11

I decided to take a boat rather than taking a plane so I can bring my car and my other things from the condo. Also, I don’t want to ride with Jerk on the plane so I opted to ride a boat instead.

While on a drive on the highway, I was amazed by the changes that happened since I left. Even if the economy is low, small businesses still start. When I arrived at the company building, I told the movers to park at the underground parking while I valeted. Since I was avoiding Jerk, I also avoided his car.

Inside the lobby, I saw the security guard with a big smile on his face.

“Ma’am! Good that you’ve come back!”

“Thank you!” But inside, I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. Anyways, the opportunity would be wasted if I said no.

I entered the elevator and pressed 15. I took many deep breaths inside. Who will be my secretary? Should I ask Rose to transfer here? What will my first act be? What will be my tactic to avoid board meetings and board directors who force me to succumb to their wants? Will there be company events that I need to attend? Will I do a good job without distractions? These are the questions that rummaged through my head until I arrived at the floor.

When the elevator doors opened, party poppers went off.

“Congratulations!” Rose, Andz, and Jason shouted.

I laughed and thanked them while hugging them one by one.

I faced Rose. “Why are you here? We already talked, right?”

“Ahem. Ma’am, I need to introduce you to your staff. Then, you have a meeting with the product managers regarding updates from sales. Later in the afternoon, you and Sir Leig need to go somewhere. Please meet him at the lobby at 3:00 pm.”

“Uuy! Rose! Avoiding the question! Hahaha!” Andz teased.

“So? Why are you here?” I asked her again.

“Um, I was brought by Sir Leig. I’m the one who sat on your seat beside him on the plane. At first, my coming here was only temporary. I’ll be the one who’ll arrange your things, train your new secretary, then I’ll go back home. But then, Sir Leig said that it’s better that I stay so that you’ll have company here at the office. ‘Cause Sir Jason is going to be busier and he won’t be able to visit you often.”

“Well, yeah, Niks. That’s true. I am much busier now.” Jason confirmed.

“In fairness, I didn’t think that the CEO would be kind. Why is that, based on your stories, he seemed like he’s the child of darkness, Niks?” Andz jokingly asked me.

“Anyways, where will I meet my staff?” I changed the topic.

Rose guided us to a boardroom near my office. My staff was waiting inside. Another set of party poppers went off when we opened the doors. Different kinds of foods are placed on the long table. There’s also a welcome sign that looks like banderitas. We just socialized until lunchtime.

I remained in the boardroom so I could catch my breath, and have some peace and quiet. Andz and the others are naughty, especially when they are together. I was actually surprised that they got along well. While I was clearing up some leftovers and other trash, the boardroom opened.

“Oh, I thought you’ll go somewhere with the others. Why did you come back?” I didn’t look at the person who entered. I was thinking that it might be Andz or Rose.

“I missed your welcome party.” A male voice said.

I stopped and faced him. “Sir Leig. It’s lunchtime. Please come back later.” Then, I continued cleaning.

“I actually have 2 surprises for you today. One was Rose. I figured that Rose already knows your quirks, so you can quickly adjust to the pace and new responsibilities.”

I stopped and watched him sit down and serve himself from the leftovers. I woke up when he looked at me.

I cleared my throat. “Why do you have surprises for me? Also, why are you here? We were supposed to meet later at 3.”

“I just wanted to make you really welcome. Besides, I can do what I want. I’m not hurting you or anyone, so it’s okay.”

I just let him be and continued my work. When I was done, I caught him looking at me seriously. I suddenly got uncomfortable.

“W-why? Why are you looking at me? Is there something on my face?” I touched my face.

Suddenly, he stood up, threw his paper plate in the trash, got my hand, and pulled me outside the boardroom. We even saw Rose, Andz, and Jason on our way out. He pulled me until we got to the elevator. Once inside, he didn’t let go of my hand.

I just stared at our hands. I stopped when I realized we were in the lobby.

“What are we doing here?”

“Waiting for my car.”

“Car? Where will you take me? Are you a kidnapper? HELP! HELP!” I shouted in front of the building. Other people avoided looking at us, while the others were just laughing at us.

Suddenly, Jerk faced me. Our faces are so close to each other. Just a little more and he’ll be able to kiss me! I just looked at his eyes to look for his plan for me. He only withdrew from his position when his car came and he pulled me again inside. Then, he sat on the driver’s seat.

He called Rose using the touchscreen of the car. “Hello, sir?”

“Rose, please cancel Miss Nicole’s appointments for today. Reschedule them tomorrow or some other time. If anybody asks, tell them it’s my order.” Then, he hung up the call.

We stopped in front of my old condo building. Then, he started pulling me again. In the elevator, he again didn’t let go of my hand and pressed 30.

“Why 30? What’s with it?” I asked him but he only answered me by squeezing my hand. On the 30th floor, he pulled me in front of a door and pulled out a key. He let go of my hand because he let me go in first.

I went in and faced him. “What is this? Why are we here?”

He looked at me sternly. “This is my 2nd surprise.”

“What? Don’t joke with me.”

He held my shoulders and gently pushed me towards the living room. “I’m not joking. I asked Rose to tell the moving guys to move your things here. It was also in your contract, as a welcoming gift from the company, this unit belongs to you.”

I faced him. “Thank you.” I wanted to hug him but I stopped myself.

“Of course. Anything to make you happy.”

I opted to ignore him and explore the unit. Generally speaking, the theme of the unit is butterflies and the shades of violet. I don’t know how he knew that I planned the same exact theme for my apartment.

There’s a library or office on the side of the living room. On another side of the living room is the balcony. The theme is very evident in the living area. On another side is the dining room. 6 chairs surround a rectangle glass table. And because most of the walls are composed of sliding doors, there is also another access to the balcony from the dining room. The kitchen has an island that has a stainless steel sink, a gas stove with 2 electric and 2 gas burners, and a marble countertop.

I knew then that I didn’t need to inspect the other rooms of the unit because it’s seen on the first floor that everything was carefully planned. I saw Jerk sitting on a balcony set with a cup of coffee and I went to him.

I sat on the opposite chair. “Thank you. I didn’t think that you have some kindness in you.”

He laughed loudly. The kind of laugh where it's genuine. “You’re welcome. I didn’t think that you’re not all mean.”