Misleading of the Variance (Secondary Series #3)

Misleading over the Variance crescent1004 Secondary Series #1: Chasing over the Belief (completed) Secondary Series #2: Running from the Horizon (completed) Secondary Series #3: Misleading over the Variance Note: This story will contain spoilers from series #1 and series #2. DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This story is not affiliated with anything. Please be advised that this story might contain some strong languages and mature contents that are not suitable for some readers.   ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— PROLOGUE “Good afternoon, Ms. Sanchez.” I gave the guard of the building a smile, greeting him back before walking inside the spacious lobby. Each employee greeted me politely as I did the same. It just feels so weird having more people to do that. It’s not like I don’t get the same treatment anyway but it just feels so fresh. The elevator stops at the fifth floor, the highest floor in the building, welcoming me with another spacious space. It has a comfortable lobby, not as big with the one on the ground floor. There is a big two door in the middle of the room which clearly states it’s the room of the owner. On the side is the table of his assistant who definitely has a shock expression upon seeing me. “Ms. Sanchez, boss didn’t tell me that you are coming today.” Luca says. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t know as well,” I responded with a big smile. “Is he inside?” “Yes, ma’am. Just talking to a VIP client.” “Should I just wait for him to finish it? I can wait here. Your boss spends so much in making his area have this comfortable lounge. I think I can stay and sleep here all day.” I said, letting myself down on the soft couch. “You can just enter his office ma’am. He wouldn’t mind I’m sure,” He says, pointing it out with a small smile. “Actually he will,” I joked, laughing as he did the same. I talked to him a little more, just catching up since he has been his assistant for so long now. Since he built this company of his. I just feel so happy that he has someone who is willing to be there ever since he was starting from nothing to having all of this. A tall, masculine guy wearing a navy blue dress shirt, two buttons unbuttoned, tucked in slacks with a pair of brown leather shoes. He has his phone besides his ear while talking in a deep voice. He really changed a lot. “Someone’s stepping up his game.” His eyes went to me. It went from a surprise to a happy one. A big grin plastered on his lips as he approached me. “Well, someone’s gonna have to.” He says, pulling me for a hug. “When did you get back?” “Just two hours ago,” I said before taking it back. “Actually 3 hours ago, if it weren’t from the traffic. Classic Manila, isn’t it?” “Indeed,” I walked around his office when he let me go. He watched me from behind as my eyes roamed around. It’s not too classy and showy but just enough. His room remained a little humble despite having such a little classy lobby. That I really want to compliment to. I touched the desk plaque located on the middle front of his table. A smile creeps out of my lips upon reading what it says. “Evan Kai Salvador, CEO/Chairman.” “Too cheesy isn’t it? I told Mama to just put the CEO term but she insisted on putting Chairman as well.” He complained, scratching the back of his head - feeling a little shy, I supposed. “You are both the CEO and Chairman so you can’t blame her.” I shrugged my shoulder as he let out a small chuckle. “Besides, you deserve it. You independently built this travel agency of yours and proved yourself a lot from everyone. Getting a little recognition for yourself is just enough.” I look at my brother as he also stares at the desk plaque on his desk. Who would have thought he would really come this far? We all thought him building his own travel agency will be just a passing by. “You should have just come later and took a rest for a while instead of going straight there. They will come here later anyway.” He said. “Your office is already on my way so I might just go and come here already. Besides, why do I have to go home when I can definitely rest here anyway.” I said, sitting comfortably on the couch. “You really made your building feel like everyone can feel at home.” “That’s the goal,” I rolled my eyes, creeping a smile out as he proudly said it. “How was your trip? We did a good job planning your trip, didn’t we?” “You did! Santorini was so much fun. I feel like all of my stress from work is all gone suddenly.” I said, complimenting their hard work. “I told you, you would have a lot of fun there. Though it will be better to come there with a guy, not with your girls.” He remarked as I gave him a look. “I don’t need a guy to have fun kuya. It’s not like I can’t have any happiness if I don’t have a guy with me. I bet it would be dull if I were with a guy.” I defend. “Really?” He says in a teasing tone as I smack his shoulder which made him laugh. “But yeah, I guess you are right. You will probably just waste your time in Santorini if you went there with a guy.” “What do you mean?” “I mean, you probably won’t be able to walk around the island and see the beautiful escapade in there. Definitely, you will just stay in your hotel room alone instead of walking around with a bunch of people surrounding you. Privacy, you know?” He says, like it’s somehow common sense. My brows furrowed in confusion with what meant. Not until I realize it all. I smack his arms non-stop because of his dirty thoughts. What do I expect from him? Of course, that is what he would say! “You p*****t! Damn you, kuya!” He just keeps laughing as he receives my continuous smack on his arms. I really hate it when the conversation goes to this kind one. “Don’t act so innocent Ali! It’s not like you haven’t done it before!” He teases which made me really shy and earned him a harder smack from me. “Stop! It hurts already!” “You deserve it!” I said before giving him one, one last time. His laughter didn’t die down despite getting hit countless times. This is not the first time he brought up something like this. Though we are already adults and are open to this kind of conversation. I just can’t help but keep feeling shy whenever this kind of thing is brought up. “Why are you always so shy about this? There’s nothing wrong about it, you know,” He says as I glared at him once again. “Would you please just stop kuya? Goodness! I can’t even have a serious conversation with you even for just half an hour.” I complained. “If you want serious conversation, then set an appointment and let’s do it in the conference room. Jokes aside, just full serious mode and business talks.” It’s tiring to have this kind of conversation. Never would I have thought that we would come to this kind of situation before. It’s just so satisfying to feel this way. “But really, joking aside, you really need to find yourself a boyfriend. You are not getting younger Ali. Even Pey has a boyfriend of her own.” He frankly said. “I told you how many times, I’m not interested yet. Can’t you all just leave me alone being single?” “You have been single for the last 8 years Alina Rachel! What do you expect? You are turning 28 already this year!” He pointed out. “Don’t count the age, kuya!” I whined. I know that so well. I am not getting younger but I’m just not really fond of having any boyfriend for now. It’s just so not in my category for now. I’d rather keep myself busy in my work, my family and traveling than finding a boyfriend. “Are you not interested or is it because of the Captain?” I immediately looked up to him upon hearing what he said. “What does he have to do with this?” I asked in disbelief. It’s been 8 years but they still haven’t given it up. “Probably because he is the last guy in your life? I just have a little conclusion that he is the one preventing you from looking for someone else.” He says, stating what he called his ‘conclusion’. “You are imagining too much kuya. Can’t it be just because I don’t want anyone yet?” I defend. “Can be but also can’t be. Stop hiding what you really want Ali.” He poked my forehead softly, saying it. “Tell me, what do I really want?” “Him.” I felt my mood immediately went down upon his frank answer. He can be really too sarcastic sometimes. “You have always wanted to be with him. May it be before, to now.” “You are just overthinking things kuya.” I said, forming a small smile. “Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. It depends. We can only find it all out once you met him again anyway.” He says before excusing himself when his phone rang. That topic was set aside already because a few minutes later, our family arrived already. It feels so relieving that they came because I bet kuya Evan won’t stop talking about it for a minute there. He still wants to say more. We just had a small dinner as we caught up. I shared with them my trip in Santorini, how we should all go there when we have a chance and a lot more. It’s not actually like we really did miss a lot in one another’s life events to have this whole catching up going. It’s just that, each of my siblings has our own careers that we are busy about already. Having a time like this to gather is already rare. Everything depends if one is available or not. We cannot gather that much as we do before already since we are all adults here now. We didn’t spend the entire night all together because we all have work tomorrow except for our parents. Kuya Evan drops mama and papa in their house before going to him. My other siblings also went to their homes to rest due to tiring shifts. I also went back to my condo because I need to unpack as well. I also need to take a rest to have strength in work tomorrow. It’s nice being with them after having a great time in a majestic place. It’s a beautiful memory that I will always cherish. “You look a little stressed?” I look at the woman standing with both of her hands on the desk, looking all irritated. Her brows are furrowed and she’s almost like she can release fire anytime soon. “The wedding planner that we talked with before our trip is out of reach! We’ve been trying to call her and she’s not even picking up!” She complained immediately upon seeing me. “Okay, calm down. Maybe she’s just sleeping? After all, it’s still early Abi.” “So she’s been sleeping for a week? Even my fiance can’t reach her for a week now!” She complained once again. She keeps blabbering things as I went to the water dispenser to get her a glass of water. It’s to help her calm down a little. We just went back from our unforgettable trip and here she is, dragging me to her stressful wedding planning. “You have an assistant for a reason you know? You are already busy enough with this hospital and doing your doctor duties sometimes to handle everything about the wedding. She can help you with some things you know?” I said as she let out a deep breathe before dumping herself in her executive chair. “This is my wedding for a reason okay? I want to be hands-on because this will only happen once in my life.” She insisted. “Are you sure it will only happen once?” I joked as I earned a glare from her. “Stop trying to make everything perfect, will you? Having the two of you there is the most important.” “I didn’t know getting married can be this stressful. This is much more stressful than facing a kid patient for a check up.” A small laugh escapes my lips with her comparison. She just really has to compare getting married to her work as a Pediatrician. “Well, you wanted to have a cruise wedding… then there you have it.” I frankly said. “Should I just change and make it in the church?” The worries and desperation to make everything perfect for her big day is overwhelming her. It’s too obvious in her face how stressed she looks. “I’m gonna give you this offer again. I told you that I know a very great wedding planner right?” I reminded her. “The known one you are saying?” I nodded in response. “I can give her a call to butt you in her schedule and make her your wedding planner. You want?” I suggested once again. “Are you sure she can assist me? I think she has a lot of clients right now from the last time I heard.” She said, getting worried. “Don’t worry! She is a friend of mine so I’m sure we can fit your wedding in her schedule. I will give your contacts to her once I already called so you two can talk. Are we cool now?” I tried saying in a calming tone as possible. “Cool,” She says, letting out a deep breath once again. “Good.” I watch her take a rest in her chair with eyes close. I never thought a week in Santorini could be replaced with stress just a day after we went back. Thankfully, I haven’t experienced the same thing yet. My department is still coordinated and can move on their own. But for her is a different scenario. I still can’t understand why she accepted the role of CEO when she wanted to focus on being a Pedia. “Any problems in the finance department while we were on vacation?” She asked as I shook my head. “They are still working on the monthly report, but so far we only need the funds approval for the new hospital branch in Pampanga. Here’s the documents for it,” I actually thought she would check it right away but I shouldn’t have expected it. She puts the documents on the side of her table before leaning with hands clasped to one another. I raised a brow in confusion with the sudden action. “What’s the problem now?” I asked. “With all these paper works coming through, I barely even go and check some patients to do my real job. I don’t even know if I’m still a Pedia or just a CEO now.” She sighed in confusion as I put on a small smile. “You are both a Pedia and the CEO. I thought you already saw this coming the moment you accepted the role.” I reminded her. “I know, but there’s a part of me of just wanting to focus on treating kids just like before. If only I knew this is where I will be in then I would have chosen to be a lazy bug downstairs during my residency instead of working hours to reach my minimum hours immediately.” She complained. This is not the first time she complained about this. I think just a month since she was announced as the new CEO, she already complained a lot. Not due to paperwork but in missing her real job. “If only you rejected your father’s offer then you wouldn’t keep complaining every once a month.” I frankly said. “What do you expect, Rach? None of my siblings wants to take the role. One is busy treating hearts while one is busy flying in the sky. We cannot leave the position vacant and have another person to take the role. I’d rather just bear the stress than have someone manage this hospital.” She pointed out as I nodded. We talked there a little longer before I decided to return to my office. I made sure to give each patient and employees a smile while on my way. I don’t really interact with the patients since it’s not really my job to do it but the more I walked around here, the more I got to talk to some of them. My attention goes to the well-built back of a person who is talking to a kid patient. He is on his knees while talking to him and that made me smile. The kid gave him a big smile in return while pointing somewhere outside the window. Witnessing things like this are so heartwarming indeed. “Ms. Salvador, you are needed in the Finance Department.” One employee suddenly said, appearing next to me as I nodded. I gave the person and the kid one last look before making my way to the Finance Department. “Is there anything else that needs my sign? You can give it to me now so I can sign it here.” I told the Finance Director as she nodded. “There is ma’am. We need your sign for the funds approval in the renovation of Ilocos Branch.” Alina Rachel Salvador Chief Financial Officer I went to my office after signing the paper to do my work. There is just some paperwork to do since I was out for a week. Mostly just the ones that needed my approval before it goes to the higher ups. It needed a thorough checking before checking since it’s money. “Ma’am, there’s someone here who wants to see you.” My assistant says through the intercall. “Let them come in please, thank you.” I proceeded to read a document until I heard the door of my office opened. There was just silence instead of someone talking but I can hear breathing. “Is there anything you ne-” It was as if my world stops upon seeing the person standing in front of me. He is wearing a dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbow, tucked in jeans with a pair of white shoes. He is standing tall in front of me with a small smirk plastered on his lips. “So it was really you?” He says in a deep, low tone that sends shivers down my spine. “James,” He approaches my desk, taking a seat on the chair facing me. With arms crossed, leaning to the chair comfortably, he looks at me in a piercing gaze before his side lips rose up - forming a smirk. “It’s very nice seeing you again, Ali.”