There's One Thing I Like About Him

Trisha In a world where love is often romanticized, the idea of finding "the one" is both thrilling and terrifying. We're told that the right person will come along and everything will naturally fall into place. But life has a way of complicating even the simplest dreams. What do you do when you meet someone who feels like your perfect match, but the timing is wrong, the circumstances aren’t in your favor, or fate itself seems determined to keep you apart? It’s a dilemma that many face, torn between the hope of holding on and the fear of letting go. They say it’s better to wait than to settle for less. But what if you’ve already found “the one,” yet you’re not meant to be together? It’s the kind of heartbreak that makes for a tragic love story. And what if, against all odds, destiny intervenes and suddenly the two of you are meant to be? Perhaps that’s just wishful thinking—a desperate hope in a world where love doesn’t always conquer all. “Paige Trisha Alejo?” I was jolted from my thoughts by Alexa’s tap on my shoulder. I turned to see her standing behind me, concern etched on her face. Charee Alexa Gabrielle Lee, my best friend since middle school and now my colleague, is on my team as a programmer. "You were just supposed to print something for Ethan, and here you are, daydreaming. Do you know I’ve been standing here for five minutes, and you didn’t even hear me?" she said, her tone playful but with a hint of exasperation. I gave her a small, embarrassed smile. "Sorry, I was just lost in thought," I replied, trying to brush off the awkwardness. "Oh no! Don’t tell me you’re thinking about Ethan again," she teased, poking my side. My eyes widened in panic as I quickly covered her mouth. "Hey! Keep it down! What if someone hears you?" I hissed. My heart pounded, half from embarrassment and half from fear that our colleagues might overhear. Alexa is the only person I can confide in, the one who knows all my secrets. But sometimes, her carefree nature makes me worry she’ll spill everything. "Girl, the reason you don’t have a boyfriend is that you’re hung up on our boss. Imagine, you’ve been single for three freaking years because of him," she said, shaking her head with mock disapproval. "At least I don’t entertain just any guy who comes my way," I shot back, crossing my arms defensively. Alexa just laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, so it’s like that, huh?" she said, pretending to be offended as she walked away. Panic surged through me as I imagined her heading straight to Ethan’s office to spill my secret crush on him, a secret I’ve kept for the past three years. "Sorry, bestie," I pleaded, grabbing her arm before she could go any further. "Really? After you just sassed me?" she teased, pretending to be hurt. "I’m really sorry, okay?" I said, trying to sound sincere. "Fine. But hurry up—our meeting is about to start. Are you ready for your presentation? You better nail it so Ethan will finally notice you and give you that promotion," she said with a wink, laughing as she walked ahead. I sighed, feeling a mix of fondness and frustration for my best friend. She could be infuriating, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything. "Good morning, Miss Alejo," I heard Ethan greet as Alexa and I entered the conference room. I tried to keep my composure, but I could feel Alexa’s eyes on me, her teasing smile almost tangible. I shot her a warning glance, but she just grinned wider. "You’ve got it bad," she whispered, barely containing her amusement. "Can you believe it? We both walked in, but he only greeted you," she added in a soft voice, her tone almost accusing. I ignored her, focusing on setting up my PowerPoint presentation. My heart raced with nerves, not just because of the impending presentation but because this was the first time I’d be speaking in front of so many people. After nearly an hour and a half, I finally wrapped up my presentation. Relief washed over me as I noticed the approving nods from my colleagues, and more importantly, from Ethan. He even asked a few follow-up questions, which I managed to answer confidently and in detail. As I began packing up my things, I invited Alexa to join me for lunch at the new Korean restaurant that had just opened the day before. She eagerly agreed and helped me gather my belongings. “I’ll head back to the office with your stuff,” Alexa said, giving me a thumbs-up before walking away. I nodded, still shutting down my laptop, then stood and started toward the door. Just as I reached for the doorknob, Ethan’s voice stopped me in my tracks. He was standing right behind me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I slowly turned to face him, his presence overwhelming. "U-um, Ethan, s-sir" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. I couldn’t understand why I suddenly felt so flustered. Get it together, Trish. He’s your boss, not some teenage crush. But as I caught a whiff of his scent—an intoxicating mix of grapefruit, hemp, spicy black pepper, and warm leather—I felt my knees weaken. "I know you’re still undecided, but I really hope you’ll reconsider my offer to promote you to Senior Project Manager. I see a lot of potential in you, and I’m confident you have even more to contribute to the company," he said, his tone earnest. Before I could respond, the conference room door swung open. I turned to see a woman in a red dress, her hair elegantly tied back, standing in the doorway. She was stunning—tall, graceful, and with an ethereal beauty that made her seem almost otherworldly. No wonder Ethan was smitten; she wasn’t just beautiful, she radiated kindness and confidence. "Hi, babe," she greeted him, her eyes locking onto his with a warmth that made my heart ache. A sharp pain stabbed at my chest. I knew it was wrong to harbor feelings for someone who clearly loved another, but I couldn’t help it. Why did I have to fall for someone so unattainable? I mean, he’s my boss, and I’m just an employee. Ethan walked over to her, placing his hand on her waist and pressing a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Let’s go for lunch," he said, his voice soft. The woman—Isabelle, I assumed—glanced at me and offered a polite smile before they turned to leave. "I know this isn’t the best time, but please reconsider, Trish," Ethan said, giving me one last look before following Ma’am Isabelle out of the room. I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of unspoken words and unrealized dreams. With a deep breath, I turned and headed back to the office, my mind swirling with thoughts I couldn’t quite shake. As I walked through the office, the usual hum of activity felt distant, almost muted. The walls seemed to close in, and my desk, now just a space filled with papers and files, seemed more like a prison than a workspace. I tried to focus on my tasks, but my mind kept drifting back to Ethan and Savannah. The image of them together played on a loop in my head, and every reminder of their connection seemed to magnify the emptiness I felt. I glanced at my watch and my heart sank. I was already late for lunch with Alexa. I could almost hear her impatient sigh as she waited for me at the restaurant, no doubt growing increasingly frustrated. The thought of her waiting there, her expectations unmet, added to the pit of anxiety in my stomach. I quickly gathered my things, stuffing papers and files haphazardly into my bag. My movements were frantic as I rushed toward the exit, the ticking of the clock echoing in my mind. Each step felt heavy with urgency, and I could almost hear the ticking intensify, reminding me of how late I was. The usual calm of the office seemed distant now, replaced by a frantic rush as I pushed through the door and into the bustling city streets. My thoughts raced along with my steps, hoping I could make it to the restaurant before Alexa’s patience wore thin. She’s my best friend, but you know how she can be scary when she’s hungry.