Chapter Seven

I never slept---

I took a shower and put on my white blouse and black skirt. My eyes have dark circles around it, making me look like a damn raccoon. I covered it with concealer and put some moisturizer on my lips. I can't claim the promotion today if I'm not even representable.

"What happened?" Zach appeared at the door of my room. I called him last night and told him about it.

"He's gone," I answered and my tone turned out to be as flat as my attitude right now. I don't know what to feel anymore. After my outburst yesterday, trying to take the first step to analyze what is going on in my heart, the man who cause me such outrage is now nowhere to be seen.

"He'll come by, you know,” he uttered as he stepped his way into the room.

"I don't care anymore."

I stood up from my mirror and looked at Zach. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful. But there's something missing?" His brows creased.

"If this is another one of your jokes, I swear I'm gonna punch you." I rolled my eyes off him.

He raised both his hands up, imitating surrender, "Fine. I was just about to say, smile."

I pouted, "I don't even know If I can smile today."

He walked towards me, his hands tapped on my shoulder.

"Your new office is waiting for you,” he smiled at me.

"Ugh—great, that's one of my problems, right now."

He chuckled, "Come on baby, you can't solve any of your problems by just sticking your feet on this house."

Zach drove us to Paradiso Publishing, the name of the company where I just got fucking promoted. Now, my hands are shaking as I remove the seatbelts from the passenger's seat. He was watching me worriedly.

He took both of my hands enclosed to his and blew on them. "You'll do fine."

"But what if the staff doesn't like me?"

"This is not about the others liking you or not, this is about you and your capability to be in the position. You can make so many great things in our workplace, Eva. Believe in yourself,” he said.

I sighed and smiled at him. "I love you." He knows what I mean.

He rolled his eyes on me but the way his jaw tensed just showed how he wanted to laugh badly, it made me giggle.

******

Everyone seems to have known it by now. They even held a surprise party at the office for my promotion. Some of my colleagues gave me roses and Cathlyn ordered our food. Apparently, Zach told them on phone about my promotion and no one seemed to be against it, they were happy. I didn't even know that most of the staff knew about me. They were all happy, except Kate--- I don't know what her deal was, she was smiling but something feels off. Natalie knew about the surprise too and she was a part of the surprise.  After all of us ate, they cleaned it and I was forced to go inside the office by Nat.

" Miss Eva, do you need any designs that can make you feel comfortable for this office?"

"Nat, please, for the eleventh time, it's just Eva. And yes, I might buy some, are you free tomorrow night?" Adam will just hide if he is there, but will he come home tonight?

Her eyes sparked up like Christmas day. She smiled at me and nodded.

"Yes, are we gonna go shopping?"

I laughed, "Yes, and--- we are going to finish most of this at my house." I waved the papers that I needed to sign.”

Her eyes turned bigger and she was beaming.

"I'm gonna bring some of my clothes tomorrow."

Natalie stayed at my office the whole day, she never even asks me what I want but just brings me hot chocolate. She knows that if she asks me, I would leave my posts and join her outside, leaving my pile of paperwork unattended.

My throat ignites for soda, though.

I don't even know where Zach is. And I don't even know if Adam is coming back...

I read and read the files on my table, about what the stories were all about, checking them one by one, then signing the ones that have a potential to sell, and also signing papers about me being the new chief editor of our branch.

My eyes hurt, they fucking burn!

I still have lots to finish but I also need to rest or else I am going to fall down this chair and never move again. I'm scared to go home, but I wanna see Adam.

I placed my forehead on the table of my office. Where the hell is he?

I groaned in mischief.

"Is everything okay?"

Zach was holding the door in my office open, he was holding papers--- of course, everything in this place is all about papers! I blew air from inside my mouth causing my lips to babble and knocked my forehead lightly on the table. Zach laughed at me and I can hear his footsteps closing in. I don't wanna get up, I just want to knock my head on this table several times.

Zach bent on his one knee and looked at my face from below the table.

"Hey, babe." His smile is so infectious making me smile as well. I remembered our kiss from yesterday--- it was memorable, but the feeling was different like it was so peaceful with him. The burn and tension was different with Adam and I don't know if it’s because I like him or I-

I hummed deeply.

"Zach."

"Yes?"

I looked at him, "Aren't you mad at me?"

"For what?" He looked so innocent.

"F-for last night." I bit the side of my cheek. He doesn't look mad but I clearly don't understand what I feel too.

He smiles at me, "Well, it wasn't that bad."

"What! Did I do bad?" That hurts my pride, that was my first kind of a kiss! Is it?

My eyes gapped at some thought.

Is that why Adam doesn't kiss me more than just biting my lip!? Because he knows I won't do well??

Zach chuckled making him fall off his butt. I frowned at him and crumpled some piece of paper and threw it at him.

"It's not funny! And I am not talking about how bad of a kisser I am."

Although he was so good at it.

He still laughed at me and I rolled my eyes at him. He stood up and leaned his head down on the same level as mine and kissed my cheek. "I'll never be mad at you." I laid my head on his neck while he was still leaning on me.

"I thought I hurt you— I never wanted to hurt you, nor anyone else to hurt you. I don't understand what I am feeling. But you are so important to me and I don't want to lose you." I closed my eyes and savors his warmth on my cheek.

"I only get hurt when you get hurt, Eva. Whatever your happiness is, is also mine. That is the kind of love that was meant for us. Even if your heart belongs to someone else, I'll be okay as long as you're happy—and I know you'd do the same for me. That's just what I want you to remember."

He's right. How can he do that? It’s like his level of acceptance is over a hundred percent. I stood up and gave him a hug.

"Thank you, doofus."

He snorted and wrapped his arms around me as well.

"So, am I that bad of a kisser? Like—for real?"

I looked at him without taking off my hands hooked up behind his back. Zach was taller than me but just a little bit. His green shining eyes looked down into mine. He then leaned closer to my face then as the tips of our nose touched, he already had a wide grin on his face. I bit my whole lower lip to avoid laughing because of his cuteness. He suddenly closes his eyes, resting his forehead on mine.

"It was good..."

He whispered, and it made me smile.

*****

It was another day and night is already approaching. Adam didn't come back last night, so I forced myself to sleep and woke up late for work. It's my second day as the chief editor and I was freaking late. Zach left this afternoon since his training is still ongoing. I finished some of my work today and did some research on Mr. Ross—nothing shows on the internet, why though?

"Natalie, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, Mis--- Eva."

We went to the DIY store and buy some wallpaper stickers, small vases, journals, ribbons, compilers, and cuter things that my eyes laid on. Natalie was so happy as we shop, she told me that her mom used to shop with her, but she died last year since her mom has cancer. She doesn't have any siblings, it's just Mr. Leon and her. She said that her father is a kind man and even jolly when they are at home. I can't imagine it though. We also bought some snacks for the overnight, she loves potatoes, fries, and chips--- and soda. Hell yeah.

I slouch on the sofa as we came into the house. My feet are swelling from walking in my sandals and I should try to familiarize myself with it since I'll be attending meetings onboard more often. If only I can wear my rubber shoes and my jeans.

I groaned, burying my face on the soft cushion.

"Uhm, Eva? Where are we going to work?"

Her voice was so small and adorable.

"UH-uh, who says we're gonna work?"

I forgot to tell her that I finished the papers earlier, and damn, I just wanna lay my ass on this sofa right now while watching movies.

"You did,” she answered in surprise.

She looked so cute as she blinked her eyes and I notice that she was still holding her bag in her two hands. I walked towards her and grabbed it, making her look like a lost kid by the street.

"Nat, I finished all our files earlier and the day before. The reason why I want you here is because I want you to spend time with me, watching movies and having girl talks."

I winked at her and she laughed genuinely.

I don't want to feel sad about Adam. This house reminds me of him, now. My heart felt a pang of grief. I made Nat sit on the sofa, and I walked towards my room to change clothes.

As soon as I got in my room, I saw the familiar bird knocking on the window glass. I walked towards it and opened the window pane. “Hey, there.” I giggled, talking to the crow who often visits me. The crow just cawed after my babbling and just flew away. I continued walking towards my wardrobe to change into pajamas.

*****

We started watching Netflix and put on some horror movies since Nat is not a fan of romance. I wonder why--- I suppressed a laugh as I think what Nat would look like if she is a high school girl having a crush on someone.

My thoughts were suddenly abrupted by the painful squeal that blew near my ear.

"I'm sorry Eva!"

She was holding her hands with the remote up her face, like a scaredy-cat. She paused the movie on the eerie face of a ghost, I shut my eyes closed and looked at Nat. I laughed, she is really a kid.

"Don't you get scared of horror movies?"

She blinked at me, her hair tied up in a messy bun, she is wearing her pajama sleepwear. I was too preoccupied with Adam's thoughts that I only had my attention to her now.

"I watched that several times now."

Of course, it's a lie. I wouldn't dare watch that, especially when I am alone.

"You're brave."

She looked so amazed then hit the play button on the remote once again.

Sorry, kid.

I can feel a faint smile forming on my lips. Come to think of it, she may be the young sister that my heart was longing for.