Love For The First Time

THREE

"Seriously, is Eric your boss at the office now?"

"Uh-huh."

"Why are you just telling me now?"

"I just met you now, Ray. I didn't feel like telling you over the phone, better to do it in person."

My friend Ray nodded.

Ray was in the same gang as Eric when they were in school. After graduation, he happened to attend the same university as me and even took the same major, which was Public Relations. Back in school, we only knew each other casually and rarely talked. It was in college that we developed a close friendship. Ray was always there for me, often being the person I confided in, from college assignments to stories about Eric.

Our relationship now is nothing more than friendship. Ray knows exactly how I faithfully waited for Eric's return. If anyone bothered me, Ray was always the first to stand up and protect me. As for himself, I wonder why he still doesn't have a girlfriend. Every time I bring it up, he always says he hasn't found the right one. But I've never heard of him approaching any girl on campus before. He never talked about it either.

Ray is good-looking. Compared to Eric, Ray isn't far behind. In fact, from school to college, he was among the most wanted men because of his undeniable handsomeness. It's just that I've never felt attracted to him. For me, Eric remains the most appealing.

"So, how does it feel to work in the same office as him? You must be really happy to see him every day."

I shook my head slowly. "That's what I wanted to tell you, Ray."

"Why, why?" Ray leaned forward eagerly. "Have you talked a lot with him? Do you know why he's been distant all this time?"

Not only me, Ray also hasn't communicated with Eric for a long time. Like me, Ray said, Eric never replied to his messages or emails.

Again, I shook my head.

"Nothing has changed even though I see him every workday, Ray. He's still the same Eric. In fact, now it feels like he and I are two strangers who just met. Our relationship is nothing more than just boss and employee. I have no opportunity to talk about personal matters with him."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"Just when I was about to start, he told me to stay away, Ray." I smiled bitterly. "From then until now, I'm still confused. What did I do wrong? I don't feel like I've ever made a mistake."

Ray reached for my hand on the table and held it. Ray always tried to comfort me when I felt sad.

Tears fell immediately. Suddenly, I felt sad remembering Eric's attitude towards me. His name still reigns in my heart, yet he acts as if he doesn't want to know me when we finally meet again after so long apart.

"What should I do, Ray? You know I still love him so much, right?"

"I know very well, An. I know..." Ray stroked the back of my hand. "Don't be sad! Remember, I'm here and will always be there for you."

***

It's been almost a month since Eric became the CEO where I work, and I've noticed some changes in his behavior compared to before. It's not just me who feels it, but other employees too. Eric is known as an arrogant, cold, and harsh CEO when employees make mistakes or disagree with him. However, despite that, many female employees still adore him. Even employees from other departments in the same building. Eric's name has become famous in this building even though he hasn't been here for a full month yet.

"Wow, our boss is getting more handsome every day." Diana propped her chin, staring at Eric who had just arrived—walking past our division this morning towards his office.

"But he's so cold, man! Probably colder than ice," quipped my friend named Damien.

"I don't care!" Diana grinned to herself, her eyes following Eric until he entered his office. "What matters is he's handsome, smart, and has authority."

"Unfortunately, you can only imagine. As if he'd ever noticed you," Damien said sarcastically.

"You girls here aren't his type at all."

Diana pouted, and Ariel and the others glared at Damien. Meanwhile, I just listened without expression. In the Marketing and Development Division, there are only two men, Damien and Mr. Hendry, who is our division head. But Mr. Hendry is rarely in the office. So, Damien ends up being chatty, joining us women who love to gossip.

"You're just killing people's spirits."

"Get real, girl!" teased Damien again. "A guy like our boss definitely already has someone."

I started wondering if Eric really had someone special in his life.

I've interacted several times with Eric's friends and other high school friends. But I've never heard any info about him. Even the gossip queen from my school hadn't heard anything about Eric when I asked. She even assumed I was still with him.

"I won't give up until I get valid info on whether the boss has a partner. Maybe he's meant for me. Maybe the type of girl he likes is someone like me. An employee having a special relationship with another employee—nothing's impossible, right?" said my friend named Lily confidently.

Lily is beautiful. Her clothes always follow the trends and are definitely branded items that an Event Marketing Specialist can afford. Not that the others and I don't use branded items too. I personally buy them, but only as needed, not too often. Because someone in business development also needs that to support their appearance when meeting clients. Besides presentation and choosing the right words when talking to clients, appearance can also help convince them when assessing their interlocutor.

"I'm going for it anyway. We're not that bad-looking, after all. Right, An? Are you going to join the competition to win over the handsome boss?" asked Lily, whose desk is next to mine.

"Anita doesn't seem interested in the boss at all. Not like us, Ly," replied Diana.

I just chuckled in response. If only they had known I once had something special with our CEO. I wonder what their reaction would be? I'm not interested in sharing my love story with people in this office.

When everyone started getting busy with their screens, Maya, Eric's secretary, came over to me.

"Anita, Mr. Eric wants you to come to his office."

"Me?" I pointed to myself. "What's it about?"

What does Eric want with me?

Maya shrugged. "I don't know either. He just called and asked me to tell you."

"Oh, you're being called by the boss. Do you think you've done something wrong?" Lily asked, giggling.

Apparently, two weeks ago, there was gossip that Miss Melisa, our finance manager, had been scolded by Eric. Because they said there was something off about the financial report. Many said Miss Melisa's eyes were puffy when she left Eric's office. I don't know for sure since I wasn't in the office that day.

Then there was also a customer service employee who was reprimanded for being considered less polite. That's what I heard. Thus, the nickname of a strict boss stuck to Eric.

I entered Eric's office after knocking and being invited in.

"Good morning, Sir. Maya said you called for me?"

"Hmmm."

"What's the matter, Sir?" I asked politely.

"I need you to prepare the meeting room now. I want to have a meeting with everyone from the Marketing and Development Division."

"Am I the one preparing it, Sir?"

Because usually, preparing the room and informing each meeting participant is the secretary's job.

"Yes, you. Why?" Eric looked at me with his arms crossed. "Is there a problem with that?"

"Not like that, Sir. But I feel this isn't my responsibility. Previously..."

"I'm the boss here. I have the right to assign any task to my subordinates, regardless of their position."

I sighed softly. "Alright, Sir. I will prepare it. But at the moment, Mr. Hendry is in a meeting outside."

Eric glanced at his watch. "At 10 o'clock. We'll have the meeting then. Contact Mr. Hendry now and make sure he's at the office by that time."

I nodded.

"Anything else, Sir?"

"No. That's all."

"In that case, I'll take my leave. Excuse me, Sir!"

Before I reached the door, Eric called out my name.

"Is there anything else I need to do, Sir?"

Eric shook his head.

"I just want to say, starting tomorrow, I don't want to see you wearing skirts or dresses to the office anymore. Just wear pants."