30 REASONS NOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH MR ARROGANT

CHAPTER TWO: HE PUTS OTHERS DOWN.

"What were you thinking Aline!" Mr Valdez scolded in a desperate tone as he paced back and fort trying to make sense of the event that had just unfolded at the conference hall. He finally stopped his pacing and stared at me "do you realize what you have just done! You talked back at your boss, the owner of this company"

I shut my eyes tightly suddenly feeling light headed at the realization of what I had done.

I talked back at Pedro Salvador. I questioned my boss. Now that I think about it, that wasn't the right thing to do at all.

"I'm so sorry sir. He was being so rude and I don't know what happen, I just lost it. We worked so hard to make to come up with those designs and it just angered me that he took it all as nothing"

Mr Valdez sighed and stared at me with sad eyes "I understand your reasons for saying all those things, but you should have at least held back. Pedro Salvador is not someone you want to mess with Aline. You are lucky that you didn't lose your job in that instant, but if you fail the assignment he gave you, the punishment will be worst"

I groan internally in frustration. He didn't accept a design which was created by my entire team, why would he accept a design made by me alone.

God I should have used my head before I opened my mouth at that meeting. Now my dreams are about to come crashing down on me just because I decided that I should open my mouth at the worst place possible.

Can my life get any worst?

"I'll do my best sir" I said and decided to put on my amour of optimism, but it only ends up cracking each time I picture the devilish smirk on the handsome billionaire's face.

I use to hate him for putting Mr Valdez and my team through hell, but now meeting him in person, the hatred just got ten times worst.

"You're one of the best in our team Aline, so I'll be putting my trust in you. Show Mr Salvador that you are made of steel"

I smiled grateful that he was trying to lighten my mood. "Thank you sir"

He nodded "now go back to your desk and put those brains to work. You got this Benardo"

He patted my back and I thanked him and left his office feeling down and disappointed in myself.

Was I going to lose my job if I fail to impress Mr Salvador within five days?

Definitely.

Would I be able to impress him within five days?

The rate of that happening would be two out of ten. Seeing what an arrogant bastard he is, I'm sure he isn't going to make things easy for me. He had already said that no one should offer any help to me.

I guess I'm all on my own.

My colleagues stared at me as I return to my desk beside Bibi. They all crowded around me the moment I sat down.

"What did Mr Valdez say?" Mari asked.

"Did he scold you?" Ana asked

"Are you okay?" That was Gabe.

"Will Mr Valdez plead to Mr Salvador on your behalf?" That was Bibi.

I sighed, my head was throbbing because of their many questions. "Can you guys calm down a bit, I can't answer all your questions at once. One at a time please"

"Me first" Ana chirped in her usual excited mood. We all kept quiet to let her speak "how did it feel having Mr Pedro Salvador's attention on you?"

Simultaneously we all rolled our eyes and Mari decided to speak, saving me from replying to the completely ridiculous question.

"What possess you to say all that to Mr Salvador Aline? I thought I was the fearless one in our team"

"I thought that too" Bibi agreed "I mean if I was to pick anyone who would be bold enough to do that, I would have picked Mari. I honestly didn't expect you'll do that"

"I was just mad okay!" I snap in defence fed up with them reminding me of my mistakes "I was just really mad that he talked that way about our team"

They finally fell silent and I could tell they all agreed with me.

"On the bright side, you got to talk to Pedro Salvador"

I rolled my eyes and we all ignored her. "Putting all tension aside, I gotta say Aline, you were really cool out there" Gabriel said kindly "I would totally s**t myself if I was being yelled at by Mr Salvador but you stood your ground to defend our team. That was impressive and brave"

"I agree" Bibi added "I was literally blown away by your bravery"

"Aww, thanks guys, I'm touched"

"Yeah, that bravery is gonna take your job away from you"

"Mari!" Bibi glared at her but she only shrugged.

"What? I'm not wrong. You talked back at Pedro Salvador, I'm not gonna give you false hope with my words"

I smiled slightly. We were all already use to Mari's pessimistic nature. "Yeah I get it Mari, but I'm going to remain hopeful, I'll work hard so I don't lose my job"

"All I can say is good luck" Gabe mumbled and patted my shoulder before walking back to his desk.

"Well I just wish I was in your shoes Aline"

Mari, Bibi and I gave Ana looks like she had gone mad which she probably has.

"What exactly is good about Aline's situation Ana?" Bibi asked softly but we could tell the exasperation beneath her tone.

"She got to talk to Mr Salvador. That's every female employees dreams" she sighed dreamily and look up at the ceiling "he's so damn cute and cool and handsome. I could totally see myself wrap under those muscular arms. Hmm yummy" she giggled and clapped her hands.

I rolled my eyes, Bibi sighed tiredly and Mari looks ready to murder her.

"Ana just go to your desk" I advice and she happily bounced away without protest, giggling happily.

"God I hate her!" Mari snap.

Bibi let out a chuckle "don't say that Mari, its her nature. We have been her colleague for years, you should be used to her giddy ways already"

"I can never get use to that"

We all laughed. "So what are you going to do about your new assignment Aline?" Bibi asked with a concern tone. I bet you could already tell who the most considerate one in our team is.

I sighed as the weight of today's event suddenly came to rest on my shoulders in full force causing my shoulders to slump in defeat.

"I don't know yet, but I'm not going to lose hope. I'll get over this"

She nodded in support "I'll pray for you my dear"

I laughed at that. "Thanks Bibi" Bibiana was deeply religious and I respect her for that. I particularly didn't really believe in a higher power.

"What do you say guys, let's go out after work" Mari suggested.

"I don't think I should. I have to go to church tonight and I don't think you should too Aline, you got five days remember?"

"Oh don't be a party pooper Bibi, its okay if you don't want to go, but Aline needs this. She'll be busy for the next five days. This is our last chance to spend a solid time together"

I heaved a defeated sigh. She's right in a way "fine, let's go out tonight"

Mari smiled at Bibi in victory and I turned away from them allowing the troubling events to return to my mind.

I guess I'll be more busy than I was a few months ago.

~O~

"Goodnight guys, see you tomorrow" Mari and I waved goodbye to our colleagues as we all parted ways to our various homes.

"Jeez, Gabe just kept looking at you. He couldn't make it more obvious that he likes you"

She blush slightly and rolled her eyes before throwing her arm around my shoulders. "Well if he likes me he should do something about it. There is no way in hell I'm going to make the first move"

I chuckled at her words. Trust Mari to always say something like that. "You should make it easy for him Mari. I mean who won't be scared to approach you when you keep scowling at everyone"

She gave me a look of disbelieve "what do you mean by that! I always have a smile for Gabe"

I rolled my eyes but decided that she was right. Mari has always been nice to Gabe. I don't know why he was still hesitating to ask her out.

"So where are we going?" I asked Mari.

She clicked her tongue thoughtfully "I thought about going to a club but we have work tomorrow so that's out of the book" she smiled at me "why don't we go to that pizza restaurant, I'm sure pizza is going to cheer you up"

I smiled grateful for that "pizza sounds good"

We chatted and laughed until we got to our destination. We settled at an empty table and Mari ordered for both of us.

"Did you see Mr Salvador's face when you talked back at him? He seem like he wanted to burst open"

We both laughed. Mari had been talking about how funny the angry Pedro Salvador was when I questioned him. I was feeling a lot at ease seeing that Mari was taking the situation lightly.

After a while, she asked seriously, the rare sound of concern in her tone "but seriously Aline, are you okay?"

I lightly set my pizza down and sighed "I'm going to be honest with you Mari" I clicked my tongue nervously while picturing Pedro's sadistic smirk "I'm a bit scared"

She rolled her eyes "you should have thought of that before opening your holes"

I should be upset with her words but I was already used to Mari's blunt and hurtful statement, but she was right anyway.

"I know!" I moaned sadly, the event of today started to hit home again. How can I come up with a design in five days? "To be completely honest I'm having a little difficulty figuring out how to go about this. I don't want to lose my job"

She laughed loudly, earning the attention of others in the restaurant "what happened to the over optimistic Aline Bernardo? At the office you were all, 'I'm not gonna lose hope, I'll get over this"

I rolled my eyes at her imitation of me. "Way to make a girl feel better Mari"

She stopped laughing but was still giggling like a maniac "alright I'm sorry. But I just couldn't help it Aline, what you did was stupid"

"I know that already. I'm going to fix this some how"

"The only way I know you can fix this is if you go to work tomorrow and apologize to Mr Salvador. Beg him on your knees to forgive you"

I scrowl at the idea. "No thanks, I'll rather suffer in silence for five days and get fired after that than apologize to that rude arrogant son of a..."

"Shush Aline, you're talking about your boss"

"I don't care if he's my boss. I'm not apologizing to him. I'll take his challenge and show him that I'm very capable"

Mari chuckled "good luck with that. Perhaps I should also start attending Bibi's church to pray for you"

I laughed loudly, the thought of Mari in a church was funny.

"Excuse me?" A brown haired tall man approach our table staring right at me.

"Um... Can I help you?"

He smiled a bright friendly smile "Hi, I just saw you from across the room and I think you're very beautiful. If its okay," he pulled out his phone from his jeans pocket "can I have your number?"

I opened my mouth to reply but Mari beat me to it "no thanks you can't have her number"

The man glared in Mari's direction "I was actually asking her?"

"And I said no!"

The man frown again and I could see the annoyance in his expression "I believe she can answer for herself"

"This f*****g prick!" Mari snapped loudly calling attention to us "I get a say in what happens with my daughter don't you think"

The man stared at her stupefied and I literally choke on air.

"Your daughter?!" The man sounded so shocked and I couldn't blame him. Mari doesn't look much older than me. Its obviously impossible that she could be my mother.

"Yes she's my daughter, so what?!"

The man was flustered and I almost felt sorry for him "um_I_I didn't know. I'm sorry" he walked away quicker than he approached.

I laughed loudly "seriously Mari, your daughter? That's a new one" this wasn't the first time that Mari was doing this sort of thing on my behalf. Believe me it was much worst for the guys who approach her instead.

"I couldn't help it. Didn't you see how rude he was being? Guys like that are the worst"

We spent the evening talking and laughing. I was mostly doing the laughing cause Mari is just so funny sometimes. Her grumpy and savage comments almost had me dying of laughter.

After having a good time, I dropped Mari at her house and return to mine.

My mind was filled with thoughts of Pedro Salvador. His beautiful well sculptured face, captivating green eyes, beautiful lips.

I mentally slapped myself from thinking about him in that manner. He's a rude, arrogant asshole. The last thing I should be thinking about is his stupid gorgeous face.

With a huff of annoyance at myself, I flung my purse and keys to the side and strip to go get ready for bed.

I pushed every thought of Pedro Salvador to the side and focus on researching about the design I was going to present to him.

I will prove him wrong.

~O~

The next morning I return to work happy and energetic. After the prep talk I gave myself this morning, I was all set to start the day. I will put Mr Salvador to shame and make him swallow his words.

Every eyes turned to look at me the moment I step into the company. I absent mindedly rubbed my face to see if I had anything on it, but I didn't feel anything. Why are they all looking at me?

Their eyes followed me until I got into the elevator and the doors shut, taking away the sight of every prying eyes.

"What was that about?" I mumbled to myself but quickly shook off the worry. Today is a good day for me and I won't allow anything to ruin my mood.

I finally got to my floor and walk out of the elevator. I walked towards the doors to the design team office and like before, every employee who passed by stared at me and murmured lowly to themselves.

I frown in confusion and walked into the office in a daze, I was confused with everyone's weird behavior today.

"Here comes the talk of the entire company" Mari said loudly as I walked in. As usual, Mari was standing close to Bibi's desk, probably gossiping.

I walked towards my desk confused "why I'm I the talk of the entire company, what is going on?"

"Well everyone found out what you did at the conference hall" Ana chirped in happily "you're like a star in DD now"

"Is that why everyone was looking at me like I killed their cat?" I settled on my desk not the slightest bit impressed with the news.

"You got to talk to Pedro Salvador. Every lady is jealous" Ana put in with a frown.

"I don't see how that's a big deal. I already got my punishment. they didn't have to look at me like that"

"Speaking of punishment" Bibi spoke up "have you heard the news?"

"What news?" I asked curiously. Mari and Ana also crowded around to hear what Bibi has to say and I guessed that they haven't heard the mysterious news as well.

Before Bibi could answer however, Mr Valdez walked in from his office. The look on his face was sad and I wonder why.

"Miss Bernardo" he said formally "Mr Salvador will like to see you in his office"

Ana gasp.

Mari sighed as if she expected this.

Bibi gave me a pitiful look.

And well, Gabe and Carlos just kept a nonchalant face.

"Is something wrong?" I asked getting up from my desk.

Mr Valdez sighed "just go to Mr Salvador's office. Its on the last floor of the building"

Without another word he walked back to his office.

"Good luck girl, don't lose your job" Mari patted my back and return to her desk.

"You will get over this!" Gabe assured.

"I'll pray for you" Bibi said.

"You're so lucky. You're be seeing Mr Salvador again, do you know what that means?"

"Can someone throw this b***h out of here!" Mari snap in her direction.

"Thanks guys. I'll be fine"

I straightened by shirt and skirt and walked towards the door.

"Goodluck" Carlos gave me a small smile on my way out. He was always very quiet and rarely say or word to any of us. I was thankful that he cared.

"Thanks" I return his smile and left the place.

My hands were shaky when I got into the elevator. Many thoughts of what the bastard might want now filled my head but I couldn't come up with a reasonable one.

When I got to the last floor of the building, I didn't have to search long for his office as there was a symbol of his title on the door to his office.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.

"Come in!" His deep voice called out and just like last time, it sent unwanted shivers down my body.

I gulp down the lump in my throat and walked into the office.

He was seated behind his desk looking even more gorgeous and powerful than the first time I saw him.

His jet black hair was in a different and more hotter style today and everything about him was mouth watering. I couldn't say a word when his eyes met mine, they were so captivating.

His lips lifted in his usual cruel smirk and I knew that he was up to no good again. "You're here, Miss Bernardo"

So he knows my name now. Not my name exactly but still "Good morning sir"

"I'm not having a good morning Miss Bernardo"

I frown slightly. Why was he putting emphasis on my name?

I cleared my throat "you asked for me?"

"Yes" he answered and his smirk widen. For a moment, his eyes took me in, staring me up and down and I couldn't help but shift uncomfortably on my feet at the intensity of his stare. Finally he clicked his tongue and said "I decided that I don't trust you to make the designs on your own"

My eyes widen as I gulp down my fears. Does he plan to fire me now without even giving me a chance?

"Are you firing me?"

He scoff "I won't make your punishment that easy Miss Bernardo. You questioned me in front everyone, you talked back at me and disrespected me. Taking away your job is too light of a punishment for you!"

I mentally heaved a sigh of relief. At least I wasn't losing my job "so what do you plan to do to me now?"

He smirk again and joined his hands together on his desk, staring at me like I was some helpless prey "I don't trust your teammates, I know that they are going to help you one way or another, which is why I had a new office desk set up in my office just for you. I want to keep an eye on you myself to make sure you don't get help from anyone else"

"What the hell!" I wasn't at all expecting that "are you saying I'll be working here with you in your office?"

"Did I stutter Miss Bernardo or are you just dumb?"

"But_ this isn't..."

"I don't want any complains. I'll have my secretary move your stuff from the design office to my office. Your desk is over there" he pointed at a small desk a good distance away from him and I gaped at him in disbelieve.

"Are you being serious right now?!"

"Very" he answered without hesitation. His eyes tells me that he was enjoying this a little too much. "Now be a good little girl and go have a seat"

I thought of three different ways to get rid of his annoying cocky face and all of them were brutal.

I calmed myself down so I wouldn't end up in jail this young. I walked towards the desk and sat down angrily, glaring at Pedro who kept smirking at me.

God I hate him!