"Your pout reaches the floor, you know," my cousin teased, arching an eyebrow as I adjusted my seat.
"What's your problem? You've been like this since morning," she continued.
"Uh… let me rephrase that," she added with a smirk. "Your pout's been going strong since the other day. What happened to you?"
I scowled, irritation rising.
"Who did you inherit that mouth from? Always gossiping!" I snapped.
She shrugged, unbothered.
"Temper's hot, huh? But tell me, why are you always scowling like that?"
I averted my gaze.
"Nothing. Just… my thing," I mumbled.
"Is that so? Wow, impressive," she replied sarcastically.
"Oh, look, Sir Locan! He's looking for you," she added.
I turned sharply to see who she meant. My stomach sank.
There he was, Francis, striding toward us with Ms. Akeshia hanging on his arm. My chest tightened as my gaze followed them. She had been visiting the company almost four times this week alone.
And him… my boss… completely calm. Like the near-kiss incident never happened.
"Ms. Magsandingan, let's go," Francis said as he approached our seats.
"Where to, sir?" I asked.
"We're having lunch with Akeshia. Let's go," he ordered, completely altering my mood.
"I… I forgot, sir. I have something to do, plus my cousin has a reservation at a nearby restaurant, right?" I said, shooting a look at Gael, who sheepishly nodded.
"Ah, right. We have a reservation, huh? Haha," Gael stammered.
"Are you sure? It's just that I rarely come here. Please, indulge me," Ms. Akeshia added sweetly.
Rarely? She's here all the time, I thought. But I held my tongue—best not to make a scene.
"Sorry, Ms. Akeshia. My cousin and I already have plans," I said firmly, giving Gael another nod of confirmation.
"Fine, then," Francis said, glancing at Akeshia.
"Shall we?" he asked, and they left, leaving me seething.
I bit my lip and sat back down.
"What was that all about? Reservation?" Gael asked.
"Let's eat. I'm starving," I muttered, walking ahead. She followed, and we found a small eatery not far from the office.
Once seated, she poured water into my glass.
"You okay, Gianna? I've noticed you've been in a bad mood since Akeshia started visiting. You know I'm here for you, right? You can share," she said gently.
I ignored her, focusing on my food instead.
"Does this have something to do with Mr. Locan?" she asked, teasing.
"Not everything's about him," I replied sternly, shoveling rice into my mouth.
"Hmm. But why do you always seem so… irritated with him?" she pressed.
"That's just how I am," I said, downing my drink.
"You know, if I didn't know you hated him, I'd think you're jealous of Sir and Ms. Akeshia," she said, smirking.
I choked on my drink. Coughing and spluttering, I finally gasped, "Excuse me? Jealous?"
"You like him, don't you, Gianna?"
I gulped and looked away. Me? Like that arrogant guy? No way!
"No! I… I don't like him!" I snapped, voice rising.
"Whoa, calm down! I'm just asking, not interrogating," she raised her hands in surrender.
"I said… I don't like him!" I repeated, glaring.
"Okay, okay. Eat your food," she said, exasperated, sliding the dish closer to me.
After lunch, we returned to the office. Since it was Friday, we planned to grab drinks at a small bar nearby. I finished my tasks quickly and was about to leave when a familiar voice stopped me.
"You have a problem?" Francis asked.
"Me? No. Maybe you," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
"I don't have a problem—"
"I'm not asking," I interrupted, checking my phone for the time.
"Well, I'm heading out first. It's getting late," I said, hurrying toward the door.
Despite his usual aloofness, all day he seemed… focused on Ms. Akeshia. Tsk. The guy already had a soon-to-be wife, and yet…
---
The bar was small, crowded, and cozy. Familiar enough that Gael and I had been there before.
The bartender greeted us with beers immediately.
"Let's not get drunk, okay? Just a little," Gael reminded me.
Too late. I had already finished my first glass.
"Broken-hearted, are we?" she asked, noticing me.
I ignored her and signaled the bartender for another. I downed it immediately.
"Hey! I said don't get drunk!" Gael scolded.
Not long after, the alcohol hit me. My body felt like it was floating. My mind blurred.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" the bartender asked.
"Of course! I'm fine! Drinking!" I shouted, pointing to myself, signaling for another round.
"Gianna, let's go home. You've had enough," Gael's voice echoed. I blinked. Everything was blurry.
"No, I'm fine. Wait… is that…?" I squinted, noticing a familiar figure approaching.
"Right. That's Francis," I laughed loudly. "The heavens must be helping me!"
"Ah… really? That's Sir Locan? Accidental call earlier, I was trying to reach your roommates, but I dialed his number instead. Sorry," Gael explained.
"What? You called him? Ugh!" I shouted over the loud music. I tried to punch her but someone grabbed my hand.
"Let's go home," a deep voice said, holding my hand firmly.
I whirled around.
"Who are you? Let go!" I shouted, struggling.
"Come with me," he ordered.
"You… you're like Francis! Bossy and arrogant!" I snapped.
"He'll be fine. I've got him," he said to Gael.
"Sir—"
"Don't worry. I won't hurt him. I'll make sure he gets home safely," he added.
"Fine," he said, and I struggled as he lifted me into his arms.
By the time we reached the car, I was reluctantly seated. My head throbbed.
"I just want to go home," I complained.
"I'll get you home," he said, sitting beside me. I ignored him, leaning back and trying to relax. I drifted off… briefly.
Then the heat hit me.
"Hot!" I exclaimed, reaching to remove the jacket over me.
"Hey! What are you doing?" he barked.
The car stopped abruptly.
"What are you doing? I'm driving! Don't touch anything!"
"Who are you? Where are we going? Why am I in your car? Do I even know you?" I demanded, panicking.
"You're drunk," he replied calmly.
"Let me out! Now!" I yanked at his arm.
He grabbed my hand, stopping me.
"No. We're going home," he said firmly.
"No! I just saw Francis! I need to say something to that idiot!" I shouted.
"What would you say?" he asked softly.
"Why would I tell you? Are you Francis?" I yelled.
"Okay, fine. Let's pretend I'm Francis, your arrogant, gorgeous boss," he said.
"Not gorgeous. Arrogant!" I snapped.
He exhaled, amused.
"Okay, fine. Pretend I'm Francis. What would you tell me?"
I hesitated.
"Say this for me," I pointed.
"Okay," he said.
"Ask him why Ms. Akeshia keeps visiting the company. Don't they have a house? She has a husband, right? Can she just… not come back?" I shouted.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because it annoys me seeing her with Francis! I hate seeing my idiot boss happy with his first love. I get jealous!" I admitted.
"Are you jealous of her?" he asked.
"I don't know. Just… tell Ms. Akeshia I don't want her getting close to Francis."
"Why not?"
"Because… uh…" I inhaled sharply. "Maybe… I like him," I blurted.
"What? Say that again," he urged.
"I forgot," I mumbled, leaning back.
"No. Say it again," he insisted.
"What do you want to know?" I groaned.
"That you like him. Say it again," he persisted.
"I like him!" I shouted. "So please, don't let her get close to him! Because—"
I froze. My heart thumped as he pulled me toward him, pressing his lips against mine.
I trembled as he kissed me slowly, exploring, leaving me dizzy. His hand caressed my neck, deepening the kiss. My body… didn't resist. I let him touch me, feeling his lips trail down my jaw to my neck.
"No… please… I'm still a virgin," I whispered with my eyes closed.
He chuckled softly.
"You're cute," he said, finally letting go.
My head spun as I leaned back in my seat. I felt him adjust my clothes and seatbelt before starting the car again.