The President's Secret

Chapter 14

|Sofia|

I’VE been waiting for almost an hour inside the President's car. And I can’t help but to hug myself and shiver in the cold after what I have done. The heat coming from the dashboard seemed not to be enough! Now, I regretted why did I even run and let myself drench in the rain! I could have just stopped at a convenience store and bought an umbrella! Why didn’t I even think of that?

I hugged myself and wrap the coat around me tightly, to somehow ease the chill I am feeling. My nose started to itch and after a couple of seconds, I annoyingly sneezed inside the car. Damn, I think I will catch a cold after this.

The President’s driver, Erman, isn’t around, yet. He said he’s going out to buy some coffee for me. I just agreed at that because I think I needed it. I sighed heavily and leaned my back on the backseat as I closed my eyes.

Well, my dress is not entirely wet. But from my shoulder down to the chest part of my polo, and the hem of my skirt and the stocking I am wearing, it’s all soak. Then I realize that I could take off my stockings.

I was thinking of finding some restroom in the basement, but it seems that the privacy of the car is enough since the car window is heavily tinted. I did it quickly as I could and put it inside my bag. After a moment, I saw Erman outside the car with a take-out coffee in his hand. I went out immediately to meet him. He smiled which showed the wrinkles on the side of his eyes and edge of his lips, as he gave me a cup and the other two cup remain inside the plastic. Is it for him and for the President?

Shortly, the elevator’s door near where the President’s car parked opened. He and Mike went out, both talking about some matter. I can’t help but gaze at the two. Their relationship seems so normal if only the President wouldn’t frown at his brother.

“Did you see that? He almost paled in fear,” Mike said, a bit happy. It’s so obvious that he’s trying to have a normal conversation toward his brother, who on the other hand, ignored him like he doesn’t exist. I sighed and somehow wished that, even for a day, I can see them talking normally, with no hate from the President.

“Satisfied?”

The smile on Mike’s lips disappears after the President said that. And at that moment, the tension between them started to intensify. They both stop walking and I didn’t know if they notice our presence or not? I blinked when I realized that Erman isn’t with me anymore! I hurriedly walked back to the car and was about to go inside when I heard Mike speak.

“I know, that somehow, you’ll probably heed my request,” Mike said, which got my attention and made me look back at their direction. But to my shock, the President charges toward Mike out of sudden. My eyes widen especially when the President grabbed his brother’s collar.

At that moment, even how I forced myself to move to stop the fight between the two, I just couldn’t. I was frozen in my place and the only thing I could do was to watch both of them. The only thing I could see and feel was the death glares’ the President is throwing at his brother and the heat coming from the cup I am holding.

“Can you, even once, f*****g use your brain?! Don’t you just declare and decide everything without even thinking about it!” the President lashed out violently and let go of his brother after that.

I blinked a couple of times when I noticed something. Wait… what’s this?

“Because of your carelessness, many employees might have been affected!” the President continued with a deep growl.

Why… why do I feel that somehow… the President is trying to protect Mike, from the problem he…caused?

“Ms. Fernandez…”

I went back to reverie when I heard the President’s deep voice. I swallowed hard when I realized that he’s is now in front of me without even noticing! I blinked and quickly averted my eyes away from him when our eyes met…

Damn, did he catch me looking at them, again?

“So…fia?

I quickly looked at Mike’s direction who’s now beside the President. I saw him looking down at me, observing me, glancing at my let-down hair and back to my eyes. I bit my lower lip and lower my head at the sudden embarrassment. Of course, I look ridiculous now. That’s why he’s giving me that weird look.

“Is that you…?” he asked, a bit unsure. I looked up and when our eyes met, I smiled a bit at him.  

“Y-Yes…” I answered shyly.

A smile formed into his lips because of that. He made a step forward and quickly put his both hands on my shoulders. I was a bit startled because of that!

“I hardly recognize you! If it wasn’t because of your chinky eyes, I would probably think you’re my brother’s woman!” he exclaimed.

My heart skipped and my eyes widen in shock at his last statement. My eyes automatically looked at President’s direction and when I saw him looking down on me, with his usual expression, the cold one. I blinked and looked back at Mike.

I smiled at him and was about to say something when he suddenly speaks.

“Wait… why are you drenched? Did you let yourself soak under the… rain?” he asked as he looked at my wet hair.

Err. Okay.

“Y-Yeah?" I answered a bit unsure. His one brow shot up as he looked down on me like he’s not buying the fact that I let myself soak under the rain.

“Why?” he asked. I swallowed hard when I heard the sudden change of the tone of his voice. Why does it seem he’s…angry? I don’t know. I can’t explain it. But it seems like he didn’t like the answer he got from me. Well, that’s the truth anyway, so why would I lie?

“I—ahm. I need to get in here as soon as to give the documents needed by the President at the meeting,” I answered as I looked at the President’s direction. He’s right behind his brother, observing us with his cold and expressionless eyes again.

“You let her soaked in the rain?” Mike irritatingly said as he faced the President. I glance at Mike before I saw the President shrugged his shoulder and answered,

"Nope... she let herself soaked in the rain. Don’t accuse me something I didn’t do,” then he walked out in front of us. I can’t help but follow him until he went to his car.

Then I almost jump when I felt Mike’s hand on my shoulder, bringing my attention back to him. He sighed deeply as he looked directly into my eyes.

“Next time, always bring an umbrella, okay?” he suggested and all I can do was to nod to agree. We were staring at each other for how many seconds before we heard the sudden beep of the car from behind.

“Let's go, Sofia,” he interrupted. I quickly turned around and saw the President from inside through the open window. I blinked and my heart skips a beat for a moment, then sighed when I realized that we needed to go.

I bid my short goodbye and regards to Mike before I went inside the car. He only smiled and cheered upon me and hopes that I won’t get cold because of my situation—drench because of rain.

I let out a deep sigh because of the silence inside the car. Well, it’s not that I am expecting something from the President. I know he’s usually silent. But what he said next made me a bit surprised.

“It seems my brother is very fond of you. And you seem to feel the same way especially that reaction after complimenting you’re cute. You should have shown him that face from the start so your feelings would have been reciprocated,”

My mouth literally fell open after that long mockery or whatever-he-calls-it from him. Well, of course, he’s that kind of person. I surreptitiously rolled my eyes because of that. I ignored his judgment against me. I don’t know why but I feel so annoyed at what he said. It was as if he’s interested that I really do like his brother. Well of course, who wouldn’t? I am not denying it!

But… argh! He really annoys the hell out of me!

“You're very capable secretary…” he said out of nowhere, breaking the silence between us.

I looked at him because of that. All of a sudden, my heart beats erratically. I swallowed hard, never taking my eyes off of him.

“And because of what you did, there’s no reason left for me to let you go,” he continued.

I blinked and inhaled a deep breath. I quickly averted my eyes when he turned to my direction. I unconsciously held my chest, feeling how my heart hammered inside my ribcage. Why does my mind tell me he meant something different?

“Erman… stop-by in some opticians' store,” the President ordered to his driver which made me looked back at him. I frowned at the thought of what he’ll do to some optical shop? But his eyes found mine. I saw the ghost of a smile forming into his lips.

“Didn’t you tell me that you couldn’t clearly see a thing without your glasses and you suffer in astigmatism? Then it can’t be helped,”  

I gaped at what he said.

“I'll buy them for you…” he said as he faced me. I leaned backward at his sudden action. It seems that he noticed it but he ignored me and instead, raised his forefinger to me. I can’t help but look at his long finger pointing at me.

“But, I’m the one who’ll gonna choose your spectacles,” he continued.

I found myself nodding as I looked back at him. He grinned and directed his attention outside the window. It took me a couple of minutes before I was able to drag my eyes away from him.

I swallowed hard and held my chest.

Dubdub. Dubdub.

What to do?

Even though Mike finally noticed me and told me that I look...different, that thought was immediately replaced by the President’s compliments, on how he recognized my efforts as his secretary. Somehow, it made me a bit… happy?

Oh gods, don’t tell me I’m really having feelings toward that vampire? And this time… it’s for real?!