Yes, Miss Manoban

CHAPTER 25

"I love you."

A grin slowly formed on Miss Manoban's face as soon as those words came out of Joshua's mouth. If not for the piercing gazes thrown at him by the staff and other employees present in the audition hall, he would not have realized what he just said.

"I know you do, Secretary Jeon," Miss Manoban said teasingly with her arms folded and grin growing wider.

"I-I meant the-the dance. I loved the dance! It was cool and uh... good!" he corrected stuttering. "I uh... uh..."

He was out of words or any form of excuse. He just freaking embarrassed himself in front of everyone! Can the ground just open up and eat him? Or maybe a flock of birds can fly in and take him away?

Miss Manoban chuckled before turning away from him. She walked back towards the panel, and the auditions resumed.

"Well, that was smooth." He turned towards Kevin who had this serious face on as he watched the panel like a hawk while talking to him. "You could've answered a simple 'yes' but opt to confess your feelings out in the open. Hats off to you, Secretary Jeon. Hats off to you."

"I didn't mean it that way..." He defended. "I was just—It doesn't matter. I just really liked the way she danced."

"Whatever makes you sleep at night, Jeon," the guy said with a smirk. "Whatever makes you sleep at night."

He let out a sigh before turning his attention back towards the audition. He's pretty sure he won't be getting some decent sleep tonight after embarrassing himself to oblivion.

-

"Aish!"

Joshua slammed his hand on the table. Why was he such an awkward mess? He just embarrassed himself in front of everyone and it didn't help that there were already rumors floating around because of what Miss Bong witnessed that day Mr. Kim barged into Miss Manoban's office.

Everyone in the company who was confused before were now convinced that Miss Manoban and him were indeed together. So much for being professional.

"I love you?!" he blurted out as he leaned back to his seat and grab his own hair. "Who says that?! Real cool, Jeon. Real cool."

He then directed his attention towards the screen and focused on editing some pictures of SERENA. A minute or two passed when he heard the doorbell ring. With a huff, he stood from his comfortable seat and made a beeline to the door. His eyes grew wide as soon as she saw the very person who's causing his mental breakdown.

What's Miss Manoban doing here?!

Should he open the door? Or should he not answer and just wait 'til she leaves? Maybe the latter's a bit harsh since she is his boss.

But what was she doing here?

"Miss Manoban!" he exclaimed as he opened the door. "W...What are you doing here?"

Instead of answering, she walked in straight to his apartment and took her jacket off. She was wearing pajamas. Cartoon character pajamas.

"That bastard Alex came to my f**king house so I escaped through the backdoor!" she blurted out and sat comfortably at his couch. "I thought he already left?! You said he left! Ugh!"

"Miss Manoban I--"

Again, his doorbell rang. Who else is gonna barge in his place now?

"Ya Joshua!"

His eyes grew wide. It was Erika. Then he turned towards Miss Manoban. She can't see his boss here! Especially when she's just wearing pajamas! She'd tell their mom!

"Is that your sister?" Miss Manoban asked. "Great, I'd like to ask her something--"

But before she could complete her sentence, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her towards the bedroom.

"What the?"

"You need to hide!" he whisper-yelled.

"What? Why?"

"Because she's gonna think there's something inappropriate going on between us."

"Then I'll tell her myself--"

"No!"

He yanked her back before she could even go out of the room and landed on top of him at his bed.

"What the hell Joshua--"

"Ya Joshua!" Erika's voice echoed from outside. It seems like she let herself in. "Joshua!"

He panicked. He grabbed Miss Manoban and pushed her in his closet. He'll deal with the possible consequences of 'shoving your boss inside your closet' later.

"Joshua Jeon--"

"Please. Please stay quiet."

Then he closed the closet just in time before Erika walked into his room. "Ya! Why didn't you open the door--"

"Erika! I uh, I didn't hear you. I was busy cleaning."

Erika's forehead creased as she scanned the room before scoffing.

"You're such a neat freak. Anyways, you up for some chicken and beer?" she asked enthusiastically—which was weird since her eyes were puffy like she just cried or something. Plus, she already reak alcohol. "I could really use a big brother right now."

"Why? What happened?" he asked as they both got out of the bedroom towards the living area. She dumped her coat somewhere as she sat on the small couch and placed the box of chicken on the coffee table. He saved his files and shut the computer down before sitting on the floor. Then he noticed Miss Manoban's coat lying on the floor just next to where Erika was sitting. He silently prayed she was tipsy enough to not notice.

"I think I love him," Erika then answered as she opened the can of beer. Completely ignoring the unfamiliar coat--thank God.

"You think?" he asked confusedly. Who?

"No. I do love him," she corrected. "I love him."

"Then what's this?" He gestured the chicken and beer. He was still nervous that Erika might notice his panicked state but he tried his best to play it cool. "A celebratory feast or the other one?"

"I don't know yet," she answered as she took a sip off her can. "I haven't told him yet."

"Then why are you here?" Then he turned towards the cans of beer. "Are you planning on drowning yourself before confessing?

"Well, I was hoping I'd get so drunk I'd get to make a drunken love confession then if he dumps me I could just tell him it wasn't true and I was just drunk out of my wits or something," she explained.

"And if he does accept?"

"I don't know. Maybe get to third base with him. I'll just wing it," she joked. Okay, he was now genuinely curious on how this plays along.

Erika had always been the cool kid when they were in school. She was confident in her own skin and very independent. She's the type that knows what she wants and a know-it-all. So seeing her like this--acting so out of character for a guy is quite entertaining.

"You've got to make other friends, Erika. I'm your brother and I can kill the guy if he hurts you or do things with you. Either way, I will hurt him."

Erika scoffed as he threw him a quick glance.

"Not when he's your former boss, you can't."

Wait. What?!