Rise Up

CHAPTER THREE

It’s been a week since we had the dinner with Patrick and since then I haven’t saw him around the office, he must be busy. Cara is also not in the office for three days now. I’m a little loner in those days. I’m not actually close with other interns and I’m shy to approach my seniors in the office for lunch.

            Okay? Why is everyone looking at me? I just arrived at the office and most of them are looking at me, I mean staring. But, why?

            I was about to enter at the elevator but looks like it is already packed with, just like me, late employees. I smiled at them and I felt a little embarrassment with their stares before the elevator door closes. Looks like I have to wait for the next elevator.

“Everyone is looking at you. Do you know why?”

            Okay, how should I address him now that we are at the office? Now, look at that. He is wearing a plain white, long-sleeve polo (which by the way, hugs his body perfectly) paired with brown skinny fit pants and black loafers.

“Good morning sir.” I bowed a little as I greeted him. He is facing the elevator door with a straight face. Is he angry of something? I was about to answer his question when suddenly the door opened. He entered and so did I.

“What floor?” he is asked

“15th floor sir.” He nodded and pressed the 15th floor and he pressed 22, his office floor maybe?

 It is about to close when someone stopped the door, turns out, it is Dalen Castro. He is also an intern and assigned at the secretary’s office just like Cara.

“Good morning sir.” He also bowed as he greeted Sir Patrick but he just nodded as response.

            Dalen looked at me at smiled.

“Hi Chai, looking good huh.” He leaned a little and whispered on me.

            Dalen pressed the 10th floor button.

            G---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10

            The elevator door opened and Dalen bowed again to our boss and he squeezed my waist a little before he left. I really don’t care, I don’t feel harassed because for I know, He is an Eve inside Adam’s body.

“Next time you flirt, don’t do it in the office. Have some decency”

“Sir?”

            What does he mean? I’m flirting with Dalen? Yuck! Like NO WAY. Wow, that hurt my pride. What? Have some decency? Instead of repeating or responding, he remained silent until I reach my destination. The door opened and I stepped out. I’m sorry sir, but I am a decent person and I need to clear that. But again, he is my boss…should I say or should not?

“I’m sorry sir but I haven’t flirted with anyone in this office of yours. Keep that in mind. SIR”

            Crap. What is wrong with my mouth? I should have just zipped it. Who am I to talk back to my boss? Crap, crap, crap. And dude, what is wrong with my eyes. Why do I keep on throwing dagger looks at him?

“I don’t think so.” He said before the door closes again.

            Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Really? Self? Argh.

“Wow, look at you. You’re so beautiful Chai. You know what you should wear things like that. It showcases your beauty.” My supervisor complimented me as I enter our office.

            Is this the reason why they keep on staring at me? I’m wearing a plain red, Sunday dress the sleeves reaches my elbows, my back is exposed due to the big v-shaped space that reaches my back waist. I am confident that my back is covered with my long hair. I don’t usually dress like how I am dress right now, I just haven’t washed my clothes yet due to countless paper works and part-time jobs I’m doing. And this is my last clean clothing.

“Thanks Ma’am Marj.” I smiled at her and went straight in my desk and I continued the things I haven’t finished yesterday.

In my middle of encoding I felt my phone vibrate. Oh, looks who’s calling hahaha

“Hey girl. Where are you? I can’t contact you for 3 days straight.” It’s Cara

“I’m sorry sis, there’s just an emergency that I need to attend.”

“Okay okay, forgiven. So, why did you call?” I moved to the comfort room when I felt the gazes of others at me.

“I just want to make sure that you’re still comfortable at the office even when I’m not around, you know. Are you eating your lunch? Or you’re shy to mingle with others? Come on Chai, you need to connect with other people. “

“I know, I know. I’m trying to connect with them, of course because I need to. It’s just I’m too busy with this paper works that is given to me. It’s not that I don’t have someone to eat lunch with, I’m just busy okay?”

“My goodness, we are just interns Chai. You don’t have to work your ass off there because we are not paid. Unless your supervisor is …” I cut her off before she say something not real

“It’s not that. Cara, I am in Marketing department where deadlines are overflowing so is work. Okay? So stop the fuss. I’m fine. When will you return?” I change the topic already because if I won’t she will continue to throw her rants against me.

“I’m not yet sure.” She sighed. I can sense that her emergency is more than emergency, I think it’s a disaster.

            We ended the call after how many minutes of talking. I also returned at the office after and continued working.

“Chai” One of my co-intern called me. Her eyes were widened and her face is asking. What?

“The CEO is requesting you.” My eyes widened too

“Who?” I asked again, maybe I just misheard it

“The CEO, Sir Patrick Gonzales.” Crap

“Why?” I asked her hoping to give me a calming answer

“I don’t know.” She faced me and looked away. “Okay thanks ma’am” she put down the telephone “ASAP, they said.” She told me

            What? Why? Is it because of what he thinks of me which is by the way, not true. Or is it because what I said a while ago? Is this the end of my internship? Is it? Is it?

            I fixed myself. Then I head to where my boss is. As I arrived, I was told to wait for he is in the middle of meeting. I thought it’s ASAP?

            I looked around the office. The walls are painted with beige white. The furniture looks sophisticated but the over-all office design is very minimalist and very manly. I stopped looking around when a door opened. My eyes feasted with the sight of beings that came from the CEO’s office, not only one, but five handsome and gorgeous men. Their faces have their differences of strength feature but still they all look so dashing pairing with their body-hugging suits. I can see their well-toned abs and defined body.

            I was busy staring at them when my eyes landed on a pair of eyes. He came near me and said

“I haven’t seen you here before. You are?” Everyone’s eyes landed on me, they are all waiting for my answer. I can’t compose myself, I am too distracted with his lovely eyes

“She’s …in none of your business, Kai.” I recognize that voice. I turn my head to see my boss leaning on the door, his eyes are locked on mine.

            The man in front of me scoffed and raised his both hands

“Okay man hahaha. I’m just kidding. By the way, I’m Kai Roberto.”

“Chai Lucas.”

The others also shook hands with me. All of them are the first investors of the company and also Sir Patrick’s old friends. After some time, they all left. I was left alone with him. No secretaries, no more friends just us.

“Let’s go inside. If you have not noticed yet. I requested Mae to buy our lunch.” He sat in his swivel chair and I was left standing near the door.

“Have a seat.” I walked slowly

“Our lunch? Sir?” I’m confused, Lunch? With him? But why? He could have just called me after he eat

“Cara requested me to join you on lunch because she’s worried of you. Are you not eating?” He looked at me and waited for my answer. A soft knock interrupted my question in my head.

“Here it is, sir.”

“Thank you Mae.” After that his secretary left us. I smelled the smell of meat when he opened to lunchboxes and I just realized that I’m hungry. Really hungry that my stupid stomach has to growl really loud. I closed my eyes when Sir Patrick looked at me.

“Hahahaha, you must be really hungry now, Come let’s eat.”

            How should I eat comfortably thinking that my boss is just right in front of me.