5: New Boss

Chapter 5

New Boss

***

POV: Maria Amor ‘Mia’ Salazar

Like my usual routine, I went to work early the very next day.

Since I started working at A4A La Vista Corporation, I was never late. I worked my *ss off just to keep myself busy – never letting any part of my mind think of the past.

Why wouldn’t I be?

A4A La Vista Corporation is the leading integrated property developer and homebuilder in the country – and has won various prestigious awards here and abroad.

I heard that it already had another branch abroad – catering to the global market. Being part of this company was huge and fulfilled my dream. Especially working as an executive secretary of the CEO himself, Mr. Andrew Altamirano.

I indulged myself with all of my dedication and passion working with him – that he had already made sure that I have all the benefits I have for me to stay and worked with him.

He is very kind – even his wife, Mrs. Klare Altamirano. The two were so in love that even they were already in their sixties – they were still together.

I suddenly felt a pang of pain inside my heart – which I instantly shove away.

My smile immediately pasted on my lips – as I entered the building.

I was greeted by Raul, one of the security guards on duty for the company. I greeted him back with a bigger smile on my face and went towards where the elevator was.

The office of the was on the twenty-first floor. The company had eighty-eight floors, and everything was just too expensive – in my eyes. Especially when I first entered the premises.

“Mia! Good morning!” Mel, one my companions in the company – which was in the HR department, greeted me with a bright smile on her face.

“Oh, Hi! Good morning.” I smilingly greeted back – as I moved a bit to give her a space while we were both waiting for the elevator to come down.

“Good thing you’re here now. I heard you’re on leave yesterday. That was new.” Mel suddenly told me.

I gave her a small smile at that.

Perhaps, she didn’t really notice that yesterday was the only day that I have asked for a leave for the entire year.

I mentally let out a deep sigh.

“Well, yeah, I need to do something, that’s why.” I hesitantly replied.

I hated telling lies – even if it was a white lie – so, I better be vague with my reason instead.

“How’s yesterday?” I brightly asked her as the elevator suddenly opened, and we stepped inside.

I was indulgent about what Mel would reply to when she suddenly went silent for a minute. My forehead creased as I watched her abrupt reaction. She seemed so agitated, but her eyes were sparkling because of something. She was like – she was so excited about something that she couldn’t even comprehend.

That instantly caught my attention – causing my left brow to move upwards.

“Hey!” I tried to drag her back to reality – for it seemed like she was already in the middle of dreaming about something.

“Mel!” I suddenly called her name loudly and slightly nudged her with my elbow.

Then, she started squeaking with excitement.

Good thing that no one was with us inside the elevator – or they might think that Mel was already out of her mind.

“My goodness! I heard that we are going to meet the newly appointed CEO today! I heard he is absolutely gorgeous! He’s still in his early thirties, and he’s so damn hot! I mean, this would mean that I would be more inspired to work now. He is such a God… not to mention a billionaire, he has it all… Oh, gosh!” Mel said dreamily, and she let out a thrilled shriek once again.

I chuckled at her reaction. She was like a teenage girl – waiting for her favorite band to grace the stage, for she was sitting in the front seat.

“But you are luckier! I heard you will be his secretary since Sir Altamirano will already leave that position to him.” Mel commented – with her voice filled with excitement.

I was about to comment when the elevator suddenly opened. I was facing her – when her head moved to whoever was going inside the elevator with us. Mel bit her lower lip to stop herself from swooning.

My nose, on the other hand, was filled with a minty and woody musk that was hypnotizing to my every sense – causing my mind to go haywire.

I took a side glance, and my forehead suddenly creased when I met the man’s eyes.

His lovely dark gray eyes instantly glistened with a hint of… confusion, shock, and… recognition… rolled into one.

I suddenly felt uneasy about the way he stared at me. I saw mixed emotions that I couldn’t comprehend.

And what’s more surprising is that I didn’t know why my eyes remained glued to the man.

I didn’t even know the guy, and I simply wanted to just shrug it all off.

But I tried to stare intently at his face – something that suddenly shocked my entire system. My eyes widened, and my mouth was widely open.

‘It can’t be!’ A part of me couldn’t really believe it.

A part of my mind was screaming longingness at him… Or perhaps I was experiencing a surge of nostalgia.

‘No way…’ I mentally murmured – as my eyes immediately moistened with tears and I blinked them away… trying to stifle my emotions because this wasn’t him.

Impossible.

His eyes…

I swallowed hard as I didn’t know what to react – as if everything that was happening just vanished into thin air.

However, I needed to get a grip on herself because of the fact that… the man I longed to see would never be here anymore.

“Good morning, Sir.” I heard Mel greet the man – but I couldn’t do the same.

Heck! I was stunned, and I could feel my legs wobble. I blinked a few times more – and that made me get back to my senses now.

I stared at him. This man was a bit bulkier. His jaw was more defined, and his dark expression made him more mysterious.

‘Why do you have to think that way, Mia? Get the grip of yourself, girl’ I castigated myself through my mind.

I tried to calm my nerves as I thought of those words.

It was my first time seeing the man. And if I had seen him before, I wouldn’t forget him that easily. And I would certainly know why.

He looked like Oliver at first glance!

‘I really can’t blame myself for thinking about that.’ I mentally reasoned out.

Mel slightly elbowed me – enough to drag me back to reality.

“He’s our new boss.” Mel lowly whispered in my ear.

Boss?

“Sir Altamirano send us the picture of his son. Haven’t you received it in your email?” She whispered once again.

Then, my eyes widened as I felt my cheeks turn bright red.

‘Damn it! I forget to check my email last night because of Sheena!’ I uttered inside my head.

How disrespectful could I be?!

I groaned in my mind as I tried to collect myself because of embarrassment. I needed to be professional and set aside my personal issues right now.

“Good m-morning, Sir.” I formally greeted the man – even though I knew that deep within me, I was already in chaos.

He entered the elevator silently. However, I could feel the heaviness of his stares at me.

Damn it!

I was still torn between being shocked and trying to calm myself. I blinked my eyes a couple of times more as I felt my heart tighten a bit.

‘No, Mia. He wasn’t the one you’re thinking of. So, get a grip on yourself. He’s not your Oliver.’ With that thought in mind, I suddenly felt like my heart was broken once again.

Besides, it wasn’t as if he was the one I knew.

It would be a miracle if he was.

‘For goodness’ sake! Why can’t I just drop this!?’ I, once again, thought.

I, then, took a swift glance at the man, and I instantly bit her lower lip to see him looking intently at me, too.

I swallowed hard and looked away – I could feel her cheeks burn.

The elevator beeped – as Mel went out of the elevator. She even gave me a teasing smile – that I almost groaned in frustration.

Darn it!

However, something in his stares compelled me to return my gaze to him. Besides, if he is truly my new boss – I should at least talk to him… right?

But why does it so hard for me right now to talk to him?

I mentally let out a loud curse – as I bit my lower lip…

“Now, I’m positive that it was you.”

His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine – making my stomach flutter. But when he smiled at me – I just felt my heart flip a little, even though it was in the middle of its brokenness.

“Huh?” I unconsciously inquired.

I thought I just heard him wrong… or was it?

“I’m pleased to meet you… again.” He lowly whispered but enough for me to hear.

My forehead creased as it occupied my mind.

‘What does he mean by that?’ I pondered mentally.

***

‘I’m pleased to meet you… again.’

***

It was like a mantra that played again and again in my mind. I could feel my heart beating just by hearing those words in my head.

Again?

I felt the blood rushed on my veins and into my face. I blushed profusely as my eyes widened in shock.

This man…

I knew him!

Damn!

He was the one I met in that bar!