Four

Gabby’s POV

With a sudden jolt, he shot up from his swivel chair. “You!?”

It was really him! The BORA GUY! Was he our President?!

"Nooo!"

My cry reverberated through the room, thick with disbelief and panic. I couldn't wrap my head around it. No! Absolutely not! Rei, the Bora Guy, was our new President?! The one I hooked up with in Bora! Just bury me alive now!

He just stared at me as if he couldn't believe it himself. And me? I felt like I was frozen in place, my mouth gaping open. My whole body felt numb. I could sense the heat rising in my cheeks and the blood rushing to my face.

Oh no!

I averted my gaze from him. Gosh! My cheeks were burning up! I must be beet red by now! Sh*t! Of all people to be the President’s son! Why him?!

But despite feeling utterly embarrassed, I forced myself to stand firm, my knees almost trembling, unable to move from where I stood. I was nervous. How would I introduce myself? Should I just hand in my resignation letter now? Fuuck!

I tried to compose myself and cleared my throat. Here goes nothing!

"G-Good m-morning, S-Sir," I stammered, my head bowed. Goodness gracious! What am I doing?!

I didn't hear any response from him. I glanced up, only to find him looking at me intensely from head to toe. My face grew even hotter. Did he really need to examine me from head to toe?

I cleared my throat, trying to distract him. I couldn't bear his scrutinizing gaze any longer. But God! I admit. He's handsome. He looks good wearing that suit. But why was he a bartender in Bora if he's this rich? Who would have thought?!

He blinked several times. Then he averted his gaze from me, and I lowered my head again. Oh my god! This is so awkward!

He sat back down in the swivel chair. Still, he didn't speak. Darn it! How was I going to introduce myself?

"So..." I flinched when he finally spoke. Darn it! I shouldn't have had that coffee! It made me jumpy! Oh no! My heart was racing! It felt like it was going to break down! Waaaah! Curse that coffee!

He cleared his throat.

“Please take a seat,” he said, still looking at me. That voice! All I could hear from him was a husky, sweet tone when we—

What the heck! Stop thinking about it, Gabbriel Lane! I can feel the heat rising in my core! Damn it!

I felt like a robot, barely able to walk. The chair seemed so far away. And who even thought it was a good idea to place a chair right in front of the boss's chair?

I don’t know how long it took me to sit down. This time, we were much closer to each other—just a table apart. I could even smell his scent from here, the same masculine yet sexy aroma I remembered from Bora.

Why can't I stop thinking about that? Why do I keep replaying it in my head? Tsk!

“You work here, huh?” he said, not asking but rather teasing, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Y-yes, sir.” I closed my eyes shut. Why won’t my lips stop trembling?! Get it together!

“How come I didn’t notice you at the Welcome Party for introductions?” he asked, now sounding curious.

“I was late, sir,” I lied. What did they expect me to say? ‘Because I’m constipated?’ That would be so embarrassing! I was already feeling embarrassed, and my chest felt tight.

He nodded. “I see,” he said. “So you’re here for the personal introduction?” he asked again. I nodded but still kept my head down.

“You may start.”

With my head still down, I began to introduce myself.

“I’m G-G-Gabbriel L-Lane Tolentino,” I stammered, clearing my throat to steady my voice. “The photographer and one of the editors of Men’s Mag, sir.”

Thankfully, I managed to speak, but my nerves were still overwhelming.

“Hmmm...” He read something from a paper. It looked like reports or projects. “There’s a photoshoot with the models in Tagaytay this weekend, lasting two days and one night. Make sure you’re well-prepared.”

Yeah, that’s a new project organized by our new president, Rei himself.

“Yes, sir.”

“Miss Tolentino?”

“Sir?” I responded, taken aback. I still couldn’t bring myself to look up; I didn’t think I could meet his gaze, nor did I want to.

“It’s a little rude to talk to someone without at least looking at their face, don’t you think?”

I paled at his words. I had just said I didn’t want to meet his gaze! And now he expected me to?

What now? Tsk! I can do this! I can do it! I—fuuuck! I might as well just poke my eyes out! Or stab myself in the eye?

“Miss Tolentino?” he called again.

Oh, come on!

I had to confront this! I was the one who got myself into this mess, so it was up to me to face it!

Slowly, I lifted my head. There was no turning back. He was my boss now, no longer the bartender from Bora. He was the president of this company. If I didn’t want to lose my job—which I certainly couldn’t—I needed to look at him.

Eyes to eyes.

I blushed even more when he smiled at me teasingly. Why was he smiling? I had no idea, but I couldn’t help but read something into that mischievous grin.

“Good,” he said, as if taming a dog. What the heck? “You can go back to your duties.” He leaned back in his swivel chair.

“Y-yes, sir.”

I quickly stood up and walked toward the door. Just as I was about to leave, he spoke again.

“It’s nice seeing you again, Moby.” He used that sexy voice I had only heard back in Bora. I froze but remained turned away.

Why did he have to say that? I could feel the embarrassment creeping in. But wait—

Moby? Me? When did I become Moby?

His use of that name made me laugh unexpectedly. I hadn’t felt nervous just a moment ago. I saw him smile, but his brow was furrowed. I suppressed my laughter and turned to look at him.

“Sir, it’s Gabby,” I corrected him, smiling sweetly without realizing it. I quickly turned away, gripping the back of my neck. Argghhh! Gabbriel Lane! Did you really have to correct him and smile like that?

It felt like I was being chased by a horse as I hurriedly walked away.

Why do you always make a fool of yourself!