9 9

We’re now here at a beach party that I’ve heard from one of the employees of the company. I’m not really the type of person who goes to these kinds of places except for celebrations with other employees and it was decided that we celebrate the occasion here.

“I didn’t expect that Nicole would bring us here.” I heard Jason whisper to Andz.

I faced them and caught them texting with big smiles on their faces. Who are they texting? We are all here but their focus is somewhere else! This is a celebration! Not a texting marathon!

“Hey! Let’s go! Stop texting! Let’s go celebrate!” I pulled them to the bar and ordered a table and a bottle of champagne with 3 glasses.

Soon after, a waitress brought what we’ve ordered along with other snacks like nuts. Until we sat down, the two of them were still texting.

“Hey! Stop it! Are you texting your significant others? You’re so focused on your phones!”

Theyboth looked at me like I’m crazy. I just laughed at them in return. Suddenly, a guy sat beside me. We all looked at him because we all knew that there’s only three of us at this table.

“Hi, miss. What’s your name? I’m Jake. Do you have a boyfriend? Can I be him?” The stranger said without a hitch.

Andz suddenly laughed flirtatiously while Jason got his phone like lightning and started texting like mad.

I faced Jake with a matching smirk and hair flip. “I’m Trish.” I held out my hand to him. It's seldom that I am in a good mood so I decided to have some fun.

Jake ordered whiskey and toasted with us when our champagne came. Through the night, I noticed that Jake slowly moves towards me but I always move away from him. Not long after, I started to get dizzy and weak to move away from Jake. I didn’t notice that I was already leaning unto him.

“What next, Trish? Ditch your friends and go somewhere quiet?” He breathily whispered in my ear.

I wanted to say no but because of my dizziness and weakness, I wasn’t able to speak up. Instead, I just covered myself with arms. Still, Jake kept on lessening the space between us. It won’t be long until I need to close my eyes.

Suddenly, I can’t feel Jake’s body anymore and then I hear screams next. Then, I felt like I was floating.

“I’m here. Nicole, I’m here.” This is the last thing I remember before I blacked out.

I woke up with a pounding head and a place which isn’t my apartment. I raised myself up to the headboard and closed my eyes again because I feel like I might puke here on the bed. I noticed that my outfit changed into a grey v-neck shirt so I immediately checked if something happened to me and, if I still have my underwear on. Good thing I still have them and looks like nothing is wrong with me.

“I asked the maid to change you. I also had your clothes laundered by the hotel since yours was covered with vomit.”

I looked at the person who spoke. OMG! It’s Jerk, my boss! He’s leaning on the door of the bathroom with just a towel to cover his lower half. Wait, why is he here? Why am I here? What happened last night?

“Before you ask questions, drink the Advil and honey tea beside you. It’ll help.” He said before disappearing to what looks like a walk-in closet of the suite.

I just followed his instruction and returned to lying down. It looks like I can’t make it to work today. I need to text Rose so adjustments can be made to my schedule. Where are my things again? Wait, where’s Andz and Jason? I don’t know what happened to them!

When I stood up from the bed, Jerk went out of the walk-in wearing a black power suit. I couldn’t help but check him out from head to toe. When I returned my eyes to his face, I immediately remembered that I blacked out last night and how did I get to his room?

“Stay here and wait for me to come back. Don’t leave this room with just my shirt.” Jerk said using his president voice before leaving the room.

I immediately scanned the room before I saw my bag. I went to a chair near the door. I opened it and looked for my phone. Finally, I found it and dialed Rose.

“Ma’am?”

“Rose! Thank God you answered! Listen, I can’t come to work this morning but after lunch, I’ll come. Can you ask our big client to reschedule?”

“Ma’am the CEO said that you wouldn’t be able to come to work today and he’ll be the one who’ll fill your place temporarily. Currently, he’s the one talking to the big client. It actually looks like they know each other!”

CEO? Who’s that? “Rose, I don’t know any CEO. Who is he? Also, I will come to the office after lunch.”

“His name is Leig Uy-Lim.”

I stopped.

Jerk? Him? Why is he doing this? Why? “Anyways, I will still come to the office later. Please take charge for a while, Rose.” I said and ended the call.

I called the customer service of the hotel next using the in-suite telephone about my clothes. I also called for a taxi to wait for me in the lobby. When my clothes came, I immediately wore them, got my bag and went out of the suite.

I took a shower at my condo and went straight to the office. While on the way, I drank Advil again because my head still feels heavy. When I arrived, I told Rose to buy me a honey green tea. It’s for my stomach. I don’t know if I’ll need to vomit or if I already vomited. It’s better to be prepared.

Jerk was focused on my computer while frowning again. His coat was on the coat rack and his sleeves were rolled so that his shirt looked like a three-fourths one. I sat on my sofabed and just looked at him. He only looked at me when Rose came in with what I had ordered.

“I told you to stay in the suite until I come back. Why are you even here, Nicole?” He grumpily said.

“I needed to work. I also learned from Rose that you are here inside my office and said that you’ll fill in for me temporarily for today. Why? Why are you doing these things?”

I checked my door if it’s properly closed. It’ll be hard if this conversation would be heard by my secretary. She might gossip about us to the other employees. I trust her but there are times where she unconsciously becomes a gossip.

“You. I’m doing it because and for you.”