6 6

Many bread, sandwiches, and coffees have passed when Jason decided to go back to the office. Our laughter and stories stopped when the door of Leig opened. We saw an angry and red-faced Leig. When he saw us, it felt like a volcano erupted.

“JASON! NICOLE! WHAT THE HELL!” He suddenly scattered the papers and office supplies that were near him. Seeing him, Jason immediately went in front of me, like he was protecting me from what might be thrown in our direction.

“Leig, pare. Calm down. I only wanted to feed her for a while before you came back. I only did it because I know you’ll make her go overtime,” Jason said in a calm voice.

My god! I don't know what I will do first. Will I say sorry and go back to my station or just stay here behind Jason because of Jerk’s anger? He isn’t also a Jerk. He’s also scary.

“Bullshit, Jason! You wanted to go on a date with another one of my employees! Why not take them all, while you are at it?”

Leig ran his hands on his hair before removing the black necktie and tossed it somewhere. Jason used this moment to whisper to me.

“Nicole, I need to speak with Leig. Go out and go home. I’ll just see you tomorrow, alright?” He is forced to smile and yet I can see worry and fear in him.

“But...Jason, Sir...Also, I have some stuff left inside where I was working.” We both looked at the place where I sat a while ago.

Jason sighed. “Okay. I’ll just run by your apartment later after I talk to Leig. Go, Nicole.”

When he said that, I walked as fast as I could to my cubicle, to the lobby, and to the bus waiting shed. I drummed my fingers on my side while I waited for the bus. After a while, suddenly there’s thunder and lightning. I didn’t notice that dark clouds have already formed with my need to go home. There are some who are taking shelter under establishments or going back to their offices, waiting for the rain to pass. But as for me, I’m still here waiting for a bus to arrive, and maybe hope for a taxi to pass by.

Minutes have passed and I’m the only one left in the waiting shed. There wasn't any bus or taxi that passed by. Only private cars have passed. The rain started to fall and I ran my hand inside my bag to see if I had an umbrella. I didn’t notice a black car stopped in front of me.

“Nicole! Get in!”

I jumped at the loud voice of Sir Leig. Whatever he said didn’t register in my mind. “Sir?”

“I said, get in! The rain might get heavier!”

“Oh, Sir. No, thank you. It’s embarrassing, I’ll just wait for a taxi or bus. Thank you.” I don’t want to ride with him. While in the office, he shouted like he’s an erupted volcano.

“Nicole, get in! I’m causing traffic already! Get in or else I’ll really fire you!”

Just by the word fire, I immediately went inside his car. I hastened to put on my seat belt and focused on the road. Jerk sighed before starting to drive. The building of our condo and the office building is not that far but because of the rain, the traffic became heavy.

He cleared his throat before speaking. “Nicole.”

I peeked at him using my peripheral vision before speaking. “Sir.”

He let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry I released my anger on you. I was stressed when I was in those meetings and developed a headache. I didn't mean it.”

I slowly turned to him. He actually apologized to me! I don’t believe it! Wait, maybe it’s just his icebreaker. “Sir, can you repeat that again?”

He let out another deep breath. “I said I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put my anger on you.”

I secretly smiled. Now, I know he has a heart. I thought he was just full of jerk-y things. I looked through my window, thinking of what I can reply to him. I was smiling at my reflection on the window when suddenly my phone rang which disrupted the quiet inside the car.

Christian calling…

“Hi! Chris! How are you? Are you coming home?” I excitedly answered the phone.

“Hello? Is this Chris’ girlfriend? This is his boss, Veronica.” A British, pretentious, female voice answered.

“Yes, this is she. What is the call for? Is Chris alright?” Worry suddenly built up my throat. He can be in an accident or maybe he’s fired.

Veronica laughed. “No, darling, no! In fact, I want to congratulate you! He is coming home soon and he has some news for you!”

I got confused. Yes, I am happy and excited because he’s coming home. But why does his boss know? Are they close? They DID spend many years together in Saudi Arabia. “Um…”

“Oh, darling, don’t worry! He is sooo faithful to you. Once he comes home, he’ll tell you all about it.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you, Veronica. When is he coming home?”

“I emailed his flight details to you just now. You’re welcome, darling.” She then ended the call.

I looked at my phone. I couldn’t believe it. Chris is coming home? Lately, he hasn’t been in contact with me. I didn’t notice that we weren’t moving and that Jerk is looking at me.

He cleared his throat. “So, who is Chris?”

I breathed deeply before I looked at him. “Sorry, Sir. It’s a matter of privacy already. Don’t worry. Chris is not a headhunter so I’m staying at the company.”

He raised his hands like he’s surrendering to authorities. “Woah, hey. I’m just asking because I wanted to make a conversation. ‘Cause, it looks like we’ll be stuck here until the rain stops or recedes.”

I just crossed my arms and looked straight even if there’s nothing going on. I silently thanked him because it was raining and he let me ride with him going home. Looks like this Jerk has a heart.

I was suddenly woken up by a certain smell near me. I didn’t notice that I fell asleep. But the most shocking thing is I don’t know where I am!

“OH MY GOD!” I immediately removed the black blazer, which has that certain smell, and checked if something has been moved or that if my things are still complete. I was in the middle of checking my things when the door opened and it showed my boss with a tray.

“Nicole. Relax. You are in my unit and I’ve brought food.”

I pointed at him and covered myself with my bag. “You?! Why am I here? Are you also a kidnapper? Release me because I don’t have money!”

He just laughed and placed the tray on a small table. Then, he looked at me. “Nicole, you fell asleep inside my car. I didn’t know your code and it’s hard to wake you up. So, I just brought you to my unit. You do remember that we live in the same building, right?”

I couldn’t answer so I just looked at him sternly. I slowly moved until I was leaning on the headboard. Jerk, smiling, moved closer while I moved. I don’t know if I’ll punch or slap him.

Suddenly, his gaze softened, and smiled at me. “Breathe, Nicole. I won’t do anything to you. Eat or don’t I just heated up what Manang left. Then, go to sleep. We have an early start tomorrow at the office.”

He combed my hair and kissed my forehead before turning the main lights off and left the room.

Oh, no. I’m dead to Andz.