Chapter 4: Welcome Party

As instructed by Miss Michelle, I went to the Office early. I couldn't say goodbye to Sunny because she was still asleep when I left. When I arrived at the office everyone was busy. That's why mang Bert picked me up alone, that's because my other co-workers came in first. 

"Good morning sister, brother!" I greeted the three guards guarding the entrance of the office. 

"Good morning Miss Sydney!" They also warmly greeted me back. Because I was in a hurry so I didn’t talk to them too much. 

I went straight to Miss Michelle's office to put my things away. I caught her already inside and was obviously troubled by whatever she was handling. 

"Thanks God you're here!" She first opened when I entered. 

"Good morning Miss Michelle!" I greeted her. 

"Morning. I would like to ask your opinion here?" I approached to see what she was referring to. 

"Which party hats do you think will match in the theme? How about this?" I don't know if I'm going to laugh or what, I thought that's what's bothering her. It's just a design of party hats. Tsk. 

"How many will we welcome? Are they all boys?" I asked a series of questions. 

"They're two boys ... Uh huh! I know. Just go down to the basement ... go to Mang Bert because you're going somewhere." She said without even taking my opinion. I thought she needs my opinion then all of a sudden another conversation right away?

"Okay." I smiled and follow what she said. I was surprised when mang Bert walked down the road to the mall. My curiosity doubled when he parked his car on the groundfloor of the mall. 

"Mang Bert, why are we here?" I asked confused. 

"You're going on a shopping, aren't you?" 

Me, going on a shopping? It's working hours my gosh! 

"Pardon? No, Mang Bert! Miss Michelle said we're going somewhere. She didn't tell me to go shopping. Seriously?" I can not believe. I thought Miss Michelle needs me to prepare for their welcome party with Engineer Claveria. 

"That's what Ma'am Michelle told me. She said you'll go shopping for what you're going to wear for the party this afternoon. Let's just go back to the office at 1:00 PM." Long explanation by Mang Bert. I was shaken. I'm confused by what's happening. As in, really? Seriously, I can’t believe it! I was not surprised mang Bert gave me the money. That seems to be from Miss Michelle. 

"I never asked what the theme of the party was." I was disappointed with the promise. 

"Is there a problem, Miss Sydney?" Mang Bert asked just following me. He always looks like my bodyguard. 

"What is it ..." I scratched my head. 

"What?" 

"I don't know the theme of the party. So I don't know what kind of dress to buy..." I admit shyly. 

"You already have something to wear, we're just going to Miss Michelle's friend's boutique." He said. I was confused again. Why do I even have to wear it and she has to provide? 

"Do all the employees here treated like this? I mean ... look, it's kinda so much for a new employee like me." Mang Bert just laughed at me, nor did he answer my question. I just shrugged. Maybe mang Bert is annoyed with me because of my many questions and complaints so I just keep quiet. I don't know if it's true that we're missing because we've been going back and forth to find Rosa's Boutique that she says we'll pick up what I'm going to wear for the party. Isn't that cool? I've only been at work for two days but there's still a party right away.

"Miss Sydney you might be hungry. Let's eat first?" 

"No, I'm not yet hungry. Let's just find Miss Michelle's friend's boutique so we can go back to the office." I said. Mang Bert looked at his watch and when he saw what time it was, he agreed with what I said. 

"A-are you sure I'm going to wear this?" I asked the boutique owner in surprise. She says that I should wear that black off-shoulder dress. 

"Yes. Michelle chose it for you." She added that it further confused the course of my mind. It was just a normal and simple 'welcome party' for the CEO of Paradise Corp ... but why do I have to wear it? 

"I'm sorry, I'm not wearing this. I'm fine here in the office uniform." I refuse. 

"Are you sure? Oh Sydney, put this on. All right, get dressed quickly and then I'll fix you." 

"Huh?" Although confused, I just followed Danica. She is the owner of the boutique and a friend of Miss Michelle. After I put on the black off-shoulder dress I immediately left the fitting room. Danica put makeup on me next, it was a simple makeup. I just let my long hair down so that somehow my skin on my back and even my shoulders would not be exposed. 

"Wow miss Sydney, you're really beautiful! So I won't wonder why— I'm sorry, Ma'am Michelle is just calling me." I just laughed at mang Bert who looked so impressed with me. Nothing has changed in my appearance. The only difference now is that I'm wearing an expensive dress, that's all. 

"Miss Sydney, we need to go back to the office."

"All right." After I thanked and said goodbye to Danica, mang Bert and I immediately set sail. 

When we arrived at Paradise Corporation I immediately took the elevator to the 6th floor where the party would be held. Meanwhile, mang Bert did not go upstairs because Miss Michelle was still ordering him to do something. 

When the elevator opened, the other elevator opened too. Many of them went out there, others wearing blacksuit while surrounding the two men. I'm not sure who they are, and I have no intention of finding out yet because I'm sure I'm late. I was slightly stopped in my tracks when two men entered my front door first, leaving six men in black suits outside. 

"Hi," I greeted them a little because they were guarding the door, but they didn't touch me, nor did they pay attention to me. 'I'm here, snobber!' 

"They're here!" That voice of gay, one of the employees of the company. 

I remained standing in the doorway when I saw that my officemates were not dressed. They were still wearing their uniforms, if anything had changed in them it was the party hats they were wearing. I was suddenly embarrassed. 

I was still dressed and dressed and they were in uniform. Only then did I return to my senses when I felt the scattered confetti on my skin. Wow, there's more confetti! 

"Welcome back Mr. CEO slash Engineer Claveria!" They applauded so I applauded too. 

"Here you are Sir!" Gay pulled him so he went to the middle. It was only then that I saw him face to face. The size of what he changed. He looks mature now, compared to when we last met. His face seemed very serious. He smiled sparingly. He was too far away from the former Andrew. 

"Also, welcome back Architect Robles!" The man didn't pull anymore, he himself took the initiative to side with Andrew. They seem to be very close based on how they work today. 

"—and last but definitely not the least! Welcome to the Paradise Family, Miss Claire Sydney Agustin!" I was stuck where I was standing, one by one my co-workers left in front of me. They're giving me space. 

While I did not take my eyes off Andrew. Gradually his smiles faded when he finally saw me. He was dumbfounded for a moment ... and when he looked into my eyes I immediately averted my gaze. 

"Girl, come here! Join your Boss quickly!" I just sent Noel, the gay emcee for today’s party, pulling me over. I could hear my heart pounding. I feel like it's screaming to get out of its current position. I inhaled and exhaled before I gave my sweetest smile to everyone...especially to Andrew, my ex-boyfriend. 

I calmed myself down especially as I was surrounded by two, an engineer and an architect. I don't know if I'm just assuming too much, but I've been feeling Andrew's stare at me before. Even though I’m not directly facing him, I can feel it. 

"Cheers for them!" They made another loud explosion of confetti before the party finally started. The waiters also immediately gave us drinks. 

After welcoming us I immediately walked away from the two. 

"Where is miss Michelle?" I asked Noel. 

"There's an emergency." 

"Is that so? All right, thank you." I don't know much about my co -workers yet so I feel out of place. What I did was I just went to a corner and there I slowly drank the red wine from my glass. 

"Hi Miss Sydney, architect Gabriel Robles! You can call me Gab," I was surprised at how close he approached and talked to me. 

"Hello." I sparingly greet him. 

"So, you're new here?" I nodded. 

"Nice to meet you. You're so beautiful." I was a little taken aback by his praise so I just laughed at him. 

"Sorry," he recovered immediately. 

"Hey Robles, would you mind if I'll talk to my secretary privately?" My left eyebrow rose at Andrew’s sudden appearance in the middle of our conversation with Architect Robles.

"Sure! Sure engineer Claveria." When architect Robles left I was just surprised when Andrew suddenly pulled me into a room. Because of the shock so I could not react.