The CEO's Addiction (ENGLISH)

Chapter 8

Porchia frowned and drops her phone when Arthur ended it first. She wanted to get rid of him but it looks like it will never happen.

"Tsss...Why is he asking me that?" she asked and continues her recess. She only has 20 minutes. A burger and lemon juice are what she has on her table.

Her brother sits in front of her and loudly dropped his duffel bag on the table, "Porch, why did you snob me earlier? Am I others to you?" he asked emotionally.

"Stop acting, Kuya. You will not pass on the audition," she answered and bites her burger. She chews it while staring at him putting his palm in his jaw.

"What if I will?" he smirked and stand up from his seat. He walks to the counter to buy his food.

She smirked too, "Who is your kidding? You are good at playing football but not in damn acting," she whispered and rolls her eyes.

Suddenly, her phone over the table moves, a sign that she has a message. She didn't give her at least one glance. She thinks that that might be her group chat. She is almost done eating when her brother came with a tray in his hands.

"What is that paper bag, Porch?"

"Nothing," she shortly answered and glance at it. It breaks her mood. Why did she have to bring it with her? She should leave it at her house. Her eyes rounded when she remembers the gum. She placed the portion of the burger on her plate and wipes her mouth after drinking her juice.

"Kuya, can I see your wallet?" she asked while her long eyelashes are slowly moving up and down. Her hands clasped together above the table.

Patrick stared at her doubtfully, "Why? I don't have extra money. Don't snatch mine..." He said while chuckling.

Porchia laughed and shakes her head, "I just want to see something, if is that possible that all men have it." She heard a group of students who are loudly laughing together. She glances at them and back to her brother. She hands her palm on him, "Kuya? I promise, I will not snatch your money, I have mine. Duh!" she shakes her hand in front of him eager to get his wallet.

"Okay, one minute, Porch." He said while not breaking the gaze on her. He pointed his index finger at her, "I am warning you." He picked out her wallet from his pocket. It is a brown leather wallet.

Her head bounced up and down like a ball, she hurriedly get it from him and opens it, she saw a thousand pesos bill, ID's and credit card. She opened the small room of his wallet but Patrick stopped her.

"Don't open that, that is the private one."

Her brows almost touch one another, she pulled the wallet on her side but Patrick stands and grabs it on her.

"I told you, don't open that." He said trying to lower his voice. The students are looking at them while they are taking back the wallet.

"I just want to see it, Kuya? What are you hiding here? Just a minute," she pleaded while holding it tight.

"Porchia, let it go. You should mind your own wallet," he replied. He clenched his jaw tight when her sister is not giving up.

"Kuya, I promise! Just one minute." She pouted her lips and do puppy eyes.

Patrick deeply sighed and let it go, "You win. Just don't pull it out, okay?" he asked her but she is not listening to him. He hits her hands and she finally looks at him clueless, "As I've said, don't pull that out when you see it." He sipped on his juice, it made him thirsty.

"Okay," she fastly opened it again while smiling. She has to do it fast or Patrick's mind will change. She laughed and pulls it out.

"Porchia!"

"What's wrong with gum, Kuya?" she asked happily. Patrick covered it while biting his lips. He took his wallet back and the condom she is holding. He roamed his eyes when he sees that the students beside their table are staring. She doesn't have any idea what is it but a gum, "Why yours is medium?"

Patrick's face reddened and get his bag. He pulled Porchia's hands from the table, "Let's go."

Porchia couldn't get and hold her bag carefully while he is pulling her, "Kuya, wait! We are not still done eating." She complains. Her brother didn't answer her. "Kuya, can you please let me go? What's wrong with the gum on your wallet? I saw another gum on someone's wallet and it's XL."

Patrick faced her while his face remained red, "Where did you see that?" he asked. His palm closed.

"Why are you so red, Kuya? Are you mad at me? In someone's wallet," she answered and looks down. The students are staring at them maliciously. He pulled her again on the garden. It's a quiet and peaceful place.

"Why are you pulling and pulling me? It's just gum, why are you mad?!" she drummed her feet on the ground and crosses her arms, "I can't understand you, Kuya."

Patrick looked at her directly in the eyes but she looks away. He clutches her shoulders, "Because that is not gum!" he burst out. "You are too innocent for that, Porch."

Porchia's forehead furrowed while her lips went the straight line, "What's the big deal? That is just a medi---," he covered her mouth using her palm. He took a breath in and breath out.

"That is not a gum, Porch. That is a condom."

Porchia's world stops revolving. Her world is surrounded by the dark. The word her brother said echoed in her mind. The thing that she knows as a piece of gum is a condom.

**********

LUKE, while he is validating the papers of new applicants he is sipping a cup of coffee. His office is much spacious. He is the HR officer and he needed more space for examination and interviews. A minute after a knock on the door interferes.

"Get in, that's open."

"Good afternoon, sir Luke. These are the papers of internship application." The woman in a pencil skirt and long sleeves said. Her thick eyeglasses make her non-ordinary. She placed it on his table and smile.

"Thank you, Freya. I'll just call you if I need something okay? For now, you can have your brunch, and please call Mr. Benjamin for me," he said, "Tell him to be here on 4."

She bowed her head, "Yes, sir. Thank you."

"Internship? Another batch of college girls, huh?" he talks himself.

He opened all the white envelopes and pulls the resume and applications out.

"College of Sebastian? A Psychology student. Wow, excellent!" he yelled and separates it from rejections.

He accepted a total of five interns but they still have to be in interviews. He throws the papers in the trash bin but he has one envelope that is still closed.

"Still have one? Do you really want to intern here?" he asked and tear it's using her hands. He opened the folded paper, "Oh my gosh! What a small world." His eyes widened while reading her resume and application letter, "Well, not bad. Porchia Maligay Cruz, 22 years old." He puts it on the top of the applicants who pass on the first stage.

"Sir, excuse me. Mr. Benjamin said, 'Yes, master. Who is the CEO? You or me?" Freya followed his voice and it makes Luke laugh at her.

"You are so cute, Freya. Thank you, have a great brunch."

Freya covered her cheeks when she felt that they are slowly burning. She closes the door and lets out a huge smile. Her face is almost breaking into parts. It brings shivers into her spine.