The President's Secret

Chapter 11

|Sofia|

"YOU'RE dead if something happens to Ella, James," I threatened to the man who's following me as I went out of the apartment. I turned around to look at him, now standing on our doorway.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of her," he ensured as he saluted. I can’t help but chuckle at that. Well, I was just only kidding. I know that he’ll take good care of my best friend, even if I didn’t tell him so.

I nodded as I bid my short goodbye to him and head towards the lift.

It's Monday already. It only means that I need to get back to work. I let out an exasperating sigh as I enter the almost full elevator. For some reason, I don’t feel like going back to work again. Gods, this might be the first time I said that to myself.

I arrived at the company around quarter to eight. As usual, everyone I saw greeted me and I did the same. For the past couple of months that I've been working here, I have known and make friends of some of the employees of the company.

I arrived at the top floor and went to my working area. I quickly sat on my chair and was about to start my busy day ahead when the line of President rang. I quickly reached for the telephone and put it on my ear.

"Yes, Sir?” I asked, wondering why he had called me early this morning.  

"I didn't ask you yet..." he sarcastically said on the other line. I rolled my eyes because of that. Oh. I really need to remind myself that he’s also sarcastic to everyone. I hope that a time will come where, even for a bit, his attitude tuned down. I didn't know I was able to endure this attitude of him for about a couple of months! Probably, I’m really good at handling this kind of people! For the months that we’ve been together, I could easily differentiate him from the rest of my bosses! He’s the worst!

Tsk.

"Did you just 'tsk' me Ms. Fernandez?" he asked in the other line which made me gasped in surprise. What the---he heard that?!

"It's just an expression President," I excused and hoping that somehow he'll take the bait.

He didn't utter a word but I heard his heavy sigh on the other line. I frowned because of that and somehow comprehend that he… needs something. And why do I feel like, whenever he's like this, something is in trouble?

"Get in here. Now," he said and the line went dead. I sighed and quickly arranged my things on the table and went to his office with my planner on my hand. Maybe it’s the usual. He’ll just leave some things to me that I needed to finish before he gets back. He's been doing that whenever he found out that I arrived already.

I slide the door open and as usual, I was greeted by his well-lit office. The heavy curtains hide the glass walls and the overlooking view of the city. I found him sitting on his sofa while leaning his back on the backrest with his eyes shut.

I walk towards his direction before uttering a word.

"President?" I called to somehow tell him that I have arrived.

I opened my planner to check if he has schedules left for this morning. When I saw that it was almost blank, it only means that he could go home already before the sun even rises high. The rest of his meetings are scheduled around 4 pm and later.

I felt him move so I quickly direct my attention back to him. I blinked when he finally opens his eyes. Our eyes met but I didn't look away. I frown when I saw how his eyebrows corded as he lazily stares back at me like he’s… studying me. Wait, why do his stares seem so familiar?

"I still can’t believe that I really hired you as my secretary," he said and closed his eyes again. I gritted my teeth to stop myself from bursting against his judgment.

"Pardon, President?"

"Why am I stuck with such an not-so-sexy secretary," he mumbled, but I could hear it clearly, as he massaged his temple like he has a big problem.

I clenched my fist and hold the planner tightly. Somehow, I could see myself throwing this planner at him so he could just stop insulting me. Goodness, if I could just do that! Grrr.

I closed my eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Does he really love insulting me? So what’s the reason why he wanted my presence in here? To insult me early this morning?

Calm down, Sofia. You do know very well that he’s egoistic and arrogant and… so much more! As much as you wanted to take your revenge to him, you have a career, a friend and a family to protect!

Argh! He's the only person I know who let outs the beast I am hiding inside me!

"Old librarian styled eyeglasses, hair pulled in a tight bun. I can't believe it," he continued like someone isn’t listening to him. I swallowed hard and clenched my jaw. This man is making my temper shorter.

"Excuse me, President," I interrupted before he could ever add some insults against me again. He opens his eyes so I took that as a chance to glare back at him. I bit my lower lip when I was a bit distracted of how his beautiful eyes are but I wouldn’t let him get the satisfaction about it.

I cleared my throat after a few seconds and focused myself on what I had to say to him. I won’t give him the credit of insulting me just because I am not the kind of secretary he wishes and wanted.

"Sorry for not being the not-sexy secretary you wanted, President. Even though I make an effort regarding my looks, I just know that I still had my limitations,"

"Limitations?" he asked after a few seconds of being silent. He opens his eyes again and looked at me. His one brow shot up after that.

"Yes," I said and swallowed hard. "And, I am just following the rules and regulations of the company, regarding the clothes that we need to wear President," I continued.

He let out a deep sigh and sat straightly again, which made me a step backward. He seems to notice what I just did and lifted his head to look at me, frowning. But after a blink of an eye, my heart almost did skip a beat when I saw him in front of me, like right now. Goodness! Why does he always surprise me his ability?!

I swallowed hard as he looked down at me and crouch just to meet my eye level.

“Liar,” he said. But my mind was too clouded when I noticed how near our distance is. I could feel how the blood rushes into my cheeks as he looked directly into my eyes as if he doesn’t have a plan of breaking our eye contact.

Then before I knew it, he’s reaching for my spectacles and I automatically closed my eyes as he took it off of me.

"Do you think I believe that you have to wear this just because you couldn’t see? Don't try to fool me. I know that you could see clearly even without these glasses of yours, am I right?"

I can't help but swallow hard again. I made a step backward just to put a distance between us. I don't know why but my body is reacting and panicking whenever he's this close to me. It seems like my body just received volts of electricity whenever our skin touched.

And maybe because I was too engrossed to be away from him, I didn't notice the sofa behind me and it was there when I realized that my butt falls on the soft seat of the sofa, rendering me in an awkward position. I quickly looked up at the President who was a bit surprised at what just happened to me. I bit my lower lip because of embarrassment, especially when I saw the side of his lips rose like he saw something funny. Goodness, what stupidity has possessed me?

I immediately shifted at my seat and stood up as if nothing happened. I took the planner on the sofa. I cleared my throat and looked back into directly into his eyes, bravely, even though I am trembling inside.

"I g-guess I haven’t told you, President, that I am wearing these spectacles as eye protection and for my astigmatism," I said and looked at my spectacles he is holding right now. I quickly went closer to him to take it. I saw how my hands tremble as I reached it from his hands, and when I was done, I wore it again and look back at the President, who’s now one brow is shot up.

"And why do you always put your hair into a tight bun, then?" he amended. I frowned at him because of that. I can't help but sneer at him. Why does this vampire always point out the things he didn't like at me? Do physical appearances only matter to him?

"Excuse me, President,” I said and turn my whole attention to him.  “Why did you even called for my presence in here? Do you need anything or you just wanted to throw insult in my face early this morning?" I pointed out.

He was taken aback at what I just said. I saw how his lips went into a grim line and looked away. He was silent for a few seconds so I took that as a sign to dismiss myself.

I quickly went out of his office and went to my working space. I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes. I could feel how disappointed and enrage at his attitude towards me. My right hand flew to my forehead and massaged at. Somehow, I am quite thankful that I had chosen to be put in here, outside his office. A least, I could still work and he couldn't see how furious I am at what he said.

I open my eyes and I was greeted by my reflection on the monitor. I can’t help but look at myself. So what if I dressed like this? What's his problem regarding that? Are my way of fashion annoys the hell out of him that it really bothers him and insult me to the point he’ll that I might change my mind? Ha! Then be my guest! As if he could change my mind. If dressing like this, my usual working attire, then I should continue doing it so!

I let out a deep sigh as I held my chest. I could feel how my heart race inside my chest. Somehow, I felt heavy after that encounter with him. Why am I feeling this way?

Then I remember that moment inside his car. I close my eyes hard, trying to erase all the traces of those memories inside my mind like it was all nothing. But f**k, I just can’t. The images were so vivid like it all happened yesterday! I could still feel how my body reacted at his touched like I received volts of electricity and I keep on shivering in an unknown excitement. Goodness! This is wrong, Sofia!

I really need to direct my focus on pending work right now!

I let out a deep sigh and quickly opened the computer monitor. But before I could even log in, I heard the elevator’s ding and a familiar woman walks out inside. I blink when I realized who she is and what might her purpose of being here early this morning.

I reached for my planner and open it to recheck the separated schedules of the 'important meals' of the President. When I saw that he needed one right now... I sighed and stood from the seat and quickly went to the nearing woman.

"Good morning, Miss Belle," I greeted.

"Where's Ian?" she asked and stop in front of the office's door. I can’t help but study her. She’s wearing an off-shoulder plain white dress, which really compliments her skin color. Her jet black wavy hair is on her back that really suits her image. So, this is the types of woman the President would rather choose. Compared to me, they possess an hour-glass body, a full bosom, almost six feet high and of course, all of them are pretty! I unconsciously looked at myself. As usual, I am wearing my suit and a knee-length pencil cut skirt, paired with my three inches heels. So conservative.

And remember, you're not one of his women, Sofia.

"He’s inside the office, Miss Belle. I think you can go inside, I'm sure the President is waiting for you," I said using my normal tone. The woman only nodded and said her thanks to me.

I made a stepped back as she entered the office and close the door behind her. I sighed and forced myself to come back to my working space.

Why do I feel so down out of nowhere?

"YOU left for work without even saying goodbye to me?!" Ella started the moment I stepped inside the flat. I looked at her. Even though I wanted to fight back at her rant, I choose to stay silent since I noticed that I am not in the mood today. I felt so tired and drain and I don't even know the reason why.

Goodness.

I walked bypassing her and without even throwing a fit, straight to my room. I have a plan to temporarily caging myself inside. I don’t feel like moving. I quickly threw myself on the bed and closed my eyes as I felt the softness and comfort of the bed.

I thought I'll have my peace for a moment but when I heard the series of knock on my bedroom's door, I groaned silently. I heard my best friend’s voice outside the room.

"Sofia," she called. I sighed heavily and reach for a pillow just above me and quickly covered it on my head.

I heard her knock and called me again but I didn't answer. I bit my lower lip and somehow, wanted to tell Ella that I needed time for myself. I needed to be alone. And goodness, why do I need to be alone?

A few seconds later, I heard the door opening and the steps she made inside until it stopped just beside the bed. I sighed and took away the pillow on my head. At the same time, I saw her sitting beside me, making the bed dipped down for a bit as she faces me.

"Is there any problem?" she asked as she looked at me straight into my eyes. I blinked for a couple of seconds until I looked away.

Do I have a problem right now? I don't even know. But all I could tell is that my chest feels so heavy? I mean, I feel so… droopy. Why am I feeling this anyway?

I blinked as I think about it.

I started feeling this way when I was insulted by the President. Since the beginning, I know his preferences among women. I know that he wouldn't like me at all. I have been guarded myself against the types of him. But why do I feel so sadden just after all those insults? Why am I that affected?

Gosh!

I quickly get up from the bed and face my best friend. I need her expertise when it comes to this since from the start, I know her fair shares among men until James. I don't even know why it bothers the hell out of me, I could just ignore and continue with my life, but I can't. I know myself when something is bothering me, I would always ask assistance to my friends or parents.

I looked at Ella, who seems to be waiting for what will I tell. I sighed heavily.

"I don't know if it's a problem or not," I started. "This heavy feeling I am feeling right now, I don't even know when it started. But..." I stopped and looked at my both hands, clasped together. Really, do I need to tell her this?

Goodness Sofia. It's now or never!

"I can't explain why I am feeling this. There are days that I would be happy and contented, and then I'll be grumpy for some reason I don't know. I would be irritated then I would be glad at simple things. I don't even know and I can't even tell! Then, I will always remember him, how he pursed his lips when he sees me, how he became arrogant and manipulative, how he smiled genuinely at some time. I have been able to build a wall at his insults at me every time he saw how ridiculous I dressed. But, there will be a time that I would be hurt and think to hell that, maybe he's right? And... and…" I bit my lower lip when I couldn't continue what's on my mind anymore. I looked down and closed my eyes. Goodness, why does it hurts... this way? I bit my lower lip to control my emotions.

"You're… falling," Ella simply said which made me looked at her with curiosity.

"What? Where?" I asked in panic and turned around that I might be on the edge of the bed right now that I am not even aware of. When I saw the wide space behind me, I looked back at her and frowned at her. But I was greeted with her wide smile like she saw something funny.

"Silly, I mean you're falling to a person, not literally," she explained. I sighed but she got my attention to falling thingy...

"What do you mean by t-that?" I asked. I wonder why it made a bit nervous, regarding what she just said.

Who am I falling into?

She raised her one brow to me as she crossed her arms on her chest.

"Who's the person you're always with, most of the time?" she asked which made my heart skip a bit when I saw his face pops in my head.

What the f**k?!

I heaved a deep sigh and continued working my a*s off.