WHEN Sierra received an email from Ms. Bernadette last night that she had to go in now, she had little time left for sleep. Sierra fixed her new boss' schedule and replied to every email he sent to her. She thought last night was her first day because of her work. It was past two o'clock when Sierra fell asleep and woke up around five thirty to prepare for her and Zeke's breakfast.
Sierra's morning was started by preparing Mr. Fritzgibbons' coffee, breakfast, and newspaper. She neatly placed it on his working table, which was remarkably clean.
He's a vain guy, Sierra thought.
They tied in that part because she's organized herself too. As well as her son, their son, to be specific. But Sierra has no intention of confessing to Mr. Fritzgibbons, with whom she'd shared an intimate night six years ago. She will probably wait for him to remember, which seems unlikely to happen.
A text message from the reception halted Sierra's thoughts. A simple text message notifying her that her new boss has already arrived. She stood up properly and picked up her boss' printed shortlist, which she did even though she had been very sleepy last night. Sierra was even confused because something might be wrong, but she didn't receive any comment from the man.
Sierra stood in front of the elevator and waited for her new boss.
"This is it, Sierra Rose! Let's set aside the sleepiness first." She is officially employed in South East Asia's largest corporation, working under Mr. Aidan Fritzgibbons.
The sound of the elevator again halted her thoughts. After that, the door opened, and Mr. Fritzgibbons came out. Sierra immediately noticed her boss's divine look and thought he was a complete sin. She took a deep breath and let a smile tug at her lips.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted her boss and handed over his shortlist. She didn't receive a greeting that raised one of her eyebrows slightly. Maybe he had a bad morning, she said in the back of her mind out of curiosity.
But Sierra's boss' appearance looked nice. He's well-dressed, his hair is neatly brushed up, and his scent is abusing her nose. She couldn't help but look back like when they first met. It wasn't just an ordinary memory; it was about the warm moment they shared. Even more memorable than what she had experienced with previous relationships.
"Are you done staring, Ms. Jimenez?" a question that aroused Sierra from deep thinking.
"I'm not staring, sir. I was checking if your suit is Tom Ford or Armani," she excused himself to defend herself.
Mr. Fritzgibbons frowned. "None of the above." A moment of silence strikes after he leaves her there. "Your work won't come to get you, Ms. Jimenez." A reminder that she heard that's why she quickly followed him.
The first day was already a disaster, and she was not informed that her new boss was moody.
"I want to meet the board earlier than the scheduled time. I want you to squeeze into my shortlist our site visit in Rizal."
"Our? Us?" She asked the boss one after another.
"Do you see anyone else in this room? Yes, you will come with me today." It's like asking a question, he said in his mind. "Did you get me, Ms. Jimenez? I don't want to repeat myself always, so be attentive."
"Yes, sir, loud and clear." He remained standing in front of it. He wouldn't have left if his boss hadn't scolded him.
What a mess for my first day?!
***
SIERRA thought they were going to a good construction site with Mr. Fritzgibbons. Good means no mud, not like this. But what she thought was wrong. It was a muddy site due to the heavy rain last night, unfit for her chosen office attire for today. She wore high heels and a fitted skirt slightly above the knee. He wants to see everything up close and personal rather than just reading a report in the office.
"Don't you have any other shoes, Sierra?" Dickie asked her - the driver of Mr. Fritzgibbons.
"No, I don't." The driver just nodded, and she slowly followed Mr. Fritzgibbons. "I guess I need insurance to secure my son's future if my boss is like this."
"You were saying, Ms. Jimenez?" her boss asked.
"Um, nothing! I said it's a beautiful day today." She made an excuse again that he didn't pay attention. He just continued to walk, which she followed even though it was difficult to walk. It's hard to hurry because she might slip and whatnot.
"Why didn't you bring an outdoor shoe?"
I know you had a great trip? she wanted to answer, but Sierra didn't want to be fired immediately. Maybe Mr. Fritzgibbons thought she would quickly succumb to it. He fought the wrong woman then, she said again in her mind.
"I'm sorry -"
"Stop saying that, Ms. Jimenez. It's a sign of weakness," he said severely.
Can I cripple this man? What does he want me to answer?
Sierra followed her boss even though it was challenging and her shoes were dirty. Mud reached her leg, which she tried to ignore. They only get updates from the construction site's foreman, which she wrote down. Sierra knew his boss would ask for a summarised report after all.
After they finished, they visited another site just near the first point of origin before returning to the office. It was also muddy, so her shoes were almost covered with mud. The price of the shoes she wears is high, so she is disappointed now. Sierra has to clean her legs and feet before riding her boss' car.
"What are you doing there, Ms. Jimenez?" a question that aroused her.
"Sitting, sir," she replied.
"I know, but how are we supposed to talk if you sit there?" She looked at Dickie, and judging by his appearance, and he almost blushed from uncontrollable laughter. Even though she was against it inside, Sierra got out again and moved to the back seat next to his boss. She doesn't care, even if it's raining outside.
The salary is worth it when the boss is moody, she said in her mind.
***
"I HEARD that Sir Aidan brought his new assistant to the muddy construction site earlier." Words Sierra heard while she was inside a cubicle. She was on her way home but decided to make a stop first after finishing her master's orders. It's past nine o'clock, and she's still on her way home to Alabang. "I think that's how our boss tests his new assistant now. He didn't do that to others,"
"Because none of the previous ones lasted." a comment she heard from the other person.
"That's right," the two laughed, gradually disappearing until it was quiet inside the bathroom. That's a cue for Sierra to come out of the cubicle.
"Maybe they thought I would just give up."
She took a deep breath and carefully picked up the shoe that was damaged due to the mud covering it. Sierra regrets it, but there is nothing he can do even if he cleans it; he will spend a lot of money. She walked through the automatic gate and was about to exit the building but stopped when someone called her name.
She turned and saw Dickie running up to where she was. "It's good, and I caught up with you," he said breathlessly to her. "This is the replacement for your shoes and the outside shoes when you have a site visit."
"Why is there something like this?" She couldn't help but ask. It was strange because she was new and had already received a gift from someone she had just met.
"That's a reward because you spent a day with Aidan."
"But -"
"Accept it. I'll go ahead of you and be careful going home." He left as soon as two shoe boxes were handed to her. She followed the older man as he left until he completely disappeared.
It's bizarre, she thought.
She continued walking until she reached the bus stop. Sierra still made it to the last trip, which she is thankful for. She got home early today, but Sierra didn't know if she would be able to make it in the next few days. Sierra has to think of another mode of transportation. It should be cheap and will fit into her monthly budget.
For now, she will have to endure waiting for the bus while not getting paid yet. She is excited to go home and see her son even though he is asleep. She knew that Zeke understood why she was always gone. She has to work hard for him and his needs. She promised that everything would be done for the child and her family.
A smile appeared on her lips when she saw the pictures that Dahlia and Kirsten had sent her. Sierra picked a nice view of her son and posted it online. There she thought of looking online for the social media account of Mr. Fritzgibbons. She started by searching for his surname, and hundreds of results came out. But nothing that came outmatched her master's face.
"Doesn't he have a social media account? After all, if there were, I wouldn't have been informed that my son's father is a monster boss." She talked to herself while waiting for the bus.
Even if he has social media, she still doesn't have a name on it. Sierra remembered his face but was too busy to look at the billboards around her. She remembered the feelings and familiar scent of him too. It's hard being a single mom; she couldn't remember the feeling of sitting around for a long time doing nothing.
"Enough of him. He's your boss with a powerful trip. I should heed Ms. Bernadette's warning..."