Kristina Delarosa
"You okay Kris?"
"Huh?" I replied blankly to Leonard as I didn't quite comprehend his question. Let's just say my brain hasn't had enough coffee to drink this morning. My husband, and soon to be that is, has been banging his secretary and I'm to feel ok?! It's been a week and I've been avoiding Clara as if she were a plague.
How ironic. She is a walking plague. A parasite created to ruin the lives of women who target the one person she's obsessed with. The question that keeps haunting me is if she did it intentionally. And no I'm not avoiding her because she scares me which she doesn't. I'm afraid that if we cross paths I won't be able to hold myself back from gauging her eyes out.
A little too much?
Who am I kidding? Mr. even know I exist. I'm just another one of his many employees used to make him profit from the services he provide. With that said, if I don't do my job like I'm supposed to then I'm out the door. I release a breath of exhaustion as I rest my elbows on my desk and place my head in it.
Get it together Kris. Stop stressing over someone who's dumb enough to not seek out your existence. We are better than this. It's his fault for not trying to find out who you are.
He is allowed to have his love life until I arrange how we meet. On second thought, maybe we shouldn't meet at all. I fear that I'll just break down and cry in front of him like some psychopath. Today, I didn't put any effort in my outfit, losing all hope in meeting Ezio. Just the thought of it made my eyes swell with tears.
So I held onto my virginity for nothing. My thick curly hair was in a messy bun and I had on my favourite denim capri jeans with dark blue V neck shirt that slightly showed my cleavage. That itself was a sign because usually I'd wear and under blouse but I didn't.
Only if you listened to at least one of your brothers then maybe you wouldn't be in this mess.
Kinda wishing my conscience had a mute button right now.
"Maybe you should take the day off."
"No I'm fine." If I do that then I'd have nothing to take this betrayal of my mind so it's better I drown myself in work and hope I faint. So we can sue this company. Good plan if I do say so myself.
"Then at least go get some coffee."
"No it's fine. I don't want any coffee." I massage my temple for a short while before switching the computer on. Can't believe I really forgot to do that.
"Then what do you want?"
"To be Mr. Bayek's secretary." I mumble under my breath as I sulk even harder than before. Clara sure is one lucky woman.
"Well you need to choose. Coffee or day off but I will not have you sulking like this." Leonard said while pulling me from my chair. Guess my mind strayed off again because I did not hear when he left his desk nor when he was approaching. He pushed me to the office door after wiping the tear stains from my cheek. He didn't give me my pocketbook so that mean he already made the decision for me and that was coffee.
I sulked my way to the elevator, ignoring the countless eyes that followed my every move and stepped in. I eventually reached the ginormous lunch room and shuffled to the counter with a semi-frown. I ordered a chocolate mocha latte and a deli sandwich before taking a seat by the window area. Don't think it's gonna take too long.
"Ms. Delarosa?" The counter lady called. Well that was a lot quicker than I thought. I walked to the counter and collected the hot beverage and sandwich. Once I spin around I bumped into a hard surface and spilled my coffee over a very expensive Armani suit.
You have got to be kidding me. Ugh, I wanna pull my hair from my scalp so bad. "My bad." I placed my sandwich on a nearby table and went back to the counter to make a new order and get some napkins. I was really uninterested in looking at the individual because that was kind of embarrassing even for me.
I sighed in frustration as I removed the male's jacket and placed it over my shoulder before wiping his chest carefully. Had to hold onto his shoulder so I stabled both him and myself while I tried to remove a potential stain. He was also really tall so I had to go on my tippy toes. What I didn't fail to notice is that everyone in the lunchroom looked at me as if they saw a ghost. When I was about to look up I was called for my coffee. I handed the male his jacket after my continuous apologies and ran back to the counter.
Maybe I could take the chance to steal a quick glance. He could be handsome.
No that's adultery. I picked up my sandwich and headed for the elevator without looking back. Before the elevator doors closed, I saw the tall figure staring back at me. I would be able to see properly if tears didn't cloud my eyes. He looked really familiar but because my mind wasn't in the right place I decided to blow it off. I sipped my coffee in complete and unbothered silence.
* * * * * * * * * *
"I've finished the files."
"Take them to Mr. Bayek's office."
I groaned in agony as my broken heart ached. My internal organs begged my brain not to ressurect the thoughts that took me almost an entire day to bury. And the day wasn't even over. I really wasn't in the mood to see Mr. Bayek nor his secretary.
"Anything you say." I complied to Leonard's request and took the files from my desk before heading out. When I reached Ezio's office floor I saw Clara at her desk with a smile playing on her face. She had on a dark red lipstick, very sexy I might add. When she heard the elevator ding she looked up at me and her smile grew even wider.
"Good morning."
"Morning." I replied blankly. Guess she read the mood because her smile soon faltered and there was evident pain in her eyes. "Sorry I wasn't here last week. I had to leave after I heard my fiancé was in the hospital. I tried to tell you but you didn't seem too well. Everything ok?"
What? I rest the burdensome papers on her desk and rubbed
my neck nervously.
"I also forgot to give my number." She smacked herself on the forehead and chuckled. "So stupid."
"You...weren't here?" My eyes widened as my brain finally registered what she was saying. Then if she wasn't here...who was in the office?
"No." She shook her head. "My future mother-in-law called and told me Antonio was in the hospital. My fiancé is Antonio by the way, he broke his leg after slipping from the roof of our house.Very clumsy yet fortunate." Her eyes lit up.
Our?? Did I really misjudge this woman. "I'm so sorry to hear that." I say with sincerity. I'm not only sorry for that but for also misjudging you is what I want to say but then again I'd be just like everyone else.
Life sure is stressing.
Never judge a book by its cover. "Since I kinda bailed out...wanna go out this weekend." She looked up with hope filled eyes.
"Sure but let's stop wasting time." I say jokingly which was successful because she snorted. "I was told to bring these to Mr. Bayek."
"Go right in but ensure you knock first." She whispers. "You don't want to lose your job." She then winked at me, as I took up the burdensome files, which caused me to smile. Wow- I actually feel a little better now that I know it wasn't vixen. Then who could it be?
I knocked on the gigantic mahogany door that seemed to take up most of the wall that separated both offices.
"Come in." I pushed one door open with my shoulder since my hands were occupied. I went straight to the desk after entering the room and there he was in all his glory, typing on his computer as if he hadn't cheated.
Hmph.
"Good afternoon Mr.Bayek." I forced a smile onto my face. He stopped what he was doing for a second and stared at me.
"You." He mumbled or maybe I'm just seeing things. I couldn't help but stare at those kissable plump pink lips. He sure is more handsome than all the light skins I've seen in my life.
"Mr. Leonard said you needed these files."
"Put them on the desk." He pointed on the upper right corner of his desk. And do you see that neck tattoo? Lawd somebody catch me. I place the papers on the desk before turning around to leave.
"Name."
"Excuse me?" I turn around to see him slightly irritated. He stopped what he was doing and was now leaned back into his black leather desk chair and staring at me completely composed.
Gasp. Was he staring at my butt?! I chuckled to myself at how dumb that thought was. "Nah."
"Excuse me?" I covered my mouth in a flash and cursed myself for speaking out loud.
"I meant Kristina Delarosa." I grinned now even more nervous. I avoided eye contact and self smacked myself at how I could've lost my job in a few minutes. Just as if one cue my brain started playing IM SORRY (NOT SORRY) by Demi Lovato.
You dumb child. "You may leave." I quickly scurried from the office and ran to the elevator but not before scribbling my number on a piece paper so Clara and I could keep in touch. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I should've just taken the day off.
When I finally reached my office I slammed the door shut and began banging my head against it. Will I lose my job for being a total idiot?? Maybe but the fact that he may have been watching my butt, as I was about to exit his office, is a sign that he may have taken some form of interest in my lonely soul.
Just maybe. Next time we waltz out of there like a boss. Who knows? He may like them goofy.
"You okay?" Leonard asks as I smiled like an idiot with my bottom lip stuck between my teeth. Yes, I was indeed biting back a smile. But if it wasn't Clara then who was it in his office?
Maybe a secret wife. No that's definitely wrong because he is the number one bachelor. Self denial. Maybe I should go back tonight to see if he'll be there.
Stalker. Ok then we'll just go home and go to bed so we can dream about him. That sounds way better.
🤍
Hello wonderful readers.
Any thoughts?? What about the Clara twist or the fact that Ezio was actually light skin??
Huh?? 😏
Thank you guys for reading though. I have been doing some major procrastination and haven't really busied myself with updating but I promised my best friend that I'd finish this story so best friend if you're reading this then I deserve chocolate. 😭😭
Hope you guys enjoyed.