Five

Rei’s POV

I was shocked—yeah, I was.

I didn’t think she’d be this easy to find. I was actually planning to hire someone to look for her.

But it seemed I didn’t need to resort to that anymore because there she was, just a few steps away from me.

I don't know what this girl did to me but I kept thinking about her ever since what happened at Boracay weeks ago.

I couldn’t figure out the effect she had on me. Ever since that night in Boracay, I hadn’t been able to get her out of my head.

Even when I was buried in work, her smiling face would suddenly flash in my mind. I had a hard time every damn time I thought about her.

Hard time because I always end up with a raging hard-on. I kept replaying those nights we spent tangled up in the bed and I couldn’t stop.

It’d been weeks since I’d seen any of my flings. They kept coming around, asking me out to dinner and more, but I just couldn’t. All this time, all I wanted was her.

Gabby.

I smiled upon remembering what happened.

So her name was Gabby. I’d always assumed it was Moby—like the snack, the chocolate flavor. That would’ve suited her, though, since she had a sweet smile. Sweet as chocolate. But I liked Gabby more.

But I didn’t know if having her was going to be easy. I mean, it was clear she was trying to avoid me.

Damn! Just when I wanted her to come looking for me, she refuses. Instead, she’d rather stare at the floor.

Come on! I’m way more handsome than my floor. That damn floor was starting to make me jealous.

Damn! Here we go again! Why was it always her? She was always on my head, its frustrating! It felt like there was this huge part of me made up entirely of her.

I was really thankful to my old man. If he hadn’t retired and handed me the company, maybe I never would’ve seen her again. I still had my own business—one I ran to this day—but now it was mostly managed by my business partner, Jake, since I took over the company.

I ran restaurants and bars. While my family’s business included magazines, newspapers, hotels, and some resorts, which my brother Regin managed.

I’m Reigan Salvador, anyway. Handsome. Irresistable. Smart. And damn fine. All of that was true, so saying it doesn’t make me arrogant.

I never get into serious relationships. Why would I? Girls swoon over me, and I fucking hate commitments.

All women were demanding. And I didn’t want any of them tying me down like I was theirs. My life was stable—I had my own house, my own car, my own business—and I couldn’t ask for more.

But then Gabby came along... and suddenly, there was something I wanted. I crave. I starved for.

I didn’t even know why I felt this way but I had this urge to get closer to her. This was the first time I’d ever really cared about a woman.

But damn it! This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t focus on just one girl—no way in hell! I wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number.

“Hi, Rei, baby! You missed me?” said the voice over the phone.

“Hey, Sophia. Yeah, come over.”

Gabby’s POV

It had been three days since Reigan took over as president of the company. Moving around freely had become tricky with him around. I still couldn’t believe how the fucking small the world was.

I was always uneasy whenever Rei was near and I never greeted him when we crossed paths.

To think that he was my big boss and I acted like he didn’t exist. Yeah, I knew how ridiculous that was but I couldn’t help it.

How could I act like nothing happened—when something-actually did happen between us?

Every time I saw him, I couldn’t even hold his gaze. Just his presence alone made me want to run—and how much more if I actually caught sight of his handsome face? I couldn’t imagine how red my face would be.

I always felt like he was watching me. I couldn’t stand to make eye contact because I feel like I’d want the floor to swallow me.

A deep sigh was released from my chest.

"That was deep, my friend." a voice came from nowhere, I almost jumped in surprise!

I mean, seriously—Kesha just popped up right beside me out of nowhere.

This friend of mine really had a ghost-like presence. It always creeped me out.

“Fuck.”

"Hey, easy there." she said with a grin.

"You scared the life out of me!"

"Disagreed. I just talked. You’re the one who’s so deep in thought you didn’t even notice I’ve been here the whole time."

Has she really been there for a while?

I had been so lost in my thoughts—thinking about all sorts of things—that I stopped paying attention around me.

Damn it. This is so not me.

"So, what’s the problem?" she asked.

I sighed again. "Huge,"

I still hadn’t told Kesha that the guy I hooked up with in Boracay was Sir Reigan. She would totally make a fuss about it—I just knew it.

"I’ll need more info than that, Gab." she pressed, grinning.

It looked like she wouldn’t stop until I tell her the reason and I don’t think I should. Not yet, at least.

"Uh… it’s just… I’m kind of low on funds.” I lied. “Gino’s school expenses and all the bills. Just the usual." my teeth gritted. I was never a good liar.

"Your brother? Wasn’t he already in his fourth year of college?" Kesha said. "Now that you mentioned him, I want to see him again."

 Her eyes sparkled with excitement. My nose crinkled upon reading what was in her head.

"Hey, Kesha! Stop lusting over my brother!" I nagged. “And please! Don’t even think about being my sister-in-law!"

This witch!

I think she actually has a thing for my brother.

"Oh, come on! Wouldn’t that be awesome? Your best friend turning into your future sister-in-law!" She then laughed hard.

"Absolutely not! I can’t even imagine it!"

Kesha pouted. “I gotta admit, your brother’s good-looking—even with all that broody gothic vibe.” Now, she got the nerve to be blushing.

She’s seriously crushing on my brother. Wow!

Gino was a member of a rock band, and that’s why he always wore thick black eyeliner. And I won’t deny it. My brother really was handsome.

I mean, just look at me! With looks like mine, of course my brother would look as great. What can I say, good genes run in the family.

I shook my head. "Stop fantasizing about my brother." I warned.

Kesha pouted.

"Who said I’m merely fantasizing over him? I will literally jump on your brother once I get the chance!"

 Before my hand could grab her, she ran away laughing her ass off.

I flipped her off and sigh. My best friend is a menace. I probably should get another one.

"Gabby." someone called that made me jump on my seat again.

"Oh, hey!" I turned around, relieved to see that it was Mavy—Sir Reigan’s secretary.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Sir Reigan was calling for you," she informed. "He wants you to bring the shots for the summer collection. He said its time to choose a cover for the magazine."

I froze in my seat and watched Mavy walked away.

Yes, that was part of my job—every time we released a new magazine, the president has the final say in choosing the front cover.

I always used to do that back when Mr. Salvador—Rei’s father—was still our president.

But now… Damn, I want to cry.

Does this mean I have to go there every week now?!

"Hey, Gabby!" Kesha scolded, she suddenly popped out again.

"Didn’t you hear what Mavy said? The shots! Why are you always spacing out these days?"

If you only knew, my friend.

"Y-yeah, yeah. I’m on my way," I mumbled.

My hands were shaking as I picked up the printed and fully-developed photos from my desk.

All that was left was to bring them to the president’s office so he could choose a cover.

I swear, I really want to quit right now.

"You’re so weird."

I just ignored Kesha’s observations but I did feel weird right now.

It felt like I was hearing a death bell when the elevator doors opened. My eyes screwed shut, my heart beating so loud, its deafening.

I was already on the 25th floor when I spotted Mavy’s cubicle outside the big boss’s office. She was already seated.

 There was still one more door to go—leading straight to the President’s office. It was massive and intimidating.

 No glass walls either. Everything was solid, closed off, and it felt uninviting. Or maybe I was trying to ‘uninvite’ myself. That’s probably it.

"Oh, hold on a sec," Mavy said and pressed the intercom.

I just nodded.

"Sir, Miss Tolentino is here... Okay, Sir." Then she put the receiver down.

"You may go inside, Gab." she smiled sweetly but I only returned an awkward smile as my lips trembled.

Before I could think of running away, I lift my chin and walked into Rei’s office.

My nerves were all over the place—it felt like my chest was about to explode any moment. I was about to look down again, but I remembered what he told me the other day.

And I didn’t want him saying that again.

So I held my head high and walked toward his desk with as much confidence I could muster...

Though I couldn’t stop my cheeks from burning.