02

"Yes?" I asked, looking up to him because indeed, he was tall. My 5'3” height was suddenly embarrassing. He's probably six foot something.

"I'm Levi, your partner estimator," he said.

I nodded. “Yeah, I was informed. Do you need something?” I asked.

“Ah, yes. I just want to ask about the details of the Antipolo project,” he said.

"Didn't Ma'am Jess forward your email?" I asked. "It should be sent to you since you're the estimator." I added.

"Maybe he just forgot," he replied.

I nodded again. "I see. I’ll just forward it to your email,” I said. I went back to my desk and opened my email to forward the files to him. "Your email?" I asked.

"Leandrofuentes@sjec.com.ph." He answered.

Yesterday, we received the confirmation that we passed the pre-qualification for that project and although we still have at least a month before the bidding submission, we opt to prepare the documents as early as possible, so if there's a revision needed, it won 't be hard for us.

“Just send me the bill of quantity, manpower and equipment schedule when it’s done and approved for the compilation and scanning,” I reminded him.

He nodded. "Noted, Ma'am." He said before leaving.

And the moment he stepped out of our office; Dara immediately went to me with a mischievous grin on her face.

"So?" she asked, wiggling her brows.

I arched my brow. “What's up, Dara? Don't you have a job and are you bothering me again?” I asked.

But the witch just laughed at me. He even took his swivel chair and set it aside for me.

“So, what is it? What can you say to Papa Levi?” she asked.

"That's how you really invested in that?" I asked instead.

"It's not just me, it's all of us." She answered and pointed at our team mates. Gosh. There were four of us in the team.

"You're crazy," I said, still shaking because they all seemed to be invested in Dar's nonsense. "Go to work, I will report you to Sir Albert," I threatened.

"We don't have a project yet, so we can talk now," Glaiza replied.

I scolded them immediately. "Stop me," I said.

"Answer me first," Dara said. "Where's Levi?"

“I’m not interested anymore, Dara. So please, stop me from your madness. I am irritated with you three,” I replied.

It wouldn’t have gone away if Sir Albert, our manager, hadn’t just peeked at us. And because he was still blocked from hangouts, my messenger was bombarded with questions. She even created a group chat for the four of us just so they could tease me about Levi; they even named the group chat Oplan Pag-ibig . God. They are crazy.

To make my day as peaceful as possible, I choose to mute the group chat rather than waste time arguing with the three. Because it looks like they really have a career in being cupid even though it doesn't matter to them.

From: Leandro Victorious Fuentes

Dear Ma'am Sheena,

Please see attached file below for

Bill of Quantity.

Thank you.

Regards,

Engr. Leandro Victorious Fuentes

Estimator

San Joaquín Engineering Company

An email I received from Levi three days after I gave him the documents needed.

I arched my brow, impressed by how fast he works. BOQ usually takes weeks before getting approved and him being able to finish it within days is really impressive. I guess Dara didn't exaggerate when he said he has mastery over his work.

To: Eng. Leandro Victorious Fuentes

Dear Engr. Leandro,

Is the BOQ already approved?

Thanks & Regards,

Engr. Sheena Mikael Austria

Engineering Technical Staff

San Joaquin Engineering Company

I emailed back. He replied immediately.

From: Leandro Victorious Fuentes

Dear Ma'am Sheena,

Already approved by the Vice

President.

Thank you.

Regards,

Engr. Leandro Victorious Fuentes.

Estimator

San Joaquin Engineering Company

To: Eng. Leandro Victorious Fuentes

Dear Engr. Leandro,

Alright. I will print it now for

compilation.

Thanks & Regards,

Engr. Sheena Mikael Austria

Engineering Technical Staff

San Joaquin Engineering Company

I replied. I was about to print the file when he suddenly appeared in our office with an A3 paper in his hand.

“I was told to sign it before passing it to you,” he said, handing me the paper.

I accept it.

“Thanks,” I said.

He nodded and smiled a bit, showing his deep dimples on both cheeks. "I'll just bring here the Equipment and Manpower Schedule when I'm done," he then said.

I nodded as well. “Okay. We're still weeks away from the submission date; you can take your time. And if there's a need for a revision with this BOQ, advise me on time.” I told him.

He nodded again. "Noted, Ma'am." He then said.

He excused himself and left our office. And again, the moment the door closed, Dara began with her fantasies again.

I immediately stopped her even before she could come near me. “Stop, Dara. I'm busy so please, enough with that childish fetish of yours,” I said.

With that, she went back to her seat, pouting like a child. I just shook my head.

“Uh… Sheen, are you coming home?” Dara asked me.

It's already past our shift and I'm already gathering my belongings, putting it back in my bag.

“Yeah. Why?”

"You're not going to work overtime?" She asked instead.

I shook my head. “It is not necessary yet. The submission of the project I have is still far away,” I answered.

“Uhm. Overtime first, come with me.” He spoke.

I furrowed my forehead. “We don't have a project for you. What are you going to do overtime?” I asked.

In our department, it is not necessary to work overtime unless there is a submission of bidding documents. And when we do, we spend the whole night. You're the type who doesn't like overtime.

“Just. Let's work overtime! Come home later,” she insisted.

I shook my head. “I still have work to do, Da. Just send someone else,” I said and then left the office.

“Hey, Sheena! Come home later. Come with me first, at least until six.” He insisted, chasing me out.

"Why not?" I asked.

“As long as. Stay here first,” he insisted again.

“If you won’t tell me, I won’t stay. So, tell me the reason?” I asked.

But still, she didn't tell me. I turned my back and walked my way out. And Dara being Dara, she tailed me still, asking me to stop but I didn't listen. I was already at the biometrics when I found out why she's stopping me.

My expression immediately went blank as I looked at the guy standing meters away from us.