8 VIII - You look familiar

"Ugh" I groaned as I lazily got up from my bed.

I woke up earlier than my alarm all because of what happened last night that I couldn't get enough amount of sleep.

It's still my 2nd day at work and yet I wanted to quit already. I don't think I can ever do my job properly knowing that he's our Department Head who also checks our reports in overall.

I spent two years of my youth with him only as strangers. I should've asked a lot of things about him if I knew this would happen.

"Ugh, Denise. What kind of crime did you make in your past life that you have such misfortune." I complained to myself before getting ready.

And now that I'm standing in front of the building's entrance, I am still contemplating if I should get in already or just file a resignation letter now.

God, why?

And I got here earlier than the everyone else.

Still, I have to work for a living so I greeted the guard and went inside, proceeding immediately to our respective floor.

Well, it's not like I'll always run into him. And Cassy mentioned he won't stay long with us.

Alright, all is well.

It was so quiet that I can clearly hear someone's footstep and voice getting closer while I am arranging my desk so I can work better when the day starts.

I lift my face up to see the person who's headed to my direction and thought that it could be a great opportunity to get to know my workmates.

But my poor eyesight, despite of me wearing my contacts on, gave me a blurry image of a man in suit and he looks like he's on his phone.

Seriously? Almost every guy in our department wears a suit at work.

But the moment he got closer, giving me a clearer image of his face, I became stiff on my seat, my hands gripping tightly on the table, and I suddenly forgot how to breathe.

"G-good morning, Sir." with my small and nervous voice, I greeted him.

But my mouth hang open when he didn't even paid me a glance and just completely passed by me.

I greeted him politely because he is my superior but how can he fully ignore his subordinates like that? Does he even know I'm a newbie here? Isn't it a basic etiquette to welcome the newly hired workers?!

I mean, it's not like I wanted him to look at me but I can't believe that he was such a snob!

When I assured myself that he's no longer around, only then I calmed down and I can finally breathe normally.

Guess I won't have to worry about interacting with him even if the event requires me to.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, eh?" Cassy greeted playfully when she came just a few minutes later.

I didn't realize I was already frowning and radiating a foul mood from what happened if she didn't point my expression out.

I swiftly switched my mood and gave her a smile and greeted her back.

"Come on, nobody woke up on the wrong side of the bed, Cassy." I defended myself, chuckling.

"Done, already?" asked Cassy as she stood beside me with her bag on her left hand.

"No. I guess I'll just take an overtime." I answered, flashing a smile at her so she won't have to worry.

"Well, good luck, Denise. Don't overwork yourself. I have to get going now. See you tomorrow"

And... she bid her goodbye.

And now I am all alone in the whole floor.

Kidding, a few colleagues are taking an overtime, too. But it's not the time for me to be thinking about it now. This report is needed for tomorrow's meeting with the company's investors, as what Mrs. Smith told me.

Sighs. I guess this is really what it's like to work in a top performing company.

Alright, Denise. You can do it!

So much for cheering myself, but here I am, having my 3rd cup of coffee already.

I just finished the report assigned to me and when I checked the time, it's almost 10 already. While reviewing my work, I have decided to have a coffee again so I can stay awake.

Or at least, this coffee can give me the courage I'll be needing minutes from now.

I sipped on my coffee carelessly as a certain thought popped in my head again, which caused me to groan due to the burning feeling I felt in my tongue.

It was an hour ago when Mrs. Smith came to me in a rush, saying she has an emergency at home. And with that, she won't be able to wait for me anymore so I'll have to submit my work directly to our CFO.

I sighed.

I have lost count already to how many times I sighed since an hour ago. I don't think I can bravely face him even though I will just have to submit this report.

"Alright." I whispered to myself when I am all ready to go in his office, carrying with me the folder and flash drive which both contain the financial statement.

I just have to submit it quickly and ask him if I can go home already.

Right. Easy as that.

I took a deep breath before knocking on his office three times. Right after that, I heard his familiar voice signaling me to come in and so I obliged.

I immediately composed myself as I went inside his office, hiding my shaking hands by gripping tightly on the folder. And when my eyes landed on where he is sitting, I cleared my throat before speaking.

"Good evening, Sir. Here are the reports you needed for tomorrow. Mrs. Smith left already because of an emergency so she instructed me to personally submit this to you." I said, not allowing him to speak in between my sentence.

Hope I didn't seem rude to my superior just because of that.

He has this stoic expression as he eyed me carefully, and, slowly, his eyebrows furrowed, now giving me a questioning look.

I gulped. Has he always been like this?

I remained standing beside the door, scared that I might make a mistake in front of him.

Minutes later, his expression softened, as if he finally recognized me.

Now, it hits me. He doesn't look like he knows me. I have memorized all of his expressions and all the look he flashed in his eyes, but I've never seen the kind of eyes he's flashing before me right now.

He feels familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time.

"You must be the new Internal Auditor." finally, he spoke.

I took that as a cue for me to come near him so I can hand the files I have prepared.

"I apologize for not introducing myself first, Sir. I am Denise Rockwell, the new Internal Auditor under your supervisory. Here are the reports, Sir." I said, handing him the flash drive and documents.

Now, my hands suddenly feel cold.

"I see."

Oh, I must be really sleepy right now that I am creating images in my head already. I saw him flashed an amused smile for a moment before checking the reports.

And now, my heart's pounding abnormally.

I remained standing in front of him, trying to calm down and hide the restlessness I'm starting to feel.

I want to run away.

I don't want to be rude so I waited for him to tell me that I can go now. I can't just leave without his instructions.

And that waiting caused me to watch him as he flip through the pages of the financial statements.

He still has those long eyelashes, creating a beautiful shadow as he is looking down to see the papers. His shoulders got broader but they are still to my liking. And look at his furrowing brows as he's reading, they look sexy. My eyes diverted on his hands, those hands and arms that I want to embrace me. I scanned his face again and witnessed how his jaw is clenching so often everytime he pressed his lips together. His lips look... luscious.

"Raven.." I mumbled under my breath unconsciously.

Wait– what am I thinking?

I can't believe I just admire my superior right in front me!

"Yes?"

I blinked my eyes multiple times when he looked at me. I didn't notice I said his name shamelessly while staring at him.

"S-sir? Yes, I mean, I'm sorry about that.  May I leave now, Sir?" I nervously said and laughed to hide my embarrassment but it only made it more obvious.

He smiled playfully before answering,

"Oh, right. I'm sorry for making you stay late at work. You may leave now."

I screamed a big "Yes" in my head.

I quickly thanked him and bid my goodbye while smiling gratefully.

Man, that was close. He must be thinking that I'm just the same as those other girls who were fantasizing over him.

But when I was about to step out of his office, he threw an intriguing question at me.

"By the way, have we met before already?"

I felt my breath hitched. Does he remember me now?

"What do you mean, Sir?" was all I could ask to refrain myself from getting my hopes up.

"Nothing. You look familiar."

I flashed a smile in dismay and then completely left his office.

Guess he doesn't really remember me. What am I anyway? I was just a mere stranger.

Still, that was embarrassing.