FIVE: THIS IS WHERE WE STARTED II [flashback]

[SHAIRA's POINT OF VIEW]

He cleared his throat and replied, "Can't you drop the formality?"

I looked at him, wearing my perplexed reaction. I asked myself, 'Why make such a request? Isn't it only natural to address him with utmost respect and formality because he's my employer?'

How can I? I cannot treat him in such an informal fashion because he's my boss, after all.

"You know, you can treat me as your friend outside our workplace. Anyway, you're done already, shall we?" He added.

I nod. Then, I walked next to him. We managed to reach the parking area without having any conversation. Right now, he is driving in the front seat while I'm sitting in the passenger seat. It was almost seven in the evening when we finally arrived. We encountered a few logging out of an employee in the lobby.

"Goodbye, sir." Each of them bids goodbye to Jhotam. He replied using his famous nod.

Since I'm working overtime, I'll stay here for about 1- 2 hours, maybe? It all depends on my load. I started working with the planner, recommendations, and proposals while my boss was too focused on working with his computer and a mountain of papers beside him.

My back hurts, and so does my ass. Can someone call flash and hit the end button now? I've been working with my ass for freaking straight two hours and a half.

"It's getting late, and you look exhausted. You may go home now; we still have tomorrow."

Finally! Right now, I wish to throw my exhausted body on my bed. "Thank you, sir."

"Did I already mention that you must discard 'sir' whenever we're alone?"

"But-" then how would he like me to address him?

"Call me Jhotam. Are we clear?"

"Y-yes?"

"Good... pack your things. Let me turn off the computer first. Then, we're going downstairs."

I slightly tilted my head and wondered what was wrong with my boss.

He looked in my direction and smiled. "Let's go," he said.

Only the night insects are the visible sound we can hear. I followed his shadow. Meanwhile, he kept checking his back, wondering if I was still there.

"Can you keep me company 'till we reach the parking area?"

I thought he might be afraid of ghosts, for he wanted me to keep him accompanied. I asked, "Sir...I mean, Jhotam, are you afraid of a ghost?"

"Not really. Why did you ask? Are you afraid?" He replied.

"Nothing, Sir. I don't believe in ghosts."

Is this closeness normal for a boss and a mere employee?

"Here we go again." He raised his right eyebrow.

Crap! I forgot. I called him 'sir' once again.

"It can't be helped since it's been my habit for almost five months. If I were to address you with just your name, who knows, I may be confused with the outside and inside protocol of the office," I explained.

"It's not a big deal, after all, so I don't mind. Tho, I advise professionalism."

I blinked my eyes and thought he was quite a chill one, but I dare not move my lips.

"Since you made an effort all through here, will dropping you in your house be enough?"

"Since you made an effort all through here, will dropping you in your house be enough?" He asked.

"I think it's too much. I'll grab a taxi outside," I replied, refusing the offer.

"Grabbing a taxi? Wouldn't it be dangerous for a woman, especially at this hour?"

He's right again, and I'm absurd again. There's nothing wrong with my boss' offer, right?

However, can I trust him? Rape case is increasing nowadays. I don't want to be in the headline of a newspaper.

"As your boss, I'm after your safety, so now, will you still refuse?"

I took a deep breath then, later on, I gave him my sweet and thankful smile. I'm about to sit on the back of the shotgun seat when he uttered, "Are you not going to sit next to me?"

"Wouldn't it look like I'm the driver?" he added, unlocking the shotgun seat's door.

"If that's the case, then you'll make the most handsome driver I have ever seen." too late for me to realize what I just mentioned.

"Just kidding!" Now I throw another obvious lame excuse. I have to go with the flow... he wants me to sit beside him, then be it.

He broke the silence by asking, "Is it okay if I turn on the radio?"

I nod and allow the dead air to envelop us.

"Didn't you find me attractive even just a little?" He asked out of context.

Just a little? He's effin' one hella, hot boss, I've worked with. Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything to admire about him either. I'm just stating what is obvious.

"Silence means yes.... by the way, which one is your house?"

I pointed to the house in the middle of blue and violet houses. Suddenly, I had a goosebump as soon as I realized he knew my residency before I even told him the address. Did he memorize my address in my resume? How the hell did he know where I'm residing?

Instead of asking, I hurriedly jumped out of his car. To my surprise, I almost bumped into my mother, standing next to the gate.

"So... it's not Overtime in office, more precisely over time in date," says mom, squinting her eyes.

"Good evening, madam." Jhotam politely greeted my mother as he stood behind me.

"Come, let's get inside," says mom.

"Mom! He's my boss... in case you don't know," I said.

I was too embarrassed due to my mom's unstoppable mouth.

"Oops! Sorry for my informality a while ago. Here, have a seat, sir."

"I feel old madam whenever you are calling me 'sir'. Madam, just call me Jhotam."

" Jhotam, call me auntie. Coffee or juice?"

Geez, aren't they getting along very well?

"I'll have coffee, Auntie."

"Shaira, make coffee for your boss."

I sighed and went to the kitchen to brew two cups of coffee. Shortly after, I head back to our receiving area to serve the coffee.

"Here's your coffee."

He smiled with his dimples again and replied, "thanks."

"You don't look like an old pal. How old are you, Hijo?" My mom asked.

Mom!? What the heck is wrong with your mouth? How can you talk casually to my employer?

"I'm 24 years old," he replied.

What the heck?! He's just two years older than me. I thought he was almost hitting the calendar age.

"Pardon me for spoiling our wonderful conversation Auntie, but tonight is getting late."

"Shaira will open our small garage for you, have a nice trip, Hijo."

"Thank you for the coffee, Auntie."

"Small things compared to your effort in driving my daughter home."

I immediately pushed my boss out of my mother's sight. I could not wait to be at peace once my boss left our home.

"Thank you again, Sir- I mean Jhotam," I uttered while standing in the garage with him.

"Your coffee tastes great, and I wish to visit you more often. By the way, I like Auntie."

Is he telling me that he had fallen to my mom? Is it because of the coffee? Did she put a potion on it?

'Funny~~ weren't you the one who brewed the coffee?' says a voice inside my head.

"Do you have a hidden desire for my mother?" I asked.

Jhotam looked at me, wearing a priceless shock reaction. He stopped playing with his car keys and replied, "It's not the 'like' I'm referring to." Shortly after, he burst into laughter and added, "I'm not the type of guy who will choose a married woman. I mean...I like her hospitality."

I'm not stupid or what, just making things clear. Nowadays, men like women who are way older than them.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to judge you."

"It's fine. Anyway, you made me laugh anyway, so I don't mind if you judge me more." After those words, he finally hopped in his car, but before closing his tinted window, he gave me a salute and a pair of soothing dimples.

Then my heart beat as I watched him drive away. "What's with this stupid heart? Those were simply dimples, no reason to act this way," I whispered through the air, scolding my heart.