King Frost Threw A Snowstorm!

"VP Suarez, why are you still here? Isn't Boss Draco expecting you to hand over the proposal for next month? Why aren't you coming in?" Alex asked the older man loitering outside Draco's office.

"Secretary Cruz!" VP Suarez cried out as soon as Alex approached him. The VP then grabbed Alex's arms and thrust a blue folder onto his hands, saying, "Thank god you're here! Please help me. I don't want to die early!"

"What are you saying? And what's this?" Confused, Alex tried to question the VP to understand what was happening.

"It's the proposal, of course. It's finished. But I'm afraid that if I hand it over myself, I won't survive like all the other two officers who went in before me!"

"Two others? Please calm down. I don't understand." 

Now, Alex was getting more confused. As far as he knows, Draco had only asked for VP Suarez's department plan. He even reminded the VP a few days ago of the deadline, informing the other that he'd be away on a business trip for two days.

"We don't know what happened. But the boss is in a bad mood since yesterday. Everyone is afraid to enter his office!"

"Huh? Boss Draco is angry? I just came back from M. City."

"Oh, right! You were on a business trip, so you were unaware of the situation." The older man concluded. 

Then he looked fearfully at the door leading to Draco's office before pulling Alex to the side. Moving closer to Alex, his back hunch, VP Suarez raised one hand to cup one side of his mouth before telling him in half-whisper, "King Frost threw a snowstorm! It's so big. His chilling words almost freeze everyone to death. Icicles went flying all over the office. Just a while ago, Jana and Ed were being supported out of the boss' office one after the other. They were both trembling and in shock. So pitiful! You know Ed's almost a senior, right? He had to be brought to the clinic before he could coherently speak again! Wuhuhu, I don't want to end up like them, Secretary Cruz. You have to help me!"

Speechless, Alex could only stare at the frantic man continuously shoving the folder at him. He just got back and has no idea what caused Draco's outburst. But the secretary could totally understand VP Suarez's fear. He'd seen an angry Draco before. Alex was not the recipient, but even as a spectator, he almost buckled on his feet.

When Alex did not respond after a while, VP Suarez used a different approach to employ his help.

"Secretary Cruz, I have a wife and children who still needs me. Who would take care of them if something untoward happened to me? Huh? Please, Secretary Cruz." Alex was just about to give in when VP Suarez unwittingly added, "You're single, so you know… If something happens to you, it will not matter. So, you're a better choice."

Alex clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes. Inside he was lamenting. Yes, I'm single! You don't have to shove it in my face. And so, you know, I have people who depend on me too. My parents! 

However, Alex elected to keep silent. Anyway, he would sound more pathetic if he says it out loud.

Accepting the folder, he said, "Fine. You don't have to say more. I'll bring it in with me. But I can't guarantee Boss Draco would just let it go like that. You were supposed to present it to him."

VP Suarez was elated. He clasped Alex's hand tightly and exclaimed, "Thank you! You're my savior, Secretary Cruz. My wife and children will be forever indebted to you." 

Then before Alex could even blink, the VP was already a few feet away, running faster than the speed of light.

Alex let out a deep sigh, tapping the folder he was holding he murmured, "No, they wouldn't."

Preparing himself for whatever dark mood the boss was in, Alex pushed the door open to Draco's office.

As soon as Alex came in, his senses was immediately assaulted by the heavy smell of cigars. The blinds were also down, making the room dark and gloomy. It did not help that the only light in the room came from the one above the entrance. Draco, who was further in the room, seated in his chair with its back facing the door, was in darkness. Alex wouldn't have noticed him if not for the burning end of the cigarette he was holding, marking his location.

Instantly, Alex could understand the other's sentiments. The boss looked a lot scarier than usual in such a setting.

Gathering his courage, Alex walked further in, but not before closing the door behind him ever so slowly. He was halfway through the room when Draco swiveled around in his chair. The sullen man looked at Alex with an expressionless face, smoke billowing out of his mouth. The orange glow of the lighted stick illuminated his steel grey eyes.

Alex shuddered. His steps came to a halt. The scene in front of him reminded him of horror movies, where the devil appears one night to extract payment for debts from unfortunate souls. And right now, the boss fits perfectly for the role of the devil. And Alex is that poor man whose soul will soon perish.

Deciding he was close enough for safety, Alex raised his hand to show Draco the folder he was holding.

"Boss, VP Suarez had an emergency. He gave me this folder to submit to you."

Draco did not say anything and just kept staring at Alex. Soon the secretary began to fidget under Draco's unfathomable eyes. Cold sweat ran down his back.

Alex quickly regretted being swayed by VP Suarez. What was he thinking playing hero? He was throwing himself into the pit!

The silence continued and got Alex thinking about what was wrong with their boss. Though, Draco is usually cold-erase that. His boss is cold. In truth, it is seldom he gets this worst. And only very few things could affect him this bad.

A hunch told Alex that this may be related to a certain boy.

Testing the waters first, Alex asked cautiously, "How's Little Riley, boss?"

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Alex felt the air temperature drop below zero. Frost spread across the room, making him shiver involuntarily.

However, Alex thought it was worth it. He got the answer he was looking for. He was right, something must have happened to Boss Draco and Little Riley.