"Fated. Coincidence. Planned. Whatever it is—my heart fluttered. - FF18

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"Miss, what are the new features of this Galaxy S20+?" the man wearing a business suit approached Yrrah.

Yrrah's currently dealing with a college boy who bought an older and cheaper model of the smart cellphone. She politely excuses herself to the young man and faced the other man.

"I'll be with you shortly, sir. We're almost done here," she said, then smiled to the customer.

Today is the first day of their on-the-job-training (OJT) in their company for a month. As per her instruction to Mr. Mateo—the acting CEO of OTC—when she talked with him before the Christmas break, she wanted her identity hidden and would like to start in the lowest possible position. The Human Resources (HR) Manager, Mrs. Jogno, assigned her in one of their stores in the mall closer to the OTC Building, as Sales Associate Trainee for a week. Her friends, Neisha and Barbie were assigned in the main office as Administrative Assistants in HR Department.

"I'm in a hurry," the man said with smugly look. He even fixed his black coat as if he's saying that he's an important person.

"I would gladly assist you, sir," her colleague Julia said.

"I want her to assist me not you," the man said arrogantly, "Do you know who I am?"

Yrrah wanted to raise her eyebrow but instead she smiled sweetly. "Sorry but I don't, sir. Would you like to give me your business card?"

The man looked at her name tag, "Yrrah, Trainee. I only give my business card to the important person."

Her lips twitched into a slyly smile. "Excuse me, sir. I'll finish up with my current client first."

The young man handed him smaller bills and lots of loose coins. "Sorry, Miss Yrrah. It came from my bamboo bank," he said shyly.

"Nothing to worry. It's still money, isn't it?" Yrrah said politely. Then, she started counting the boy's payment.

The man in the suit grimaced and said, "Poor service. They don't know how to treat the important customer fairly." Then, he left with heavy steps. The truth is... He didn't have any business card and no plan to buy a new cellphone. Someone just paid him to talk to the new sales clerk and get information from her.

The college boy apologized to her. He was worried that Yrrah might be reprimanded by her boss and loss her job.

She assured the boy that she'll be fine. "You came here first. It's just fair to serve you first. All customers are important to me whether they're in suit or simple shirt. Don't you agree?" She even packed the cellphone properly and thanks the customer.

"You're not just pretty, Miss Yrrah. But so cool. I'll refer you to my friends," said the happy and satisfied young man.

Yrrah admitted to herself that she's not well-experienced yet in dealing with people, and her dad told her not to judge the people based on what their wear or how they look. She remembered that she was once the same as the man in suit.

They were travelling in Cebu. She was around 16 years old at that time. She wanted to buy an iced coffee at Starbucks but the line-up was long. She walked to the front, skipping the line and made her order.

"I'm sorry I can't take your order, Miss. Please fall in line," the barista said politely.

Yrrah being a brat said in an angry tone, "Don't you know who my dad is? We want to talk to our manager."

The peoples in the line glared at her with dismay. She didn't care at all. She even raised her eyebrows to them and gave them a pompous glare. The manager approached her dad, but Mr. Olevar just apologized to the manager. The manager offered him the iced coffee that his daughter wanted in respect with him because he was so polite and down-to-earth. Mr. Olevar refused and told her daughter to go to the end of the line, if she really wants that drinks. She was very disappointment with her dad. She walked-out and even scolded him.

When they came back to their hotel, her dad asked her, "Why do you think we travel without the bodyguards around us?"

Yrrah was still sulky yet, she replied, "Because bodyguards are annoying. They keep on following us and I feel like being caged."

"Absolutely right, Hija. If you want to be free like birds, be humble like them. Though, they can fly very high, they will still land on the ground, either to rest or eat." At first, she couldn't understand what her dad was trying to tell her.

"You should keep a low profile all the time, but most especially when you are travelling. Never put yourself to be the target of people with malicious intentions like kidnappers. Being a low profile would never lessen your dignity, rather you will gain their respect based on your attitude and personality," Mr. Harry Olevar added.

Whenever and wherever they were travelling especially overseas, her dad was just wearing a simple yet, decent attire. Even he was in his mid-forties, he still looked fit. He was tall, handsome, and charismatic man. Some women were still turning their gazes to him. She met some of his girlfriends after her mom died but he never remarried.

"I miss you so much, Dad. Hope you are proud of the person I am becoming right now," she whispered to herself.

The man in the suit approached the other man outside the OTC store, who's sitting on the chair facing their store. He pretended reading a newspaper but he was actually watching Yrrah's every move.

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THOUGH the three friends are not assigned in the same department, they usually wait each other at the end of their shift. Neisha and Barbie went to the mall to wait for her. Her boyfriend, Aeron, went there also to pick her up.

Zach instructed Barbie not to leave Yrrah and Aeron alone. Not to give them a chance to have intimate moments. Though, Aeron was trying to shoo Barbie and Neisha, Barbie played dumb all the time. He didn't care if Aeron gets mad at him. He actually reported to Zach their whereabout.

On Tuesday, Barbie asked her friends to eat in Italian restaurant in BGC. It was not far from Ayala, where the OTC Main Office is located and the mall where Yrrah was assigned.

Yrrah together with her friends, were shocked when the chef himself served their order. "Enjoy your meal, guys. Let us know what else do you want. Its in-house." Zach told them in a friendly tone. He looked dashingly handsome in his black ten-buttoned chef coat and black pants.

Neisha and most of the ladies' customers couldn't get off their eyes on him. Yrrah couldn't look at him but she admitted to herself that Zach's chef uniform suited him so well. It's the first time she saw him in-person in that attire, though, she saw a lot of his pictures in social media.

On Friday night, Yrrah and friends decided to watch a movie at SM Megamall. This time, Princess and Lucas joined them. Yrrah was suspicious of the word 'coincidence', when they saw Zach—with two ladies and another man—settling themselves on the chairs just above theirs.

She wanted to just ignore him but Barbie already greeted him, "Hi, Fafa Zach. What a coincidence!"

Yrrah felt uneasy and she couldn't even concentrate on the movie. She felt being pierced by shaft eyes from behind. When Aeron put his arms on her shoulder, Zach suddenly laughed with matching kicking of her chair though the scenes wasn't even funny.

After the movie, Zach introduced them with his peers. Callum, who self-proclaimed to be his best buddy. The two men were neighbors and Taekwondo buddies. Callum joined the US Army for a few years but decided to quit after being in the war in the Middle East. Zach offered him a job to be his bodyguard and personal assistant.

Zach invited Callum to watch a movie with him upon receiving Barbie's text. He didn't want to pop up there all by himself. His intention to guide Yrrah would be jeopardized.

Callum had a set date with his girlfriend, Aubrey already. Zach just forgot that his assistant asked for night's off. Callum and Aubrey met online when Callum had been honorably dismissed from the army. They met in person just New Year when Callum came in the Philippines.

Aubrey suggested for a double date. Her best friend Olivia, had a big crush with Zach since the lady saw his picture. Aubrey even asked her boyfriend to introduce her best friend to Zach. But Callum told her that it's impossible unless Olivia is an investor, which is far from it as she's just an ordinary office clerk. But now, they had a good opportunity to blind date the two.

"It's nice to finally meet you in flesh, Miss Yrrah. I heard a lot about you," Callum said in friendly tone. He seemed to be very pleased to meet her and even offered his hand for handshake. But Zach tapped his friend's shoulder a bit harder while staring on its hand, then looked at Callum with a warning message not to even dare to touch my girl.

"Oh. Hope it's not all about my brattiness," said Yrrah, "It's nice to meet all of you as well. Never thought that my kuya have some friends," she said full of sarcasm and emphasized the word 'kuya' again. She noticed that the girl named Olivia gave her the sweetest smile. 'Don't be fool. I might be your rival.' She thought.

They parted their ways that evening. Aeron asked his girlfriend to go to the bar as the night is still early, but Yrrah refused. What happened to her last time, was a lesson learned. Until now, the man who was with her was still a mystery.

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THERE ARE six elevators in OTC building, three in the east side; EE1, EE2, EE3. Two in the west side; WE1, WE2, WE3. The EE1, EE2, EE3 are from parking level 5 (P5) to 25th floor only. Those floors are for the commercial tenants of OTC Building. The WE1 and WE2 are from P5 to 3rd floor then, 26th to 50th floors. It will skip 4th to 25th floor. Those floors are for the main office of OTC. The WE3 is an express elevator from P5 to 3rd floor then, 51st to 55th floor. This is mainly used by the OTC Executive Personnel only.

The ground floor (G) or main level is the main reception area for visitors. The floor was made of white shiny marble. The walls were made of marble from ground to half of it and tampered-glass the other half to the ceiling. Black modern couches for the visitors to settled themselves comfortably while waiting. The OTC Commercial Management Office is right behind the Building Reception Area. In front of it is the huge Auditorium for company's events. The second and third floors are like mini-mall and food court. The right side is where the different food and beverages well-known restaurants like Jollibee, McDonald, Starbucks, Best Mom's Kitchenette, and more. On the left side are the stalls for designer's clothing, bags, shoes, computer and accessories, and even real estate office. The OTC employees has a 15% colleague discount on any stores in this building. The HR Department is on the 26th floor. On the 27th is the Technical Support and Call Centre. The Finance Department is on the 50th Floor.

ON THEIR second week of OJT, Yrrah was assigned in the Finance Department. Her supervisor, Ms. Pelayo, put a head-height of invoices on her table to be encoded. The encoder was on vacation leave so; her job filed up. They were happy to have a trainee in their department to replace the encoder temporarily. After giving her instruction of how to do it, her supervisor approached the lady in the next table.

Ms. Pelayo whispered to their colleague, "Mr. CEO is back." Ms. Pelayo is in her early thirties only. She looked sophisticated, professional, and strict. So, Yrrah was quite surprised of what she had heard.

"Really? Where did you see him?" Ms. Pamplona asked their boss; her tone was screaming excitement like a teenager being giddied with her crush. Some of their other colleague overheard them.

"In the Parking Area Level 3. But he took his own elevator," replied Ms. Pelayo in a low voice.

"Ma'am, are you pertaining to Mr. Hot CEO? Is he really back?" the other lady next to Ms. Pamplona asked with same high intensity.

Yrrah couldn't help but to look around as the other ladies were buzzing like jolly bees. They became lively with wide smile and dreamy eyes.

'Gosh! What's wrong with these ladies being giddied with Mr. Mateo. Did he go on vacation?' Yrrah thought to herself. Mr. Mateo, the acting CEO is in his sixties already, though he really has a charming personality. She never thought the Finance Department's ladies preferred an old man. She giggled to herself. 'Never thought that he's still a chix-magnet.'

ON THEIR third week of OJT, Yrrah was assigned in the Office of the President/CEO, while Barbie and Neisha to the Finance Department.

Yrrah arrived fifteen minutes early as usual. The HR Manager, Mrs. Jogno told her that she already informed the CEO's secretary, that she's going to report directly to the CEO.

"I can accompany you to the 55th floor," Mrs. Jogno offered. She's 64 years old already and almost a retiree.

"No. Thank you, ma'am. I can manage from here," said Yrrah politely.

"The Office of the President/CEO is on the right side when you get off the west elevator 3 (WE3). The left is the Office of Vice-President and the Executive Conference Room," Mrs. Jogno added.

Yrrah took the west elevator 3 and tapped her another key card that the HR Manager gave her. That key card was exclusive for the employee in the 55th floor only. The lift moved up automatically to the designated programmed floor to it. You would never feel dizziness when inside of the elevator. Your ride would be smooth and express just like you are just teleporting to the highest level. The mechanical system of the elevators is the state-of-the arts that only few buildings around the world could afford it.

When Yrrah went out of the elevator, she noticed that the main lobby in the 55th floor is just the same as in the Finance Department. The office walls are made from floor to ceiling tampered-glass. The name of the offices was neatly engraved on the glass door. The ambiance is bright and warm, as if they are welcoming you in a very friendly place. The fresh smell of jasmine and vanilla of the whole place is pleasant to the nose bud and elevates someone's mode. The paintings on the wall are original pieces of the well-known artist Jac Nobledo-Valdez.

"What a nice place to work!" Yrrah whispered to herself before she enters to the Office of the President.

Inside that office has a better smell of cinnamon and pine. It could alleviate stress and sharpen one's mind. It looked spacious because it's not as crowded as the in the Finance Department with a lot of tables and cubicle. Here, there's only white L-shaped sofa for guest, a modern styled center table made of glass. On top of it a sleek-shaped vase with fresh flowers on different kinds on it, a magazine rack on the corner. There are three tables on the left side facing the door, one behind another. Behind the third table is the copier and wireless printer. The walls beside the table are made of tampered-glass as well from floor to ceiling and covered by vertical cream-colored blinds. You can see from there the other high-rise building in the area.

"Can I help you?" the lady in first table asked. She stood up and walked in front of her.

Yrrah read the name plate on the table. Katie Legaspi, Secretary to the CEO. Katie looked-like the model in the magazine. She's tall and slim, has a fair smooth skin, screaming elegance in the way she speaks and dress up. She's 27 years old. She's wearing a peach plain blazer, paired with lavender blouse patterned with small white flowers, and a black pencil-cut skirt. She's also wearing a pair of silver five-inch stilettos sandals. Her nail toes are painted in red nail polish.

"Hi. I'm Yrrah. I'm here as a Management Trainee. Is Mr. CEO in already?" She used the unprofessional term, Mr. CEO as it's how the addressed him. She thought that maybe he wanted to be called as such rather than his name.

She made a quick glace in the room on the right side. Unlike most the walls that made of glass, this one was made of well-polished white granite from floor to ceiling. Abstract paintings are nearly hanged on it. The wooden door seemed thick and made of solid oak. Its stylish, modern, and luxurious looking door. President/CEO is engraved on the golden metal plate that glued on it.

"No. He's not in yet," said Miss Katie. Her eyes scrutinized the young lady in front of her wearing designer's items from head to toes.

Yrrah's in her casual yet classy business attire; a pastel blue elbow-length blazer, white round-neck patchwork blouse tucked into the pearl gray high-waisted, culotte-style trouser with a cropped-wide leg. Her pair of 4.5" defined block heel, platform sandals with double G from Gucci is matched perfectly in the color of her blazer. Her Chanel small flap bag in white added in her elegant and sophisticated looks. Not to mentioned her branded jewelries.

It seemed that her fashion style passed in meticulous fashion sense of Miss Katie to gain its precious smile. "You must be the daughter of one of the executives to be trained by the CEO himself?"

Yrrah gave the lady a small smile. "I might be. Who knows?"

Miss Katie's right eyebrow raised. Just then, her intercom rings. She walked back to her desk and answered the call.

[Miss Katie, I saw that you meet our trainee already. Can you please tell her to make my coffee and bring in my office?] The CEO asked.

[I can do it, sir.]

Protested the secretary. She wanted to do it as it's the only way that she can see him in a day. The CEO came back last week but she only saw him once. She's been waiting for weekdays to hopefully see him.

[You can relax for now and let the trainee do the job.] He hanged-up.

"He's in. He asked you to make him a coffee. Black coffee with one teaspoon of sugar. You can leave your things in the third table. The coffee marker at the right end," Miss Katie told her in a serious lifeless tone.

"Okay." Yrrah left her bag on the third table. She brewed the coffee in the single-serve coffee maker then add sugar. She knocked three times before she enters the CEO's office.

"Good morning, Mr. Mateo. Here's your coffee," she said in a lively and respectful tone. The man was seating on his swivel chair but facing backward. Yrrah walked towards him and put down the coffee mug and saucer on his desk.

The CEO turned his chair. "Good morning, too. What a lovely morning it is! Don't you agree?"

Yrrah's eyes widened and her heart fluttered.

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UNEDITED.
16 – 17 June 2020

A/N:  It might take a few weeks or even months before I can update.  I'll be busy.  Please be patient.  Thankie.