It had been a week since my return from Boracay, and my stress levels had skyrocketed, especially with our EIC constantly hurling insults at me.
She kept assigning various photoshoot projects, only for them to be rejected by the Boss for being too mundane.
Seriously? Me? A seasoned photographer with two years under my belt in this company? And now they were deeming my shots plain? That was news to me!
I had also told Kesha about the Bora Guy. Her eyes had widened, and she had bombarded me with all sorts of questions.
I really regretted telling her about it. She had asked too many questions and its driving me nuts.
Hayyyy... and to make matters worse, Kesha kept bringing up what happened in Boracay. I couldn't stop myself from reminiscing about my last night there, and every time I did, I couldn't help but feel flushed all over.
What is wrong with me? Damn it!
"Announcement!"
I turned to the speaker. Of course, it was Ma'am Matias, with her fake smile plastered on. I felt the urge to slam her face into the floor. Grrr...
"Our COO has something to say," she continued, with our company's Boss standing next to her.
COO=Chief Operating Officer. Boss handled our operations on the ground. He also communicated with the President of the Board/Company for reports.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As some of you know, Mr. Salvador, our President, is currently undergoing treatment for his illness in America. Due to his condition, he has had to relinquish his position, but..."
Before the COO could finish, various reactions erupted among the crowd. Some murmured "Awww," "Ohhhh," and other expressions of concern could be heard.
"Listen, listen. His son will take over the Company starting tomorrow." The boss's announcement silenced everyone. We would have a new President. I felt a slight nervousness about that.
"That's all," Boss said before turning away.
"Oh, and one more thing," he added, turning back. "Prepare for a Welcome Party."
The office erupted into cheers.
"Wooooohhh!!!"
"Yessss!"
My officemates were thrilled again. Another feast awaits tomorrow.
I just smiled and didn't comment further. I returned to my monitor and continued working.
I wondered how old Mr. President's son was. Was he handsome? If that new president were perfect, I'd surely be interested! He's wealthy, after all. D
There was nothing wrong with dreaming, right?
But I wonder, was he also hot?
Also?!
And who was I comparing to whom? Duh! Am I thinking about your Bora Guy again? Damn.
THE NEXT DAY
In the office, Kesha's sudden scream startled us all as she entered the room.
"What's going on?" inquired one of my colleagues, her curiosity piqued.
"I spotted him!" Kesha burst out, her tone a blend of excitement and agitation. She kept on moving around, and I was literally dizzy.
"Who did you see?" another chimed in.
"Mr. Salvador?"
"The son of Mr. President?"
"Silly! He's the President now!"
All the employees gathered around Kesha. Meanwhile, I remained seated, but my ears were certainly perked up.
"But why were you shouting?" one of them asked Kesha.
"Girls! He's so freaking handsome!" Kesha squeal.
"Ahhh!" they all screamed in unison.
"He's like a model straight out of a fashion magazine! Scratch that! He outshines the models we have here at MM. I’m sure even the guys will be lusting after him!" Kesha squealed again.
Almost all of my colleagues were drooling. Tsk. If I know, Kesha was being exaggerated as usual.
All our attention was driven towards the door when Pol, another co-worker, rushed in. Pol was gay and everyone on our floor knew that.
“He’s here!” Pol screamed
Goodness! It felt like my eardrum just shattered. As if choreographed, I saw my colleagues lining up near the door.
I was about to join them, but suddenly I felt something. My stomach churned, and it made my hair rise. Waves of discomfort surged through me, demanding immediate attention.
What the hell!
Just when we’re about to welcome our boss’s boss, my body needed to use the restroom!
I tried to hold it, twisting my knees, but it didn’t work.
I really can't hold it anymore!
"Kesha!" I approached her and whispered. "I need to go to the restroom," I said, a cold shivering feeling passed by me.
"What? Now?" she asked, confused.
"I really need to go," I swear, I heard my voice tremble by the end!
As soon as I said that, I hurriedly ran to the restroom.
Minutes later…
“Oh my god! Our boss is so fucking handsome! I think I fell in love!” an employee said exaggeratedly.
"Haysss... no luck. I didn't catch a glimpse of the President's son. Curse this blasted constipation!" I muttered under my breath, frustration mounting over me.
"Gab! The COO is calling for you," Kesha informed me, emerging from the COO's office. "Oh my, Bff! Sir Reigan is so handsome," she added.
"Reigan?" Who's that?
"The President's son! He said to just call him Sir Reigan," she explained, her voice filled with excitement, before making a turn towards her desk.
I just sighed and entered the COO's office.
"Boss," I greeted. I always refer to our COO as Boss, he was nice.
"Gabby. Where were you? You missed the introduction!" he exclaimed.
I lowered my head. "Sorry, Boss. Had a bit of a stomach issue," I chuckled nervously. He laughed along too.
"Anyway, head to the President's floor. Mr. Salvador wants to meet all the employees of Men's Mag."
"Yes, Sir. Excuse me, Sir," I said, then left his office.
I sighed. The President's office was on the 25th floor, while ours was on the 10th! Darn that constipation for making me miss that intro!
I felt nervous as the elevator doors opened on the 25th floor. I was alone and going to introduce myself to the new President.
It felt daunting. Plus, it was embarrassing.
I reached the President’s floor and headed straight to the office. The secretary gave me the go signal so I knocked and went in.
"Sir?" I called out, trying to get his attention. He was seated in a swivel chair, facing away from me, gazing out at the world through the glass window.
"Yes?" He turned to face me, his brow furrowing in confusion.
My mouth dropped.
I slowly felt how my face drain of color.
No! Him? Him?! Was it really him?
The son of the President of Men's Mag.? Is him?! No, fuck, this is impossible! It has to be!
"You!" he exclaimed in surprise.
"No!" I blurted out. Oh God! Earth, swallow me whole right now!
Right now!
Gabby’s POV“Good morning, Gab! Glad to see you finally showed up,” Kerl greeted the moment I stepped out of the elevator. He was one of my officemates.The second I walked into the office, a wave of hellos came my way. Well, look at that—celebrity treatment. Guess being professional really makes you famous. Ha!“Morning,” I greeted back with a grin.I strolled toward my desk… only to stop dead in my tracks.What in the world—did my desk turn into a flower shop? There were roses. Everywhere. All kinds. Different colors, too.And there’s only one man who’d do something this over the top. Rei.Of course. When you’re rich, you don’t just buy a bouquet—you buy the whole damn garden. Show-off.I spotted an envelope sitting on top of one of the bundles. Curious, I picked it up and read the note inside.For my future girlfriend,These are for you—to brighten your long, heavy day. You’ll be drowning in work, Baby. :D Don’t push yourself too hard.Let’s go on a date later?The man who got you
Gabby’s POV“Can I… uh… come in?”Should I let him in? What the hell is he even doing here? Damn it, he’s still so handsome even after a week of not seeing him!Why am I even talking like this? Ugh, damn it! Rei looks so good right now, it’s ridiculous. He’s drenched in sweat—okay, maybe more like glistening, like one of those guys from the Cosmo Bachelor Bash 2011. All he’s missing is being naked!What the hell am I thinking? Damn it! This is exactly why I didn’t want to see him! Remember, Gabbriel—he broke your heart. He’s so hot. Ugh, help!“Gab…”I shut my eyes. That voice again! It drives me insane. Why does he always have to say my name like that? It’s—ugh—it gives me chills! See what this man does to me? The moment I see him, it’s like all my anger just melts away. Psssh.“We need to talk. Can I come in?”His voice is low, serious. I stare at him, searching his face. Those eyes—pleading again. Goddammit. Who on earth could ever say no to Reigan Salvador?No. No, no, no. I can’t
Rei’s POVIt’s been a week now. She hasn’t been coming to work. Even her best friend, Kesha, had no idea where she was. I know she’s a grown woman, but I can’t stop worrying. What if something bad happened to her? Or maybe she’s sick? Or… something worse?And until now, I still feel strange about what happened back in Tagaytay. I keep blaming myself. What the hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I understand what my feelings for her really are? Why… why don’t I know?When I feel at ease just being near her.When my mood shifts because of her, it is a good kind of shift.When I worry too much about her.When I want to see her face.When I want to kiss her so badly.When I hate seeing her with another man.When… my heart beats so damn fast because of her.These feelings are new to me. I’ve never felt anything like this before. I’ve never experienced something like this, and it’s confusing the hell out of me.If only I could name these feelings, then maybe Gabby wouldn’t be MIA right now. I’
Gabby’s POV“Gabbriel! What’s happening to you? Gino said you haven’t been home for a week! And why haven’t you been going to work? Do you want to get fired?!”I winced and pulled the phone away from my ear. The moment I answered, Kesha’s voice practically pierced through the speaker.Ugh. Seriously? So early in the morning, and this is what I wake up to? I’d barely opened my eyes and already I was being scolded like a teenager. Perfect.Well… to be fair, she wasn’t wrong.I, Gabbriel Lane Tolentino, hadn’t been home in an entire week. My poor brother, Gino, was probably living off instant noodles by now. I hadn’t gone to work once either—and honestly, the thought of facing my boss right now made me want to crawl back under the covers.So where am I?In my condo. The one my father gave me that I haven’t touched and lived in. This is the only place no one knew where to find me.“Hello? Are you still there?!” Kesha’s voice snapped through the line again, sharp and impatient.“Well...” I
Gabby’s POV“I’m sorry…”When he said those words, the pain only cut deeper.Sorry for what, exactly?Because he can’t like me back?Am I really that hard to like?What did you expect, Gabbriel Lane?You’re the only one who feels this way. Just tattoo that in your mind—you’re the only one who cares like this.One-sided feelings. Remember?I know that. I haven’t forgotten that I’m the only one holding on to this.And I’m not numb. I can feel every bit of the painEverything happened too fast, and now it’s all a mess.It’s only now that I’ve truly confirmed it—only now that I’ve realized what I really feel.And only now that I’ve learned… he doesn’t feel the same.If he ever does, it’s probably as fleeting as a wild weed—something that grows without care, and dies just as easily. Damn it.I didn’t respond to what he said and just walked straight to his car.I saw him follow, looking defeated.Why does he look defeated?I’m the one who’s losing my mind here! Does he even have the right t
Rei’s POVEarlier that day…Damn it! It’s almost five! What the hell am I supposed to do again? Where did I put that list my brother Gin dictated to me? Shit! I’m freaking out! Damn it, Rei, calm down! What’s wrong with you? You’re a grown man—why are you nervous?!Anyway, to answer her question—it’s a no. I’m just trying to stop myself from panicking because this is literally the first time in my entire life that I’ve been this nervous. Well, except for that time in the sauna room when my “baby” woke up. I admit, I panicked a bit there. That was the first time I ever got nervous… and now this is the second.I just can’t stop thinking.Will this date turn out okay?Will she like it?Will she… Damn it! You’re wasting time, Rei! Just focus and do your job right!But where the hell is that list? Damn it... Oh right, it’s in my pocket. For fuck’s sake! I even forgot that? Seriously, Rei? What the hell is wrong with you?!I pulled out the paper and read it again. I already forgot what was