Secretary Andrew Becomes Afraid

Andrew waved goodbye at the closing staff before leaving the studio. Behind him, the lights inside turned off one by one as he started walking towards the main road. He looked down on his phone. Allen texted him that they haven't found Luiz and he wasn't picking up their calls. He also sent a list of the places they've already visited, and there was one place that was obviously wasn't listed.

Andrew scratched his head, annoyed. He shouldn't even intervene any further, but it was worth a try. He caught a taxi and headed to Lopez Co.

During the drive, he gazed outside the window and felt calmness wave over his previous worries. It must be the confidence of knowing that Luiz would be there.

About half an hour, Andrew got down on the opposite side of the street of the Lopez Co. building. His eyes did little to no effort of searching, yet he already spotted the sulky twenty-four-year-old sitting on one of the many rows of wooden benches under the trees. Luiz was staring at the sky.

He sent a quick text to Allen before crossing the street.

As he got closer, Andrew followed Luiz's line of sight and realized that the younger man was staring at the top floor of the building. The executive floor.

He drew out a long sigh as he flopped beside Luiz in silence. He stretched out his legs out into the road and leaned back comfortably.

"It might be weird to ask, and you don't have to answer if you're not up to it," Andrew spoke. "But what's your dream?"

Luiz turned and glanced at Andrew, astonished. His eyes fell to his joined hands at his lap. He glanced again at Andrew, gauging his intentions.

"To run a successful business where employees are happy to be there." Luiz replied. "Where their chests swell with pride to be under the employment of Lopez Co. Where they can go to work smiling, and have the company be a positive effect on their overall being. Unlike the current Lopez Co. where people drag their feet by the entrance."

He glanced at the building and tried to see what Luiz was seeing. To Andrew, this glass building was just a place he works at. But to Luiz, this building represents his one and only dream. The one thing he's been striving for. Today, he just got a reminder that no hard work will get him there.

Andrew nodded. "That's a good dream, Luiz."

"Thank you." Luiz bit his lip as if he wanted to say more but couldn't.

So, Andrew spoke, "And you're angry at Allen because your parents handed the position that could make your dreams possible on a silver plate. Then he tries to scrape it off like gum on his shoe."

"Your words not mine," Luiz chuckled.

Andrew laughed, loudly. "You brothers have every right to be. Allen's been breaking his back for something he doesn't want while you're working so hard for something seemingly out of reach. Don't worry. I'm not going to tell you that your anger is misplaced or anything. Besides, we've already had our dramatic talk. But it' is nice, isn't it? To let everything you've bottled out of your chest."

Luiz hesitated before he nodded with a smile on his lips.

"What about you, Secretary Andrew?"

"What about me? If this is about your weird obsession with your brother and I being together. You can drop it."

"No, no." Luiz waved him off. "I meant to ask your dreams as well."

"Oh." Andrew remained quiet for a while, contemplating on what he should say. When nothing came to mind. He chose to be honest.

"When I was young," Andrew started. "My uncle—he used to take me to these street markets filled with all sorts of food. We would stuff ourselves with cheap, but delicious food. We would chat with the vendors, ask their day, about their business, and we would all joke around. Dining with uncle made me happy. Food just makes everyone happy. Even Allen. That's my dream."

"Your dream is to eat?" Luiz questioned.

"No, rat-face," Andrew replied with an eyeroll. "I want to own a restaurant. A place that serves good, inexpensive food and where friends can have happy conversations."

"Then why have you been working as a secretary—wait, is it because of the orphan thing? I did not realize that was true." Luiz offered a sympathetic yet panicked look.

Andrew countered with a smack on Luiz's head.

"You can shove your pity up my ass," he grunted. "I was young. I was a twenty something kid who didn't really know better and I had no money. I needed a job with a higher starting salary, so I could save up the capital I needed. A place where I can learn how to manage a business."

Luiz quirked his brow. "And you thought of Lopez Co?"

Andrew looked down and his eyes raked over his suit. His new bag. All gifts from Allen. His lips curled into a smile, as a distant memory resurfaced in front of his eyes.

He had wondered around the business district looking for a corporate job. Under the blazing heat of the sun, a young Andrew patted the beads of sweat on his brows. He found himself lost in a sea of professional young men and women, and unknowingly, he felt the prickling embarrassment of his shabby attire.

He slipped out away from the main street and into a quiet area. Rows of wooden benches and lines of trees surrounded the glass building. He dropped in an empty bench under the dark shade of a tree, hidden, and watched the employees flow into the building. There was one glaring man who caught his eye. He was probably a little older than Andrew, but he was so well put together. He oozed confidence, looked sharp, and he seemed to have it all figured out. He gave the impression of being perfect.

He stepped out from the backseat of stylish car with a young woman. Though the second they got out, she grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him to the side of the building. She looked around to check if they were alone. When she was satisfied, she chucked all the documents in her hand into the man's face. The pieces of paper swung side-to-side before they flopped to the ground. No one had noticed, except Andrew who was well-hidden.

Her voice bellowed in rage at the man. She darted her finger into his chest with every point she made while the young man did not react, except for the glare he had on. By the time she stormed out, he stood still in a pool of documents staring into nothing for some while. He sunk his teeth into his lower lip hard enough for it to pale. His hands tightened into fists by his side. He kept his eyes peeled opened, and Andrew realized, how hard the man was keeping himself together.

Andrew got up and hurried to the man. He crouched down and collected all the papers, neatly arranging them in the discarded folder.

"Um, here." Andrew handed it to him.

The man swiped the folder and didn't spare Andrew a glance as he took off in big strides. Andrew heaved a sigh as he watched the back of the man. He was hot, too bad he was rude and probably on the verge of a breakdown. This was probably the last time he was ever going to see him.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and came face-to-face with a woman with fluffy hair and thick lipstick.

"Are you looking for a job?" She asked, and when Andrew nodded. "Good, hand me your resume. My name's Sonna. I saw what you did back there. Our team needs someone like you."

Andrew quirked his eyebrow. "Someone who can pick up folders?"

"Someone who doesn't cave in from Sir Allen's glare. "Sonna winked. "You'll hear from me soon."

Andrew cackled loudly. "And that's how I came to work under your jerk of a brother. Who would have thought that six years later I would be pretending to be his boyfriend and comforting his younger brother?"

There was disbelief in Luiz's astonished face. "I cannot believe that is how you two met."

"We didn't actually talk, until I went for an interview," Andrew replied. "He judged me right from the very beginning. If he hadn't been so good looking, I would have thrown a vase at his face. Well, there were many occasions in the past few years where I wanted to punch him."

Luiz nodded, amused. "Then may I ask why you haven't pursued your dream yet?"

Andrew stilled, startled by Luiz's question. He didn't know why he hesitated nor why he couldn't just say whatever came up in his mind.

"I still don't have enough capital," Andrew lied to Luiz and to himself.

"I hope you realize that my brother is, as you would say, loaded," said Luiz, convinced. "Based on the way he looks at you, I am certain he will give you all the money you need in a heartbeat."

That comment earned him another slap in the back from Andrew.

"You mean the way he glares at me," Andrew retorted. "Besides, with the dramatic way you blew earlier. I'm pretty sure the five million is in the bag. Great outburst by the way."

Luiz's cheeks had become scarlet red. He cleared his throat and his eyes darted around. "I thought you were going to scold me for doing that."

"I was," Andrew replied. "I've told you many times to wait. You need time to grow up. But when I saw you here, gazing at your dreams. You kind of reminded me of myself. I saw that you didn't want to talk, so I just told a little story of my own."

After a pause, Andrew continued, "You should talk it out with them. They're still a product of their time, but they're trying their best. When your emotionless brother came out to your parents. We were expecting to be slapped, splashed by water, and get disowned. You never know what reaction you'll get from those two."

Andrew glanced at Luiz. He didn't reply. Andrew huffed and suddenly enveloped Luiz in a huge embrace. Luiz froze on the spot.

"It's okay," Andrew whispered, patting Luiz's back, softly. "You're a brilliant kid. You're only twenty-four. You don't have to rush yourself to be successful. You don't have to be anything but yourself, alright?"

Luiz buried his face in Andrew's hug. He wrapped his arms around Andrew, hesitantly at first, but after a few failed attempts. Luiz finally gave in to the warm embrace.

"Secretary Andrew, you really are the best," Luiz mumbled.

"I know," Andrew replied with a confident smirk. Though his mind was cluttered with indecisiveness. He could end all of these misunderstanding tonight if he just confesses about their plan and what lengths Allen is willing to go through just to denounce the CEO position. But if he does this, would he lose the five million he needs to build his restaurant? What else would he lose?

By the narrow path towards the back of the building, he saw Allen skid to a stop, panting. He looked worried, but the minute he laid eyes on Andrew and Luiz, all the worry in his eyes drained. It was immediately replaced with relief. The corner of Allen's rose to a curl. They shared a knowing look with each other. One full of trust. The same look they always share when they're in a tough situation, and they always knew they would get by it together.

A slow, but sure measure of fear crept inside Andrew's head. A fear of loss from what's to come.