Chapter 3: Of Saving Time and Energy

With a pounding heart, I made my way to my own office where I shut the door firmly. I gripped the door handle until my hands hurt as I leaned back on the cold glass. I closed my eyes trying to calm myself down and forget whatever sensation he nearly resurfaced with his touch and everything he is. And the fear that I nearly gave myself up again was too much.

"You can do this, Alice. You can treat him like nothing. Just your boss and nothing more. You can do this", I kept repeating to myself.

'I missed you"

His words rang inside my head and crashed like another wave of emotion on my high walls.

"You can't crack up"

With a few deep breaths, I move at my table picking up folders and papers putting them together on my box under my desk fighting my shaking fingers.

I was filing up the most recent reports that I needed to review for the next days when I heard a knock from the door and I saw Marco's head popping out of it.

"Marco, what are you doing here?"

"Hey, Mr. Esguerra asked me to help you with moving in on his office?", he said it like he was not sure of what he was saying. Well, who would ever heard of a secretary moving inside the CEO's office. That's could be the most absurd idea. He stepped into the room and walked towards me helping me with everything needed to be sorted out.

"Where's Jose?", I asked. Jose was our maintenance and I was expecting the old man to help me with my things though I was grateful that it was Marco who would do the job of giving me a hand since I would be feeling shameless to let the old man carry my heavy things like the table, boxes full of books and many more.

"So... is it true?", we fell silent on his question. I hinted a suspicion on his voice and I was caught off guard. Along with some of the boys in our company, Marco was one of those who would always try and make a move on me. But I would say, he was one of the most honest because most of them would just flirt nonsense.

He was good-looking, in all fairness of my better judgment, caring and a boyfriend material but then what I plainly feel for him was being a friend.

"Well, yes. It seems like we need to work with so much because...", I trailed off of my sentence when I saw my new boss leaning against the door frame, his arms across his chest and his eyes were trained on me and Marco.

My friend immediately lifted the box and carried out of my room and I was sure to my new office. Another man entered and this time, it was someone from the accounting department but I forgot his name. He was newly hired last week. Stiffly reached for my other stuffs and Seth just stood there watching every thing that was happening. He was like an Egyptian official guarding the poor workers who follows his ever command.

I gathered up my personal belongings and held my cell phone on my hand while my other hand was clutching my bag.

People moved in and out of the room and I gave them way when they finally disassembled my cabinet and table to easily transfer it out. When Marco was was working with my cabinet files, I could feel a weird tension around me.

Seth still hasn't moved from his posture since.

"Mr. Esguerra, don't worry we can do it in a few hours so there would be no needing to guard us. We will definitely finish this up as soon as we can and promise, we won't slack off. The beautiful Miss Alice will surely punish us personally if we do so", Marco said jokingly.

His eyes turned from Marco to me.

"Are you commanding me now?", I stiffened at his question turning an icy glare at the poor man. I knew Marco voiced them out plainly like a joke but I guess the other man got it all wrong. If I were the one to choose, I would say it like a bidding because I really did want him to go and if possibly could, lock himself in his office but that would be disrespectful and with his men here hearing him would make it worse.

"N-No, sir"

"Really? I'm sure I heard you just like that", his tone was accusing and cold.

"I was just... I just don't want to keep you from work, sir. I know there are tons of files you have to read and standing here until we finished will be a waste of time", Marco reasoned out.

"Well, it seems like you forget who has the authority here and who has to follow orders", I could feel the air around us getting heavier.

"Of course not, sir", the man lowered his gaze and I could see the rush of red embarrassment spread all over his face. I was tempted to slap him on the face for treating my friend in such a way what could I do? He holds the power in here.

"Do your job properly and stop giving out your opinions when not needed. Understood?", his dominance rolled off the air and Marco cowered down getting out with the materials he disassembled a few minutes ago.

"Do you really have to do that?", I finally managed to ask when we were left alone. He raised his brows at me the way I've always hated.

"Yes. He's being annoying", he replied. Jaws clenching, eyes avoiding mine.

"You asked for his help, sir"

His thew me a glare.

"Well, that's his job. Follow my instructions without questions asked or opinions said"

I gasped unbelieving just how his logic worked.

"He just wanted to save time and energy for your sake, sir. I hope you know that", I tried saving my friend.

He stepped forward and the hard sole of his shoes sounded on the marble floor. I stayed at my place.

"Well, I am also saving time and energy"

'What?!'

"You see, I am saving myself from thinking that you are in the same room with some men. I am saving time by not waiting in my goddamn office knowing some idiot would be flirting with you when I could just stand by and check on their move and snap their heads if they have done something wrong"

He stepped closer.

"And I am saving energy by not sitting on my stupid chair knowing you would be smiling at them when I could just idly be here and watch your face and stop anyone who would dare to do the same"

"W-What are you saying?"

"Forgetting the 'sir' now, are we?", he smirked.

"Let's punish you, shall we?"

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Soooooooooooooo?????????

How is it?