The PROXY Groom

My fingers trembled as I clasped my hands together, my eyes locked on the freshly posted list on the HR bulletin board. Promotion candidates. For years, I had worked for this moment—late nights, endless revisions, silent endurance. I told myself not to expect too much. But deep down… I hoped. No. I knew I deserved it. “Oh. My. God!” Janine’s shriek shattered my thoughts as she grabbed my arm and shook me hard. “Maxine! Your name is here—you made it! You’re getting promoted!” For a second, everything went silent. Then my heart slammed violently against my chest. I stepped closer, scanning the list with unsteady eyes— —and there it was. Maxine Hidalgo. My breath hitched. My hand flew to my mouth as my vision blurred. Finally. After everything… I was seen. “You’re unbelievable!” Janine laughed, half in awe, half in envy. “Seriously, why are you so lucky? Share some of that blessing with me!” A soft laugh escaped me, though my chest still felt too full. “Luck?” I shook my head. “I worked for this. I earned it.” “Yeah, yeah—but not everyone gets what you have,” she said, nudging me. “A loving boyfriend, a wedding next week… and now this? You’re basically living the dream.” The dream. Before I could respond— A shoulder slammed into mine. I turned sharply, irritation rising—only to freeze the moment I saw him. Roman Estillore. Of course. It wasn’t hatred. Not exactly. But if there was one person in this office I could never stand, it was him. The man who always stood one step ahead of me. The man whose name was always mentioned alongside mine—only to outshine it. I crossed my arms, glaring. “Did you do that on purpose?” I snapped. “Can’t you see we’re standing here?” His gaze met mine—cold, unreadable. “Miss Hidalgo,” he said flatly, “you’re done looking, aren’t you?” His eyes flicked past me. “Then step aside. Other people are waiting. This space isn’t yours.” The words landed harder than they should have. I glanced back—and sure enough, several employees were staring, clearly annoyed. My jaw tightened. Without another word, I stepped away. “Yikes…” Janine muttered once we were out of earshot. “He’s terrifying. I swear, I’d quit if I were under him.” “Hmph. Good thing you’re under me,” I said, forcing a smirk. But even as I said it, something bitter settled in my chest. Because no matter how kind I was as a leader… No matter how hard I worked… I still couldn’t beat him. Not once. “Wait…” I suddenly said, a thought striking me. “He’s on the list too, isn’t he?” Janine blinked at me. “You didn’t notice? Your names are right next to each other.” Right next to each other. Of course they were. “They’ll probably promote him too,” she added casually. My excitement cracked. Then shattered. “What?!” I burst out. So even now… Even now, I couldn’t surpass him? “If he gets promoted too, we’ll just end up seeing each other more,” I muttered bitterly. “Why does he always have to be in my way?” Janine smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Or maybe,” she teased, “he’s not in your way—maybe he’s your destiny.” I shot her a glare sharp enough to cut. “Not funny.” “Come on, think about it,” she continued. “Same time you got hired, same projects, same promotions… People are already saying you two are meant to be.” “Janine.” My voice dropped. “Say that again, and I swear—” She burst out laughing. “Okay, okay! I’m done!” But I wasn’t amused. Because the thought itself felt wrong. Impossible. In one week, I would be married. There was no room in my life for someone like him.