CHAPTER 2

"MISS JIMENEZ!"

Ouch! I jumped and grabbed my ear and maybe there was blood coming out of it because of Ursula's scream — Miss Jean's este. I was so thankful that I could do nothing but wear my earrings. Fortunately, I am not deaf yet.

I immediately stood up straight from my grip on my knee and faced him while still sweating profusely from running to the office. If I wait for a jeep, my hair will definitely turn white while waiting.

"Why, Ursula — is this Miss Jean?" I just nodded while waiting for what he would say next. I bit my lip when I saw his smoky nose. I don’t know if I’m suppressing my fear or my laughter.

What would he say? Will I be preparing a new CV? Will I print a new one outside? Make a photocopy? How many copies? Maybe those five are okay? Maybe I will be accepted by one of the five companies? How about if-

"Miss Jimenez! Are you listening ?!"

"You are the son of fat Ursula!" I heard the faint laughter of my office mates because of what I said. I looked at Matthew who was also secretly laughing.

We were able to straighten me even more while my knees were still shaking. Miss Jean, one of our supervisors, stared at them, so the whole office fell silent.

"You. How many times have you been late this week?" he stabbed me in the forehead causing my head to move back and forth. Why is he playing with my head? Do I look like a swing?

"Three, Miss." I said as if the professor was scolding me. If he is the prof, I am the student who will soon be expelled because of the record of absences.

"There. You know. Why are you still late until now?" I saw his eyebrows rise as he sober up. She is like a mother scolding her child for not wanting to eat vegetables.

"Because I'm late?" I heard the weak laughter of my officemates again. Why? Am I telling the truth? Why would someone be late? Eh because he's late?

"Quiet! Why are you philosophizing me?" he started to prick my head again and move it back and forth. "You know I'm going to make you a little zip line so you won't be late." It added that I winced. He's ugly to joke.

"No, Miss. I'm not Pilosopotasyo's child. Are you Ursula's child?" the laughter of my colleagues grew louder. Miss Jean, on the other hand, almost had a tomato face with red on her face with anger.

"You're fi-" he couldn't continue what he was about to say when his eyes suddenly widened and he bowed in front of me. That's why I wondered what he did.

My colleagues also stopped laughing as they bowed. Tension can be felt throughout the office so I was surprised. But I also smiled as soon as I noticed in the direction I was facing them.

"What's wrong with you? Do you worship me? Hello. I don't need that. I know I'm beautiful and kind but you don't have to bow. Hey, Miss Jean! All right. I forgive you." I talked to all of them while embarrassed and covered my mouth with a spontaneous smile.

A few more minutes passed but no one noticed me. They were just bent over and seemed to be shaking in their seats. It was as if they wanted to stop me from blabbering on.

"Excuse me!" my eyes widened when I heard the loud squeal from behind me. So— I'm not the one they greet if it's not the person behind me?

Oh my God! My problem with Ursula is not over yet and there is a new replacement. What is this again? I slowly turned around as if my body was stiffening.

"Arrogant man?!" I pointed at his face, his head backed away while frowning. He was the man driving his car too fast. At high speed you think you will run out of the road.

"D-Devyn!" Miss Jean disobeyed me and forcibly lowered my right hand pointing at the man's face. I was even more surprised because I could feel the nervousness of all of them, of course, except for Matthew who was just typing something on his pc.

"Miss Jean, he's the reason I'm late! he's the reason for all this! He threw mud on my heels because of the fast running of his car- Hmmmmm hmmm!" she quickly jumped in front of me and covered my mouth. I saw her smile at the man as if terrified.

I still struggled but he immediately pulled me to my desk and silenced me there. I even saw the man's cold stare at me. He had been staring at me the same way before — warning.

"Fire her, Garcia and bring her to my office." I saw Miss Jean as if stiffened when she heard Judas' voice. I could see Matthew's sudden turn to the man.

"NOW!" I jumped from my seat when I heard the loud scream of the man from the elevator he was riding in. Just before it closed I saw how the mixture of its face went bad as his hands clasped.

They all gathered to go to my desk and made me stand up then pushed me. They almost stumbled and dragged me just to push me into the other elevator of our office.

"Where are you taking me? Why are you sending me away?" I wondered as they looked at me as they pushed me into the elevator. I looked at Matthew who was squatting in front of me.

"Matthew!" I call him as the rest of my colleagues push me. Won't he help me? It was as if we were not neighbors and friends in what he was doing.

"Come on. Release her." He was about to pull my hand when the man pulled me in earlier. Isn't he in the other elevator? Why is he here now or maybe I was just imagining he rode one?

Even Matthew was surprised by what the man did so he was stunned until the door closed. I even heard his loud knocking on it.

I gasped at the thought that I had no job. I haven't been able to pay my rent for months. Because I don't have a job anymore. I messed up my hair.

I'm fed up with Henry again. I slumped in the elevator then frowned. What do I do to find a new job for the old man to not notice? He's an ill-tempered man after all.

"Did I order you to clean the floor?" I immediately stood up and straightened my hair and skirt because of him. Why am I shocked and afraid of him when he is no longer my boss?

"You're here." No, he's not there Dev. He is not here. If only he wasn't here, I'm sure I would have figured it out earlier. I saw him grab me earlier and then I wonder why he is here.

"You're fired from my company, midget." I made him hear my fake laugh loudly which he ignored. He seemed to know that I was nervous and I was still scared of him.

"What? I can nam-" my eyes widened when I realized what he said. "What did you say? What did you call me? Midget? Then what? ‘Your’ company? ” he finally had a wide smile on his lips.

I hurriedly step backwards as he walk towards me. I heard him chuckled lightly when I have no space left to step on. I got nervous when he flashed his devilish smirk in front of me.

"Yes. You heard me right, Persephone." I can feel his breath on my lips as he was speaking. It was hot and it smells like menthol. I can sense the lingering smell of it in my nose.

"W-What are you doing?" I pushed him as he touch my cheeks while smiling. He caress it smoothly and gently as if he’s scared to hurt me. I can’t believe myself. Why am I letting someone, who I don’t even know, to touch me?

"I am the owner of this company," I felt his breath on my ears while he’s whispering. My eyes grew bigger when I realized what he said; he’s the owner of this company at his young age?

"And I am your owner…”