Difference between You and Him

FOUR

“Stop being clumsy next time Mr. Garcia...”

Shade’s POV

I had already packed the things I need. I look at my watch, I’m pretty sure I’m not late. We’ll be leaving at 9:30 AM and it’s still 8 AM. I took my phone from the pocket of the jeans that I’m wearing and called for a taxi, then I grab my luggage and left my apartment but as soon as I got out of the building, a car stops in front of me.

The window from the front seat lowered down. My eyes widen when I realize it was my boss. “Mr. Lopez?” 

He goes out of the car and walks towards me, he took my luggage from my hand and went to the trunk. I stay at my place until he looks at me, “Get in.” the only word he said that made me move but I stop to think where I should sit. It seems my boss notice it, “Sit next to me.” 

I nod and goes into the car. Vince- I mean my boss starts the engine and drive to the airport. We didn’t start a conversation since I can’t help but fell asleep. To be honest, I didn’t get enough sleep last night since I was too excited, I usually feel it every time I’ll come on a business trip.  

“Shade.” I tried to open my eyes but it was too difficult, It must be because I'm facing the sun right now. I turn around from the other side and slowly open my eyes again. A handsome face was the first thing I saw but I was shocked when it was my boss, I quickly formally sat down and lowered my head

“I-I apologize for sleeping sir.” I raise my head when I heard him chuckled. 

“It’s fine Shade. It’s not an issue just because you slept. You’re still not at work.” He said. 

“But still, I should apolo-” 

“Stop. Remember what I said last time? when we are not at work, I can be your friend.” I looked away since I can't stand his stares at me. Calling him Vince and being my friend is quite uncomfortable for me. “I know you’re not used to it and it’s making you uncomfortable but I know you’ll get used to it. Maybe not now, but soon.”

I look at him, his eyes were staring at me with a happy expression. All of my boss’s words sound so sincere. I remember what he said last time that these are orders and not a request but it doesn’t seem to be like that. “I will sir-I mean Vince.”

“Good, now let’s go, they might be waiting for us.” He then goes out of the car. I sigh before I follow him out. I went to the trunk to get my luggage but my boss had already taken it out. 

“Thank you V-Vince.” He just nods and started to walk into the airport. While walking with my boss, I notice some girls are staring at him but should I be shocked? Of course not. 

When we finally met Mr. Cole and Mr. Wang. We head straight to the private plane that my boss owns. I sat somewhere else with my co-secretaries, “Shay, do you still remember me?” The woman asked when she sat down next to me

I nod, “Of course, you’re Kathy.” She smiled like an angel, she must be glad that I still remember her name

“I thought you forgot my name, by the way, I’m sorry for what I ask last time. I was too straightforward.” I then rethink what she ask me last time

‘“Umm… Can I ask you something?” Kathy utter 

“Yeah sure, what is it?” 

 “Well, um- are you dating someone?”’

Oh, that question. I suddenly remember someone I shouldn’t think about. She’s a nightmare that I must get rid of. I had enough of it. I must think of something else, I hope this business trip would help me get over her and this pain.

“Shade?” as soon as I heard Kathy calls me, I turn around at her with a questioning face. “Please don’t stay silent, I’m afraid you’re mad at me.”

I shook my head. “I’m not mad at you Kathy and you don’t need to apologize about what you ask last time. I should be the one apologizing to you since I didn’t answer your question.”

It was then her turn to shake her head. “No, it’s fine. I must have asked something private since you look uncomfortable the time I asked you.” 

I look at her in the eye. she was also looking straight into my eyes. “I wasn’t uncomfortable. I was just feeling the pain since my girlfriend just broke up with me that time.” I honestly said. Her face looks so shocked. 

“I’m sorry that my question reminds you of something painful. I-I am sorry.” She utter without looking away

“No, it’s fine. It was all in the past.” I don’t know if I’m right but from what I could see in Kathy’s eyes is that she seems to be happy, I don’t want to assume but I think Kathy likes me.

I automatically turned around as the curtain from our boss to our room parted, it was Mr. Wang’s secretary who does it. “Mr. Garcia, your boss is looking for you.” She formally informs me

I stood up, “Thank you.” I then pass her through. I went to my boss’s seat. “Sir?” I ask but he didn’t turn his head at me

“Stay here. Sit in the back of my chair. You forgot what I said to you last time.”

“…you should not be far from me when we are at an event. It was hard to find you.” I nod 

“I will sir,” I said. He nods without looking at me. 

“I’m sorry sir.” I lowered my head then sat in the chair behind him. I then ask myself, I’m not that far from him and it wouldn’t be hard to find me because there was no one else on the plane but just us and the plane crew. I don’t want to say this but he's overreacting or is there any other reason why he's doing this.

After an hour passes, the plane landed and we headed to the hotel. All of us have separate rooms except the two female secretaries. I got to my room and unpacked some things. Later this afternoon, we’ll be going to some places for the race car donation that my boss and the other businessman had planned.

I turn around at the door when I heard a knock. I walk towards it while saying, “Who is it?”

“It is me, Mr. Garcia.” I immediately open the door when it was my boss. He was standing with his serious and expressionless face.

“Come in sir.” I paved the way for his entrance into my room.

“There are some things that I want to confirm with you.” He said still with his expressionless face. My heart suddenly beats so fast, did I do something wrong?

“W-what is it sir?” I know he notices how I stutter but he just ignores it

“Did you tell Mr. Wang about the foods that I shouldn’t eat since I’m allergic to it?” my eyes suddenly wide open. So this is what I forgot about. Damn Shay, you are so dead.

“I-I apologize sir. I-I forgot to mention about it yesterday-”

“It’s fine Mr. Garcia. That's not a problem unless you don't eat lunch with me.” He stares at me with both of his eyebrows raised. 

Of course, I said yes since it’s my fault that he can’t eat his meal. Vince is allergic to seafood and our first menu here in the hotel is shrimp. We already reserve our food so we could eat when we arrive. You are such a stupid mess Shade.

We came to a near fast-food restaurant. I ordered a burger and cola meanwhile my boss ordered a grilled chicken salad with fruit juice. He seems to be on a diet, but as I can see, he doesn’t have to since he has already a masculine and a hot-sexy body- wait it sounds too weird.

“Shade” I automatically turn at him

“Sir?” he raises his head from looking at the food. His stares were quite scary then I realized what I said. It is really hard to call your boss with their first name and especially being your friend. “I mean, y-yes Vince?”

“I know it’s hard and a bit uncomfortable to call me a friend but I’m not gonna tell you to stop, instead I’ll keep reminding you that I’m your friend.” He said before he could take a sip of his drink. Yes, I find it hard to call my boss a friend but because of what he said, I think I should keep trying and be more comfortable since I’ve been his secretary for 2 years now.

“Sorry and I’ll try my best to be comfortable sir- I mean Vince.” He smiled and stood up from his chair. 

“Well then, I’m looking forward to it Shay.”

I smiled. I can’t believe he would call me by my nickname, a lot of people call me that but my boss never happens to call me that. To be honest, it is quite satisfying to hear it from him. I also stood up and follow him to the door of the resto. 

We head to the parking lot where Mr. Cole and Mr. Wang with their secretaries are there. They don’t look like they’re waiting. When they saw us, they head in their respective cars and so do we. Each of the businessmen had their cars. 

The driver starts the engine and drove us to Elings Park. There we’re only silence on us while on the ride. Not a single word from my boss was heard. Not until we arrive at the park

“Mr. Garcia, did you bring the papers we needed?” I nod, he then nods back and smiles. It was not the same smile I saw before, it was more bright and lovely. Am I seeing it like that or there something wrong with my eyes?

I notice that they all had already gone to the entrance so I quickly followed them. But as I start to walk, I didn’t notice a rock in front of me, the reason I trip and lost my balance, but before I could feel the ground, I knew that someone catches me since I felt something warm

“Are you alright?” I quickly look at the person. It was a guy, he has a worried face. I suddenly felt the grip on my hand, it then pulls me away from the guy who saved me.

“Thank you for catching my secretary.” It was my boss who is holding my arm. The guy suddenly looks scared, his eyes were trying not to get eye contact with Vince. But who wouldn’t be right? My boss’s face is so serious and it almost looks like he's about to eat the guy… alive

“Y-you’re welcome. I g-gotta go, bye.” He turns at me and smiles

“Thank you,” I said with a smile. He then left. I look at my boss, he was staring at me still with his serious face. 

I gulp then looked down. “I apologize for”

“Stop being clumsy next time Mr. Garcia.” He said then walk away. I stood there and watch him pass through the two businessmen. 

 We all followed him inside. After talking with the owner of the race track, we didn’t take long and left. While we are in the car, I can’t help but avoid eye contact with my boss when he talks to me. I didn’t dare to talk about anything. I don’t know why he did that earlier, does it bother him? Did he hate what the guy did? I was supposed to thank him and he should just ignore it.

I tried to look at him in the rear-view mirror and unexpectedly, he was staring at me. I was scared he might catch me looking at him so I look away. The car stop when we reach the hotel, I got out of the car and sigh before I could open my boss’s door at the back seat.

“Mr. Garcia.” I can’t help but look at him

“Sir?” His face was expressionless. I’m still confused about why is he acting like this?

“Stop avoiding me, I’m not mad at you. I’m just…” he stop, I wait till he continues but. “Nevermind,” He said and goes out of the car and went straight into the hotel. 

I sigh harshly and close the door. I went to my room and wait for the room service to send me my food. While waiting, I examine and reread what was talked about earlier.

“1 million prices for the first place? That is a big money. Pretty sure a lot of people will join.” I said before I heard a knock from the door. It must be the room service. I opened it but I frown when I saw Kathy, she is holding a tray of food.

“The room service asks me to hand it to you.” She said. I chuckled since I know she’s lying

“I’ll just pretend that was not a lie.” We both laugh. I open the door wider so she could enter. I took the tray from her and closes the door.

“What the heck, your room is more beautiful than mine. That is unfair.” She then pouts and acts upset. I laugh at her actions

“Did you think I choose this room?” I stated before putting the tray on the table, I sat down on my bed. Kathy stays silent for a second then move near me

“Shade, please be honest with me.” She said

“O-okay, what is it?”

“Are you and Mr. Lopez…” she raises her index finger on both of her hand and sticks it together

My eyebrows meet each other. “What? I-I don’t understand.”

She sigh, “Are you two dating?”

“What?!”