CHAPTER 3: A CUP OF COFFEE

JEWELLE.

I raised my eyes from my plate when someone cleared his throat in front of me.

I smiled sourly. “James.”

He sat on the chair across me even without my invitation or permission. Not that I own the place.

“Jerk,” I muttered.

“Won’t you ask for my explanation?” he asked.

“I don’t need any.”

“Are you still hoping I’ll come back to you all through these years?”

I glared at him. Even until now, this jerk has an enormous ego. His ego is even bigger than his brain.

“What, you thought I was the woman who can’t be moved? Do you think I will stay where you left me? Bastard. You wanna know the principle I live by? NO TURNING BACK, AND NO ONE TO RETURN TO. I won’t be going back to where you left me, so you will find no one there even if you come back.”

I stood up and grabbed my lunch tray. I lost my appetite.

“If that is true, why are you still holding on to my ring?” he asked mockingly as he followed me.

I stopped myself from shouting expletives at him. I tried to control myself, otherwise, the lunch tray in my hand will fly straight to his stupid face.

Once I calmed down, I turned to face him again and smiled sarcastically.

“You know what I realized when you jilted me? That I was spared from being tied to a garbage. Though there’s really something I gained from you. I was able to pawn your ring for a huge amount of money, so I was able to pay for my sister’s schooling.”

After saying that, I smiled again and placed the tray on his hands and left him after whispering to his ears. “Thank you.”

I dropped by the powder room to brush my teeth and retouch my make-up. I didn’t want to go back to my desk with an oily face because I didn’t want that boss of mine to think again that I am that old. I will never allow that to happen again!

I did not expect to see James waiting in my cubicle. Would this guy ever stop pestering me?

“I want my ring back.”

“I will give it back when I get it back from the pawnshop.”

“Get it back, then.”

“Give me money.”

“Bitch, you’re the one who pawned it.”

“Mr. Vicencio!”

We were both surprised and turned to look at my boss who just came back from lunch.

“You don’t speak like that to my secretary!”

James opened his mouth to explain but Sir Harley gave him a pointed look.

“Sorry Sir, it will not happen again,” he slightly bowed his head before turning to look at me as if he is an angel. “Sorry, Mheg.” He sounded sincere but of course, I know better. I smiled smugly at him.

“And you, Ms. Alcantara, I want you in my office. Now!”

Ugh, why also me? This is James’ fault! To think I’d be called to the principal’s office on my first day of work!

James was smirking when he left, while I followed my boss nervously. I cannot afford to be fired. I cannot afford to lose my source of income!

“Lock the door,” Sir Harley said after we entered his room.

I quietly followed his instruction.

“How are you related to Mr. Vicencio?”

“Sir?”

“How are you related to him, damn it!”

I straightened up. What is he so upset about? This idiot of a boss must be thinking he can make me an outlet for his frustrations just because the President scolded him in front of me earlier.

“I’m not related to that bastard, Sir!”

“Watch your words, Ms. Alcantara!”

“I’m sorry Sir. I mean, we are no longer in a relationship.”

“You are NO LONGER in a relationship..?”

Uh-uh! Wrong answer! Undo, delete, clear! Murphy’s Law, please, stay away from me.

“What I mean, Sir is..” I stopped, groping for words.

He crossed his arms on his chest and raised his brows, waiting for my explanation, as a small, amused smile started forming in his lips.

Is this guy sick in the head? He’s shouting one moment, and smiling the next.

“I’m waiting Ms. Alcantara.”

“I mean Sir..” I scratched my head, not wanting to explain myself. I don’t like to explain my personal affairs to this egotistical man. He can scold me if he want, but my personal life is my personal life. Periodt.

“Mheg, huh?”

I did not answer.

“Why were you asking him for money?”

“You didn’t hear everything, Sir?”

“Would I ask if I heard everything?”

“Then, that’s good.”

“Why are you asking him for money?” he repeated his question.

I fell silent again.

“Are you in such a relationship that it’s okay for you to ask him for money?” his voice is starting to rise again. I recon he’s be shouting again later.

“It’s not like that Sir. But it’s too personal to explain.”

He assessed me with a look as he turned serious again.

“If I give you the money you need, can you stop associating yourself with him?”

I gave him a questioning look.

“How much do you need?”

“No, Sir. I cannot accept your offer, it’s not right. Thank you, but no.”

I am prideful like that.

“It’s okay to ask him for money but it’s not okay to receive from your boss?”

“Sir, you said it yourself. You are my boss. Yes, it’s not okay.”

“I’m insisting.”

I shook my head. It’s hard to argue with a boss. But where will I pick up my dignity if I will receive money from him. And on my first day at work??

And besides, this guy is another conceited jerk. Who knows what he intends to ask from me in return?

“Thank you for the offer Sir. But I think I can handle this. I was not really asking James for money earlier, I was just trying to annoy him.”

He kept on staring me. Honestly, what’s with my boss??

“Okay, I will let you off the hook now, but my offer stands.”

I nodded just to end the conversation. When he turned around to enter his room, I suddenly felt tired that I automatically sat in front of my computer.

I just recalled that he ordered me earlier to write up a memo.

I decided to just focus on my work the whole day. I was glad that my handsome boss kept himself inside his room.

When it was finally time to go home, I felt so spent yet I am glad I accomplished a lot for today.

I stretched myself and stood up to pack up.

“Ms. Alcantara?”

I stopped. Damn, just when I am about to go home.

“Y-Yes Sir?”

“Are you going home yet?”

“Yes Sir. Do you still have something you need me to do?” ‘Your Highness,’ I added mentally.

“Would you like a ride? I’m headed in the same direction as yours.”

“Eh? You know where I’m headed?”

He looked flustered and avoided my eyes. Then he cleared his throat.

“Of course! I saw it in your resume.”

“Oh.. Okay. But no need, Sir. Thank you. I can go on my own no problem. It’s not too far from here, anyway. Just a single ride of jeepney and I am home.”

“With that clothes, you plan to ride the jeepney?”

I looked to check myself. What seems to be the problem? I am simply wearing a blouse and a skirt. I always go home via jeepney looking like this.

“Is there any problem with how I look, Sir?”

‘You just try to insult my look again!’

He shook his head and turned to leave.

“Nothing. Go on. See you tomorrow.”

I followed him with a confused look. Is he mental?

I shrugged my shoulders, picked up my things and left.

As I wait for the jeepney, I start to regret my decision to turn down my boss because there’s a very loooooooooonnnnnnngggggg line of passengers waiting to commute. And not a jeepney in sight.

Tch! Wrong move.

I guess it can’t be helped. I’ll take a cutting trip.

But that alternative includes some walking before I can reach my house because the jeepney I ride there does not pass through the street where I live, I had to alight few blocks from it.

I generally avoid this route because I pass by a dark alley and there are usually people who are drinking by the roadside. But I have no choice. I’ll have to take that route.

The advantage is that the travel time is so much faster because this route avoids the main roads where traffic is heavy.

When the jeepney stopped, I inhaled deeply before I alighted.

This is it!

Just walk straight and fast, Mheg Jewelle. Don’t dare look back!

I am starting to have goosebumps. I know I am just scaring myself, but the hairs on my neck are really rising. It feels like there is a presence behind me.

Why is this place so dark? And to think I am yet to enter the alley, which is so much darker.

I took a deep breath again to try and calm myself.

I tried to sing and whistle to distract myself, but I froze when I heard the sound of a crumpled plastic, as if it’s been stepped on.

I couldn’t stop myself so I looked behind.

There was no one.

I started walking again, quicker this time.

Until I clearly heard the steps behind me.

GWAAAAAHHH!

Run, Mheg, run!

I kept on running and the person who is behind me kept on chasing, so I just turned in whatever corner I see, until I lost track of where I am. When I saw a busier street, I headed towards it. The street had other people walking by and a lot of vehicles pass by, so I feel safer.

Ah, but what street is this now? I don’t know.

When I saw a convenience store, I entered it.

With trembling hands, I pulled my cellphone from my bag.

Damn it! Even if I hated James, I don’t care. I looked for the number he gave me earlier but I couldn’t find it.

Until I remembered that I did not save it in his actual name. I saved it as ‘Conceited’.

But why are there two Conceiteds in my phonebook?

Tch! Mini-mini-my-ni-mo.

Calling Conceited..

“James!” I was still panting as I called his name after he accepted the call. I did not even wait for him to say ‘hello’ from the other side. “James.. I need your help. Please, please.. Just think of this as your payment for all the wrongs you did to me, just help me now. After this, we’re even, promise! Please pick me up, please. Someone is chasing me..”

I kept on talking, telling him where I was. I even had to ask the store clerk the exact street of the convenience store I am in.

I did not even wait for him to answer and dropped the call.

James might be a conceited jerk, but he isn’t someone who will ignore a person who’s life is in danger. I am banking on that.

Because if I am wrong, I don’t know what the hell I should do.

I don’t want to call my sister. Who knows, I might also be putting her in a dangerous situation.

If I am gonna die, I’d rather die alone. At least, I have an insurance which my sister can use to support her studies.

I inhaled and exhaled and told myself to calm down and have faith.

James will come.

Even if he did not come on our wedding, I know he will come tonight.

Even if he is a jerk.

And I was stupid.

Hold on-! Where are my thoughts heading?

“Mheg!”

I looked at the entrance and my eyes grew wide.

W-Why..?

“S-Sir..?”

He placed his hands on his hips when he reached me.

I closed my eyes tightly as realization dawn.

Conceited..

I also saved his number under the name ‘Conceited’ when I got his number earlier!

My face turned red in shame as I tried to hide my face behind my hands. This is humiliating!

I turned to check myself on the glass wall.

My hair is a mess and I look dirty and sweaty.

In short, I look the same way I looked when I first saw him!

“Are you okay?” he asked with a hint of concern.

“Sir.. I’m sorry. I mis-dialed.”

“I know. Because I am definitely not James!” he answered with irritation.

There! There’s the horns of the beast again, starting to grow out of his head.

“Let’s go,” he offered his hand to help me up.

“I’m okay, Sir,” I stood up without accepting his hand.

Soon, I realized that was another wrong move because my knees seemed to have turned into jelly that it cannot support my weight. The earlier adrenaline rush has robbed me of my strength now.

Sir Harley swiftly caught me by the waist.

“You’re so stubborn,” he snapped and pulled me closer to make me lean on him.

“T-Thank you, Sir..”

“Stop calling me Sir!”

I fell silent.

What should I call him then? Conceited? Jerk? Stupid? Beast?

I have no problem calling him that. I smirked at the thought.

Sir Harley did not let me go until I am inside his car.

“Sir-“

“I told you not to call me Sir! Its grating on my nerves.”

“Eh..?”

“Harley will do.”

“It’s not appropriate to address my boss in his first name.”

“Please, we’re not in the office! You even called me to your rescue, but cannot even call me in my first name?”

“I said I mis-dialed.”

“Really? How did James become Harley?”

Ah.. eh.. I. O. U.

“James did not become Harley, Sir. It’s just that both of you are Conceited,’ I retorted mentally.

“We’re here,” he suddenly declared. I was surprised to realize that we are already in front of my apartment.

“How did you know-”

I did not get to finish my question because he suddenly went down the car and went to my side to open the door for me.

Wow, I didn’t know my boss can be a gentleman. It’s not obvious.

“I can already stand on my own Sir-”

“Harley! Try to insist calling me Sir once again and I’ll shut your mouth with my lips!”

My eyes grew wide at his declaration.

“Harley, I can stand on my own already,” I rephrased, obviously afraid of his threat.

“Shut up. I’m helping you inside your apartment. And won’t you even offer me a cup of coffee? I was in the middle of drinking coffee when you called and-”

“Okay, I get it. You complain so much.”

“You talk back now, huh. Earlier, you were begging me to come and fetch you.”

“I was telling those words to James. And I was not begging him, I was offering a way for him to pay me back.”

“For jilting you?”

I just stayed silent and pulled my key from my bag.

“Come in.”