My Miss Independent

CHAPTER 3

"Nas..." Joy called Nas in a low voice to get her attention, but Nas didn't even look at her. For some reason, her friend seems startled. She has no idea why Nas suddenly froze.

"Hey Nas, pare, are you okay?" Ken is also trying to get Nas's attention as she looks shocked out of the blue. 

Nas didn't respond, and she still seemed lost in thoughts.

Joy kicked Nas's chair lightly. "Girl," she muttered worriedly. She is now concerned about her friend. She's not sure why she is acting that way. She never sees Nas out of focus when in a meeting, especially with their Australian counterpart. She is acting weird right now.

Nas looked at Joy blankly. She feels lost and doesn't know what to do at the moment. She looks like she is about to cry. "Excuse me for a moment. I have to go to the bathroom." Nas stood up and went out of the meeting room.

Everyone was surprised that they didn't have the time to stop her. It is the first time they see Nas act that way in a meeting. She is always focused and professional. 

Nas ran to the bathroom and locked herself inside the cubicle. She bawled her eyes out. She doesn't know why she's crying. Are these tears of joy? 

After all this time, Mr. Dreamboy from the hill is just there. She has been working for VAUS, Inc for five years already. They started working with Ken's team for a year now. She wondered why she hadn't met Fritz before. 

Right now, she's not sure what she has to do. But one thing is for sure. She needs to get back there and pull herself together. She has never become unprofessional at work. She's always focused. 

Nas went back to the meeting room. Ken took over the meeting, and he is now explaining their plan while Nas is in Australia.

Australia. Who would've thought that she would meet Mr. Dreamboy from the hill in Australia? She has wanted to go to this country ever since she was young. Is this a sign? Is he the one?

Nas brushed off her thoughts. She has to focus, and she can't be like this at work. She has already mastered not letting relationships or any man get in the way of her success. 

"Focus, Nas!" she whispered to herself.

It's now her turn to present. "My apologies, I have to step out a bit because I suddenly felt sick," she told them.

"I thought you were mesmerized by Fritz's handsomeness." Ken teased. He thought of lightening the mood as everyone from Nas's team looked surprised at what happened to her. 

Ken also knows that the Manila team is scared to talk to him and his team. He took advantage of the situation so Nas's team would feel more comfortable around them. Especially Nas will be training with them in Australia for six months. He needs her team to take over while Nas is busy. They can't afford to make any mistakes during this crucial time of the year. The Manila team should be able to handle operations on their own.

Plus, he needs Nas and Fritz to be comfortable with each other. He hasn't told the team yet, but Fritz will be Nas's partner and guardian in Australia. He's not sure how these two will work with each other. He's a bit worried. 

Ken and Fritz are not just workmates but also best friends. And he worked closely with Nas for the past year. When he visited the Philippines, Nas was his tour guide and driver, and they became colleagues turned into good friends after that. Knowing them both, they have opposite personalities. But he has no choice.

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny, Ken," Nas rolled her eyes on Ken again. She doesn't know how to react appropriately. It felt awkward all of a sudden. Normally, she would dismiss the team or Ken's teasing when it comes to boys. But this time, she answered him awkwardly. 

Focus, Nas, focus, she continuously reminded herself.

"Anyway, let's now start allocating my tasks to the team and discuss our strategy for six months." Nas dismissed further teasing. 

She doesn't know if she can still handle it if they mention Fritz again. Knowing that he is Mr. Dreamboy from the hill is enough distraction for her already.

Good thing Fritz went back to his original seat and kept on hiding again from the person in front of him. This way, Nas cannot see him, and she won't be distracted.

The meeting continued for another thirty minutes. 

"Okay, that's it for our capacity planning," Nas told the team after their long planning. 

"Do you have any questions or violent reactions?" Nas added teasingly. "If you have - "

"Hey, pare. I have one more announcement to make." Ken interrupted her. "So, this is really the highlight of today's meeting," Ken added while smiling mischievously.  

"Oh no, this is bad," Nas retorted. She knows that he has something up his sleeve when Ken smiles that way. 

"No, no, no, you are wrong, my friend," Ken rebutted. "This is something good and something that you might like." Ken winked at her.

Suddenly Nas is nervous. "Hey, what is this? What happened to no surprises?"

"Well, there's a reason why I asked you to remove Fritz's tasks. I haven't told you about it yet because I wasn't sure about this 'til this morning. The bosses just told me. Please don't blame me, my friend. This is their doing. And Fritz, I'm sorry too. I didn't get the chance to talk to you before the meeting." Ken said apologetically. 

Being Nas's counterpart for a year, he already knows she hates surprises. He was also a bit worried when he was told this update this morning. But, who knows, maybe it will be good for the growth of both. 

He also thought of a stupid but incredible idea. Both are single. They have been teasing Fritz for being single for the longest time. In their group of friends, he is the only one who's not in a relationship or married. 

And Nas. She is the only person who's not in a relationship in their team. That's why they tease her a lot also.

Technically, Ken is not fond of office relationships. But for some reason, he feels these two, impossible as it may seem, might hit it off.  

He knows that both of them have fears of loving and being loved. He has known Fritz since childhood. He's very much aware of his best friend's painful childhood memories, the reason why he does not believe in love. Nas also told her about her failed relationships and how these destroyed her, how loving someone is her kryptonite.

It's a long shot, but it's worth a try. Besides, it was not his decision but their bosses. He will just use the circumstance to his advantage, for his two favorite people.

Ken smiled naughtily. "Well, my update is not really that bad. Actually, it may even be good news. Who knows?" he grinned.

Nas's heart is beating fast. Ken is making her nervous on purpose. "OMG, pare, c'mon. Just get it over with!" Nas said, aggravated.

Ken smiled even wider at his annoyed partner. "Well, the reason why Fritz is not doing any task while you're in Australia is because he will be your partner and guardian while you're here, Nas. Not me." 

Ken is gauging the reaction of both Nas and Fritz. Their responses are priceless. Both are shocked. Fritz's reaction is a surprise for him, though. He thought he would protest. 

He knows his best friend well. Fritz doesn't like working with people other than his team. He is a quiet and shy person, and he likes keeping himself to himself. But the news seems to amuse him. Ken is sure he saw Fritz smile right before he glanced at him. 

Hmm...This is going to be good. Ken thought.