All Chapters of Stand Still: Please Stay: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I went back to my table right after finishing the food provided. The phone started ringing when I got back. I answered the call immediately.“Come to my office,” Gabriel’s voice echoed in my ears.“Coffee?” I offered.“No,” he said. “Miss Jean already took care of my coffee. You were eating when I called earlier, siya na pinagtimpla ko. I didn’t ask kung sino kasabay mo. I don’t think kailangan ko malaman,” he said before he handed me a red sticky note.“That’s the password you needed, ‘stayawayfromanna’. Please send the file to the e-mail address also written on the paper,” he said while he kept his eyes on the papers in front of him.“Anything else, Boss?”“Nothing more. You can go.”Gabriel didn’t bother me for the rest of the afternoon. I was loaded with paper works, but sometimes, I can’t stop thinki

“What the –” I exclaimed. “Is this real? Or did you learned photoshop when I wasn’t looking.”“Photoshop? You know I hate computers,” Dianne rolled her eyes.“I don’t want to go to work, Dianne!” I covered myself with the blankets and screamed.“Pumasok ka, mahiya ka naman sa boss mo!”“Ayoko! It’s too late for not being shy”“Well, at least call him to tell him you’re thankful.”“Good idea. I’ll call him and tell him that I’ll skip this day.”I picked-up my mobile phone and pressed the speed dial to Gabriel Anderson’s number.“Damn!”“What is it again?” Dianne, who is now beside me again, asked.“My line’s cut. Can I use your phone, please?”“I would, but I don’t have any signal. My phone’s still for Spain

“Good morning, Gabriel. You alright?” Miss Jean greeted when he came in.“I'm fine.”“You look so stressed. Anong nangyari? Nakatulog ka ba?”“I tried, but…”“But? What happened?”“Thank you, Miss Jean, but I think I’ll tell you when I know how to solve it. For now, I have to keep it to myself.”“You know I'm here for you, right?”“Yes, thank you.”---“Good morning,” I smiled at Gabriel and Miss Jean. I tried to walk past them.“Anna?” Miss Jean called.“Do you need anything, Miss?” I asked innocently.“Why are you always late?” she sounded strict.“I’m not late, Miss,” I looked at my wristwatch. “It’s only seven forty-five pa lang.”She looked disappointed. “Don’t you remember? You s

“Hey, sleepyhead,” Dianne hugged me, but I ignored her. “Breakfast is ready. It’s already seven-thirty, you're gonna be late.” “I'm not going to work,” I grumpily said. “Why? Is the Anderson Company a bad place to work?” “It’s fun. I think it’s me who‘s not okay in it,” I said with a shaky voice. “What do you mean?” “It’s nothing. Forget it. Maybe I’m being paranoid.” “Okay, but you should call your superior. Whoever it could be, just not Gabriel.” I nodded and buried myself under the sheets. I felt like crying and confused as hell – confused if I am still in love with Joshua or I'm falling for Gabriel? My tears landed on my pillows. Joshua’s gone. He won’t come back for me. I wouldn’t fall for Gabriel, I can’t fall for him, not if he’s my boss. --- “You kissed her?” wide-eyed Lance asked. Gabriel nodded while smiling. He’s touching his lips like he’s reminiscing the kiss he had with me.

I’m angry, but I can’t do anything. I’m just his secretary. I pushed aside my emotions when Don Miguel. I can deal with my emotions later.“So let’s start the meeting?” Don Miguel started. “Take notes, Miss…” he hesitated. “What’s your name again, Hija?”“I’m…” I started but didn’t finish.“She’s Anna Miller,” Gabriel answered for me and Miss Jean smiled at his gesture.“Okay, Miss Miller, take notes.”“Okay,” I smiled and readied the voice recorder in case I missed something important. I also have my old-fashioned notebook and pen but it’s a good thing I have a voice recorder.“I like you, Anna,” Don Miguel added.“Dad,” he called his Dad’s attention. “Stop flirting with my secretary in front of my Mom,” he emphasized the word my. He&