CHAPTER 2

“You’re up next miss.” the guy behind the desk said after a woman just walked out of the room where the interview is going to take place. 

It’s Coreen. She noticed me, and I saw her nod to acknowledge my presence and continued to walk her way out. I, again, felt my heart clench seeing her because it just reminded me of Sean.

This is already the last stage of my interview for this company. I’m feeling so drained and seeing Coreen made it even worse. 

I sighed and went in the room.

I almost jumped in surprise when i heard a glass break.

I looked up to see a shattered glass vase on the floor, and heard the heavy breathing of the man behind the desk. I felt my heart thump loudly as i watch him pull his dark hair with both of his hands. I saw how every muscle on his arm flex in every movement. He’s wearing a white dress shirt folded until his elbows. 

His build reminded me of Sean, but i couldn’t care more. I just saw his girlfriend earlier, for goodness’ sake!

Relax, Reese it’s just another day. It’s just another day. I thought to calm my nerves, but as I do, his cold gaze met mine.

His brown eyes suddenly made me freeze in place. His deep set eyes made me feel like I was being pulled into nothingness. I can see his angled jaw tighten and damn, I can see his biceps wanting to rip off the white dress shirt he’s wearing.

“Are you one of the applicants?” he asked casually and started to walk towards his swivel chair. He acted like nothing out of the ordinary just happened.

“Uhm. I-I’m T-Therese Del Real.” Shit! Why am I stuttering?

“I know. Come, sit.” he said as he was opening a folder, which I presume contains my credentials.

I nodded and walked confidently to the chair in front of his table. I shouldn’t be fazed by some guy.

“Aren’t you Sean Azura’s girlfriend? Or should I say, ex-girlfriend? I bet he and Coreen just got back together.” he said with a teasing tone and an irritating smirk on his face. I frowned. Now, he’s slowly getting in my nerves. I’m not too shocked for him knowing about us, though. They’re sort of on the same business and Sean’s quite famous, anyway.

“I am, sir. Is this part of the interview? Asking about my latest ex and his girlfriend?” I rolled my eyes, utterly annoyed by the tone of his voice.

“Well, yes. I’m going to be your boss, so I think I can ask questions about anything. I make the rules in this company.” He looked at me dead in the eyes with arrogance written all over his face, heck I can even feel it radiating from his whole being!

I can feel my face turn red in annoyance. If this guy is going to be my employer, I’d rather just go home and be a maid in our house! At least maids are treated nicely there.

“And yes, I’m truly arrogant, miss Del Real. I can almost hear you scream that just by looking at your bright red face. Besides, you’re not the only one who thinks that.” He laughed.

What the? I can’t take this anymore.

I stood up to leave the room. I might just throw punches to his face, if he opens his mouth to utter senseless words again.

“Leaving too early? I didn’t dismiss you yet. I was going to say that you got the job. Too bad, I don’t like employees who don’t listen to their boss.” I can now feel my whole body tremble in anger. I haven’t said anything too rude to him! I even constantly stopped myself from saying anything back to him. 

I wanted to leave rather than listen to his nonsense because I might not be able to stop myself from saying shit to him, but I can’t take it anymore!

“Oh, really mister CEO?” I said with an exaggerated exhale. “Too bad, I don’t like employers who are a fool of themselves, too.” I shouted. “You think the world revolves around you? Just because you own the company, doesn’t mean you could wrap all your employees around your fingers. You know what? I think your employees are working here and taking all your shits just because they really need money!” I paused to allow air to enter my lungs before I resumed. “For them to put up with this?” I spread my arms. “Oh, they might really need money.” I smiled sarcastically and looked at his jaw drop open.

I rolled my eyes at him and turned to leave.

I strode out of the company with tears streaming down my face. I’ve never been this angry before. I didn’t even feel my tears until I saw people staring at me and wiped it away.

I immediately called Selene, my best friend since college, as soon as I got out of the building. She works just beside the building I applied on. It’s a big construction company, it’s even the biggest in the country, I think. I don’t even know how she got in that company. I don’t doubt her skills, but maybe she sold herself to her boss or something, I don’t know. I almost laughed at the thought.

“Oh, hey. Did you get in?” I can sense the smile on her lips as she asked.

“That man! Arrgh!” I uttered with extreme annoyance.

“Who?” she asked.

“That brute of a CEO of this company is getting into my nerves!” I clenched my fist as tears continue to roll down my cheeks.

“Okay, so what happened? Can we just meet? I need to see your reactions.” She laughed. She didn’t even notice that I’m crying. Tsk.

“Okay, come here at this café just in front of your building. Make it fast, I might just scream like a madwoman if these frustrations aren’t going to be out of my mouth any time now.” I rolled my eyes.

“Alright, Madame. I’ll just sneak out because you didn’t forget that I’m the owner of this company.” she said sarcastically.

I turned the call off after that. Selene’s been my best friend since college. We haven’t had a good start ‘cause I hated her brother who used to be one of my suitors that turned out to be another jerk who just wanted to get laid. I mean, he could just go to brothels. They’d be much more willing to give him satisfaction.

We eventually got close after drinking and hanging out with our group of friends after some time. Well, yeah we’re in the same circle of friends but I don’t know why I also didn’t like her vibe at first. 

“Therese Amira Del Real.” I immediately heard her hysterical laugh echoing around the whole café that made me roll my eyes. She always had that habit of saying the full name of people when she’s excited.

“So, you finally talked to the great, Rhandall Ardon Delmont of the ConCielo group of companies. What did he say to you?” she asked as she crossed her arms and laid it on top of the round table.

“He is a fool of himself!” I said every word emphatically. “Did you know that?”

“He’s arrogant, he’s rude, a pathetic jerk and a-a” I stuttered.

“A hard-headed, but hot and handsome man who looks like a god that just came down from Olympus?” She raised her brows.

“What? No.” I can’t help but grimace at what she said.

“Why would people even want to think anything positive about a brute like him?” I can’t stop to roll my eyes at the thought.

“What? Is he that bad? What exactly did he say to you to make you this annoyed?” She frowned.

I told her everything that happened that day. We didn’t care about the time and how many cups of coffee we both had that afternoon.

“Oh, what an ass.” She blurted.

“Tss. That’s what I thought.” 

And we went on and on, bashing him. She also mentioned things that she heard from her colleagues. How hot he is, how handsome and intellectual he is, no one mentioned anything about his attitude, though. Now, we know why. 

“Am I really that bad?”