The President's Secret

Chapter 13

|Sofia|

ITS 15 minutes after nine.

I stared at the clocks’ hand, continuously ticking without minding the world. I sighed and looked at the office’s direction. Maybe I need to wait for a few minutes before I decided to go home. Its past working hours but many had decided to work overtime since some important documents are needed to submit tomorrow. I looked back at the clock on my desk. I sighed and decided to check if how’s the President.

I walked out of my working area and went ahead towards the door. I didn’t use the intercom to inform my presence, but instead, I slide the door open to see for myself what is he doing inside without even thinking that I might disturb his work.

I saw him reading some files with his usual deep frown like he saw something he doesn’t like on the piece of paper. I even heard him cursed before he looked at my direction.

“What?!” he asked, a bit irritated. I sighed because of that.

“Do you need any help, President?” I asked. He blinked and looked beyond me, probably looking at the wall clock above the doorway. His eyes went back to mine before he sighed and put back his attention to what he is doing.

“Nothing… you can go home...” he only said, dismissing me.

“Yes, President,” I replied and turned my back to him and went out of his office. I went to my working area to arrange my messy desk before going home. It took me about a couple of minutes before I was done.

I entered the elevator as it opens. I clicked the button that’s going to the first floor and the door closes. I felt the lifts’ went down. I stared at my reflection as I wait to arrive at my destination. 

Since yesterday, I am bothered by something that I couldn’t even comprehend. Even though I’ve been trying my hardest to focus on my work, I just couldn’t, because of the President. I don’t know what he has done to me, or my mind just couldn’t accept the fact that Ella was somehow right about my feelings.

I know what it’s like to fall in love. I’ve experienced it once but as everybody agrees, once is enough. I have once fallen into happiness but betrayed afterward. I regretted the fact that I fell for the wrong person. I believed in happy ever after even I’m at this age, and I’m not embarrassed if someone mocked me about it. This is me.

I heard the lift’s ding and the door opens. I sighed and walked outside. The lights are still on in lobby but most of it is out since there’s almost no employee left for tonight. The moment I was nearing the entrance, I greeted the guard who’s on his shift for this night up ‘till morning. This company is running 24/7. I don’t know how did it work but maybe the Mayordragons are powerful enough to bend some laws.

I was greeted by the cold night breeze. I descend three steps after I went out of the company before crossing the entrance road of the company. I stop just in front of the company’s frontal garden and looked around.

Still, this area seems so busy even though it’s a late night. I looked up to see the adjacent buildings of the company. The dark blanket of the night sky above shows no evidence of particles of stars. But this city lights serves otherwise.

It seems that the weather news I’ve read online is right. Maybe late this night or tomorrow before the sun rises, heavy rain will pour. I hugged myself when the cold breeze of wind passed by me. It flew some strands of my hair that I wasn’t able to tie up. If this continues, a storm will surely come.

I turned around and looked at the topmost floor of the company building. I haven’t walked that far yet and I could still see the top. It will tire your neck if you looked up into it for a long time. I noticed the curtains are now opened, making the lights passed through into the glass curtain wall.

Well, I hope he’ll be okay.

I turned around decided to find a cab to get home. When I got one, I immediately told the driver about my address and I don’t know if I was lucky enough because the moment I stepped inside the lobby of the apartment, the rain started to pour.

I sighed and went towards the lift and arrived on my designated floor after a few seconds. I walked for a few meters and wasn’t able to knock, thinking that the couples inside, my housemates, are already asleep. So I wasn’t really expecting their intimate position when as I stride inside. I was a bit startled because of it and both of them are.

“Oh. S-Sorry,” I said as I cleared my throat and looked away from the two. They quickly pulled away after that awkward moment but I used that time to get inside my room. I even heard their little argument before I close my bedroom door. I smiled because of that. Well, it seems that their relationship is starting to be fixed again.

I throw myself on my bed and looked at the creamy ceiling. And like the usual nights, the President’s handsome face pops into my mind like a default display. I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip. Why am I even thinking of him? Do I really like my vampire boss?! Like… romantically?!

No way!

***

"President—“

“Damn! Make a way! I didn't hire you just to observe that f*****g-old bastard!”

I saw how the investigator’s shoulders fell. I sighed because of that and looked at the President’s direction. I don’t need to ask what’s happening now. The way his forehead creased and frowned deeply as he pursed his lips and stared at the documents he is holding, I know very well how irritated he is.

For months of working under him, maybe I could now read and tell his reactions. His detailed reaction whenever he's angry or some sort.

He seems to notice that I was looking at him that he turned his attention toward me.

“What?” he asked with one of his brow shot up. I sighed.

“Your meeting with Mr. Gonzales will start in a minute, President,” I informed. He sighed and massaged his forehead as he looked back at the document he’s holding.

“I know...” he said and looked at the investigator whose still in front of him. “And you… get out of my sight,” he said mercilessly. The investigator was about to say something but he kept it for himself, instead, he walks out of the office with so much disappointment.

I inhaled a deep breath and didn’t mind the investigator. I reminded the President about some files he needed for his meeting before I turned my back to him to get back to my work. I sat on my office chair and stared at the datasheet in front of me.

He had fired three employees just this morning, consecutively, after they weren’t able to complete their own designated task and the data he needed, including that investigator because he reported something that added the irritation of the President.

I noticed how short-tempered he is, each passing day for some reason. He keeps on demanding things that out of hand, and which is why I don’t know how I was able to handle and stay with it. And countless women started to camp his office whenever he has free time. His usual scheduled ‘meal’ hasn’t been followed anymore. It was somehow, useless now.

Each day, he has two or three meals which I find odd.

I sighed deeply again and stop that distressing thought. Now, it’s beyond me to handle his own personal problems. My hands are off in that matter. I was about to resume my work when the line of the President rang. My brow shot up unconsciously as I took the phone and answer his call.

“Yes, President,” I asked.

“Get inside,” he said and the line went dead. I sighed because of that and tried to remember if I missed something important about reminding him of his next meetings. I went out of my working space and quickly went inside his office. The moment I slide the door open, I saw him standing near the glass curtain wall, overlooking the city. I am not shocked that he was able to tolerate the daylight. Well, maybe because of the bad weather since this morning. So I concluded that they could tolerate a day without sunlight.

“I have a task for you,” he said as he puts his both hands on his pocket. “Go to MD EU branch. Department Store. You'll receive documents from a man there,” he continued.

I nodded as an agreement even though he can’t see me. Somehow, I got the situation and the reason why he’s pissed off since this morning.

“Tsk. Does he think he really can fool everyone? Especially me?” he whispered like no one could hear him.

I sighed and was waiting for his remaining orders before I leave. And I was right when he turned around to face me and tell me the other details he needed to tell.

“The documents you'll receive are the data about the money Mr. Gonzales' secretly took in the company. Once you obtain the files, make sure that those documents are correct,” he continued. I can’t help but stare at him because of that. The way his forehead frowns and pursed his lips, I shot my brow up at the sudden thought. What?

I sighed and nodded again. So that man really does something fishy in this company. My hunches were right after all. There’s something off whenever I encounter that old businessman. He’s really stripping off the company’s financials.

“Go and bring them to me,” he ordered like a general to his soldier. I smiled at him because of that.

“Noted, President,”

I turned around and quickly went towards the door to go outside when he suddenly called for my attention again. I turned back to look at him because of that.

“Ms. Fernandez,”

“Yes, President?”

“Pretend to be a customer and look for a P.I. named Jerome in the men’s section. Change your uniform from plain clothing if you had to. You must hide your identity of being an employee of MYDG. Once you have the documents, bring them to me right away, I'll be in MYDG Headquarters. You must be here at exactly 3:00 PM straight. Understand?”

I nodded again and processed all the things he’d said. “Yes, President,”

I went out of the office after that. I took some important things on my desk before I decided to leave. I went inside the President’s private elevator and quickly pushed the button for the first floor. I went out of the lift and head outside the building to hail a cab. When I found one, I quickly get inside and told where I am to go. I wore my jacket inside when I noticed the rain started to pour again.

It took me almost an hour before I arrived in MD EU. I quickly went into the department store and find the man that the President is telling me. The store was big enough that I thought it will take me another hour before I saw the man he’s referring to. Good thing after a few more searches inside, I could tell that it was one of the President's private investigator after seeing numbers of men wearing black jackets. I’ve confirmed it when I saw him holding a black attaché case. 

I found him in the men’s section, looking at some tuxedos. I went near him and without further ado, I called for his attention.

“Mr. Jerome Dela Vega?” I asked, confirming if I was right. He looked at my direction because of that. I saw him checking me from head to toe before his eyes went back to mine.

“You're..?” he asked, a bit hesitant. I smiled because of that.

“Sofia. Sofia Fernandez, Sir Jerome,” I introduced as I held out my hands to him. He looked at it before he smiled and accepted it.

"Omit the formality. Just Jerome," he introduced.

He seems to be in his late thirties. His brown hair is disheveled, maybe due to the strong wind outside and he has no time to fix it. Well, it compliments his looks so it’s no biggy. His long lashes hooded his light brown eyes. He’s masculine and a few inches tall to me.

He stared at me which made me a bit uncomfortable. I cleared my throat because of that.

“I'm… here for the documents...” I entailed since I need to go back to the office before three. I only have an hour left and since the weather isn’t good, I’ll be probably come back late.

“Oh… Yes,” he said, coming back from the reverie. He walks towards the seat where he could put his case and opened it. He took a brown enveloped inside and gave it to me. “That’s Mr. Gonzales’ data,” he shortly said.

I opened the enveloped to check what’s inside. When I saw some list of banks and some familiar data, I put it back inside. I looked at Jerome and smiled at him.

“Thanks, Sir Jerome,” I said.

“Just Jerome,” he corrected, never taking off his eyes at me. I looked away and sighed because of that.

“Jerome,”

I looked back at him and all he did was the same. I bid my short goodbye and told him that I’m in a hurry.

I was half-running as I went out of the mall. I sighed deeply after passing the crowded hallways. But when I stepped outside the mall’s entrance, I automatically closed my eyes because of the sudden breeze of cold air with a few droplets of rain. The heavy rain didn’t stop even for a minute.

I quickly took off my glasses and wipe the droplets of rain because of the wind on it. I didn’t waste any time to get inside a cab waiting on the entrance and told where I am headed to.

I can’t help but become apprehensive at the moment. I am checking my watch from time to time. After a quarter an hour of travel, I finally saw the company building from afar. Somehow, I felt relieved. But it was short-lived when I am almost a half-mile at the company and we were stuck in the traffic because of the heavy rain.

I looked at my watch again and a few more minutes before the meeting will start. Oh, noes! What should I do?

I searched for my umbrella in my bag, but only to groan in disappointment when I left it under my working table. Damn! I have important documents here with me! I looked outside the cab and saw that rain still heavily pours. Why did I even forget my umbrella at the office even though I know what will be the weather for this day?

I looked at the driver who’s looking straight on the road.

“Is there any other way to get to the company?” I asked making him look at me using the rearview mirror.

He glanced at the traffic ahead and from our back, he sighed and looked at me wearily saying, “I’m sorry, Miss. We’re stuck in the middle of the traffic,”

I bit my lower lip after hearing that. I shouldn’t have asked if the answer was so obvious. But I was hoping anyway!

I looked outside and examined the heavy rainfall. My mind is too occupied of the meeting that might have started now. The important documents are here with me and I know its worth for the meeting. The President has trusted me with these files and I need to bring this to him no matter what!

I quickly took my wallet inside the bag and took some few bucks for the fare. I handed it to the driver and saw how shock he is at what I am about to do.

I kept the documents inside my somehow water-resistant coat and held it tighter inside, same with my handbag. I don’t care if I get wet because of the rain. Cliché may it sound, but nowadays, I need to ensure the files' safety than myself.

“Keep the change, Kuya,” I said and smiled to him before I opened the car and bolted without minding the rain. I clipped across the road and arrived on the sidewalk as soon as I can. I bypassed the people with umbrellas at my full speed.

Some of them even looked at me with confusion, wondering why I am dashing under the rain.

I was catching my breath after a long minute run. I stared at the tall building in front of me and wonder why how I did I quickly get in here? I wasn’t able to track and check the time when I hurriedly went towards the company’s entrance.

I was about to enter when the security stopped me and looked at me with curiosity.

“What’s your business ma’am?” he asked making me wonder in confusion.

I was about to insist that I am an employee of this company when I remembered that I needed to hand the documents to the President at this instance!

“Kuya. Please call for the President, I am his secretary,” I said and smiled. I saw how his reaction changes from confusion to shock.

“Please, hurry,” I only said and he went inside hastily.

The other security stared at me, maybe trying to figure out who I am. I only smiled at him and watch the rainfall as I wait for the President. I know the rules and regulations of the company, and I know how strict they are when it comes to visitors. So I understood why they wouldn’t let me in this instance.

I swallowed hard and shivered when the cold wind suddenly blows. I hugged myself because of that. I looked inside the company and saw the security talking to a receptionist. I saw her looking at me from top to bottom as she puts a phone on her ear. It took her about a minute before she puts down the phone back. Both of the receptionists now look at my direction and now, whispering to each other while never taking off their eyes at me.

I unconsciously touched my face and run down my hands on my wet hair. I was forced to let it down after my fight under the rain. I sighed when I realized I needed to get home early and took a shower before I get a cold.

I looked back inside the company building, and at the same time, I saw the President went out of his private elevator and gracefully striding the lobby. I swallowed hard and squeeze my eyes shut. My heart beats fast at the sight of him. What is it now, Sofia?

I opened my eyes after I was able to calm myself down, but with still almost racing heart. I forced my legs to walk towards him.

“President,” I greeted and smile when he’s finally outside and arrived in front of me.

His shot up brow greeted me instead, as he looked down at me like he’s trying to figure out something. He looked at me from head to toe before his eyes settled to mine. I even saw him glancing on my let down hair as he looked back to me. I frowned because of that.

Why are they looking at me like I am somewhat a spy in this company?

“So…fia?” he entailed, still not sure if I am his secretary or not. I blinked and gaped when I realized this is the first time I heard him calling my name. After a minute or so, I looked away and inhaled deeply.

"The one and only sir…” I answered instead and unbutton my coat and took the documents I hid inside. I immediately handed it to him and he only looked at the brown envelop and back to me. He reached and accepted it nonchalantly.

His forehead still creased and blinks twice when he immediately went back to reverie. After a couple of seconds, his shoulder started to move up and down out of sudden. I step forward at the thought he’s convulsing for no reason and without my knowing, but only to see him laughing his heart out like he saw something funny. I tried to laugh with him, even though I don’t know the reason he seems so happy.

After a minute or so, he was able to collect himself and looked down at me, still grinning widely.

“Now I know…” he crowed. I frown because of that.

“Now I know the reason why you always wear thick rim glasses and bun your hair tightly, it’s because of that look you have now,” he continued.

My eyes widen in shock and I felt how the blood rushes to my cheeks when he noticed that. I quickly hide my face using my both hands and turned my back to him. I bit my lower lip and squeeze my eyes shut. Damn! How could you forget Sofia?!

“By the way, why are you... so wet?” he asked. I let out a deep sigh and forced myself to face the President, just because I don’t want to be rude at him.

“I…” I wasn’t able to finish my sentence when he barged in.

“Don’t tell me… you let yourself soak for the documents?”

I nodded as I looked down at the cemented floor so I wouldn’t meet his eyes. Well, I don’t have any reason to deny the fact that I run under the rain just to get in here at the time he wanted.

I heard his deep sigh which made me look up to him. I blinked when I realized what I just did.

Really Sofia? Just because he sighs?

Our eyes meet and I froze when I saw what he will do.

“President—“

I tried to stop him but I was too late when he finally took off his coat. I swallowed hard when he steps forward and tug my wet coat, telling me to take it off. And I did what he wanted and after that, he wrapped his own coat around me. His scent quickly lingered into my nose.

“Presi..dent,” I whispered and look at him. His hooded eyes looked down at me for a couple of seconds before he directed his attention to my hair. I shivered and close my eyes when I felt the tip of his fingers touch my bare neck as he fixes my wet wavy hair.

"Because of this… there's no reason why I should let you go,” he suddenly whispered which made me open my eyes and look back at him. Our eyes meet again. “You're very capable of being my secretary..." he continued.

We were looking at each other for how many seconds before he blinked and swallowed hard like he realized something important. He quickly turned his back around at me and walk toward the entrance. But before he could enter, he glanced at my direction.

"Wait for me in my car…” he ordered and continued walking inside without glancing back.

I nodded in dawdle and even though he couldn’t see me anymore.

I was standing on my place for about a minute and if it’s not because of the cold wind, I would have probably stayed standing outside.

I sashayed my way to the parking with a smile on my lips. I don’t even know why I am smiling. I tried to stop myself but just thinking what the President just did; I can’t help but grin widely.

Argh!! Am I liking that arrogant vampire now?!

To be continued...