Her Playboy Boss

Chapter 2: Encounter At The Elevator

IT took another hour and a half for me to get a cab. There weren’t a lot of cabs and plenty of people trying to catch one. I gave Ms. Vera's address to the driver and he started the meter promptly before pulling into the highway.

I got nervous as I realized that I didn’t even know if we were heading in the right direction. The driver looked trustworthy though, so I tried to relax and just enjoyed the drive. I tried to familiarize myself with the area we were passing by, but the cab was moving so fast that everything seemed like a blur.

As I looked at the cab’s meter, I got scared as I saw how fast the meter was going. The amount has now reached 500 pesos. I only had 1,000 pesos in my wallet and I was silently praying for the total fare not to go beyond that. Mrs. Torreblanca told me to ask her daughter to reimburse me the cab fare, so I’m not worried about it. I’m just worried about not having enough to pay up front for the cab ride.

For the remainder of the trip, I kept looking at the meter. I sighed in relief as we reached our destination and the total fare was 800 pesos. I promptly paid the driver and waited for my change and receipt. I will need the receipt to show Ms. Vera later when I ask her for the reimbursement later.

The driver helped me with my luggage. After thanking him, I pulled my bag and made my way into the apartment building.

Ms. Vera lives in a high-rise condominium, and her unit is on the 20th floor. Mrs. Torreblanca said that I will need to ride the elevator to get to her daughter’s unit. I’ve never ridden an elevator before, nor have I ever been in a building as high as this one.

When I saw the guard, I asked where the elevators were. Before he answered my question, he asked who I am and where I am headed.

Luisa: “I’m Luisa Mariano, sir. I’m headed to Unit 2005. Ms. Vera Madrid hired me to be the nanny to her daughter.”

Guard: “She didn’t notify us about you. Let me check with Ms. Vera first. Just wait here while I make the call.”

Luisa: “Okay, sir. Thank you.”

I moved to the side so I won’t be in the way of those coming in and out of the building. This place is very impressive. It really looks like rich people live here.

Guard: “Miss, no one’s answering the phone in Ms. Vera’s unit. You can take a seat first and I will try calling her again later.”

Luisa: “Okay, sir.”

I sat promptly on the couch in the corner and promptly parked my luggage right next to me. I didn’t have anything to do while waiting, so I pulled out the Pride and Prejudice book out of my bag and resumed reading.

After I finished reading the book, I looked at the time and noticed that two hours had already passed. I walked up to the guard and asked if he was able to talk to Ms. Vera yet, but he said that he still hasn’t, and that no one is answering when he tries to call.

I thanked him and sat back on the couch, and waited once more. I started observing the people coming in and out of the building. The guard politely greeted them as they walked in and out.

I couldn’t help but admire how stylish and young the residents in this condominium looked. Most of the women seem to be wearing designer clothes, bags and shoes. They’re also very sexy and clad in clothing that shows off at least a part (or most parts) of their body. I even saw someone come out in a sports bra and skimpy shorts. I realized she might be going out for a jog, but I felt shocked and felt uncomfortable as I can’t imagine myself going outside wearing what she’s wearing.

Most of the young men I saw looked very fit, and their skin was smoother than mine. They probably have a daily skin care routine, whereas all I do is wash my face with soap and water before I go to sleep.

As I kept waiting, I noticed that it’s already getting dark outside and I could feel myself getting hungry. I haven’t even had lunch yet, and the last food I had was the snack they served on the plane. They served a small sandwich and a juice box. I wish I’d brought a cracker and water so that I could at least satiate my hunger.

It’s already 8pm and I was still waiting in the condominium lobby, when I got a call on my phone. It was Mrs. Torreblanca wondering where I was. 

Mrs. Torreblanca: “Hello, hija? Where are you? Vera said she’s been waiting in her unit for 6 hours and you still haven’t arrived. Are you okay? You didn’t get lost, did you?”

Mrs. Torreblanca sounded like a worried mom more than my boss. I really loved working for her. She’s a very kind and thoughtful boss.

Luisa: “I’m okay, ma’am. Actually, I’ve been waiting at Ms. Vera condominium lobby since noon. The guard has been trying to call her unit to confirm if he can let me go up, but he said that no one is answering her phone.”

Mrs: Madrid: “Oh, is that so. I’m sorry you had to wait that long, hija. Let me call Vera and I will let her know where you are.”

I thanked her before hanging up the call. I prepared myself and waited for the guard to tell me I could get up. I heard the phone ring and the guard looked at me as he answered the call. He smiled and nodded at me as if indicating that we finally got the go signal we have been waiting for. 

After ending the call, he signalled for me to come over. I smiled as I walked over to the reception desk where the guard was.

Guard: “The elevators are on that side. Her unit is on the 20th floor. Just follow the sign to where Unit 2005 is.”

Luisa: “Okay. Thank you very much, sir. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

Guard: “Oh, it wasn’t an inconvenience at all. I have to warn you though, Ms. Vera seems to be angry. I don’t know why, you’re the one who’s been waiting for a long time.”

I smiled as I thanked him again and walked towards the elevators. My legs were shaking a little probably because I’ve been sitting for so long and I’m already very hungry. I pushed the up button and waited for the doors to open.

When it did, I gasped as I saw a man and a woman kissing. The way they are doing it looks like they are eating each other’s faces. I froze momentarily until I realized that the couple was looking at me.

The man held the doors to the lift as the woman made her way out. They kissed once more as the woman made her way out of the building.

I was still frozen in place when the man said “Are you coming in?”

Luisa: “Uhm, I’ll wait for the next one.”

Man: “Oh come on, I don’t bite.”

I got nervous as I walked into the elevator. I stayed at the corner, as far away from the man as possible. He was standing in front of the buttons and kept looking at me every now and then.

Man: “Where are you headed baby girl?”

Luisa: “Huh?”

Man: “What floor?”

Luisa: “20th please. Thank you.”

Man: “All right.”

He pushed the button and took out his phone and started tinkering with it. I couldn’t help but look at him and admire his buff body. He has wide shoulders and is quite tall. I am 5’4, and he must be at least six feet tall, so I look so small in comparison to him.

What shocked me about him the most are the tattoos all over his arms. I could see a hint of a tattoo on his back too. I wonder if he had any tattoos on his body too.

Man: “Are you done ogling me, baby girl?”

That was when I realized that he could see me looking at him through my faint reflection on the elevator doors. I felt nervous and couldn’t answer.