

"Iris," he mumbled.

"I'm Zach." The man held out his hand. "Nice to meet you."   

I shook his hand then I felt something. My mouth hung opened as we both stared to each other's eyes. I was also surprised at the sudden retrieval of his hand. Oh God, he felt it, too.  I jumped when I heard the elevator open and the man came out immediately.  

I placed my hand on my face. I could smell his perfume. When the elevator door was about to close, it brought me back to reality and hurried out. I went straight to the receptionist who looked like a barbie doll to me. She's smiling.  

"Hi," I sighed.  "I'm here for the orientation. Sorry if I'm a bit late." 

"It's fine." She's still smiling. "May I have your name?" 

"Iris Villafuente."  She wrote my name on a piece of paper. 

"You're a little late, Iris. But the good news is, our boss is in the mood. Maybe he won't go to the orientation room to double check the qualified employees." 

"Thank God for that." 

"Yes, you should really thank God." Her dimple is showing. "By the way, Iris, just go straight then turn right at the end. Second door."

"Thank you!" 

I immediately searched for the magical door where my future holds. When I entered, it was as if cold water had been poured on me because everyone inside was looking at me as if I killed someone. 

Good thing my friend will be doing this orientation. Romeo's eyes widened at me.  I immediately sat down in the nearest chair I could find.  The other people were still looking at me.  I rolled my eyes. What's wrong with them?  I'm just late, I did not kill anyone.

Almost thirty minutes. While listening, my eyes searched for Zach. He's supposed to be here. Where is he?  Everybody turned when someone knocked on the door and the receiptionist entered the room. There were two men on her side. We were all confused because it looked like someone superior will suddenly show up.   

"Zach."  I whispered.  He was accompanied by two more men. Zach walked over to Romeo who was a bit pale right now. My brain froze, trying to absorb the situation. I'm slowly catching my breath again.  

"Ah everyone, meet the CEO of Firestone Company. Our boss, Zachary Levi Esqueza." 

Kill.  Me.  Now.