Chap. 3: Hope

Blaire's POV

I can't still believe that he hired me. And just remembering his face make me blushed. I bit my lower lip to surpassed the smile forming on it.

"Someone's happy! ", Michelle teasingly said to me.

We're on the way now to HR department.

"Of course, I have a job now. And thanks that to you!"

"I didn't do anything, Blaire. It's you who did your best, so congratulations!"

"Thank you!"

"But what can you say about Boss?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's handsome right? Gorgeous and hot.", she said and winked on me.

I pouted on her, "I have a boyfriend."

"I'm not asking that. Don't be shy, most of the female employees are have a crush on Boss."

"W-well.... Yeah he is. But he's not my crush."

"Okay, if you say so. But if ever you'll have a crush on him don't... as in DON'T ever let him know. If you don't want to lose your job. Okay?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Boss don't tolerated someone who have a feelings for him. For him, that only means trouble."

"I don't understand."

"You'll know someday. Just remember what said. "

"Okay."

"*Hey, have you seen Boss?"

"Yeah, he's so d*mn hot especially without his facial hair."

"True! He's really handsome. Oh, I am regretting now that I am married already*. "

We heard the other girls talking while giggling when they passed by on us.

"Don't mind them. As I said, most of the female employees here have a crush on Boss."

"What they mean by facial hair?"

"Oh that?, Boss used to had a thin facial hair I don't know why he shaved now. But mind you with or without he's so hot."

I pouted and thinked of our Boss having a facial hair, and honestly I can imagine him and he is still hot and handsome.

"Yeah. "

"Huh? what did you say?"

"Nothing."

In HR Department, a beautiful woman greeted us but I can feel something on her especially the way she look on me from head to toe.

"Who is she, Michelle?"

"Tiffany, this is Blaire Miranda, Boss' new external executive secretary. Be nice to her, Boss already signed her application as she passed the final interview."

"Without initial interview?"

"Yup. If you want, call Boss and asked him.", Michelle said with a mischievous smile.

Tiffany took my application form and checked if what Michelle said was true. She looked at me angrily when she saw the Boss' sign.

"This is bypassing Michelle. I am the HR here! And for sure this girl was your recruit. She don't even have credentials."

"If you have complain, tell it to our Boss. I need the contract and please tell her the rules and regulations so we can proceed for the briefing of her work. That's you're work right, Miss HR?"

"You..."

Michelle don't let her finish what ever she's going to say. She took her phone and dial there, "Hi Boss! Can you please talk to the HR? She don't want tto give us the contract."

I saw Tiffany's eyes got bigger after heard what Michelle said especially when her phone on the desk ring. "B-Boss... "

Michelle winked on me while Tiffany talking on the phone, pale and nervously. After a while, Tiffany give us the contract and tell about the rules and regulations. Then we left her office after almost 10mins.

"I think she's mad at me now.", I said when remembered Tiffany's angry face.

"Let her be. She like Boss and she saw you as a threat that's why."

"Why? I am not a threat beside I have a boyfriend already."

"We'll never know.", she said meaningfully at me.

She bring me again in her area and tell me about my work. I listened at her carefully and tried to understand everything she said.

"Michelle."

"Boss!"

I looked at our Boss who's now standing in front of us. Michelle and I was in front of her computer while teaching me.

"You're going out?", Michelle asked when saw Boss carrying a small attache case.

I can tell that she's close at him. Not just an employer and employee.

"I have an urgent meeting with Mr. Zhu. You're in-charge for now. How's Miss Miranda?"

I looked down when he look at me.

"She's doing fine, Boss. Don't worry I'll teach her everything."

"Good. And Miss Miranda.. "

"Yes B-Boss?"

"Goodluck.", he said and tapped my head for three times before he leave.

What's happened?

When I looked at Michelle, she's shocked too. And later on, she smile at me teasingly.

"Oh my God!, what did you do? Tell me!"

"Huh? I don't know.", i said with confusion.

I really didn't do anything. Right?

Or I did?

I bit my lips to surpassed my smile.

"You're blushing!", she said and continue teasing me.

Before five Michelle allow me to go home, so I can prepare for my first day of work tomorrow. And because this is my first work, I don't have any formal attire so I went to mall to buy some new clothes. After three hours I finally finished shopping for my working clothes and then I went to bookstore to buy some stuffs for my hobby.

I pouted when I saw the sketch pad I'm looking for on the top of the shelves. I looked around if there's some staff can help me but I don't see anyone of them.

"Why they are on the top?", I said to myself.

I tiptoed and try to reached the sketch pad, I almost touch it when I saw a hand grab it from my behind.

"Here."

It made me stop. I felt something weird, it felt like a deja vu. And I don't know why? but a sudden realization hit me.

Yes! I remember now! This is like a scene in the romance book I read a week ago.

I smiled, in the book the heroine reaching for a certain book the top of the bookshelves but she can't reach it. Then someone took the book from her behind and gave it to her. When she faced him, she saw it was her first love.

I slowly turned around to see if who's help me. My smile suddenly disappear when I see him.

"B-Boss?", I can't believe it was him.

"Here. You want this right?"

I nod and take the sketch pad from him. "T-Thank you... B-Boss."

I saw him holding a shopping basket with some coloring books, coloring materials and toys. And a little kid was on his behind, hiding while looking at me.

His son?

Oh, yeah Blaire. Have you forgot? He's married. Having a son is not questionable.

I silently groaned in protest. And not sure for what reason.

"You're okay?", my Boss asked me. "What are you doing here? Are you alone?"

"Yes, Boss. I just bought some clothes for work... And this one.", I said pertaining to the sketch pad. "Ahm.. You're shopping?"

"Yeah."

"Is he your son? Hi little boy! Where is you're wife?"

"This little kid is not my son. He is Michelle's son."

I felt happy when he said that. But he don't answer my second question.

"Michael, she's Blaire. She's a friend say hi to her."

"H-hi...", he said in shy voice.

"Hello!", I messed up his hair.

"Uncle, I'm hungly."

"Okay, we'll eat after pay these. How about you Blaire? Are you going home?"

"Y-Yes Boss."

"Why don't join us? Let's eat while waiting for Michelle."

"Hmm... Is that fine?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, Boss."

He's the one who pay for my stuff. And after we went to a fast food that Michael choose.

I saw how he treat the kid, he's so nice. A perfect father figure.

"Ahm, Boss would you mind if I ask you?"

"About what?"

"Why Michael is with you?"

"I fetched him. His teacher called Michelle because he don't stop crying. And Michelle is so busy so she asked me if I can fetch this kid. I agreed since I am already outside."

"You're that close to her?", i asked unconsciously.

"She's my college friend. And I am her son's Godfather."

"I see."

"How's the briefing of your work? Can you do it?"

"Sure Boss. Ahm, I am not used to it but I know I can do it. Don't worry."

"Just ask Michelle's help if you need."

"Thanks Boss."

We continue eating our food silently. After a few minutes my Grandmother called me.

"I have to go Boss."

"Okay. Be careful."

"Thanks Boss. Bye Michael!"

"Bye-bye!", Michael said to me in his cute voice.

"Miss Miranda."

"Yes Boss?"

"See you tomorrow. Don't be late."

"Aye, Aye Captain!", I said and salute to him before take my leave.

I told my grandparents the good news and they are both happy for me.

"What is the name of your boss again?", grandpa asked me.

"Derek Cole."

He nod and smile at me, "Is he a good boss? Always be careful okay? Once he did something wrong you know what to do."

I grinned at grandpa, "Kick him where it hurt the most, between his legs right grandpa?"

"Yeah.", he answered and laughed.

"And Blaire don't hesitate to tell us whatever happened in your work, okay?"

"Yes grandma. But you don't have to worry, my boss looks nice... although his eyes are very sad."

"Sad?"

"I can see it through his eyes, he's so sad, in pain and broken."

And I don't know why I am affected.

"Blaire, hija you're too so observant to this boss of yours. Are you interested on him?"

"Of c-course not, grandma. I just noticed it."

"You can't lie to us, Blaire.", grandpa said.

"I'm not, grandpa. Promise... I'm just curious of him thats all. Beside... I do have a b-boyfriend."

"Yes, Jacob is your boyfriend. But you can't hide it Blaire, you're interested on this guy named Derek. I can see it also in your eyes and maybe you don't notice but you're smiling while talking about this guy."

Am I?

"You're grandma is right, Blaire. And I never saw you like that if Jacob is our topic."

I bit my lower lip and avoid their gazes.

Grandpa tapped my head, "If it is just a crush, it's okay. But no more than that, understand?"

I nodded and sighed after.

"Jacob is a nice guy, Blaire. Give him a chance. Don't make everything complicated.", that's what grandpa said before he leave.

The excitement I felt a while ago is now gone.

I know and understand what they mean. But I can't stop myself too, after a long time I can feel it again. The fast beating of my heart and even I admit it or not... I like this feeling. I feel nervous and yet excited by just thinking about him.

Does it means I like him? But why him? I already have Jacob.

Derek's POV

"Hey man! Drinking again?", Tommy asked after he sat beside me and took the another bottle of beer.

"Where's Michael?"

"In his room. So why drinking again?"

"Nothing. Just celebrating.", I said emotionless.

For a year, I learned how to hide my true feelings. Not because I want but because I need to. I have one goal, and to achieve that, I need to be strong even I know in myself that just a little bit more and I'll give up.

"You know, Derek. You change a lot since Serene's died. I can't read you anymore, I don't know what your thinking but please don't forget that we are here for you. Me, my wife Michelle, Michael and our other friends."

"I know. Thanks for everything Tommy."

"It's nothing we're friends anyway. So, what's your plan?"

"Same as always. Drag those two on the ground."

"He is still your father. And right now, he's in big trouble isn't that enough?"

"Enough? Even they kneel on me, its not enough. It will never be enough. And he's in big trouble? Of course I know. I am the reason, remember?", I asked him with a smirked.

"How about Pia?"

"Let me handle that b*tch."

He shake his head as disapproval, "Serene won't like this. For sure she'll scold you."

A sad smile form on my lips, "I'll be the happiest man if she is here now and scold me."

THE NEXT day, I went to work late and with a hangover.

"Good morning, Boss!"

"Morning."

"Good morning, Boss!"

"Morning."

"Good morning, Boss!

"Morning."

All of my employees greeted me with a smile.

"Hi, Boss! Good morning!"

I stop from entering my office room and look for the owner of that sweet voice. She's smiling on me like the others but in different ways.

"Morning.", I acted serious like to others.

Showing that I am not affected.

D*mn this hangover.

"Where is Michelle?"

"She's just went to Engineering Dept. to discuss about our new project this coming Friday."

"Okay, tell her to make me a coffee and bring inside."

"Okay Boss."

I sit on my swivel chair, lean on and close my eyes. I am not sure if how many minutes pass but I felt someone staring at me. I was about to open my eyes but I felt a very soft touch of hands on my forehead.

A massage?

I grab her hands and open my eyes. And right there, I see a beautiful pair of eyes. She's looking at me as if she's reading my soul.

"What are you doing?", I asked in stern voice.

She looks shock and automatically step backward.

"Sorry B-Boss... Ahm, I bring your coffee and saw you. I just want to wake up you but I saw how you frown your forehead... i thought your in pain so I give you a massage... Sorry for touching you."

"Don't do it again, Miss Miranda. You can leave now."

"Yes, Boss."

She hurriedly went to the door but I saw her cheeks red.

"Miss Miranda."

She automatically stop and turn around, as if it's natural for her. "Yes, Boss?"

I surpassed the smile forming in my lips, I just look at her. And then I see how she blush.

Cute.

"B-boss... "

"Thanks for the coffee... and massage."

"W-welcome Boss.", she said with a smile.

A beautiful smile.

When she left, I leaned on my swivel chair again.