Chapter 2 - LOVE

Patrisse’s POV

I woke up early to the sound of the neighbors’ rooster. It’s annoying, though it helps a lot, especially for someone like me who is always late for school and even to work. I got up and checked my cell phone. I had one unread message. I didn’t open it after noticing my sister standing at the door of my room.

What is she doing here at this time?

“Harissa, what are you doing there?” I asked, with my brows knitted.

She just waved at me and my eyes widened. Only now did I realize that my mother was in the hospital and that only LJ was with me at home. I called her after I left my mother with my sister so that I could have someone with me here at home.

“Pat, why are you calling Harissa?" Isn’t she in the hospital? ” I stared at her with shock on my face.

“Y-yes! But believe me, I saw her. She was there at my door and waved at me. ” I was suddenly scared. I don’t know!

LJ turned to the door of my room. The room where LJ sleeps and my room are next to each other. “Me, Dai." It’s not a good sign. The elders say when you see someone in your house or anywhere and you know she is in the hospital, it’s a sign that the person is saying goodbye to you. ”

No, it’s impossible. My mother would never not call if my sister’s situation was critical.

“What are you saying there? Tss. Why don’t you cook rice and I’ll just fry fish and eggs? What do you want for coffee? I could make you one. ” I tied my hair and went straight to the kitchen. Our house was small, and the room for the three of us was upstairs, as was LJ’s room.

When you come down from the room, you will immediately see the living room. There were ancient chairs and a small flatscreen TV. Then when you went straight, you were already in the kitchen.

Do you have any stock of Barako Coffee? If you don’t, it looks like we need to go to the grocery store. "We both need that kind of coffee,” she said. What is it about Barako coffee that most people want? I don’t understand, because I don’t like that coffee either.

“Of course! I’m about to start my job as an Assistant Secretary at J & J Fashion. I might be late coming home later because I have to work overtime to somehow supplement my income. I’ll talk to my boss if possible. I told her that I still needed to slice the fish for two while it was chilling in the refrigerator.The header part was for LJ and the tail mine. I’m very picky about food. I also do not know why.

“You mean, J & J Fashion?" Is your boss going to be Jairus Jimenez? ” LJ’s eyes widened when she heard that I was going to work at J & J Fashion.

“Maybe, I don’t know either." We haven’t met yet, eh! ” My hand almost burned from the shrieking. How come? I was putting the fish on the stove when she suddenly screamed. I was almost flared by the oil. This one is vile. Apart from the fact that her face was very innocent, she was also full of noise. Deafeningly annoying.

“What is it, Leo Jane? Don’t yell suddenly and don’t you see I’m frying fish? Besides, what are you squalling there? ” I let out an annoyance.

She frowned and nodded at me.

You are so lucky! You’ll know my ultimate crush! Do you know how handsome and macho that one is? ”

I gave her the coffee she wanted. We are the opposite of what we like when it comes to coffee, because I only drink 3 in 1 coffee and I tried to drink the Barako coffee once, but I couldn’t really stand the bitterness, and what’s worse was that there seems to be some sand in there that I hate.

“Bitch, you are so flirty! Hey, listen. I’m not there to flirt or do anything but work. I don’t care if my boss is handsome or macho as long as I work. I have to help my mother. You know what situation we have now, LJ. ” She never spoke again.

After a while, we ate, and then I took a shower and got ready to go to work. I must not be late for work. This is my first day. I must be productive.

I am carrying a small bag packed with my lunch. I informed LJ that I was leaving and she would take care of the home. In particular, it’s her day off.

I left the house and walked to the corner to wait for a jeepney. I couldn’t afford to have my own car, but I knew how to drive because when I was still in school, my classmate Diether taught me how to drive the same manual and automatic cars. In the hardships of our lives, even if I could afford to buy a car, I wouldn’t do it. I would still choose what would be best for my mother and Harissa. Dad was in another country, working hard! Dad has been there for almost ten years; he hasn’t come home yet.

When I arrived at J & J Fashions, I immediately talked to the guard and asked what the name of the room I was going to enter. I also said that I was hired as an Assistant Secretary, so he immediately showed me where I should go.

I took a deep breath and then walked to the elevator. I’m going up to the 8th floor. This is where my office is. Even though I was nervous, I still went. When I opened the door, a tall, white man, wearing sunglasses and a nice body wearing a coat and tie, looked like he was going somewhere.

Excuse me, you must have made a mistake in the office you went to. And your face looks new to me. Who are you?” With the roughness of his voice, the thumping in my chest increased. My God! Please help me.

“Good morning, Sir! My name is Patrisse Luisa Fuentejo, and I am here to work as Assistant Secretary. ”

He looked at me from head to toe, but why? Is there something on my face?

I suddenly found a mirror in my bag and looked at what was on my face. The man burst out laughing.

“Go ahead, I am your boss." My name is Jairus Jemenez. You can call me Sir Jai, or you can also call me LOVE if you want. ” He lowered the mirror and then smiled at me. “Kidding aside. Someone will come here later, an old man, and you will need to take care of him for a while. I’ll be back at 11 a.m. There’s just an emergency going on. ”

I just nodded and watched him walk, and I suddenly remembered something. Is it him or am I in a mirage?