WTF

"YOU CAN JUST let your secretary get this signed contract Mr. Alexandre—less hassle for you." I zipped the envelope and handed it to him. "No, it's not that hassle Ms. Dela Vega. I insist." He smiled.

"Okay, I'm looking forward to our deal." I offered my hand to shake. "Of course, it's our pleasure." he accepted it. I expected him to release my hand after two to three shakes. "You can let go of my hand now." I raised a brow at him. " Awkward, this is too awkward."

"Yeah." As if on cue, Chua barged in. "Babe, I've been calling— Oh, sorry." I smiled apologetically to Mr. Alexandre. "It's okay, we're already done here." I glanced at Chua then to this guy. "I'm not that rude, so I need to formally introduce them."

"This is my boyfriend, Patrick Chua. He's a photographer and surfer." Chua stepped closer. I was about to introduce Mr. Alexandre, when he took a protective stance and... "Hi, nice to meet you, Mister?"

"I'm Aleron Alexandre from Wardein Industries." He replied smiling politely and offered a hand which Chua took. "I thought he'll brag about his position as CEO. So he's playing nice, huh?" They shook hands but their gazes spoke differently. As if offering a silent challenge to one another. " Nice to meet you too." He checked the time from his Rolex wristwatch. "I'm sorry but I have to go. Nice to meet you again." He formally excused himself and left.

My eyed fell in Chua's. He looked so serious, gone with the cool vibe and gentle smile." "Let's go, babe." He let out a small smile. It's not boyish, but a problematic one. "Was he jealous or something?"

"You have something to say or ask?" I'm patiently waiting for his explanation. The two of us are here inside my private lift. "I'm really sorry last night. Something came up. A friend of mine needs me." I managed to pull out a reassuring smile. "No worries, I was a bit busy too, so I chose to stay at home." He seems flooded with relief. 'Liar, I waited for an hour and ate by myself.'

"Let's eat, I know a newly opened Japanese restaurant!" He excitedly said. "Now he's giddy. I don't know, but my appetite suddenly vanished. I'm expecting a detailed explanation. Two can play this game" I smirked before replying. "Sounds appetizing."

"If he can't open up, I can do better than that."

Moments later, we arrived at the place he mentioned. The place seems so quiet, not eerie just quite. Confused, I asked him. "Are there any other customers?" He merrily shook his head before facing me. "Nope, I've reserved the whole place for us."

"Wow, Is this his way to make up to me? I'm not impressed. I'm not contented with this. I need his explanation."

"Thanks, you surely know how to make it up." I said that with a sweet tune. 'But honestly, I'm trying to imply a sarcastic remark. Can't he just notice how annoyed I am? Ugh. Men.' He smilingly replied before escorting me towards the table set up for us. "Anything for you babe."

We settled ourselves. A female servant came for our orders. "I can see how she's batting her lashes like a geisha." I rolled my eyes in annoyance but proceeded to state my order "Tuna maki, Sushi, Seafood ramen, sake, and Mochi."

"It's too early for sake, babe." He replied with a look of worry in his eyes. "He's really getting on my nerves. I hate it when someone's questioning my food list." I faked a reassuring smile before replying. "It's okay, I can handle it." He shook his head again. "No, it's working hours. No sake for you." I exhaled sharply. "I need to calm down."

Sake is a rice wine, commonly served in Japanese restaurants.

"Okay, just give me oolong tea." Chua smiled. "You know I don't want to see you drunk and wasted right?" He continued. "Yeah, he won't even let me join parties anymore. He said it's unladylike. Like I give a damn, I always sneak without him knowing."

I faked a smile for the nth time. "I know babe, I understand."

The whole meal was filled by silence. While Chua's mumbling about his friends, I was busy thinking about mine. Gloria and I haven't talked since our last encounter. She's pissed off. It's very rare for her to explode just like that. She doesn't curse and say harsh words. If she does, it means you really hit the bell for her longest patience-meter.

"My friends are asking for your presence babe. They want to meet you personally." I faced him. "Really, when?" I inquired with full curiosity. 'It's already a year and he's now ready to introduce me to his world.' He smiled reassuringly. "Soon, babe. How about yours? I heard you are close with the former supermodel from Europe and the CEO of Amazon Industries." He looked at me with inquiring eyes. 'So he has done his research.' I let out a sigh before quietly replying. "Yeah, but they're too busy right now."

He looked so hopeful. I can see his eyes glimmering in excitement, especially when he talked about Anne. "You know Anne?" I inquired but he looked confused. "Anne, was that Meghan Star?" I took a sip from my tea. "Yep, exactly."

"Yeah, I heard a lot from her. We belonged to the same industry before. She's fun to work with, that's what they say." He confidently replied 'The photographer and famous supermodel. Why am I feeling something strange beneath his eyes?'

"She is, but her man's a bit strict. He won't let her work that much." I raised a brow. 'It's true, Leo wants Anne to take it easy. He lets her do whatever she wants as long as she can handle all her responsibilities well.' He flashed an obviously fake sad face. "Oh, my friends will be sad to hear that." Chua's friends are composed of photographers, models, and fashion designers.

"How about the other one, the CEO?"

"You mean Gloria?" He nodded.

"This is awkward to discuss because we're not on good terms now." I hesitated but after taking a deep breath I answered his inquiry. "She's okay. Gloria's busy too. She loves to wander around." He looked satisfied. "Thanks for sharing babe. I know you don't open up too much." I smirked at his remarks which I hid by sipping at my tea. "Same as you, babe."

"You too, I can't wait to meet your friends soon."

We finished our food and he took me back to my office. "Thanks for the meal babe." I kissed his cheek. "My pleasure to see you satisfied. It's time for you to work, see you soon." He kissed me near my lips. 'It's almost a year full of surprises but he's still the gentleman I know.'

"Love you, take care."

I closed the door and walked towards my throne. I massaged my temples. I did some neck stretches. "Ugh. Faking smiles are tiring." I dropped myself onto the sofa. 'I was known as the calmest among my clan. Dela Vegas are known as unpredictable but respectful ones.'

As soon as I checked my emails. I noticed a new mail that I received an hour ago. It's from Rina. [Good morning, Miss Dela Vega. I'm still not feeling well. My doctor prescribed me to take a two-week vacation. But I'm worried about the inconvenience that I'll cause, so please allow me to work from home. I hope you understand. Here's my attached medical certificate.]

I scanned the attached file. I immediately sent a reply.

[No need to work from home, Rina. I and the HR can handle the workloads. Take a good rest, we are still paying you.]

I sighed. "I know it'll cause me quite trouble, but I need to be considerate. Employees are humans too. They need to take a break and rest for a while."

I chose to focus on the remaining papers. They needed to be reviewed and signed as soon as possible. Even the minor details don't slip on my scrutinizing eyes and mind. 'Minor details can cause catastrophic devastation. One wrong move, everything I've worked my ass for can easily disappear.'

Most of the papers are all about transactions and proposals. It took me three hours to finish them one by one. I stretched out my limbs and back. "Ahh. I love the cracking sounds as I stretch." I let out a sigh of relief. "This is exhausting."

I went to my pantry. I opened the fridge and grabbed a slice of blueberry cheesecake. I also brewed a chamomile tea to calm my nerves.

I can't help but to be lost in my thoughts.

I hope Gloria and I will clarify things between us. Then there's my boyfriend who can't even explain his weird gestures. Rina's on two-week leave. The sudden appearance of that Aleron-guy. Gloria's throwing tantrums that I can't understand.

'Am I still the game master?'

I jumped in surprise when my wristwatch rang. I pressed the secret button. "What is it?"

I heard Anne's frantic voice on the other end. "I can't trace Leo's location." I let another sigh. "Oh, that's why. But.." I concernedly asked. "What?" I can even hear her shaking breath. "He taught me how to locate someone's location. It's been 24 hours and I can't contact him."

'Leo's on a mission but I can't just tell it to her.'

"He said he'll be in Italy for some business matters. I asked where he is but it turns out he's bound to be here at Troum, first thing in the morning."

"Okay, calm down first. Second, where is Gloria? She's in charge with the technology-thing. Lastly, I'll be there in a few."

"I don't know where Gloria is, she's untraceable too." I accidentally hit the end button. 'Just, WTF!'

I made sure that everything was in order before I left. I was like a flash, washing the dishes and piling all the papers in order.

I added additional security. I can't help but to feel suspicious and anxious at the same time.

I WAS MET by an anxious Anne inside my office in the organization. I've tinkered with the traffic lights just to get here as fast as I could. "Damn that heavy traffic!"

"Hey, here, drink your favorite boba milk tea." I offered her. "She hates tea but loves milk tea. What a complicated person she is." She smiled before she shakingly took the boba in my hand. "Thanks." I silently observe her. "She's still antsy."

"Have you asked for elites' help?" she shook her head. "No, I don't want them to stress themselves more than they are now. They already have their own missions."

"Gloria loves to wander around, while your guy maybe wants to surprise you." I suggestively said, which made her look at me with confusion, frustration, anxiety and other more emotions that I can't pinpoint swam in her eyes. "He knows I hate his surprises. It's quite alarming and still, he's not the type of person who's just gonna turn his GPS off, unless.."

She seems to draw into the conclusion I've slowly hinted. "You gave him a mission?" I shrugged my shoulders in response.

"We're still not finished with the Coven issue, and here you are giving away missions." She looked at me suspiciously. "I know you know something about this, just make sure that that bastard is gonna come home alive." And with that, she left.

I tried to contact Leo and trace his location. It's still untraceable, same with Gloria. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Yet, little did I know, everything was a fucking mess.