Difference between You and Him

"Rejecting your boss's offer is quite rude Mr. Garcia..." Shade woke up from a loud ringing. He groan as a sign of being annoyed by the sound, but since he had no choice and he know to himself that he has work to attend, he sits up and turns off his annoying phone alarm. After a second of staring straight at the wall, Shade decided to stood up, goes to the closet and when his finally satisfied with the clothe he choose, walking towards the bathroom to take a shower is what he did next. Later, Shade goes out while drying his wet black hair, until a phone call ring filled the room, Shade took a step near to take his phone from the side table beside his bed. As he saw the name of the caller, he immediately answered it. “Good morning, Mr. Lopez.” He greeted. “Good morning Mr. Garcia. Can I ask you if I have any early meeting today?” the person from the other line of the call asks, Shade looked for his boss schedule at his tablet where most of the documents from his work are stored. “Well, you have a meeting with Ms. Sanchez this 10 AM-” “Cancel that meeting for me please. Was that all for my early meeting?” he cut him off, “Yes sir.” He replied “Good. Thank you Shade- oh and by the way, buy me coffee on your way to the office, same coffee that I wanted. Thank you.” Shade knows that his boss will hang the call up before he answers, so he immediately put the phone back to the side table and he hurriedly wore his office attire. It was 9 AM when Shade arrives at his office with his boss coffee; Americano coffee with milk. Shade’s boss is not like any other boss. Vince Marco Lopez is kind, gentlemen and a very caring person. He is the softest man that Shade ever meets, not until his inside the race track. He is known for being the fastest and unbeatable racer in the world. People call him “Hot Crusher”, because he’s not just hot but also a car crusher. A lot of secretaries that he met told him that he was lucky, since his boss is not just kind but also a hot billionaire. After a while of waiting and paying attention on the computer screen, his boss came with a smile on his face, like always. He stood up to greet him. “Good morning sir. Here is your Americano coffee with milk.”  Shade passes the coffee to his boss with a smile. “Thank you Mr. Garcia. Do I have a meeting or any events later this afternoon?” Vince asked. Like what Shade does earlier, he looked at his boss schedule at his tablet. “This afternoon, you’ll be having coffee with Mrs. Lopez-” He utter but he cut him off “Cancel that please.” His boss said seriously. Shade stare at him for a second before he realizes that his boss stares at him also. “Yes sir. Mr. Park invites you to his 50th birthday this 5 PM.” He continues. Vince nods. “He really is getting old.” He laughed that made Shade frown. Vince noticed it, reason for him to clear throat, “I apologize-” “No sir. I should be the one apologizing, I didn’t mean to frown.” Shade stated. He heard his boss chucked. “No, it is me who should apologize. I said something mean.” Shade didn’t response instead he just nod and looked down. “Okay then, I is asking you to buy yourself a new suit before 5 PM.” “Um Pardon me sir?”  Shade raises his head and asked at Vince confusedly “You’re coming with me at the event. I need you there Shade, you’re my secretary.” He answered. It made Shade smile, fake smile. He can’t come at the event; he has plans with his girlfriend. But he knows he has no choice but to choose his work, Shade really hope that Rochelle would understand him. “I notice that you’re not late, unlike yesterday.” He teases. Shade sighs then roll his eyes “I apologize for being late yesterday sir.” He apologizes in sarcasm. Vince laughter filled the place while he just smirks. “I was just kidding Mr. Garcia. Now, go back to your work.” He just nods with a smile as an answer. He thought his boss would walk in his office but he stop, “Oh- By the way, did you found the file that I ask you to find?” he ask as he turn around and face me “I forgot to tell you yesterday that I already found the file sir and I’m currently reading it.” Shade answered. His boss nods “Good, I would be glad if you come to my office later and explain me about the file. You can now continue your work Mr. Garcia.” Vince stated and left his office to enter his own office. Shade finally sits down at his chair and continues his work. After a moment, as Shade finishes his work, a loud beep took his attention. He immediately grabs his phone from the table and replies the message of a person Shade cherish the most, his girlfriend. Another beep sound was heard and the message made Shade smile. He can’t control it, he is very happy to have a conversation with her. Both of them are busy with their work. Rochelle, his girlfriend, is a vlogger with a million subscribers. They both understand each other for being busy but that doesn’t mean they don’t have time to meet each other anymore. Last week was their 18th monthsary, the two of them enjoy watching a romantic movie while cuddling. It made Shade smile by just remembering their moments together. But when he thinks back to what his boss said, he might not meet his girlfriend later. He was still enjoying his conversation with his girlfriend when his boss came out from his office, he immediately turn off his phone and put back from the table. “What do you mean the tires we ordered were damaged?” Vince said angrily that made Shade confused. The other side of call must say something that made his boss pissed since he saw his jaw clenched. “Fine, I’ll call you later.” After he hang the call up, he looked at Shade who is also looking at him. Vince walked towards him “Why didn’t you tell me about the tires we ordered are damaged?” he exclaimed. It was obvious in Shades face that his terrified on how his boss acts right now, he don’t know what to do to calm him down even if he has been his secretary for almost 2 years. “F-from what I’ve known sir, it was not damaged.” Shade stutter “Well then, look for the email they sent if it is really true.” He said and walked towards his office. Shade exhales to let out all what he felt lately. He started typing to look for the email and as soon as he found it, Shade smile. He stood up from his chair and went to his boss room. He knocks twice until he heard an answer from the guy inside. As he twisted the door knob, he saw his boss standing tall while facing the glass window. He completely got inside the room and ready to tell him about the email. “Base on the email they sent, the tires we ordered was not damaged sir.” Shade declares to his boss who is now only watching him stand while trying to sit down at his chair. “What? I mean Good, I’ll just call them about it.” He said calmly. Shade frowned, “But sir, it’s my job to do-.” “I’ll do it. Now, go back to your work.” He cut him off and points the door. “Yes sir.” The only short word he must answer. Shade walks back to his office and continues his work. An hour passes, Shade finally finished reading the file, he walked at his boss office and is ready to knock when the door opens and Vince came out, which he was about to walk out when he realizes Shade is in front him and there distance are only an inch. Both of their eyes are wide open, it was obvious that they were shock from what happen. It was like there were cold water was dropped at Shade that made him step back. “Shade, I-um were you going to discuss something to me?” Vince asked “Yes, I do have sir. It is about the file.” He answered. He saw his boss nods “Alright, have you already had lunch?” Shade shook his head “I haven’t yet sir-” “Have lunch with me, so we can discuss about the file.” He said while showing his very handsome smile. “I-I think we could just discuss it when you already had lunch sir.” Shade utter “No, time is gold Shade. I have things to do later and it is best not to waste time. Are you coming with me or I’ll lessen your salary?” Vince stated as he raised an eyebrow “I… I think it’s best to eat lunch with you sir, time goes really fast.” He then chuckled nervously “I think you really should. Let’s go.” He passes through Shade while the secretary follows him towards the elevator.  As they went inside, silence leads the way and no one wants to start a conversation. They had already passes 3 to 7 floors but no one still dares to talk until Vince clears his throat. “I apologize for getting mad at you earlier; it was not my intention to shout at you.” His boss said without taking a glance at him. “Its fine sir, I understand.” Just like his boss, he also did not look at him. “Sir…” His boss turned at him. “I don’t want to meddle but can I know the reason why do you keep cancelling Miss Sanchez and Mrs. Lopez meeting these days?” Shade asked. He actually had been curious about it ever since Miss Sanchez started to make appointment with his boss. “Well, it is not that serious. I just don’t want to talk to them.” Shade knows how serious Vince looks right now without taking a glance at him. He doesn’t want to ask more about it, his curiosity might be leading the way but he must control it or else his salary decrease. The elevator’s bell ringed and the door opened. Employees waiting outside the elevator smiled at them and greeted Vince “Good afternoon sir.” An employee greets “Good afternoon.” He responds and smiles. Shade just follows Vince while smiling at his co-workers but suddenly someone lightly grabs his arm, it was Donna, she has big smile on her face just like friends; Kacey and Taira. “Where are you going and what are you going to do?” She asked “Outside, we’re having lunch.” He answered with his knotted eyebrow “Will it be just the two of you?” Shade only nodded. The three of them scream, “I think our boss won’t bring any beautiful lady here.” Kacey stated that made Shade frown “What do you mean?” He asked. They took a glance at each before they shook their heads “It’s nothing.” Donna said “Okay, I have to-” “Mr. Garcia!” All of them turn their heads at their boss who has his eyes at his secretary. The three of them showed their big smile once again. “Go, your prince- I mean our boss is waiting for you.” Tiara utters. Shade didn’t mind what his co-worker just almost said since Vince is waiting for him, he quickly walked towards him “I apologize-” “Let’s go.” Vince said and continues to walk through the door. Shade follow his boss even his confused on why he cut him off. When he reached the car where his boss is already inside it, Shade opened the front sit and sits beside the driver “Mr. Garcia, I want you to sit down beside me.” Vince utter without looking at him. Shade stare at his boss at the rear-view mirror while the driver looks at him with shock face. “So we could discuss about the file.” The driver took his eyes off at Shade. He nods and goes out the car, he re-enter at the passenger sit with his boss. Shade didn’t dare to take a glance at his boss, he seemed to be mad. Was it because he took long at his conversation with Donna and her friends? I guess so. The engine started and car moved. “Speak.” A one word that made Shade turns his head at his boss automatically. “Well-umm, the file is about Mr. Lopez and his contract with Mr. Sanchez three years ago. The contract was about giving the half of the Lopez car company to Mr. Sanchez. The contract was also about marriage where Mr. Lopez’s son and Mr. Sanchez’s daughter must marry, when they got a child, he or she will manage the whole company.” Shade stated. “I know there’s more, continue.” He said “A crime has happen where Mr. Lopez died with a gunshot in head; the case has been closed since there was no clue who killed the Billionaire. After years, the company was almost owned by Mr. Sanchez but Mr. Lopez’s relatives didn’t agree with that-” “Enough, I already know what will happen.” Vince’s utter. Shade stays silent and waited ‘till the car stopped. They both get out and go straight the restaurant which prepares Italian foods. As soon as Vince sits down at a vacant chair, Shade followed him Their attention is at the menu when the waiter came and asks about the food what they want to order.   “I’ll have Penne alla Boscaiola and your best bottled wine.” Vince ordered. After the waiter wrote his order, he faced Shade “I’ll have Ravioli Portobello pasta.” He said. The waiter repeats their order and left. The silence continues and no one still tries to break it “Remember what you asked me at the elevator?” Vince starts the conversation. Shade only nods as an answer. “The file has the answer. I keep cancelling Andrea’s appointment since she’s only going to talk about our contract marriage which I never wanted. It was all because of my dad’s stupid contract with her dad.” Vince continued “Can I ask if why you won’t marry Miss Sanchez?” Shade’s curiosity leads his way “I don’t want to marry her cause I don’t like her.” He answered while his eyes are at his plate “Oh- I see.” Shade said. He doesn’t want to ask anything anymore or else he might piss is boss off.   The waiter came back with their food and without hesitation Shade starts to eat but he stopped when he heard a chuckle, it was Vince who is staring at him “I- I apologize-” “You don’t have to. You can continue eating.” He said. Shade nods while looking down, he won’t deny that his embarrass right now and that his cheeks are already red.  An hour passes, after Vince insists to pay for their food, they both goes out the restaurant. “You’re going to buy a suit right?” Vince asked “Yes, I am sir.” He answered. His boss nods and walk pass the car. “Sir?” “I’ll help you look for a good suit.” He utter “Um- You don’t need sir, I can-” “Rejecting your boss’s offer is quite rude Mr. Garcia.” Vince said but sounds more like a threat. His boss continues to walk and Shade doesn’t have a choice but to follow. After they bought a suit for the event tonight, they went back to the company and many hours pass, Shade decided to go home. He waits for a taxi but he is not heading home yet, he has a place to go at. A taxi stops in front of him; he went inside and told the address to the driver. It didn’t take long when he arrived. After he paid, he quickly walk at the front door and knocks at it two times. “Who is it?” the person inside asks but Shade did not answer as he wanted to surprise her. The door opened and a woman welcomes him with a shock face. “S-Shade… what are-” “Who’s at the door babe?” a voice of a man upstairs was heard that made Shade frown. “Who was that?” He asks her but she stayed quiet. Shade is completely scared on their situation. He was still confused and curious so he step in but the women stops him. “Rochelle, I want to know who owns that voice.” “Shade, you have to leave, let’s just meet again next time.” Rochelle utter nervously. “Rochelle, what’s going on?” A man appears in front them while holding a phone. He looked like he knew nothing. “Hey bro, what can I help you?” the guy asked Shade in cool way while walking towards them. “Can I know your name and your relationship with this woman?” He asked with a serious face. Before he answer, he took a glance with Rochelle and smile “Well, my name is Simone and I’m dating this woman.” He put his arms around her waist move her close to him. Shade breathes heavily as he felt his anger, he wanted to let it out but as he stares at Rochelle’s eyes, it looks like she’s begging not to hurt the man and it made him angrier. “Oh I see, it’s good that my friend has finally had a boyfriend. I’m happy for her, very happy.” Shade stated while still staring at her soon to be ex girlfriend. “Goodbye Rochelle. Good day Mr. Simone.” He greeted the man and walks away It seems that the weather knows how he feels; rain drops at him until he is completely wet. Shade tries to hold back his tears but he failed. He still can’t believe what happened. Shade had loved Rochelle ever since they studied college, it hurt really badly. He thought she’s the one but he was wrong. No one hurt him this bad. Guess it’s over, Rochelle…