Chapter 4

DANIELLE has been working as Joshua’s secretary for five months already; it’s not been easy at first but she’s happy with her job. She kept up with her boss’ mood swings and now she’s used to it. Joshua is known to be a perfectionist and those little mistakes turned on his beast mode personality. She doesn’t know herself why she doesn’t even care if her boss is angry; just like now, another crying employee runs out from Joshua’s office.

“The boss’ perfectionist side shows up again!” Rose told her while wiping her tears. “I’ll go back to my work; I need to revise everything before I can go home.” She said frowning.

“Good luck!” She said, trying to cheer her up. She immediately went to the pantry when Rose went back to her work. She brews Joshua’s favourite black coffee and put the brownies she baked this morning in a plate.

She knocks on Joshua’s unopened door; she didn’t wait for him to answer since he already knows that it’s her.

“Coffee for your hot head.” Danielle sneeringly said and placed the coffee in front of him. “And brownies to somehow lessen your stress.” She added while placing the plate. “I baked that especially for you!”

“Are you mocking me, Ms. Montereal?” Joshua seriously asked her.

“Yes, Sir!” Danielle answered, grinning. She loves to tease her boss; where can you find a secretary mocking her boss?

“Then pack your things and leave! You’re fired!” Joshua said and put his attention back to the documents he is reading. “What are you still doing here and grinning like an idiot?” He asked when she didn’t move a muscle.

“Are you serious this time, Sir?” Danielle asked. “Since the last time I check, you said that for the nth time but still, I’m still here working as your secretary.” She grinned widely.

“Can you please remind me again why I hired you?” Joshua asked.

“Because I’m beautiful, hot and sexy!” Danielle immediately answered making Joshua laugh so hard. “Why are you laughing? It’s the truth, isn’t it? I even caught you staring at me at the lobby the day of the interview1” She sulk making Joshua stopped laughing.

“You saw me from that distance?” He asked.

“Yeah! I have a better vision that you.” She sticks out her tongue like a kid. “Kidding aside, I don’t really know why you hired me.” She answered making Joshua smile—a smile that made her heart beat fast. For that past five, she slowly fell in love with her boss. In her life, she is the receptor while Joshua is the drug that will bind to her to produce an effect—and that is pure happiness, being with him, hearing and making him laugh is her happiness. She’s contented with what they have right now and she can’t ask for more.

“So, who asked you to calm me down?” Joshua asked as he fixed the documents that he’s been reading.

“No one. And even if someone asked me to, I will not do it, so that they should learn from their mistakes as I did when I was a newbie.” She answered. “And angry or not, I will still let you have some sweets for your not-too-sweet-tooth.” She sneered. “Just like me, I’m sweet!” She winked making him laugh his heart out.

“Does this have any potion?” Joshua teased.

“Are you joking, Sir? Why would I put any potion if I can make you fall for me?” Danielle joking asked.

“How would I know if what you’ve given me has any potion in it.” Joshua said. “Ever since I tasted those sweet treats you are making, I’ve suddenly addicted to cookies, brownies and even cakes.”

“Sir, if I put any potion there you should have fallen for me long ago. Besides, the reason why you like the treats I baked is because they are not too sweet and they approved by your taste buds!” Joshua slightly shook his head and tasted the brownies. Danielle, on the other hand is anticipating to his comments about the brownies. “What can you say, Sir?”

Joshua didn’t say anything, he just blankly stared at Danielle. “Sir?”

“Sir? Are you head over heels in love with me now?” Danielle manage to joke to lessen the tension. She suddenly flinched when Joshua stood up and walk towards her and grab her waist pulling her closer to him there lips almost touching.

“Danielle…” His breath sent chills in her spine. “I’m eager to…” His eyes staring at her eyes. “fire you…” He said and suddenly kiss the tip of her nose making her speechless and blush. “Gotcha!” He said later on and took another bite in the brownies.

Danielle still dumbfounded and still processing what has happened.

“Hey! Are you okay?” Joshua asked, he’s smiling and his eyes shows that he is enjoying every bit her reaction.

“You!” She pointed at him. “You kissed me!” Making Joshua laughed, he lost counts on the times he laughed today, for him, he enjoys every bit the time he spent with Danielle.

“Take responsibility for what happened!”

“Sure, why not! I would be happy. Really.” Joshua smiled making her heart flutter.

“Are you for real?” She mocks him, trying to hide what she’s feeling.

“yes, you know me, Danielle.” Joshua smiled and finished the brownies. “I really like your brownies, Danielle. You really made it sure that I would like it.” He smiled making her blush. “To be honest, I’m always waiting what will you bake next, you’ve been spoiling me too much of your treats.”

“Well…” She cleared her throat. “The reason is too simple; it is just to lessen your stress because your good looks will diminish if you are constantly stress and I don’t want that. Mommy Althea will be mad at me.” She jokes; she’s now calling Joshua’s mother mommy; it was a request made by Althea herself. They become close when Althea showed up a week after their first meeting, and they talked about random things. Joshua’s parents are even pairing them together that is why their relationship is more than just a boss-secretary, theirs can be called somewhat close-friends. “Anyways, I’ll go back to work now.”

“Wait.” Joshua stopped her. “You still haven’t taken your boards yet.” He uttered in regret. Joshua in reality, has been blaming his self. He thinks that he is the main reason why Danielle didn’t file for board exam.

“Sir, you shouldn’t be sorry. You didn’t know that I will file that day.” Danielle said trying to cheer him up.

“You’re ready to file that day, Danielle. I saw your requirements the night we were in Laguna, and that was even your day-off for heaven’s sake!” He said still blaming his self. “If only, I didn’t drag you with my emergency meeting, you should be enjoying your profession now.” Joshua said. “I’m so sorry, Danielle, that was so selfish of me.” He apologized. Danielle can feel his sincerity and at the same time, she’s feeling sorry for him. She didn’t know that he’s been feeling that for months.

“Sir, don’t be like that.” She said. “There’s nothing wrong for you to apologize, it should be me who should apologize to you. I didn’t know that you’ve been blaming yourself for what happened, but in reality, you actually helped me that day.” Joshua looked at her with confusion. “It is true that I have my complete requirements with me but that doesn’t mean that I’m ready. I even asked for signs, and if I saw those signs, it would only mean that I would not take for it is not the right time for me. The first sign I asked was a blue balloon, the second was a runaway bride and the third…” She shyly looked at Joshua who is interested on her explanation. She cleared her throat. “And for the third sign, I hoped that you will show up and say that you need me. That is why I was actually shocked when you called me just to ask where I was. I didn’t lose hope, instead, I asked for another sign, if I will not see you within 20 minutes then I will just proceed to the PRC office to file.” She explained with her cheeks red, she’s embarrassed.

“While I was waiting for you, I asked myself again. What if you will not come? Will I just depend on the signs if I can decide for myself? Especially that I know myself that I’m not fully prepared for the exam. There are lots of what if’s running in my mind at that time; I can’t disappoint my parents again for the second time, but I know that they will be greatly disappointed with me if my name will not be on the list of passers. Within that span of 20 minutes, I already decided to leave but then you suddenly appeared in front of me, telling me that you needed me. That’s why don’t blame yourself.”

“I don’t know what to say…” Joshua sighed. “Should I be flattered that you actually thought of me at time or should I get mad at you for involving me in your signs.”

“Sir, what has been done is done, let’s just forget about the past.” She smiled. “Besides, if ever I took the exam and passed, then you will not have someone to joke around here. Every day, you will have to hire and fire a secretary.” She teased. “Besides, I will take the exam three months from now.”

“Then, why don’t you take a leave to concentrate in your review?” Joshua suddenly blurted making her speechless.