Chapter 2

THE next day, Shen went to work early. She would probably be more competitive if it wasn't about Kristie. That day, she's bored, like she just wants to sleep the whole day. As soon as she stepped into the entrance of the building, the figure of Kristie presenting her idea to Sir Spade, right on her face, automatically played in her mind.

She walked fast to the elevator, ignoring the loud sound of her black pumps hitting the marble floor. She hardly pressed the up button, as if all her anger had been poured to that for the morning. It lasted a few minutes before the elevator opened.

Even if she gets old, she won't forget what Kristie did — if she can prove that her suspicions were right. She really wanted to be promoted at work. And that idea of hers might be her chance to have a better position in Brooch.

She's about to press the number four button after entering when someone stopped the door from closing. She heaved a very deep breath when Diego entered the elevator.

"Good morning, Shen," he greeted her after entering.

"Good morning, too."

The elevator started moving upwards. Shen slightly leaned against the metal wall of the elevator and then closed her eyes. Thinking about what happened to her idea makes her want to cut Kristie's neck.

She just groaned in annoyance just by thinking of it.

"How are you?" Diego suddenly asked.

She sighed again and faced him. "I'm good."

The man was silent for a moment as she took a deep breath. She glanced at him before speaking, "Um, what's the matter..."

He scratched his nape, which made her brows furrowed.

He's always hesitant to speak when they bump into each other, something she doesn't understand. She's not that scary. She just doesn't like being with everyone else, except for Stephen who's been her friend for a long time.

She looked at him while waiting for him to spill some tea. Diego had this clean-cut hair and his almond-shaped eyes were just staring at the corner of the elevator. Wearing a baby blue long-sleeved button down really made him more handsome.

"Uh... it's my birthday today."

Her mouth formed an 'oh' to what he said. Does that mean he's inviting her?

"H-Happy birthday, then..." she uttered, a bit shocked about mentioning his birthday.

"Thank you, Shen."

And a deafening silence filled the gaps between them. They reached the fourth floor. Before she could go to their department, Diego called her again.

"Yes?" And once again she stopped himself from raising an eyebrow. His hand was firmly on the nape of his neck and he couldn't look her directly in the eye.

"I was just wondering if you wanna come later."

Her eyes narrowed. "At your birthday?"

"Uhm... Stephen will be there, of course," he stammered. "Also our other co-workers."

She thought about what he said. After all, she has nothing to do after work. And her day is sure to be filled with stress. She might as well accept Diego's offer.

"Okay." She shrugged.

"O-Okay?" His eyes widened and he looked like he couldn't believe what she said.

Shen laughed at his actions. "Okay. I'm going. Just name the place and I'll go.

Happiness was written all over Diego's face. "Yes! I mean, thank you, Shen." He doesn't know whether to hug her or what. Diego just managed to smile. "We could go there after work. I have my car. So we can go together."

They talked about some details and parted their ways afterwards. Diego is from the Accounting Department even though Marketing and Accounting are on the same floor. Shen frowned when she saw the pink folder on her desk. The other day after the meeting the Marketing team met again. She really wants to make a marketing campaign. And because Kristie always wanted to be the centre of attention, she was given the task of creating a marketing strategy.

She placed the paper bag with chocolate from her secret admirer on the side of the desk. Then she took her laptop from her bag. It wasn't even time for work, though Shen immediately started the task early. As soon as she saw Kristie's name printed on the front of the folder, she felt sleepy. Even if she wants to decline the task given to her, it might be impossible. Kristie is their senior. Like a boss. She doesn't want to be fired yet. Knowing Kristie, the woman has a strong connection to Sir Spade.

"Good morning!" Kristie greeted upon entering the office. The woman is in monochromatic semi-office wear. Some of her co-workers who arrived earlier than her also greeted Kristie.

Shen didn't bother to look back at the woman. Instead she focused more on the contents of the folder. The folder was about to tear from the tightness of her grip on it. Her ideas about the demographics were really the same as Kristie's. And her instincts are always telling her about her suspicion to Kristie who eavesdrops .

Kristie walked to her desk and even though she was behind her, Shen still didn't look at her. He was getting too used to this girl.

"It's so early, Shen. You still have fifteen minutes to start the work," she said while also watching what he was reading. She secretly rolled her eyes.

"It's fine. I wanted to finish my work as early as I can," she replied.

"Just call me if you don't get the rest of the contents of the folder. I'm just over there at the other table. I'll go ahead."

Shen first made sure that Kristie was no longer around. Then she mimicked every word Kristie said. That girl is really too much to handle, she thought. Kristie treats her like it's her first day at work.

In Shen's mind, she was even more than their Senior. After all, the idea about having middle men as their demographics for the new product is really hers.

Shen just distracted herself from work. Her brows furrow every time she remembers Kristie's face. Though she didn't make it on sharing her idea, she will show her talent in the marketing strategy instead.

Shen was so busy that she didn't realise it was lunch break. Good thing Stella caught her attention. And that's the time she removed her sight from her laptop.

"Stephen is outside," Stella uttered while applying a face powder.

She said goodbye to Stella for a while before leaving the office. The woman was right because even before she got out, she heard her friend's shrill voice.

"Oh! I'm really excited for later! Are there many of us?"

That was the scene Shen came upon. Stephen is talking to Diego.

"Terrible day, huh? So workaholic! Even on lunch break, you still worked," her friend continued. Stephen only stopped talking when she handed him the paper bag with a box of chocolates.

"I liked what I am doing, eh," she said and looked at Diego who looked restless. "Come with us for lunch, Diego."

His lips parted, looking surprised by her request. "Thank you, Shen," he said and scratched his nape again.

"Oh, that's really great!" Stephen exclaimed. "So we can talk about your party later. You're coming, Shen, huh?"

"Yep! Diego invited me earlier."

She started walking while the two were constantly following her.

"Where are we later?" she heard Stephen ask.

"At Hotel Krista. I'm getting our reservation fixed. VIP."

Hearing this, Shen stopped. The same for her companions and they looked at her in surprise when she turned around.

"Oh, why? Did you forget something at the office?" Stephen asked her more. But she ignored that and faced Diego.

"Isn't that the hotel that had a case of murder the other day?"

"Ah, yes," Diego said. "But that's at the Ortigas branch. Ours will be in Makati."

She nodded slowly and continued walking again. The two just shrugged their shoulders and immediately followed and continued to talk.

She cannot understand herself. Because when she heard the name of that hotel, it immediately sent shivers down her spine. And the unusual beat of her chest makes it more uncomfortable.

Or maybe it's just because of work?