Chapter Two

I just stared at the newcomer. I couldn't move. I didn't know what to do.

Oh my God, this isn't real, is it? This is just a dream! I'll wake up soon! "I'm Jace Garcia, the new owner of the company.

Who's the supervisor here?Boss," he suddenly said. That voice. I know it well. It seems this is not a dream.

"Ahhm, I'm the supervisor," Ms. Grumpy said while standing up. "Ms. Carmen Demetrio." She emphasized the "Miss" while extending her hand.

I couldn't tell if I should be annoyed or laugh at her. You could hear the flirting in her voice. I just raised an eyebrow when I looked into her eyes. It's like a child told by her mother to have "beautiful eyes."

It doesn't suit her face, or her age. She's probably older than our boss!

"Hi Ms. Demetrio. As I can see it, you're only four here in the team," the boss said while reaching for the hand of the flirtatious old woman, then looked at us one by one.

His gaze paused for a moment on me. I felt some kind of emotion in it. Was it longing? Or anger? Maybe. I don't know, but it's probably not longing.

"Just call me Carmen, Sir," said the flirtatious old woman, returning her gaze to the boss.

"And yes, we're only four here in the team since we're doing bank reconciliation. It's not too much work unlike in the posting team." The boss nodded and spoke, "Oh, I see.

If that's the case, I'll go ahead. I just want to see you people. Nice meeting you all," he said, smiling, and turned away.

Our eyes met before he finally left. "Wow! He's really handsome!" Karen squeaked softly after Boss left. "Yeah, Sis! Hey, Lana, you've been quiet there.

You got smitten by Sir Jace too, didn't you?"Lucy, our other teammate, said. I turned to her. I couldn't speak right away. It took a few moments for what she said to sink in. "Why? Is he handsome? He's just white," I said softly. "Weh? But the lady was stunned! She's just pretending," Karen said, laughing.

"He's just white, she said, but the way she stared at him earlier, Sir Jace almost melted."

"Hey, be quiet! You guys go work," Ms. Grumpy interjected. She sat down at her desk. "But he's handsome, isn't he?" she said, still blushing while looking at the ceiling.

The three of us looked at each other, then turned to her. She seemed to realize what she did and sat up straight.

"Alright, alright, work now." She waved her right hand as if shooing us away.

I just stared at my computer screen after sitting down. I couldn't believe it.

Was that really Jace? Jason, or Jace, we were childhood friends.

We lived near each other before they migrated to the States. Our parents were close friends, so we were too.

Because of that, our parents agreed that we would get married someday.

It was just a joke when they talked about it, so I didn't take it seriously. Besides, their family left the Philippines. 

I was surprised three years ago when they suddenly appeared in our lives. Jace's father had just died. 

I still remember how he looked then. He was so thin, like he wasn't being fed; his clothes were so plain. He looked like a total nerd.

He was probably just buried in his studies, that's why. You wouldn't think he came from the States. 

Jace was the one who took over their business at that time. But he didn't fully own it yet. It was like he was just an employee of his own company.

There was a condition in his father's Last Will for him to get his inheritance. That condition? For us to get married. If not, everything would go to charity. To be honest, I didn't care if he didn't get his inheritance. It would go to a good cause if it did.

"Lana, please bring these reports to Ma'am Remy." Ms. Grumpy interrupted my drifting thoughts. 

"Ok." Ms. Grumpy. If I had had the courage, I would have said that to her face.

But I couldn't, so I just thought it in my head. I took the folder of our reports from her.

Ma'am Remy's office was just in the next room. When I entered, everyone was quiet.

There's really a lot of work in this team. Ma'am Remy had her desk placed there so she could keep a close eye on things. 

"Excuse me, Ma'am Remy. Here are the reports for the month." I handed the folder to our head with a smile.

She just looked up at me for a moment and spoke. "Okay, just leave it there. Thank you," she said, referring to her desk.

I was about to turn around when she spoke again.

"Ah, Lana, just a moment." She bent down and took some files from her drawer.

I just stood there and waited while she rummaged through the files. Then she moved some documents to the folder.

"Please bring this to Sir Jace." She handed me the folder. "He needs it, but everyone here is busy, and it can't be sent by messenger. It's too confidential. I'll just ask you." She said without stopping.

"Sure, Ma'am. I'll take care of it," I said, smiling, but inside my heart was already erupting.

"Just be quick, okay? He's been waiting for it since earlier." He's been waiting for it since earlier; why didn't he get it himself?

"Okay, I'll be quick." I turned around immediately and went out the door.

"Lana!" I turned back when I heard Ma'am Remy's voice again. 

"Yes?" I asked while at the door. "You yourself will hand it to him," she instructed me firmly.

I leaned back after going out. Oh no, what am I going to do? I really have to hand it to him. I was still thinking of having his secretary deliver it.

What if he suddenly brings up what happened before? What then? What am I getting myself into? Aish.

Whatever! I hurried to the elevator and pressed the up button. Don't think about anything else.

Just hand the folder and leave. That's it.I immediately got into the elevator when the door opened and pressed 5.

That's where the boss's office is. May, his secretary, greeted me with a smile when I got to the fifth floor. I went straight to her. 

"Hi May! Ma'am Remy sent me here to give this to Sir."

"Ah, okay. I'll take it inside," she replied. That's a good suggestion! But then I remembered what Ma'am Remy said.

"She said I have to hand it to him myself."

"Okay, wait." She dialed on the intercom. "Sir, the files from Accounting are here." She nodded as if she could see the person she was talking to on the other line. "Yes, sir." When she put down the phone, she turned to me.

"You can go in now." "Okay, thanks." I turned away from her and walked towards the door.

Okay, this is it. I'm going in. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. This is it. I knocked politely, then slowly opened the door.