HE SPOKE

"I am so sorry," Jessie apologized immediately.

She's always sorry after a childish act.

Furiously, I looked at her, then back again-this time quickly-to double-check what I just saw.

She was braless. Mine would never look that good without a bra.

Her boobs were perfect, her nipples visibly piercing through her transparent white crop top, down to her tiny waist.

I noticed her pierced belly button and a thin silver waist bead wrapped around her waist.

She's indeed beautiful.

I sighed in frustration.

The truth is, everyone here is perfect-except me.

I stole a glance at Bruno again. He never looked up at us. How can someone be so anti-social?

"Jessie, can we talk later? I want to eat now, please."

I hope she buys it.

"Why?" Jessie replied with a tight frown.

I knew it wouldn't be that easy, though.

"Like... I... I said. I wish to eat," I replied, raising my brows.

She giggled.

"Alright. Don't get mad, Your Highness."

I shook my head, done with her.

She leaned forward, pecked my forehead, then left.

As soon as she was long gone, I stole a glance again at the table where Bruno was sitting-and our eyes met!

My heart skipped a beat!

I quickly shifted my gaze back to my tray.

Oh my God, that was unexpected!

How long had he been staring without my noticing?

Wait.

How was that even possible?

Mr. Bruno was staring at me!

No, he must have been distracted by Jessie's beauty. He only looked this way after she came along.

Slowly, I stole another glance.

His eyes were back on his phone. For some reason, I was disappointed. He hardly touched his food, his fingers flying across the screen like he was being remotely controlled.

What a workaholic!

I need to say something.

I can do this. Just say something, Beauty!

Thank him for standing up for you! Come on, you can do this.

This is the only time you'll get to talk to him in person outside work. Go and show your gratitude... you should do it now. What's the worst that can happen?

Then my insecurities came flooding in.

Oh no. I can't do this.

I covered my face and sighed, my palms and ears turning red.

You're only going to embarrass yourself. You'll look like a joke to him-desperate for attention.

You're fat and ugly, and everyone sees you as an idiot-even Jessie sometimes.

How on Earth do you think you'll make friends with Mr. Bruno?

A tear dropped from my eye.

Stupid! Why the hell are you crying at a moment like this?

I need to stop thinking or I'll embarrass myself with those tears.

I slowly dried my wet eyes with my fingers.

Finally, I'm going to say something to him-after three years working in the same company... having a secret crush on him.

What should I say? I need to say something first.

Sir, you haven't touched your food. Are you worried? You can talk to me... I'll listen to you.

I shook my head.

No... no way. That sounds like something a pick-me would say.

Sir, you're always busy with your phone while eating. Bad table manners.

What the hell? I'm not his mother either.

What's the best way to start?

I was dragging my mind.

"Nice phone pouch, sir."

Wait! I said that out loud.

So stupid. I slapped my forehead.

He gazed at me and then at his phone pouch with a confused expression.

I understand him.

It's just plain black. My compliment sounded lame.

I smiled awkwardly, realizing how stupid I must've sounded.

"Thanks."

His voice was so calm-like a deep ocean.

But that's not all...

He said thanks with a smile!

"I did what was right. My father was rude to you and said mean things, too," he said, gazing down at his phone.

"You're talented... and you're needed in this company. So don't let it get to you," he added softly.

He spoke to me again!

"Yes... yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" I snapped a little too loudly. That was a relief.

"I don't know about today, but for me, I achieved something. Mr. Bruno noticed my existence in this company... he thinks I'm talented, looking past my outward appearance, and I even had a short chat with him."

I said it to myself as I stared at him with a quiet smile. I felt tears clouding my eyes-how good it feels to be appreciated and seen.

What a mess. I broke down in front of my crush like some thirteen-year-old emotional teenager.

Still... I was happy. It went well.

"Your food will get cold if you don't eat up, sir," I said-not as nervously this time.

He totally ignored me.

Just like that, my little burst of confidence collapsed.

I cursed inwardly.

I felt like a fool. That's none of my business anyway...

"I... I really wanted to finish this typing work," he said quietly, "but there are a lot of pages left. I don't want to fail."

Wait-he responded? I was more than surprised. I never expected him to talk to me that much.

He was always so calm, so quiet, and clearly a workaholic. The kind of person who probably sees failure as worse than death.

"But if you don't eat... something else is going to fail," I said.

He looked up at me, a bit confused.

Why did he have to look so innocent? So adorable and so... sexy?

I screamed inside.

"Something else will... fail? What could it be?" he asked, genuinely clueless.

"Your heart, sir Bruno. It could fail because of stress... don't you think so?"

I tried not to make eye contact. My cheeks were burning, and I was trying not to blush.

His lips parted slightly into a smile-it was so quick, I almost didn't catch it.

Then he replied slowly, "I guess you're right. My apologies."

"Oh no! It's not something to apologize for!" I said, laughing awkwardly and waving my hands.

He switched off his phone, put it down on the table, and started eating-hungrily.

I was so happy.

"I can't believe I did it," I told myself as I watched him eat, feeling like a proud mama.

After watching him for a while, a crazy idea popped into my head.

"Sir, I can help with the typing if you like... I-I mean, it's part of my job too, you know... to assist."

My cheeks were burning red again.

He paused slowly and looked up, his mouth full of noodles... a few strands trailing back into the plate.

How adorable!

I screamed inside.

But the joy vanished when he shook his head.

"Oh... alright," I said quietly, a little disappointed.

Once I was done with my food, I stood up to leave but paused-unsure why.

Was I expecting something else from him?

I forced myself away from the table and headed back to my department.

Unfortunately, I bumped into Kathy-a popular model in the company.

A freaking goddess. 

She was the face of the company-a celebrity whose popularity could rival the Kardashians. She was always mentioned alongside names like Jennifer, Kylie, Angelina Jolie... you name it.

The face of countless beauty brands.

"Fatty! Are you blind?!" she yelled loudly.